Networking/Routers
Do Public DNS Services Such As Google DNS Have Any Real Benefit?
by Dustin Patterson on February 18, 2010
If you haven’t heard about it, Google announced their free Public DNS service in early December. According to Google’s Blog, Google Public DNS will provide increased DNS lookup speeds, making the end-user experience faster. Google isn’t the first company to provide an alternative DNS service. The popular OpenDNS has been around for a few years now and claims to provide the same... [Read More]
Dropbox: Take Your Files Everywhere
by Dustin Patterson on December 15, 2009
Methods of transferring and sharing files have come a long way from the days of 3.5″ floppy disks. Once limited to 1.44 MB at a time, we are now able to use flash drives to easily transfer around 32 GB (approximately 22000 times as much data) at greater transfer speeds than before. Although physical media allows for large data transfers, the internet itself offers great file sharing services... [Read More]
Wireless Security Tip: Secure Your Wireless Internet
by Evan Wondrasek on October 21, 2009
If you have your own wireless internet connection, it might be unsecured (meaning that you don’t have to type in a password to access it) or it may be using WEP encryption. There are several important reasons why you should encrypt your internet (or switch from WEP encryption to a stronger method such as WPA or WPA2): Leaving your wireless internet unsecured lets anybody access your network... [Read More]
How to Connect to a Windows Remote Desktop
by Dustin Patterson on September 22, 2009
Previously, I covered the steps for setting up your computer to receive Remote Desktop connections, enabling you to control your computer from any other computer on the internet. In this guide, I will cover the procedure for connecting to your Remote Desktop enabled computer from another computer via the internet. Connecting from Windows XP/Vista/7 Click Start > All Programs > Accessories... [Read More]
How to Enable Windows Remote Desktop
by Dustin Patterson on September 21, 2009
Remote Desktop is Microsoft’s built-in software that allows you to access a computer from any other computer via the internet. Remotely accessing your computer can be a valuable resource if you need access to files and other information if you do not have physical access to the computer. Note: Remote Desktop access is only available in the Professional, Business, or Ultimate versions of Windows.... [Read More]
How to Use A Router as a Wireless Adapter
by Dustin Patterson on September 2, 2009
There may come a time where you have an extra wireless router on your hands (such as the Linksys WRT54GL) that you’re not sure what to do with. One thing that I have recently found useful is to use the router as a wireless adapter to connect to a wireless network. Using a router as a wireless adapter will not only provide you with wireless connectivity, but will also give you a multiple-port... [Read More]
How to Rebroadcast a Weak Wifi Signal
by Evan Wondrasek on July 24, 2009
There may be a time when you have access to a wireless network in one part of your house, but just can’t get it anywhere else. This isn’t a big deal if you own the network (you can buy another access point or wireless repeater), but if you don’t own the network, this guide will show you how to extend your free coverage. What’s the purpose of this, you might ask? In my case, I can connect... [Read More]
Tomato Firmware: Increased Transmit Power Does More Harm Than Good?
by Dustin Patterson on April 5, 2009
Currently, I run four routers, all part of the WRT54G/GL/GS series, that allow a house to receive wireless internet. These routers provide sufficient, although not yet ideal, coverage for the house. Since the WRT54G/GL/GS routers are built on a Linux framework, they are easily upgraded to more powerful firmware, such as the Tomato Firmware available from http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato. Third-party... [Read More]
