Home Networking
Your home network is not as complicated as it looks. Start with the foundations below, then dip into whatever is giving you trouble - every guide is written for someone who has never opened a router settings page.
Start here
What Is a Home Network? (The Big Picture) →
Think of the internet as a highway system and your home network as your private driveway. Here is what that means for you.
Router vs Modem vs Switch - What Each One Actually Does →
Three boxes, three jobs. Here is what each one does and whether you need all of them.
What a Modem Does - and Why Your ISP Box Does Two Jobs →
The difference between a modem and a router, why your ISP gives you a combined box, and whether you should buy your own.
What Ethernet Actually Is - And Why You Want It →
Wi-Fi is convenient. Ethernet is better. Here is what it is, how it works, and why running one cable can make a big improvement.
Internet Speeds Explained: Mbps and Latency →
Mbps is not the whole story. Latency, jitter, and overhead matter too. Here is what speed actually means.
Wi-Fi, explained
Wi-Fi 2.4 vs 5 vs 6 GHz Explained Simply →
Why does your phone use one Wi-Fi band and your smart lightbulb another? And what is this new 6 GHz everyone is talking about?
Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7 - What’s the Difference? →
Wi-Fi has generations now, just like cell phones. Here is what each one means for your actual internet speed.
Mesh Wi-Fi Explained - When You Need It, When You Don’t →
Mesh systems are popular, but most people do not need one. Here is how to tell if you are the exception.
Set up and tune your router
Where to Put Your Router: Your Spot Is Probably Wrong →
Your router’s position matters more than its price. Move it to the right spot and your Wi-Fi problems might disappear without spending a cent.
How to Set Up Separate 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Networks →
Stop your smart bulb from falling off the network. A gentle, step-by-step guide to splitting your Wi-Fi bands so every device connects to the right one.
The 5 Router Settings You Should Change Right Now →
Your router came with a thousand settings. Most you can ignore. These five will keep you safe and save you headaches.
3 Router Settings That Make Your Wi-Fi Faster →
Three settings that take five minutes and make your internet feel faster - especially when the whole family is online.
Quality of Service is the router feature that stops one person’s video call from ruining everyone else’s gaming or streaming.
Why IPv6 Keeps Changing Your Devices’ Addresses - and the Fix →
Every device gets two IPv6 addresses and only one of them is meant to be permanent. Here is which one, and how to stop your provider moving the other.
Fix a weak signal or a dead zone
Wired vs Mesh Wi-Fi - Should You Wire Your House? →
Ethernet cables are faster but you need to run them through walls. Mesh Wi-Fi is easier but costs more. Here is how to decide.
Wi-Fi Extenders vs Mesh vs Powerline - The Complete Comparison →
Three ways to fix a weak Wi-Fi signal, three very different results. Here is which one is right for your situation.
Powerline Adapters: When Wi-Fi Won’t Reach →
Your home’s electrical wiring can carry internet signals. It sounds like magic. It mostly works.
Your Wi-Fi Extender Is Making Things Worse - The Overlap Problem →
Your Wi-Fi extender may be why every device drops. Here is the free fix.
Smart Home Devices - Why They Kill Your Wi-Fi and How to Fix It →
Your smart bulb, thermostat, and doorbell are probably ruining your Wi-Fi for everyone else. Here is why and what to do about it.
Cables, storage, and extra hardware
Ethernet Cabling - A DIY Guide →
Running Ethernet cables through your house sounds intimidating, but it is simpler than you think. Here is what you need to know.
What Is a NAS? Your Own Private Cloud →
A NAS is like a hard drive that lives on your network so every device in your house can use it. Here is what you need to know.
Your Spare Mini-PC Can Be a NAS - Here Is How →
That mini-PC in the drawer can replace a purpose-built NAS for less money and less electricity - without the Windows networking fight.
