A JitterWorks client recently experienced an unusual (and somewhat amusing) problem. During our network monitoring, we noticed a Ubiquiti switch was transferring data via a LAN connection to another switch at 100 Mbps. Previously all switch-to-switch connections were performing at 1 Gbps. We investigated why there was such a significant decrease in LAN performance between the switches. 

The network had been running smoothly and there seemed to be no reason for the data delays they were experiencing. We decided to check the physical cables running through the building. We opened up a ceiling tile and here is what we found:

A rat trap had snapped across the network cable most likely when a contractor was working on other systems located in the drop ceiling. The severely crimped cable was replaced and the switches were back to performing at the normal 1 Gbps speeds.

We have all the tools to analyze, assess and diagnose network performance, but in this instance, it took a Fluke network wire pair toner kit and a ladder. Tools of the trade.

This situation reminds us of a blog we posted back in 2020 titled The Spade Hacker where we said:

“The fact is there are about 380 fiber optic cables covering 750,000 miles of ocean floor that connect most of the world to the world wide web.

There are about 91 such cables coming in and out of the United States. Some countries have one cable supplying all of their Internet service. Scary.

In the Republic of Georgia, located on the Europe-Asia border, a 75-year-old woman, digging for copper with a sharp-edged shovel, cut through one of these fiber optic cables.

The entire country of Armenia, as well as parts of Georgia and Azerbaijan were cut off from the world wide web. This occurred in 2011. It seems with all the advancements in technology in the 21st century, this scenario would be impossible.”

In one instance, it was a 75-year-old woman who brought the Internet to its knees in three countries. This time, it was the hunt for mouse that caused a problem.

We concluded at the end of The Spade Hacker that:

“You do have to wonder, though. What if the world’s terrorists turned their attention away from airplanes and bombs and started looking to fishing boats and sharp metal spades?”

We often preach about keeping up with modern technology. Staying on top of your network performance and introducing the newest technologies to help your network run as fast and smooth as possible. In fact, we will discuss at length the benefits of upgrading your router to WiFi 6.

In this blog, our advice is to make sure that there aren’t any avoidable physical issues that are affecting your network’s performance. Keep the rat traps a safe distance from your network cables and watch out for 75-year-old women wielding spades.