All Categories » Networking » Small Business and Home Networking

Can I monitor, or control, the bandwidth used on my home network?
It's possible, even easy, to monitor the amount of bandwidth a computer is using. It's much more difficult to control. (Continue reading...)

Does sharing a router make me vulnerable to those I share with?
Being on the same local network as another machine implies a certain level of trust. Without that trust, additional security steps are called for. (Continue reading...)

How do I get my wireless access point to work with my existing router?
Adding a wireless access point can be a little frustrating if you're behind a router and the access point is also trying to be a router. (Continue reading...)

How do I know if I'm behind a NAT router?
NAT routers are a fundamental way to share an internet connection while protecting you at the same time. You may already have one. It's easy to check. (Continue reading...)

How do I maximize data transfer speed on my LAN?
Network performance tuning can be a black art but some simple decisions and configurations can easily set you up with a reasonably fast network. (Continue reading...)

How do I protect myself from my children?
It's common to have computers that are used for sensitive things sharing a network with less trustworthy users. Understanding protection is important. (Continue reading...)

How do I protect users on my network from each other?
Be it tenants or children, it's common to have machines on your network that you can't trust. A secure solution involves setting up another network. (Continue reading...)

How do I secure my router?
Your router is your first line defense against malicious attacks from the internet. But is your router secure? I'll review the important settings. (Continue reading...)

How should I protect my network and computers from my guests?
Whenever you connect a computer you don't control to your home network you could be putting your computers at risk. I'll describe how I deal with it. (Continue reading...)

How should I set up my home network?
Once you add a second computer, you're faced with setting up a network, at least to share the internet connection. Here are some general guidelines. (Continue reading...)

How should I share my home network with a visitor?
When hosting guest in your home it's common to allow them to access your internet connection. There are serious risks depending on your level of trust. (Continue reading...)

I have one machine on my network that when hogs all the bandwidth when it's on. Any ideas?
A malfunctioning network card could easily clog or cause other problems on a network. (Continue reading...)

Is it possible combine 2 different internet connections from 2 different ISPs?
Connecting two different internet connections is technically possible, but not easily and not likely to accomplish what you have in mind. (Continue reading...)

Should I change my router's password, and if so, how often?
Routers typically require a login and password for configuration that comes set to a factory default. Should you change it? Yes. How often? It depends. (Continue reading...)

What's a T1 line, and how do I connect to it?
T1 lines are among the oldest of data technologies in use. They're fast, reliable and a tad expensive. We'll look at how they compare to alternatives. (Continue reading...)