Buying gear and paying the bill
How to Buy a Router - What Actually Matters →
Router boxes are covered in nonsense like AX5400 and beamforming. Here is what to actually look for at every budget.
Internet Plans - What to Look For (And What to Ignore) →
ISPs make choosing a plan as confusing as possible on purpose. Here is what actually matters - and what is just marketing.
What Home Networking Gear to Buy at Every Budget →
What to spend, what to skip, and what actually makes your Wi-Fi better.
Stop Buying WiFi Gear - Diagnose First →
Before you spend money on a mesh system, spend 10 minutes diagnosing the real problem.
Your Internet Bill Went Up Again - Three Calls That Reverse It →
Your internet bill went up again. Three calls get your old price back.
Security and privacy
Home Network Security - What Actually Matters →
Forget what you have seen in movies. The real threats to your home network are simpler than you think, and the fixes are even simpler.
Is Your Router a Security Risk? The Five-Minute Firmware Check →
Router flaws are out. Five minutes finds out if yours is on the list.
What Is a VPN? What It Does, What It Doesn’t →
Adverts say VPNs make you anonymous and secure. Most of that is exaggerated. Here is what a VPN is good for and when it is a waste of money.
Online Anonymity - Tor, Burners, and When You Actually Need Them →
Tor, VPNs, and burner phones - and when you actually need them.
Parental Controls and Managing Kids Online - What Actually Works →
Blocking websites is a losing game. Here is a better approach that actually works with your home network.
When something breaks
How to Run a Proper Speed Test - Most People Do It Wrong →
That speed test result you are looking at? It is probably lying to you. Here is how to get the real numbers.
Troubleshooting Slow Internet →
A step-by-step guide to figure out why your internet is slow and what you can actually do about it.
When to Call Your ISP - And What to Say When You Do →
90% of internet problems are not the ISP’s fault. Here is how to check before you call, and what to say if you actually need to.
Looking ahead
Future-Proofing Your Home Network - Planning for the Next 5 Years →
The decisions you make today will either help or haunt you. Here is what to think about so your network lasts.
If there is something you want to know about your home network, let me know.
What Is a Home Network? (The Big Picture)
Think of the internet as a highway system and your home network as your private driveway. Here's what that means for you.
Read more →Router vs Modem vs Switch - What Each One Actually Does
Three boxes, three jobs. Here's what each one does and whether you need all of them.
Read more →Wired vs Mesh Wi-Fi - Should You Wire Your House?
Ethernet cables are faster but you need to run them through walls. Mesh Wi-Fi is easier but costs more. Here's how to decide.
Read more →How to Set Up Separate 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Networks
Stop your smart bulb from falling off the network. A gentle, step-by-step guide to splitting your Wi-Fi bands so every device connects to the right one.
Read more →Where to Put Your Router: Your Spot Is Probably Wrong
Your router's position matters more than its price. Move it to the right spot and your Wi-Fi problems might disappear without spending a cent.
Read more →How to Run a Proper Speed Test - Most People Do It Wrong
That speed test result you're looking at? It's probably lying to you. Here's how to get the real numbers.
Read more →The 5 Router Settings You Should Change Right Now
Your router came with a thousand settings. Most you can ignore. These five will keep you safe and save you headaches.
Read more →3 Router Settings That Make Your Wi-Fi Faster
Three router settings that take five minutes and make your internet feel faster - especially when the whole family is online.
Read more →What Ethernet Actually Is - And Why You Want It
Wi-Fi is convenient. Ethernet is better. Here's what it is, how it works, and why running one cable can make a big improvement.
Read more →What a Modem Does - and Why Your ISP Box Does Two Jobs
The difference between a modem and a router, why your ISP gives you a combined box, and whether you should buy your own.
Read more →Mesh Wi-Fi Explained - When You Need It, When You Don't
Mesh systems are popular, but most people don't need one. Here's how to tell if you're the exception.
Read more →Home Network Security - What Actually Matters
Forget what you've seen in movies. The real threats to your home network are simpler than you think, and the fixes are even simpler.
