Final answer:
The first step in isolating a network problem is to identify the problem, which includes understanding the symptoms and determining the scope of the issue.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in the process of isolating a network problem is to identify the problem. This involves understanding the symptoms and determining the scope of the issue. Once the problem is identified, the next steps involve gathering information and testing potential solutions. It's crucial during the initial phase to carefully examine what is known about the problem and what the problem is asking you to find, which can often be referred to as identifying the given information and the unknowns. In complex network issues, it may not be immediately clear what the underlying cause is, so making a list of symptoms and known factors can help in troubleshooting the problem methodically.