SNMP
What is a Network, Alex? *to have a network, you will also need a common communication protocol.
network
The most commonly used network protocol is Internet Protocol (IP), this is the protocol used within the Internet, this protocol is a derivative of TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. This is used in 99% of common corporate networks, the TCP components deals with efficiencies of network transmission. TCP/IP or IP overlays the common Ethernet networking topology.
The main communication or network protocol is the TCP/IP protocol. (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
A protocol is a set of rules for communication.A protocol is a set of rules for communication.A protocol is a set of rules for communication.A protocol is a set of rules for communication.
Also called signal topology. Every LAN has a topology, or the way that the devices on a network are arranged and how they communicate with each other. The way that the workstations are connected to the network through the actual cables that transmit data -- the physical structure of the network -- is called the physical topology. The logical topology, in contrast, is the way that the signals act on the network media, or the way that the data passes through the network from one device to the next without regard to the physical interconnection of the devices. Logical topologies are bound to the network protocols that direct how the data moves across a network. The Ethernet protocol is a common logical bus topology protocol. LocalTalk is a common logical bus or star topology protocol. IBM's Token Ring is a common logical ring topology protocol. A network's logical topology is not necessarily the same as its physical topology. For example, twisted pair Ethernet is a logical bus topology in a physical star topology layout. While IBM's Token Ring is a logical ring topology, it is physically set up in a star topology.
A protocol is a set of rules describing some behavior. In order to communicate in a common manner, the sender and receiver have to agree on the "language" of communication. A protocol states what those rules are, and because they are a standard, everyone agrees and knows what to expect.
Network protocols allows computers to speak with each other. The most common protocol used today is TCP/IP, or the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite. Other protocols are still in use but are in fairly rapid decline as more devices and software standardize themselves to Internet connectivity.
You wouldn't use TCP/IP in a network that doesn't support it for other devices, such as a mixed legacy mainframe environment with PC systems. In today's world, there is rarely a situation where TCP/IP should not be used because it is such a common protocol across the world.
Local Area Network A data network that does not include routing to remote locations. The most common protocol for wired LAN is currently Ethernet. The most common cabling for wired LAN is currently UTP (unshielded twisted pair) copper.
A device on a network are gateway, router, bridge, switch, hub, repeater, multilayer switch, protocol converter, bridge router, digital media receiver, proxy, firewall, and network address translator. A computer on a network is called a networking computer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_networking_device
You should suspect problems with the local network if the users are having similar problems, but they are located in different places. The network would be common to them and therefore the source of their problem.