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Network Connectivity Issues

Diagnose and resolve network connectivity problems affecting Software Center downloads, installations, and communication with SCCM servers.

Common Network-Related Issues

Connection Problems

  • • Can't connect to management point
  • • Download failures and timeouts
  • • Intermittent connection drops
  • • Proxy authentication issues
  • • DNS resolution failures

Performance Issues

  • • Slow download speeds
  • • Connection timeouts
  • • Bandwidth limitations
  • • Network latency problems
  • • Firewall blocking traffic

Quick Network Connectivity Check

Basic Network Verification

Essential Connectivity Tests:

  1. 1. Check physical network connection (cable/Wi-Fi)
  2. 2. Verify internet connectivity: Open web browser → test any website
  3. 3. Test DNS resolution: nslookup google.com
  4. 4. Check IP configuration: ipconfig /all
  5. 5. Test local network: ping [gateway_ip]
  6. 6. Verify Windows network status: Network icon in system tray

Network Issue Solutions

1

Basic Network Reset

Best for: Temporary connection issues, IP conflicts

Network Reset Commands:

Release and renew IP address:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Flush DNS cache:

ipconfig /flushdns

Reset network adapter:

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset

Note: Run Command Prompt as Administrator. Restart computer after network reset commands.

2

DNS and Name Resolution

Best for: Can't reach SCCM servers, domain resolution issues

DNS Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. 1. Test DNS resolution:
    nslookup [management_point_name]
  2. 2. Try alternative DNS servers:
    • • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
    • • Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
  3. 3. Configure DNS servers in network adapter settings
  4. 4. Clear DNS cache and restart DNS client service
  5. 5. Check hosts file for conflicting entries:
    C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3

Firewall and Security Settings

Best for: Blocked connections, security software interference

Firewall Configuration:

Windows Firewall Check
  1. 1. Open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection
  2. 2. Check if firewall is blocking Software Center
  3. 3. Allow Software Center through firewall
  4. 4. Verify SCCM ports are open: 80, 443, 8530, 8531
Third-Party Security Software
  1. 1. Temporarily disable antivirus/security software
  2. 2. Test Software Center functionality
  3. 3. Add SCCM processes to security software whitelist
  4. 4. Configure network protection exceptions

⚠️ Important: Re-enable security software after testing. Work with IT to configure proper exceptions.

4

Proxy and Corporate Network Settings

Best for: Corporate environments, proxy authentication issues

Proxy Configuration:

  1. 1. Check current proxy settings:
    • • Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
    • • Internet Explorer → Internet Options → Connections → LAN Settings
  2. 2. Verify SCCM proxy configuration:
    Software Center → Options → Proxy Settings
  3. 3. Test direct connection (bypass proxy temporarily)
  4. 4. Configure proxy authentication if required
  5. 5. Add SCCM servers to proxy bypass list
  6. 6. Verify corporate network access policies

💡 Corporate Tip: Contact IT for proper proxy settings and network access policies in managed environments.

Network Diagnostic Tools

Built-in Windows Network Tools

Command Line Tools

ping

Test basic connectivity to servers

ping [server_name_or_ip]
tracert

Trace network path to destination

tracert [server_name_or_ip]
telnet

Test specific port connectivity

telnet [server] [port]
netstat

Show active network connections

netstat -an | findstr :80

GUI-Based Tools

Network Troubleshooter

Automated network problem detection

Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network troubleshooter

Network Adapter Settings

Configure adapter properties and settings

Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings

Event Viewer

Check network-related system events

eventvwr.msc → Windows Logs → System

Resource Monitor

Monitor network activity in real-time

resmon.exe → Network tab

SCCM-Specific Network Configuration

Required Network Ports and Protocols

SCCM requires specific network ports to be open for proper communication:

Standard HTTP/HTTPS Ports

  • • Port 80: HTTP communication
  • • Port 443: HTTPS/SSL communication
  • • Port 8530: WSUS HTTP
  • • Port 8531: WSUS HTTPS

SCCM Client Ports

  • • Port 10123: Client notification (TCP)
  • • Port 2701: Wake On LAN (UDP)
  • • Port 135: RPC endpoint mapper
  • • Dynamic ports: RPC communication

Testing SCCM Connectivity

Test management point connectivity:

telnet [management_point] 80

Test HTTPS management point:

telnet [management_point] 443

Wi-Fi Specific Troubleshooting

Wireless Network Issues

Connection Stability

  • • Check signal strength and quality
  • • Move closer to wireless access point
  • • Avoid interference from other devices
  • • Update wireless adapter drivers
  • • Try different wireless frequency (2.4GHz vs 5GHz)
  • • Restart wireless adapter

Performance Optimization

  • • Check for bandwidth limitations
  • • Verify QoS settings aren't restricting traffic
  • • Test with wired connection for comparison
  • • Configure power management settings
  • • Clear saved wireless network profiles
  • • Reset network adapter if needed

Wi-Fi Adapter Reset

If wireless issues persist, reset the adapter:

  1. 1. Device Manager → Network adapters → Right-click wireless adapter
  2. 2. "Disable device" → Wait 10 seconds → "Enable device"
  3. 3. Or uninstall and restart to reinstall driver

Network Performance Monitoring

Monitoring Network Health

Task Manager Network Monitoring

  1. 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
  2. 2. Click "Performance" tab → "Ethernet" or "Wi-Fi"
  3. 3. Monitor throughput, utilization, and connection status
  4. 4. Check for unusual bandwidth usage patterns

Performance Counters

Use Performance Monitor (perfmon.msc) to track:

  • • Network Interface: Bytes Received/Sent per sec
  • • Network Interface: Current Bandwidth
  • • Network Interface: Packets/sec
  • • Network Interface: Output Queue Length

Speed Testing

Test connection speed and latency:

  • • Use online speed tests (speedtest.net, fast.com)
  • • Test during different times of day
  • • Compare wired vs wireless speeds
  • • Monitor latency to SCCM servers

Corporate Network Environments

Enterprise Network Challenges

Common Corporate Issues

  • • Group policy network restrictions
  • • Certificate-based authentication requirements
  • • Network segmentation and VLANs
  • • Bandwidth throttling and QoS
  • • Content filtering and security policies
  • • NAC (Network Access Control) restrictions

Troubleshooting Considerations

  • • Check domain connectivity and trust relationships
  • • Verify computer account in correct OU
  • • Test with different user credentials
  • • Check time synchronization with domain
  • • Verify network location profile (Domain/Private/Public)
  • • Test from different network segments

🏢 Enterprise Tip: Many corporate network issues require domain administrator or network team assistance to resolve properly.

When to Contact Network/IT Support

Contact your network or IT team when:

  • •Basic network connectivity tests fail consistently
  • •Multiple users experience the same network issues
  • •Firewall or proxy configuration changes are needed
  • •SCCM server infrastructure appears to be down
  • •Network performance consistently prevents software downloads
  • •Certificate or authentication errors persist
  • •Corporate network policies may be blocking access

Related Network Guides

Configuration Manager

SCCM client communication problems.

Installation Issues

Software installation and download problems.

Log Analysis

Analyze logs for network-related errors.

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