Testing Network Connectivity

About this task

Use the Configuration > Network > Network Connectivity page to test the options set on the Network: Interface Settings page and Network: Hostname and Proxy page, to test the connectivity to specific hosts and to decode encoded URLs.

The Network: Network Connectivity page also provides access to the network connection troubleshooting utilities described below.

Procedure

  • [Optional: clustered appliances only] From the Appliance drop-down list, select the system in the cluster for which you want to perform tests.
  • To test your Email Appliance’s network configuration:
    Click Test.

    The test results are shown as the test proceeds. If the test is successful, a final "Test complete" message is displayed along with a check mark icon. If there are any problems establishing the connection, details about where the problem was encountered are displayed, as well as information to help you troubleshoot the problem.

    Note
    If your appliance’s ethernet ports are connected to the same network, you will see a warning that the network interfaces are cross-wired. You should either ensure they are connected to different network segments, or you can disconnect the config ethernet port.
  • To test the connectivity to a specific host:
    1. in the Hostname text box, type the host’s fully qualified Hostname or IP address.
    2. Select the type of test from the option list:
      • Ping checks whether it is possible to contact a specific host.
      • Traceroute provides a list of all hosts on the route between the appliance and the other host.
      • DNS Query displays the IP address associated with a given hostname, or, if an IP address was provided instead, the hostname associated with this IP (if any).
    3. Click Submit. The results of the selected test are displayed.
    Note
    Establishing a working connection to your network and the internet is essential for the proper functioning of the Email Appliance. Connection to the internet is also necessary for automatic software updates from Sophos, as well as anti-spam and anti-virus data updates.
  • To decode a URL which has been encoded by the Email Appliance due to a Time-of-Click Protection Policy:
    1. In the Hostname text box, enter the encoded URL.
    2. Select Decode.
    3. Click Submit. The decoded URL is displayed.