How To: Fixing DNS problems
The inability to open a website by name usually indicates a DNS (Domain Name System) problem. DNS is the service that converts the website URL, i.e. www.yahoo.com into the IP …
How To: Fixing Router Intermittent Connection Drops
This is one of the most frustrating problems that a broadband user faces. The ISP will probably blame the router. The router vendor will probably blame the ISP. The solution …
Routers vs. Firewalls
Review of the Basics We’re often asked at SmallNetBuilder what the advantages are of using a “high-end” or “enterprise” grade firewall, such as a Cisco PIX, Juniper Netscreen, etc., over …
Adding a Switch to a Router for more ports
I often see questions in the forums from people struggling with one of the most basic tasks in creating a home network: what to do when you run out of …
How Fast Is Your Network? Five Ways To Measure Network Speed
Knowing how fast your network can move data is a question for more than just tweakers and speed demons. It’s a key skill to have when testing out wireless, powerline, …
How To: Setting up File and Printer sharing between two routers
Introduction We often hear from people who have two (or more!) routers in their LAN and are trying to get Microsoft File and Printer sharing running among all their computers. …
VLAN How To: Segmenting a small LAN
Introduction What is a VLAN? Is it some sort of highly expensive technology or virtual reality? Not at all. VLANs are relatively simple, yet they offer a wide variety of …
Protocols
Protocol Description IPX / SPX (NWLink) Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet Exchange. The default network protocol for Novell Netware prior to NetWare 5. (Current default is TCP/IP). NWLink is the Microsoft …
Cables
Cable Type Common Name Physical Layer Name Speed Max Length (M) RG-6 Satellite TV N/A N/A RG-8 Thicknet 10Base5 10 Mbps 50 (drop) 500 (backbone) RG-58 Thinnet 10Base2 10 Mbps …
IP Address Classes
Address Class Network ID Default SN Mask # Networks # Hosts Class A 1-126.0.0.0 (0) 255.0.0.0 126 16,777,214 Class B 128-191.0.0.0 (10) 255.255.0.0 16,384 65,534 Class C 192-223.0.0.0 (110) 255.255.255.0 …