Net neutrality is typically framed as a policy debate (see my background Net Neutrality post here), but its real implications are observable in packet-level behavior. For network engineers and broadband technicians, the question is not abstract: can you see evidence of blocking, throttling, or prioritization in a packet capture? Using Wireshark, it is possible to […]
Net Neutrality at the Packet Level Read More »
Net neutrality in the United States has evolved through a cycle of regulatory assertion, legal limitation, reclassification, repeal, and attempted reinstatement. It is not a fixed policy but a dynamic framework shaped by the intersection of law, politics, and network engineering realities. At its core, the debate reflects a fundamental tension. On one side is
Brief Evolution of Net Neutrality in the US Read More »
This question was sent to me in an email following my posts on regarding TCP CUBIC. The answer is Yes—Microsoft Windows does support TCP CUBIC, but the nuance is in how and when it’s used. For many years, Windows defaulted to Compound TCP (CTCP) rather than CUBIC. Meanwhile, Linux distributions standardized on TCP CUBIC, which
Does Windows support TCP CUBIC? Read More »
I described what Adaptive Bit Rate Streaming (ABR) is in my prior article, if you need that background. Also there is an ABR Lab Exercise if you want some hands on learning with ABR that will show you visually some of the items discussed below. Here, I wanted to dive a little deeper into this
Mapping ABR to TCP Congestion Control and QUIC Read More »
Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) is a video delivery method that dynamically adjusts the quality of a stream in real time based on three things: network conditions, device capability, and player performance. Instead of delivering a single fixed-quality, and therefore fixed transfer rate video, ABR continuously selects the most appropriate bitrate to maintain smooth playback while
What Is Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR)? Read More »
The following is a step by step lab exercise to examine ABR – Adaptive Bit Rate used in modern video content delivery. I won’t explain ABR here – you can read about ABR and what it is, and how it works here in a recent post. We will analyze a synthetic but realistic packet capture
A Synthetic ABR Lab Exercise Read More »
Most people do not know this, but TCP CUBIC is the dominant congestion control algorithm used in modern TCP/IP networks. It is designed to efficiently utilize high-speed, long-distance links while maintaining fairness across flows with different round-trip times (RTTs). Today, it is the default congestion control algorithm in most Linux systems, and since most servers
What is TCP CUBIC and Why so popular? Read More »
I have been teaching Wireshark classes since the early 2000’s, and using it since it was called Ethereal. My usage has primarily focused around troubleshooting network issues that have a packet capture associated with them. My fellow troubleshooters will tell you that this is not always the case. But, if we are lucky to have
Create your own Wireshark Labs with AI Read More »
Check out these great references as well: Our custom profiles repository for Wireshark Our Udemy course on Wireshark Our Udemy course on Wireless Packet capture In our previous post I showed you how to use Wireshark’s Ring Buffer feature. I think we can all agree how great that feature is. In this port I wanted
Combining Wireshark Ring Buffers with Capture Filters for Performance Read More »
Check out these great references: Our custom profiles repository for Wireshark Our Udemy course on Wireshark Our Udemy course on Wireless Packet capture Wireshark’s Ring Buffer feature is a capture mechanism feature that automatically rotates packet capture files based on size or time limits, overwriting the oldest files when a defined limit is reached. It
Wireshark Ring Buffer Capture Feature Read More »
At CellStream, we design and deliver technology training programs specifically aligned to the realities of today’s broadband, telecommunications, and IP-based networking environments. Our focus is not generic IT instruction — it is highly curated, operationally relevant education built for service providers, network engineers, broadband technicians, sales teams, leadership, and customer-facing staff. Our training is intentionally
Technology Training at CellStream Read More »
This is a great question recently asked by one of our students/clients when we said our usual introductory comments that “No we won’t spam you”, and “No we don’t use the click model on our sites”. Now most of you know, we are a small family business, and have been since day one, and I
Why don’t you employ the “click” model on your sites? Read More »
The following is a technical SWOT analysis for Network Engineers, Security Engineers, and Senior Technicians. I apologize for the high number of acronyms used below, but hey, this is networking! In networking, Zero-Trust is not a single product or control. It’s an architecture and operating model where no network location (LAN, WAN, data center VLAN,
Zero-Trust Networking & Converged Security Read More »
What I have created here is a somewhat technical SWOT Analysis for Network Engineers and Technicians for one of today’s top networking subjects of interest: the high speed needs being delivered by Ethernet technology for AI and for Data Centers. Introduction: Why High-Speed Ethernet Matters in AI Infrastructure High-Speed Ethernet has become a foundational technology
High-Speed Ethernet for AI and Data Centers Read More »
A SWOT analysis is a structured analytical framework used to evaluate a subject from four complementary perspectives: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. We have been providing SWOT analyses for our clients since our inception. You can read more about that service here. For now, however, let’s simplify and explain what a SWOT analysis is. Since
Understanding a SWOT Analysis Read More »
