In network troubleshooting, what could a "lit" link light signify on a workstation?

A "lit" link light on a workstation typically signifies that the workstation has network connectivity. This visual indicator is connected to the Ethernet port of the workstation and illuminates when there is an active connection with a network device, such as a switch or router.

When the link light is lit, it generally confirms that the network interface card (NIC) is receiving power and is in a state where it can send or receive data. It is an essential part of network troubleshooting because a lit link light usually helps to rule out issues like disconnection or significant hardware failures between the workstation and the network device it connects to.

While a lit link can indicate that the workstation is powered on, it primarily serves to show network connectivity status. Moreover, a disconnected patch cable would typically result in an unlit link light, while a malfunctioning network switch may have varying indications depending on the nature of the fault. Therefore, the proper interpretation of a lit link light is that it signifies successful network connectivity.