Latest articles by Tom's Guide Staff
How To: One Internet connection - Two Private LANs
There are times when having two separate networks - both sharing the same Internet connection - can come in handy. For example, I recently helped a community center with its network setup. They needed to provide Internet connection to tenants who were renting space, in addition to their own shared Internet. They also shared a number of folders on the network, but weren't too careful about password protecting the shares.
How We Test 802.11b and 11g Wireless LAN Products
We use Ixia's free Qcheck utility and IxChariot network peformance evaluation program to put wireless network gear through their paces. We use the simple test setup pictured below to run our tests under four different conditions.
How To: Setting up File and Printer sharing between two routers
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. This ProblemSolver will explain why this doesn't work by default and provide some suggestions for working around the problem.
Workshop: A Digital Facelift for Your Analog Movies
With the right know-how, you can copy VHS and Super-8 movies to your PC. This workshop will also show you how to give your old movies a new, digital lease on life.
How To: Getting VPN to work through NAT firewalls
If you can't get your VPN to work through a firewall, you may be able to open some ports in your router’s firewall to get your VPN connection made.
How to Diagnose and Fix an Internet Connection Problem
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 usually lies somewhere in between, but no one seems to want to help.
2.4 GHz Antenna Gain vs. Range Table
Ranges are based on ideal outdoor conditions and using standard Lucent Technologies accessories. The distances referenced here are approximations and should be used for estimation purposes only.
Qcheck - A FREE Network Testing Utility
You do have to fill out a form to request the download because Ixia hopes that you'll like what you see and want to buy the full-featured Chariot, but that's a small price to pay for such a handy tool
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 address that is needed for actual communication.
A Guide to Router Hardware Terminology
Even though you have our general recommendations, you should still understand the features you're likely to find in your router, and what they do.
How We Test SPI+NAT Routers
Some consumer-focused routers have for some time claimed to use Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) in their firewalls. But the recent generation of boxes based on the ADMtek 5106 Home Gateway Controller, (which was purchased by Conexant and is now the Conexant CX84200 Network Processor) seem to really be using SPI, or at least, doing something differently than their previously-released brethren. The telltale signs of this new generation of routers seem to be a significant reduction in measured throughput when the LAN test client is put in the router's DMZ, and problems in completing UDP streaming tests under normal Qcheck test conditions.
D-Link AirPlus Enhanced 2.4 GHz Wireless Access Point Review
TI-based 802.11b access point with '22Mbps' mode when used with other AirPlus products.Has bridging and wireless repeating features & can act as an Ethernet client adapter. No WEP enabled throughput penalty, best case speed only about 7Mbps.
ATi's Mobility Radeon 9000: DX8 for Notebooks
Today ATi announces its new notebook solution Mobility Radeon 9000. It is the first notebook graphics chip with DirectX 8 support. We tell you if it marks a real quantum leap in terms of notebook 3D-experience.
