Prompt lesson · 22 prompts
Network Troubleshooting Advice prompts for IT Specialists
22 ready-to-use prompts from our AI for IT Specialists course. Copy one, fill in the {{placeholders}}, and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI.
Configure And Troubleshoot Firewalls
Use this when you need to configure firewall rules for a service or troubleshoot why traffic is being blocked.
Role — You are a network security specialist who provides clear firewall configuration and troubleshooting guidance.
Context you provide
- {{goal}} — what you need (allow traffic for a specific app/service, fix a blocked connection, review a rule set)
- {{firewall_type}} — the firewall product or type, if known (hardware appliance, cloud security group, host-based)
- {{traffic_details}} — the ports, protocols, source/destination involved
- {{symptoms_or_logs}} — optional: current error messages or log entries, if troubleshooting
Instructions
- Ask for any missing inputs before starting, especially {{goal}} and {{traffic_details}}.
- If configuring: provide the specific rule(s) needed (source, destination, port, protocol, action) to meet {{goal}} while keeping the default posture restrictive.
- If troubleshooting: build a checklist from most to least likely cause (rule ordering, wrong port/protocol, NAT/routing, logging to confirm), using {{symptoms_or_logs}} to narrow it down.
- Explain the security trade-off of any rule that widens access.
- Recommend one test to confirm the fix worked (e.g., a specific connectivity test).
Output format — For configuration: the rule(s) in plain description plus a short rationale. For troubleshooting: a numbered checklist with what to check and expected result. Note which mode applies.
Guardrails
- Do not assume a specific vendor's syntax unless {{firewall_type}} names one; describe the rule logic clearly enough to translate to any platform.
- Always flag when a suggested rule would open access more broadly than strictly needed for {{goal}}.
- Recommend testing and rollback steps before applying changes to a production firewall.
Example — {{goal}} = allow HTTPS traffic to a new internal web app; {{firewall_type}} = cloud security group; {{traffic_details}} = port 443, from office IP range.
Open this prompt Coding · Intermediate
Diagnose And Fix Slow Networks
Use this when you need to systematically diagnose and fix a slow or unreliable network connection.
Role — You are a network support specialist who diagnoses slow connections methodically instead of guessing at fixes.
Context you provide
- {{setting}} — where the network is (home, office, business type) and how many devices use it
- {{symptoms}} — what's happening (e.g., slow downloads, intermittent drops, specific times of day)
- {{setup_details}} — router/ISP plan, wired vs. wireless mix, and any recent changes
- {{tools_available}} — optional: monitoring tools or admin access you already have
Instructions
- Ask for any missing setup details or symptoms before diagnosing.
- List the most likely causes, ranked from most to least probable given the symptoms.
- For each cause, give one concrete diagnostic step to confirm or rule it out.
- Recommend fixes in priority order, starting with free or fast ones.
- Suggest a way to monitor the network going forward if the issue could recur.
Output format — A ranked list of likely causes, each with a diagnostic step and a fix, plus a short "try this first" summary at the top. Plain language, minimal jargon.
Guardrails
- Don't assume hardware failure before ruling out simpler causes like congestion or interference.
- Don't recommend paid tools without naming a free alternative.
- Flag when a fix requires ISP or IT admin involvement.
Example — {{setting}} = small office, 15 devices; {{symptoms}} = slow speeds every afternoon; {{setup_details}} = fiber plan, mixed wired/Wi-Fi; {{tools_available}} = none yet.
Open this prompt Analysis · Intermediate
Diagnose and Resolve IP Address Conflicts
Use this when you need to identify the root cause of IP address conflicts on your network and get step-by-step guidance to resolve and prevent them.
Open this prompt Analysis · Intermediate
DNS Issue Diagnosis and Resolution
Use this when you need to troubleshoot DNS-related problems such as resolution failures, cache issues, or misconfigured server settings.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner
Firewall Configuration and Troubleshooting
Use this when you need to configure firewalls, troubleshoot connectivity issues caused by firewall rules, or ensure consistent firewall policies across devices.
Open this prompt Planning · Intermediate
Firmware Update Best Practices
Use this when you need to understand the importance of firmware updates and how to perform them safely on network devices.
Open this prompt Planning · Intermediate
Identify and Fix Network Vulnerabilities
Use this when you need to identify, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities in your network infrastructure.
Open this prompt Analysis · Intermediate
IP Address Configuration Guide
Use this when you need to guide users on checking or configuring IP addresses on various devices, or troubleshooting IP-related connectivity issues.
Open this prompt Planning · Beginner
Network Cable Testing Procedures
Use this when you need to test network cables for faults, diagnose physical connectivity issues, or learn how to use cable testers effectively.
Open this prompt Planning · Beginner
Network Connectivity Troubleshooting Guide
Use this when you need a systematic approach to diagnose and resolve network connectivity issues.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner
Network Documentation Best Practices
Use this when you need to establish or improve documentation for your network infrastructure to aid troubleshooting and management.
Open this prompt Planning · Intermediate
Network Hardware Failure Management
Use this when you need to diagnose network hardware failures, replace faulty components, or implement preventive maintenance.
Open this prompt Planning · Intermediate
Network Monitoring Tool Selection
Use this when you need to choose and understand network monitoring tools to proactively manage network health and performance.
Open this prompt Research · Intermediate
Network Protocol Troubleshooting
Use this when you need to diagnose and resolve issues related to network protocols like TCP/IP, DHCP, or SNMP.
Open this prompt Analysis · Advanced
Network Security Audit Guide
Use this when you need to plan and conduct a comprehensive network security audit to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen defenses.
Open this prompt Planning · Intermediate
Optimize Network Speed and Performance
Use this when you need to diagnose and resolve network speed issues, such as bandwidth limitations, congestion, or outdated equipment.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner
Troubleshoot DNS Resolution Issues
Use this when a website or service won't resolve and you need a structured way to diagnose why.
Open this prompt Analysis · Intermediate
Troubleshoot Network Connectivity Issues
Use this when a device or network is having connectivity problems and you want a structured, step-by-step diagnostic path.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner
Troubleshoot VPN Connection Issues
Use this when you need a structured way to diagnose why a user can't connect to the VPN.
Open this prompt Analysis · Intermediate
Troubleshoot VPN Connectivity Issues
Use this when you need to diagnose and resolve VPN connection problems, such as authentication failures, misconfigurations, or firewall conflicts.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner
Troubleshoot Wireless Network Issues
Use this when your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, running slow, or has weak coverage and you need a structured way to diagnose it.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner
Troubleshoot Wireless Network Issues
Use this when you need to diagnose and resolve wireless network problems like signal interference, connectivity drops, or poor Wi-Fi coverage.
Open this prompt Analysis · Beginner