A skilled network consultant can be vital in identifying and solving network hardware problems.

Network Cards:

Each computer has a network card installed that communicates with the network. One of the most common issues resulting in data corruption is a malfunctioning network card.

1. Confirm network card compatibility when upgrading your operating systems. Network cards may not be compatible with the operating system - many network cards are designed to work with specific operating systems and server software.

2. Confirm driver compatibility with your operating system. Each network card vendor adds a program to your computer called a driver. This is the conduit between the Windows operating system and the network card. The driver is often the cause of  incompatibility with the operating system. Network card vendors may release upgrades to their drivers that fix problems and make them compatible with newer operating systems. Visit the vendor web site for updates.

3. Network cards may not work properly. Using an inexpensive network card can result in data corruption that can be resolved by using a more expensive, name-brand network card. Your computer assigns each card an interrupt number. Improperly installed network cards can share the same interrupt number and can result in data corruption. Tracking and resolving data corruption errors generally requires consulting the computer systems manual or the manufacturers technical support.

4. Improperly installed network cards can result in data corruption errors:

• Network cards should be properly "seated" in their slots
• Confirm that  the computer is not overheating
• Confirm that the network card cable is properly connected and not broken or loose.

• Confirm that the network card is not sharing interrupt settings with another card. (A common scenario is when an Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) video card is also installed. There are times when an installed PCI network card uses the same interrupt).

Cables:

Defective network cables or connectors can be a problem. Small punctures, bends, and nearby magnetic fields can affect them. Crosstalk can occur as a result of poor quality cables and connectors. Reflection can occur as a result of improper cable radiuses and running cables too close to electrical lines or fluorescent light fixtures.

1. Confirm cable type compatibility with the network card.

2. Confirm cables do not exceed the length limit.

3. Avoid installing cables where they will be jostled, bent, moved or  pressed. (For example, do not  run cables under a floor mat or rug).

4. Check for magnetic fields near cables.

Other causes of corruption:

1. Power problems - power failures, surges and brownouts can cause data to be saved erratically resulting in some records being partially unreadable or otherwise unusable.

2. Bad RAM and/or other hardware on the server. Faulty hardware, defective network adaptors and other equipment problems can cause data to be saved incorrectly resulting in some records being unreadable. Most hardware problems usually start sporadically and gradually become worse. You will see an increasing amount of data corruption until the problem is resolved. The best way to troubleshoot hardware problems is to selectively replace one component at a time until the faulty component is identified. Equipment problems can be  the toughest problems to troubleshoot.