Need To Know: Jumbo Frames in Small Networks

Jumbo frames can help you extract more throughput from gigabit Ethernet, but they require more than flipping a bit. Our tutorial will get you up to speed on Jumbo Frame basics.

Tags: ethernet, gigabit, Tutorial,

VLAN How To: Segmenting a small LAN

VLANs aren't just for large networks. Doug Reid shows you how to use a smart switch and VLANs to divide a small LAN into secure, separate segments.

Tags: Tutorial, VLAN,

Video Streaming Need To Know: Part 2 - The Real World

In the final Part 2 of this tutorial, Tim Higgins finds truth and lies about wireless streaming.

Tags: Tutorial, Video streaming, WiFi,

Video Streaming Need To Know: Part 1- Encoding, Bit Rates and Errors

Consumer networking vendors are constantly pitching us to stream video wirelessly around our homes. In Part 1 of this tutorial, Tim Higgins looks at what it takes to mess up networked video.

Tags: Tutorial, Video streaming, WiFi,

Hardware Router Need To Know 2006

Everyone with a high-speed Internet connection needs a router. So why not learn how to choose the one that best meets your needs? We've updated and expanded our classic Hardware Router Need To Know to help you do just that!

Tags: router, Tutorial,

Wireless Networking Need To Know 2006

It's been a few years since our first Wireless Need to Know series and lots has changed. Hence, our freshly updated 2006 version.

Tags: Tutorial, WiFi,

NeedToKnow: Voice over IP - Part 1

These days you hear the acronym "VoIP" so much that it sounds like the Monty Python skit that launched SPAM into Internet vernacular. But it looks like this time Voice over IP is here to stay. So it's time for one of our Need To Knows so that you're armed and ready to understand its terminology and make intelligent choices among a dizzying array of VoIP products and services.

Tags: Tutorial, VoIP,

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) NeedToKnow - Part II

Part II of our WPA tutorial

Tags: Tutorial, WiFi, WPA,

Second-generation 802.11a NTK

The wireless networking world seems to have lost interest in 802.11a wireless LAN products. Although its advantages of operating in a quieter frequency band, significantly faster maximum data rate, and more non-interfering channels than 802.11b were attractive, its range problems and cost premium caused many prospective buyers to look, but not buy.

Tags: Tutorial, WiFi,

Gigabit Ethernet NeedTo Know

A LAN based on 10/100 Ethernet is more than adequate to handle most small networker's needs. But what about the future, and all those multiple streams of video that you're supposed to want flying around your home? Will good ol' 10/100 Ethernet handle that?

Tags: gigabit Ethernet, Tutorial,

NTK - Wireless Repeating with the D-Link DWL-900AP+

D-Link's 2.20 firmware update for its DWL-900AP+ Access Point has finally brought wireless repeating to the masses! What used to cost about $500 can now be had for about $100!

Tags: Bridge, D-Link, DWL-900AP+, repeat, Tutorial, WiFi,

Wireless Bridging NTK

Wireless bridging, i.e. connecting two wired networks via a wireless link has gotten to be a very confusing subject. In this NTK, we're going to try to untangle the mess that wireless networking companies have made of this product area, help you choose the right products for your application, and show you how to set them up properly.

Tags: Bridge, Tutorial, WiFi,

Wireless Networking NTK - Setting up

Now that you know the building blocks of a wireless network, how do you put them together into something that will let you get some work done while you're sitting in your favorite chair? Glad you asked! The approach you take depends on where you're starting from, so we'll take a look at the common situations.

Tags: Tutorial, WiFi,

UPnP-Enabled Router NTK

With Windows XP well into deployment and more manufacturers starting to beat the drum on how wonderful life is with a UPnP enabled router, I thought I'd see whether UPnP is something that you just won't want to live without in your Internet sharing device. If you don't know what UPnP is, or even if you do, you may want to read our UPnP FAQ before diving into this NTK, since the basics and background of UPnP are covered there. Also, if you're the impatient type and just want the bottom line on what I found, you can get it here.

Tags: router, Tutorial, UPnP,