Troubleshooting Guide

Resolve common issues with your FuturePhoton products using this comprehensive troubleshooting guide.

Common Issues and Solutions

Network Connectivity Problems

Symptom: Devices are not communicating or showing as offline in the management interface.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1. Physical Connection Issues

   • Check all cable connections for secure seating
   • Inspect fiber optic cables for damage or excessive bend radius
   • Verify that connectors are clean and free of contamination
   • Use an optical power meter to verify signal strength

2. Configuration Issues

   • Verify IP addresses and subnet masks are correctly configured
   • Check VLAN settings if applicable
   • Ensure routing tables are properly configured
   • Confirm that firewall rules are not blocking necessary traffic

3. Device Status

   • Check device status LEDs for error indications
   • Review system logs for error messages
   • Verify that firmware is up to date
   • Restart devices if necessary

Performance Degradation

Symptom: Slower than expected network performance or intermittent connectivity issues.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1. Bandwidth Utilization

   • Monitor network utilization to identify congestion points
   • Check for broadcast storms or excessive multicast traffic
   • Verify that devices are not exceeding their rated capacity

2. Environmental Factors

   • Check temperature and humidity levels in equipment rooms
   • Verify adequate cooling and ventilation
   • Inspect for electromagnetic interference sources
   • Ensure proper cable routing and management

3. Hardware Issues

   • Check for failing components or aging equipment
   • Verify that all firmware is current
   • Test with known good cables and components
   • Review error counters on network interfaces

Power-Related Issues

Symptom: Devices not powering on or experiencing unexpected reboots.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1. Power Supply Problems

   • Verify that power supplies are properly connected
   • Check input voltage levels and ensure they are within specifications
   • Inspect power cables for damage
   • Test with a known good power source

2. Power Budget Issues

   • Calculate total power consumption and compare to available power
   • Check for overloaded circuits or power distribution units
   • Verify that redundant power supplies are functioning correctly

Optical Signal Issues

Symptom: Poor optical signal quality or complete signal loss.

Possible Causes and Solutions:

1. Fiber Optic Cable Problems

   • Inspect connectors for contamination or damage
   • Clean all connectors using proper cleaning tools
   • Check for excessive bend radius in fiber cables
   • Test with known good cables

2. Transceiver Issues

   • Verify that transceivers are compatible with your equipment
   • Check transceiver seating and connections
   • Review transceiver diagnostics through management interface
   • Replace suspected faulty transceivers

Diagnostic Tools and Commands

Network Diagnostics

Common commands for diagnosing network issues:

# Ping test to verify basic connectivity
ping destination_ip

# Traceroute to identify routing issues
traceroute destination_ip

# Check interface status and statistics
show interfaces

# Display ARP table
show arp

# Check routing table
show ip route

System Monitoring

Monitor system health and performance:

# Check system uptime and load
show system uptime
show system load

# View system logs
show log messages

# Check hardware status
show chassis hardware
show environment

When to Contact Support

If you are unable to resolve an issue using this guide, please contact FuturePhoton technical support with the following information:

1. Detailed Problem Description

   • Exact symptoms and error messages
   • When the problem started
   • Any recent changes to the network

2. Device Information

   • Model numbers and serial numbers
   • Firmware versions
   • Configuration details

3. Diagnostic Information

   • Output from relevant diagnostic commands
   • System logs covering the problem period
   • Network topology diagrams

4. Troubleshooting Steps Taken

   • List of actions already attempted
   • Results of those actions

Contact our support team at support@futurephoton.com or call +1-800-FUTUREPHOTON for immediate assistance.