Using Layer 2 Trace

In troubleshooting situations, it is often critical to understand the path that network data takes to access another network device. The Layer 2 Trace tool provides a method to trace the physical network path from one device to another.

Using previously discovered network connectivity data, the Layer 2 Trace tool finds the path between the two devices and then displays each network interface that is used to build the path. The trace tool also allows for a quick check of the status and availability of each step along the layer 2 path.

To access the Layer 2 Trace tool:

On the WhatsUp Gold web interface, go to Tools > Layer 2 Trace.

To use the Layer 2 Trace tool:

On the WhatsUp Gold web interface, go to Tools > Layer 2 Trace. The Layer 2 Trace dialog appears.
Click Source. The Select Device dialog appears.
Select a starting device for the layer 2 trace, then click OK. The IP address for the selected device is listed for the Source Device.
Click Destination. The Select Device dialog appears.
Select a destination device for the layer 2 trace, then click OK. The IP address for the selected device is listed for the Destination Device.
Click Trace. The step-by-step layer 2 path from the source device to the destination device displays in list format. The results of the search display in the Layer 2 Trace tool columns.
- Device. Lists the devices that the network path traverses.
- IP Address. Lists the IP address of each device on the network path.
- Interface Name. Lists the interfaces that the network path traverses.
- Ping Status. Lists the device ping status.
Note: After a trace is completed, you can click Ping to view the current status of the Layer 2 path. This tool pings each device identified in the trace and uses SNMP to query the interface for its status.
Click Clear to remove the information from the Layer 2 Trace table and start a new trace.
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Click Close to close the dialog.