In the context of networking, what does 'troubleshooting' mean?

Troubleshooting in networking refers to the systematic process of diagnosing and resolving issues that arise within a network. This involves identifying the symptoms of a problem, analyzing the network to pinpoint the source of the issue, and then implementing a solution to restore proper functionality. Troubleshooting can address a wide range of problems, such as connectivity issues, slow performance, or hardware failures.

This definition emphasizes the proactive and reactive elements of maintaining network integrity, as technicians must not only respond to existing issues but also understand the underlying principles of network operation to effectively resolve them. Through this process, technicians use various tools and techniques, such as network monitoring systems, diagnostic utilities, and error logs, to assess conditions and pinpoint faults.

The other options, while related to networking, do not align with the specific definition of troubleshooting. Setting up a new network is more about implementation than resolution. Monitoring network performance involves ongoing surveillance to ensure optimal operations but does not necessarily address problems when they occur. Upgrading network hardware focuses on improving or expanding the network infrastructure, which is a separate activity from identifying and fixing issues.