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Why Broadband Service Provider Technical Teams Should Be Using Linux in 2026
Views: 1,921 Originally published August 7, 2018 | Updated October 2026 Several years ago, during a video call with a service provider technical lead, I noticed something interesting. Almost every question I answered, whether it concerned Wi-Fi, network testing, troubleshooting, or packet analysis, involved demonstrating something on my Linux laptop. Eventually, the technical lead asked
How to Identify Your Computer’s Hardware Components
Views: 2,451 Have you ever wondered exactly what hardware is inside your computer? Not just how much memory you have or what processor Windows says you’re running, but the actual manufacturer and model of your motherboard, the type and speed of your RAM, the BIOS or UEFI firmware version, and the details of your graphics
Keeping your Windows PC Software Up to Date in 2026
Views: 1,911 One of the challenges of owning and maintaining a Windows PC has always been keeping the operating system, installed applications, device drivers, and other software up to date. I originally wrote this article back in September 2013 and made a few updates in 2020. A lot has changed since then! Fortunately, keeping software
IPv6 Lab Exercises Appearing
Views: 63 We promised to deliver some great IPv6 labs to expand your IPv6 skills and the first two are up! Three more are scheduled already! To check them out go here. These labs include full instructions, GNS3 Portable Projects (not required) and PCAPs for Wireshark where needed. Thank you to our Patreon members who
The Linux ip Command: A Practical Guide to Network Troubleshooting
Views: 7,252 Originally published October 26, 2018 | Updated October 2026 If you have spent much time working with Linux, you probably remember commands such as ifconfig, route, and arp. For years, these utilities were commonly used to examine network interfaces, IP addressing, routing tables, and other networking information. Those commands may still be available
Public DNS Servers Explained: Which One Should You Use?
Views: 423 Most people never think about the Domain Name System (DNS) until something stops working. They enter a website address, press Enter, and expect the page to appear. Somewhere along the way, DNS helps translate the domain name into the IP address needed to reach the destination. What many Internet users do not realize
Wireshark Display Filter Cheat Sheet
Views: 182 This updated Wireshark Display Filter Cheat Sheet (multi page) is designed as a practical reference for anyone who uses Wireshark for troubleshooting, packet analysis, protocol study, or security work. The original version already covered the basic filter structure, comparison operators, conversation filters, common protocol fields, TCP analysis, Wi-Fi, routing, VoIP, DNS, DHCP, TLS,
A Great Linux Cheat Sheet
Views: 143 Are you just getting started with Linux? Are you an occasional user? This is a great cheat sheet to help you with Linux in general. You know I highly recommend that technicians learn Linux. This updated Linux Command Cheat Sheet is designed as a practical reference for anyone working with Linux at the
What Can Wireshark Really Tell You About an Encrypted Signal Conversation?
Views: 837 Signal has a well-earned reputation as a secure messaging application. Messages, voice calls, video calls, files, and other Signal-to-Signal communications are protected using end-to-end encryption. Signal states that message and call contents cannot be accessed by Signal or other third parties because the communications are always end-to-end encrypted. So that raises an interesting
Why Your Wireshark Filter May Not Mean What You Think It Means
Views: 487 Wireshark display filters can look deceptively simple. For example: tcp.port > 1024 seems obvious. But a TCP packet normally has two port values: a source port and a destination port. That means Wireshark may be evaluating more than one value when you write a filter. Consider: This packet satisfies: tcp.port > 1024 because
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We have several articles here that contain and use Amazon links for products we recommend or reference. When you select products using those links, we receive a small cut without affecting your price, and appreciate you for using our links. You can also check out my Amazon Storefront here. Here are some of those posts:
10 Best Books for Broadband Technicians
The Top Ten Networking Books for Reference
Servicing or Repairing Network Equipment
The Network Products We Use in Our “Go Bag”
A List of USB Wi-Fi Adapters that support Monitor Mode
A Wi-Fi 7 Tri-Band USB Adapter now available on Amazon
IPv6 Books for Reference and Study
Content Creator Equipment List for YouTube/Vimeo/Patreon/Udemy
