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What is MPTS? Plus a hands-on Lab
Post Views: 131 MPTS stands for Multi-Program Transport Stream. It is a format defined within MPEG-2 Transport Stream (MPEG-TS) standards where multiple independent programs (channels) are multiplexed into a single transport stream. A simple definition would be one MPTS carries multiple programs with each program containing a complete service of video plus audio plus metadata.

It’s Early Days – but what is Wi-Fi 8?
Post Views: 257 Wi-Fi 8 is the informal market name for IEEE 802.11bn, currently being developed as the next major Wi-Fi generation after Wi-Fi 7. Its technical theme is UHR — Ultra High Reliability. Unlike earlier Wi-Fi generations that mainly advertised higher peak speeds, Wi-Fi 8 is aimed at making Wi-Fi more consistent, predictable, and

What is the Starlink Operational Model?
Post Views: 630 For many broadband folks, this is a question that you need to know the answer to. So let’s answer in a picture and with supporting data. Well, let’s just say this is as best as one can determine. Naturally there is an intellectual property barrier to what Starlink/SpaceX has and is developing.

CSI-OL-009 – Integrating AI Into the Broadband Technician Role
Post Views: 203 CellStream, Inc. – Telecom Consulting and Training! 2-day In Person Instructor Led course.Click Here to go to our Service Provider Courses. Using ChatGPT for troubleshooting, documentation, packet analysis, customer communication, safety, and daily field operations. Course Description: This course teaches broadband technicians how to use ChatGPT as a practical daily assistant for
Wireshark Troubleshooting Workflow
Post Views: 233 Do not troubleshoot Wireshark captures by chasing random red and black packets. Start with triage, classify the traffic, branch into the correct protocol workflow, and then prove the finding with packet evidence. The following is a shortened version of our structured “Triage → Classify → Branch → Prove” Wireshark troubleshooting workflow built
Configuring Windows Firewall Rules using netsh
Post Views: 25,369 Windows Firewall allows you to control the traffic entering and leaving your system through various rules. You can create and configure firewall rules to permit or block specific network activities. If you are looking for a more complete curated and advanced set of examples – join our Patreon community and check out

Where can I get PCAP Packet Captures for Learning and Exploration?
Post Views: 4,642 I am often asked this question of where to access PCAP or PCAP-NG files so that folks can explore packet captures using Wireshark. I have always provided these resources in my Wireshark classes at the Online School, but thought I should also just list them here for public consumption. Before you click!
A New Wireshark Welcome Screen
Post Views: 1,286 If you have upgraded Wireshark to the latest version 4.6.5 and later, you will note a big change to the “welcome” screen, or home screen of Wireshark. It now looks like this: The two “boxes” on the right are new and bold. The tips and tricks is great for new Wireshark users,

Can you extract Fax from Packets?
Post Views: 445 This is a frequently asked question, especially from folks who troubleshoot fax in VoIP networks. Until today, I would have said “I have never seen it. That does not mean it can’t be done.” I also would have admitted that it is above my pay grade. But that all changed today. I
Extracting VoIP Packets from Multiple Captures
Post Views: 532 Let’s say you are a CO Tech/Engineer or an enterprise network engineer that works with Voice over IP (VoIP). Let’s further say that there are issues with one or more users so you have done a bunch of packet captures, perhaps even used Wireshark’s Ring Buffer capability, and now you want to
Join the CellStream Network Science Membership today for access to real-world networking knowledge, hands-on labs, downloadable PCAPs, Wireshark analysis exercises, troubleshooting workflows, and professional technical insights built from decades of operational experience. Whether you work in broadband, Wi-Fi, VoIP, enterprise networking, or packet analysis, this community is designed to help you strengthen your skills, solve problems faster, and continue advancing your technical expertise.
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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
