A network administrator suspects that a network issue is related to an incorrect configuration on a newly deployed router. After interviewing users and identifying the symptoms, the administrator has established a theory. What is the BEST next step to confirm if their theory about the router's configuration is the cause of the issue?
Implement the suspected configuration changes on a test router or in a controlled segment of the network.
Reboot the router to see if the problem persists.
Replace the router with a different model to determine if the issue resolves.
Analyze the router's log files for error messages.
The best step after forming a theory is to test the theory to determine the cause. This can be accomplished by implementing the suspected configuration changes in a controlled environment (for example, on a lab or test router) to see if the issue can be replicated and resolved. By validating the hypothesis in isolation, the administrator confirms whether the configuration is truly responsible without impacting production. Rebooting the router, analyzing logs, or replacing the device do not directly test the configuration theory and are therefore not the optimal next step.
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What are the benefits of testing configuration changes on a test router?
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What does it mean to analyze router log files?
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Why is rebooting the router not the best initial troubleshooting step?