When identifying a performance issue reported on the network, what should a network admin do next?

When faced with a performance issue reported on the network, the most effective next step for a network administrator is to try and duplicate the problem. This approach is essential because replicating the issue allows the administrator to observe and understand the conditions under which the performance degradation occurs. By recreating the environment and circumstances that led to the reported issue, the admin can gather valuable data on the network's behavior, which is critical for effective troubleshooting.

This step enhances the likelihood of pinpointing the exact cause of the performance issue, whether it be bottlenecks, configuration errors, hardware limitations, or external factors affecting performance. Once the problem is reproduced, the administrator can conduct further investigations and apply appropriate solutions based on the findings.

In contrast, other actions such as upgrading server hardware, rebooting the network, or changing server configurations may not address the root cause of the issue. These steps might be useful later in the troubleshooting process but skipping the step of duplication may lead to unnecessary changes or resource expenditures without a clear understanding of the underlying problem.