Updated Articles and Resources

By Bradley Mitchell, About.com Guide since 1999

Get Connected - Set up Computer Networks and Connections Created: Saturday, September 29, 2007 Updated: Monday, May 07, 2012
This guide describes how to set up computer networks ranging from simple direct connections between devices to complete home and even IT networks. Learn to select equipment, configure the systems,..
What Is Wardriving? Created: Sunday, August 10, 2003 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Wardriving is the practice of searching for Wi-Fi wireless network signals in some geographic area. Wardriving is a controversial practice, but it has helped raise awareness of the importance of wi...
Essential Settings for Home Network Routers Created: Sunday, April 29, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
The average home network router contains dozens of different configuration settings for different aspects of its operation. Fortunately, only a relatively small number of these router settings requ...
Best Ways to Reset a Home Network Router Created: Saturday, April 28, 2012 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Most people who own a network router have had to reset it at one time another, either because they forgot a password or because of some technical glitch. Try these recommended methods to reset a ro...
SSL - SSL in Computer Networking Created: Wednesday, September 03, 2003 Updated: Sunday, April 22, 2012
SSL security technology helps to improve the safety of Internet communications. SSL is a standard for encrypted client/server communication between network devices.
192.168.0.0 - Private IP Address Range Created: Sunday, April 13, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 22, 2012
The IP address 192.168.0.0 represents the start of a Class C private address range. 192.168.0.0 is a private IP address not usable on the Internet.
IP Tutorial - IP Address Notation - What Is An IP Address? Created: Sunday, April 09, 2006 Updated: Sunday, April 15, 2012
IP addressing has been in use for decades. It is an essential technology of the Internet and home and business networking. Learn about the basics of IP addressing in this tutorial, including addres..
Introduction to the Domain Name System (DNS) Created: Sunday, February 26, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 15, 2012
Some people call the Domain Name System (DNS) the phone book of the Internet. DNS allows people to visit Web sites by their name instead of by cryptic numeric addresses, and it also does more.
Wireless Product Equipment - Network Routers Access Points Adapters Created: Sunday, January 23, 2005 Updated: Sunday, April 15, 2012
A wireless network may contain several different types of equipment. Use this guide to learn about each type of network equipment including routers, access points and adapters.
Ethernet Switch (or Hub) Home Network Diagram Created: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 Updated: Sunday, April 15, 2012
This network diagram illustrates use of an Ethernet hub or switch as part of a home network layout. Some variations on this basic network diagram will also work as described.
Network Diagram Layouts - Home Network Diagrams Created: Sunday, January 22, 2006 Updated: Sunday, April 15, 2012
This collection of home network diagrams covers both Ethernet and wireless layouts. Network diagrams with routers, access points, printers and entertainment consoles are included.
Network Speed - Bandwidth and Latency in Computer Network Performance Created: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Updated: Sunday, April 15, 2012
Two key elements that contribute to network speed are bandwidth and latency. Learn more about these two important networking concepts that help determine computer network performance.
What Is a Port Number on Computer Networks? Created: Sunday, November 16, 2008 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
In computer networking, a port number is part of the addressing information used to identify the senders and receivers of messages. Port numbers are most commonly used with TCP/IP connections. Home..
Increase Broadband Speed by Tweaking DSL and Cable Settings Created: Sunday, February 03, 2008 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
So-called DSL tweaks are optimizations you can make to your computer and local network to increase the speed of your broadband Internet connection. While many tweaks exist for low-speed (dialup) In..
How to Find An IP Address From Email Created: Sunday, January 16, 2005 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Emails normally contain the IP address of the sender in the email header. Identifying this IP address can be tricky and its possible to find a wrong one. Follow these instructions to find the sende..
Networking With A Router - Broadband and Wireless Router Networking Created: Saturday, January 07, 2006 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
A network router can serve as the core of a home network, simplifying how computers and other equipment can connect to each other and share the Internet. Both traditional cabled routers and wireles..
Networking Fundamentals - Computer and Wireless Networking Basics Created: Saturday, September 29, 2007 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Use this guide to learn the basics of computer and wireless networking. These pages describe different types of designs, equipment, protocols and other technologies essential to building computer n..
How to Find a MAC Address Created: Saturday, August 06, 2005 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
The MAC address is a number used by network adapters to uniquely identify themselves on a LAN. MAC addresses are 12-digit hexadecimal numbers. Follow these instructions to find a MAC address and/or..
Top Internet Download Speed Test Services Created: Sunday, September 30, 2007 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
A download speed test estimates the performance of a network connection by using sample data files and test Web servers. You can use one of these download speed test services to measure Internet co..
How to Change a Default SSID on a Wi-Fi Network Created: Monday, January 12, 2004 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wireless access points and routers ship with a default network name (SSID) set by the manufacturer. Change this name to improve the security of your home wireless LAN.
How To Find Free Skype Downloads Created: Sunday, November 27, 2005 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Downloading Skype software allows you to set up your computer for free Internet phone calling. Free Skype downloads are available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Pocket PC. Skype allow offers sepa..
Free Proxy Server List Downloads - Anonymous Proxy Sites Created: Saturday, July 08, 2006 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Internet proxy servers allow you to (mostly) hide your home IP address and navigate anonymously. However, these free public servers often are taken offline without warning, and some may offer a les..
How to Connect a Laptop or Other Computer to TV Created: Saturday, April 19, 2008 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Sometimes you may want to connect a computer to TV monitors for displaying digital pictures and video on the television. Several different methods exist to connect a computer to a TV as described h..
Network Topology - Types of Network Topologies - Bus, Ring and Star Created: Sunday, October 08, 2006 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Common network topologies include the bus topology, star, and ring. Learn more about these and other topologies in computer network design.
How To Network Connect Two Computers Created: Sunday, November 06, 2005 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
The simplest kind of home network contains exactly two computers. You can use this kind of network to share files, a printer or another peripheral device, and even an Internet connection. Two comp..
What Is The Difference Between a Router and a Switch (or Hub)? Created: Saturday, January 01, 2005 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
A router is a more sophisticated network device than either a switch or hub. Routers offer features like firewall support and DHCP server capability that hubs and switches do not. Some routers also..
Common Misconceptions About Computer Networks Created: Friday, March 30, 2012 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Have you been led to believe some of these common misconceptions about computer networks? Some of these facts may surprise you.
Introduction to MAC Addresses Created: Thursday, March 29, 2012 Updated: Thursday, March 29, 2012
Hidden underneath other TCP/IP settings, the MAC address uniquely identifies devices on a computer network. These special address numbers don't reveal anything about a device's physical location bu..
What Is nslookup? Created: Sunday, April 18, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, March 28, 2012
nslookup is a troubleshooting tool used to obtain information about Internet servers. As its name suggests, nslookup finds name server information for domains by querying DNS. The command line vers..
DSL and Cable Modem - Broadband Internet Created: Sunday, May 22, 2005 Updated: Sunday, March 18, 2012
DSL and cable modem broadband Internet services continue to grow in popularity worldwide. In the U.S, research suggests cable will continue to remain more popular than DSL for the foreseeable futur..
What Is an Application Server in Computer Networking? Created: Sunday, March 11, 2012 Updated: Sunday, March 11, 2012
Developing client/server software applications using Web browsers and servers can be tedious. An application server provides higher level software abstractions intended to make the job easier.
Using and Upgrading Computer Networks - Applications and Information Technology Created: Sunday, September 30, 2007 Updated: Sunday, March 04, 2012
You can use a network to share and back up files, play games, and run more sophisticated applications. Be prepared to upgrade equipment and software periodically to take advantage of improving tech..

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