10.1 General techniques and troubleshooting approaches Troubleshooting a Workplace Collaboration Services infrastructure is not a trivial undertaking and can require a considerable amount of knowledge about a wide range of topics, from fundamental networking issues, through operating system to application level. In such a complex infrastructure, it is essential to follow a structured approach for troubleshooting. Following this approach enables you to break down the problem into manageable areas and know where to focus investigations so you can understand the issues before you make any changes. 10.1.1 General approach When attempting to diagnose and remedy any problems, remember these simple steps: 1. Identify : Identify the problem area. 2. Locate : Find the most specific symptoms or error messages in the most appropriate log files. 3. Isolate : Focus on the most pressing problem. 4. Repair : Back up any files or folders that you may need to modify. 5. Implement a single step change : Do not make too many changes at any one time; test incrementally. 6. Test : Verify that the changes work. Ask yourself these questions: What has changed?