Beginner’s Guides

Look on the back of your router and you’ll probably see a USB port. A router will typically connect to a modem over Ethernet to provide it with a connection to the Internet, so what is the USB port for?

In a home network, it is your modem that allows you to connect to the Internet via your Internet Service Provider, so what is the purpose of the router and do you need one if you already have a modem?

When designing your home network, or maybe even moving home, you may be wondering where the best place for your router is to get the best performance possible.

You may have a separate router and modem, or they may both be contained within a single device. So what exactly is the difference between a router and modem, and how do they work together?

Powerline adapters are a useful way of using your home’s existing electrical wiring in place of running in-wall Ethernet cables or having to rely on a Wi-Fi connection, but is there a limit to how many you can use?

USB Wi-Fi adapters are a very common piece of networking hardware. If you aren’t using a wired Ethernet connection or have a device with built-in Wi-Fi, chances are you will be using one of these. But how exactly do they work?

Given that switches are typically left powered on and running 24/7, some people may be concerned about how much power they consume and whether they will see their electricity bill skyrocket. So, how much power does a network switch use and what does this mean in terms of cost to run?

Available plug sockets can be seen as a luxury in some homes that have many devices plugged in at all times, so will powerline adapters work through extension leads, and is it safe?

Wireless access points can be a useful addition to your home network, particularly if you have a large home and you find yourself struggling with a poor Wi-Fi signal in certain areas. Let’s take a look at what a wireless access point is and how they work.

Powerline adapters come with some of the benefits of a wired Ethernet connection without the hassle of installing any additional cabling by simply plugging into a mains socket. As the mains electricity supply is involved, it does beg the question as to whether powerline adapters need to be on the same circuit to function?