NetWorker: Troubleshooting Host Connectivity Issues

Summary: This Article describes basic tests to determine whether a remote host is accessible from another host.

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Instructions

There are various tests which overlap with others which may help to determine whether a host is accessible or responsive. Generally, if Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) traffic is blocked, it may sometimes be impossible to be sure remotely. These commands should generally be run with the hostname for test purposes, but IP may also be used if name resolution is acknowledged to be failing. If name resolution problems are found, see:
NetWorker: Name Resolution Troubleshooting Best Practices 
ping [ hostname | IP ]
  • If name resolution fails, the IP is not inferred for the command to use, resulting in some variation of:
Name or service not known
Ping request could not find host hostname. Please check the name and try again.
  • If name resolution succeeds, or you are pinging the IP address, failure to route results in a different error, and represents a different condition (no ability to find a network path to the IP address inferred), like:
no route to host
Destination unreachable
  • Lack of response from the host can indicate either that the host is offline/unresponsive but may also signify other conditions, such as ICMP traffic being blocked: 
Request timed out.

Other commands may be used to help determine if the remote host is active, but suffer from the same limitations described above as it regards ICMP traffic and replies being blocked. 

Linux: 
traceroute [ hostname | IP ]
route
Windows: 
tracert [ hostname | IP ]
pathping [ hostname | IP ]
route print
If you are unable to receive a reply after confirming that name resolution works (or using IP), and the command is apparently routing but not receiving responses, the remote host should be investigated locally.

Affected Products

NetWorker Family
Article Properties
Article Number: 000227242
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 12 Aug 2024
Version:  1
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