Wired links, docks and USB adapters
Diagnose slow or flaky wired connections from the desktop: link speed and duplex, cable and port swaps, docks, USB network adapters and adapter settings.
- Level
- Beginner
- Length
- About 35 minutes
- Contents
- 3 lessons · 1 video · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 1 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Read the adapter's link speed and interpret a wrong value
- Use cable, port and dock swaps as controlled tests
- Recognize dock and USB NIC issues (firmware, drivers, power) and their symptoms
Course outline
- 1.Wired links, docks and USB adaptersVideo · 5 min
- 2.Link speed and what it tells youLesson · 12 min
- 3.Swaps, docks and USB adaptersLesson · 12 min
- 4.Docks, USB network adapters and what changes when you swap themLesson · 13 min
- 5.Wired links, docks and USB adapters: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 17 questions
- 6.Slow file copies at one deskScenario
- 7.Final exam6 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- Microsoft Learn: Get-NetAdapter cmdlet reference
- IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet): auto-negotiation and 1000BASE-T overview
- TIA-568 cabling categories overview
See it with your own jobs and topics
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