If you're a desktop support staffer, one of the more dreaded calls you can receive starts with "I can't see the network." It's all the worse because there are so many reasons losing the network might happen. The trick is elimination: Eliminate each possible problem one at a time—the definition of "tedious" as it pertains to the IT guy. But for those looking for a quick resolution to such problems, there are dedicated tools that are easy to use and won't break your IT budget—notably, PatchTest and LinkCheck, a couple of near-flawless little network diagnostic gadgets from Smartronix.