Network Trace

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Network Trace maps routes between a Systems Management Server (SMS) site server and an SMS site system that you select, based on the information contained in the site database. Use Network Trace to verify that site systems can communicate with the site server, and to see any network problems within a site.

Note Network Trace maps only IP subnets, not IPX or AppleTalk subnets.

Network Trace can also:

  • Show the network connections between all servers in an SMS site.

  • Show the roles of site systems in an SMS site.

  • Show which site systems are unreachable.

Network Trace gathers its information from Site System Discovery and Network Discovery. Server Discovery runs automatically after SMS Setup is completed, and once each hour thereafter. Network Discovery runs according to a schedule you specify.

After Server Discovery is completed, Network Trace can map site systems within a site. After Network Discovery is completed, Network Trace can map routers and links between site systems. Network Trace can map only what network discovery finds. Therefore, to map site systems and routers outside the local subnet, you must run network discovery at least once on all subnets in the site. If you do not do this, Network Trace displays only the local subnet, and it displays undiscovered links as question marks.

Related Topics 

Run Network Trace 

Refresh a Network Trace Map 

Network Trace Window 

Component Poller Dialog Box 

Run Network Trace

When you run Network Trace, a site map is automatically created and displayed in the Network Trace window.

  1. Cc723621.coe(en-us,TechNet.10).gif Navigate to Site Systems.

    Systems Management Server
    Cc723621.elle(en-us,TechNet.10).gifSite Database
    Cc723621.elle(en-us,TechNet.10).gifSite Hierarchy
    Cc723621.elle(en-us,TechNet.10).gifsite name
    Cc723621.elle(en-us,TechNet.10).gifSite Settings
    Cc723621.elle(en-us,TechNet.10).gifSite Systems

  2. In the details pane, right-click a site system, point to All Tasks, and then click Start Network Trace.

    Network Trace traces all network paths between the current site server and the site system you selected, displaying the following:

    • All site systems in the routes

    • The roles of each site system

    • The subnets in the routes

    • Network devices in the routes, such as routers and hubs

    • IP addresses

When Network Trace cannot determine routes because of incomplete information in the SMS site database, it attempts to find routes by tracing (using the Tracert command). If this fails, a cloud symbol appears in the site map between the site system and the site server, indicating the route could not be traced.

When Network Trace is using route tracing, subnets are shown as unknown subnet.

Related Topics 

Refresh a Network Trace Map 

Network Trace Window 

Network Trace Overview 

Refresh a Network Trace Map

Refreshing a Network Trace map causes data to be retrieved from the SMS site database and the map to be redrawn. It is recommended that you refresh a site map if Network Trace has been open a long time or if site configuration has changed. When a site map is refreshed, any server status information (reachable or unreachable, as displayed by Ping All) is erased.

  1. Run Network Trace.

  2. On the View menu, click Refresh.

Related Topics 

Network Trace Overview 

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