SmallNetBuilder - Basics Articles

SmallNetBuilder's Powerline FAQ

Tim Higgins — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:00:00 -0400

We've gathered the most often asked powerline networking questions and answers in one handy place. Enjoy!

The Best Way To Get Whole House Wireless Coverage

Tim Higgins — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:25:00 -0400

Updated There is only one way to get reliable, high-performance whole-home (or office) wireless coverage.

How To Buy a NAS - The Short(er) Version - Updated 2011

Tim Higgins — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:55:00 -0400

Our updated short guide to buying a NAS will get you quickly pointed in the right direction.

Homegrown Network: A Concrete Example

Tim Higgins — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:56:00 -0400

Designing and installing a DIY home network is hard enough. But doing it in a concrete block home requires extra planning and care.

Why High Power Routers Don't Improve Range

Tim Higgins — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:20:31 -0400

More often than not, you're wasting money by falling for this come-on.

How To Add Ports To A Router

Tim Higgins — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:33:29 -0500

Expanding the number of Ethernet ports on a router is one of the easiest things you can do. But people still have questions. We've got the answers.

Choosing Diskful vs. Diskless NASes

Tim Higgins — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:09:52 -0500

One of the basic choices you need to make when buying a NAS is whether you want one with or without drives. Here are four things to consider when making your choice.

Slow HomePlug? Five Ways To Boost Powerline Network Speed

Tim Higgins — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:04:48 -0400

Powerline networking can deliver higher and more consistent throughput than wireless, but it can take some tweaking. These tips will show you how to improve your HomePlug network speed.

How Fast Is Your Network? Five Ways To Measure Network Speed

Tim Higgins — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:19:19 -0400

Measuring your network speed is a lot easier than it used to be. We'll help you choose the right tool for the job.

SmallNetBuilder's Wireless FAQ: The Essentials

Tim Higgins — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:01:24 -0500

Updated No need to go searching through the site. We've gathered the most important wireless networking need-to-knows in one handy place!

How To Buy a Wireless Router: The Short Version

Tim Higgins — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -0400

If you want a quick and dirty guide to help choose a wireless router, this article is for you.

Smart Switch How to - Part 3: Bandwidth Control

Tim Higgins — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:19:03 -0400

In our last of the series, we show how a smart switch can both limit and expand bandwidth use in your network.

Smart Switch How to - Part 2: Security

Tim Higgins — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:30:00 -0400

Part 2 of our short series shows how to use a smart switch to enhance LAN security.

Smart Switch How To - Part 1: What A Managed Switch Can Do For Your Small Network

Tim Higgins — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:48:29 -0400

Part 1 of our series shows how basic managed switch features can benefit even small home LANs.

Backing Up Your NAS: Harder Than It Should Be

Tim Higgins — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:52:19 -0400

Why are things so hard that should be so easy? The NAS industry needs to make NAS backup easy and interoperable.

How To Use a Router To Add Network Ports

Doug Reid — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:58:24 -0500

There are two ways to put an old router back to work if you need more LAN ports.

5 Ways To Fix Slow 802.11n Speed

Tim Higgins — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:44:56 -0500

Disappointed that you're not getting the 300 Mbps that you keep hearing that 802.11n gear delivers? Use our five tips to get back some of the speed that you paid for!

Gigabit Ethernet NeedTo Know - 2008

Tim Higgins — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:01:33 -0400

More people are making the move to gigabit LANs. Our updated tutorial will help you decide whether it's time for you to make the move, too.

How To Fix Your Wireless Network - Part 4: Antennas

Tim Higgins — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:43:54 -0400

In Part 4 of our How To series, we look at the ins and outs of changing antennas in the quest to improve wireless LAN performance.

How To Choose the Right Wireless LAN for You

Tim Higgins — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:37:32 -0400

Choosing a wireless LAN product that you'll be happy with isn't easy. Our How To will help you sort out the options.

How To Add an Access Point to a Wireless Router

Tim Higgins — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0400

We show you how to improve your wireless network's coverage by adding an access point to work in harmony with your main wireless router.

How To Convert a Wireless Router into an Access Point

Tim Higgins — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 03:00:00 -0400

This short How To shows you how to delay your old wireless router's trip to the landfill.

Routers vs. Firewalls

Brandon Hogue — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 07:14:41 -0500

If you're trying to decide whether a more expensive "firewall" will keep you safer than an off-the-shelf router, this article can help.

How To Choose the Right Router for You

Tim Higgins — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:54:11 -0500

Check this How To for tips on buying a router that meets your needs.

How To Fix Your Wireless Network - Part 3: Increasing Coverage

Tim Higgins — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:18:15 -0500

Part 3 of our series provides some handy hints for killing off pesky wireless dead spots.

How To Fix Your Wireless Network - Part 2: Site Surveying

Eric Geier — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:09:55 -0400

The second installment of our series shows you how to use equipment you already have to scan the airwaves for problems.

How To Fix Your Wireless Network - Part 1

Craig Ellison — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:08:08 -0400

If you've just about given up on troubleshooting your wireless LAN, give our new How To a try. Part 1 provides with some basic WLAN knowledge to start you down the path.

How To Choose the Right NAS for You

Tim Higgins — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 05:05:28 -0400

With the wealth of products available, how do you pick the one that suits your needs? Why, just read our How To!

Smart SOHOs Don't Do RAID

Tim Higgins — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 20:00:00 -0400

Think your data is all comfy and secure in your RAID5 NAS? You might be in for an unpleasant surprise when NAS failure comes knocking.