Read more →How to Buy a Router - What Actually Matters
Router boxes are covered in nonsense like 'AX5400' and 'beamforming.' Here's what to actually look for at every budget.
Read more →Internet Plans - What to Look For (And What to Ignore)
ISPs make choosing a plan as confusing as possible on purpose. Here's what actually matters - and what's just marketing.
Read more →Powerline Adapters: When Wi-Fi Won't Reach
Your home's electrical wiring can carry internet signals. It sounds like magic. It mostly works.
Read more →When to Call Your ISP - And What to Say When You Do
90% of internet problems are not the ISP's fault. Here's how to check before you call, and what to say if you actually need to.
Read more →What Is a VPN? What It Does, What It Doesn't
Adverts say VPNs make you anonymous and secure. Most of that is exaggerated. Here's what a VPN is good for and when it's a waste of money.
Read more →Online Anonymity - Tor, Burners, and When You Actually Need Them
Tor, VPNs, and burner phones - and when you actually need them.
Read more →Internet Speeds Explained: Mbps and Latency
Mbps is not the whole story. Latency, jitter, and overhead matter too. Here's what speed actually means.
Read more →Parental Controls and Managing Kids Online - What Actually Works
Blocking websites is a losing game. Here is a better approach to managing children's internet use that actually works with your home network.
Read more →Smart Home Devices - Why They Kill Your Wi-Fi and How to Fix It
Your smart bulb, thermostat, and doorbell are probably ruining your Wi-Fi for everyone else. Here is why and what to do about it.
Read more →Wi-Fi Extenders vs Mesh vs Powerline - The Complete Comparison
Three ways to fix a weak Wi-Fi signal, three very different results. Here is which one is right for your situation.
Read more →Future-Proofing Your Home Network - Planning for the Next 5 Years
The decisions you make today will either help or haunt you. Here is what to think about so your network lasts.
Read more →Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7 - What's the Difference?
Wi-Fi has generations now, just like cell phones. Here is what each one means for your actual internet speed.
Read more →What Is a NAS? Your Own Private Cloud
A NAS is like a hard drive that lives on your network so every device in your house can use it. Here is what you need to know.
Read more →QoS - Stop Your Buffering
Quality of Service is the router feature that stops one person's video call from ruining everyone else's gaming or streaming.
Read more →Ethernet Cabling - A DIY Guide
Running Ethernet cables through your house sounds intimidating, but it is simpler than you think. Here is what you need to know.
Read more →Troubleshooting Slow Internet
A step-by-step guide to figure out why your internet is slow and what you can actually do about it.
Read more →Your Spare Mini-PC Can Be a NAS - Here Is How
That mini-PC in the drawer can replace a purpose-built NAS for less money and less electricity - without the Windows networking fight.
Read more →Your Internet Bill Went Up Again - Three Calls That Reverse It
Your internet bill went up again. Three calls get your old price back.
Read more →What Home Networking Gear to Buy at Every Budget
What to spend, what to skip, and what actually makes your Wi-Fi better.
Read more →Is Your Router a Security Risk? The Five-Minute Firmware Check
Router flaws are out. Five minutes finds out if yours is on the list.
Read more →Your Wi-Fi Extender Is Making Things Worse - The Overlap Problem
Your Wi-Fi extender may be why every device drops. Here's the free fix.
Read more →Why IPv6 Keeps Changing Your Devices' Addresses - and the Fix
Give every device an IPv6 address that survives your ISP renumbering it.
Read more →Stop Buying WiFi Gear - Diagnose First
Before you spend money on a mesh system, spend 10 minutes diagnosing the real problem.
Read more →Wi-Fi 2.4 vs 5 vs 6 GHz Explained Simply
Why does your phone use one Wi-Fi band and your smart lightbulb another? And what's this new 6 GHz everyone's talking about?
Read more →