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Diagnosing Network Issues with network_diag

The network_diag command in the ChromeOS Shell is a comprehensive tool for diagnosing network connectivity and performance issues. This command collects detailed network information and performs various tests to identify problems.

Usage

network_diag [options]

Options

  • --help: Display detailed usage instructions and available options.
  • --tests=<test_list>: Specify a list of tests to run. Separate multiple tests with commas.
  • --output=<file>: Save the diagnostic output to a specified file.

Examples

1. Run Default Network Diagnostics

network_diag

This runs a standard suite of network diagnostic tests and outputs the results to the console.

2. Specify Tests to Run

network_diag --tests=ping,dns

This runs only the ping and dns tests, focusing on connectivity and domain name resolution.

3. Save Diagnostic Output to a File

network_diag --output=/path/to/diagnostics.txt

This saves the diagnostic results to /path/to/diagnostics.txt for later review.

Additional Information

  • Purpose: The network_diag command is ideal for troubleshooting issues like slow connections, DNS failures, or unreachable hosts.
  • Output: Provides detailed test results, including ping times, DNS lookup results, and other network metrics.
  • Custom Tests: Allows users to target specific areas of the network stack for faster problem identification.

Best Practices

  1. Start with Default Diagnostics

  2. Use network_diag without options to perform a comprehensive initial assessment.

  3. Target Specific Issues

  4. Specify tests with --tests to focus on known problem areas, such as DNS or latency.

  5. Save Results for Analysis

  6. Use --output to save diagnostic reports, making it easier to share findings or compare results over time.

The network_diag command is an essential tool for identifying and resolving network issues on ChromeOS devices, providing detailed insights and actionable data for administrators and users.