Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- home_networking [2023/03/28 13:10] – [Cable Modem details Reference] phillip
+++ home_networking [2024/03/05 13:24] (current) – [How much speed do you need?] phillip
@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 ===== Free Tools. =====
-The first tool I reach for when trying to help someone with a home network/wifi concern is :  [[https://androidutils.io/wifianalyzer/|Wifi Analyzer]].  The free version of this tool and lots of alternatives are available on the [[https://play.google.com/store/search?q=wifi+analyzer&c=apps&gl=us|Google App Store.]] The tool is an Android application that lets me "see" the networks and devices in a location.   If you want to //**really understand network traffic**// , [[https://www.wireshark.org/|Wireshark]] is the answer.
+The first tool I reach for when trying to help someone with a home network/wifi concern is : [[https://androidutils.io/wifianalyzer/|Wifi Analyzer]]. The free version of this tool and lots of alternatives are available on the [[https://play.google.com/store/search?q=wifi+analyzer&c=apps&gl=us|Google App Store.]] The tool is an Android application that lets me "see" the networks and devices in a location. If you want to //**really understand network traffic**//  , [[https://www.wireshark.org/|Wireshark]] is the answer.
 ===== Who might find this information helpful? =====
 If you just "want it to work" and/or the cost is not important, then the list of providers in the next section is probably all that you might find helpful. If you have some concern for "privacy" as relates to your use of internet services then the pages of the [[https://www.sctexas.org/club/scripts/memfac/memfac.asp?MFCODE=CCLUB_SEC|Cybersecurity SIG]] of the Computer Club contain a lot of information. A recurring "theme" of maintaining security in a home network might be: //**Use your own router**//  . There is a section about routers, below. If you have performance or reliability concerns with your internet service and you want to understand "why", then the **Network Performance Thoughts**, below, might be a first step to discovering a root cause of the issue.
+===== Wifi Security 101 =====
+If you have a router in your home that provides Wifi, for devices in your home, then using/keeping the "default" password for the router might be an "open door" to someone with "skills".    Often routers have their default (factory installed) wifi password printed on the bottom of the device.   Anyone that has access to your router might "take a picture" of the device and thus "have the password".  Changing the wifi password is a "good practice".    Knowing how to change the wifi password is usually documented in the router documentation.    This may not be the case for Optimum supplied routers since optimum usually supplies a modem/router combination and limits the set of "things" a customer can change in the modem/router they "rent" to you.
+In addition to changing the wifi password, you might consider using the "guest network" of the router for devices that just need internet access and are not used by your computers or phones.    Why?   Smart TV's and similar devices are yet another "computer in disguise".    It is not uncommon for Smart "devices" to be "out of date" as relates to the "system software" or applications that they execute.   Keeping devices with higher possibilities of "security issues" on the "guest network" is one way of mitigating the concern.
 ===== ISP (Internet Service Provider) options in Sun City. =====
@@ Line 45: / Line 51: @@
 Repeating… If you use your internet connection to surf the internet and have a couple of TV's streaming Netflix and/or Amazon at the same time, 100 megabits per second is probably "plenty" of speed. Gigabit speed (sounds cool) but in many cases is unlikely to provide tangible benefit to your internet connected devices or your experiences with the devices.
+March 2024...  More details about the "[[https://www.pcmag.com/explainers/how-much-internet-speed-do-you-really-need?fbclid=IwAR2y1dotclHctJhxAs8Egmjm2kXmMr3PPUi9AosjkOTw1Ht5N0mgSPO4I_Y|How much speed do you need]]".
 ==== Latency ====
@@ Line 60: / Line 69: @@
 ==== Distance ====
-Wifi is a technology that uses radio frequencies for data transmission. Reference: [[https://wififorbeginners.com/|Wif For Beginners]] The strength of the signal does matter. The amount of power a Wifi device is allowed to transmit is limited, which means the distance and number of walls between one wifi device(your router) and another wifi device (computer, printer, TV, phone) might impact all of the previously mentioned performance metrics. The two "common bands" of radio frequencies used for wifi in you home include 2.4 gigahertz and 5 gigahertz.  Devices operating on 2.4 gigahertz will usually operate "properly" through "more walls" and at greater distance between the devices, than devices operating on 5 gigahertz.  The speed that is achieved with 2.4 gigahertz can be slower than 5 gigahertz, but your device may not care or need the speed that 5 gigahertz can provide.
+Wifi is a technology that uses radio frequencies for data transmission. Reference: [[https://wififorbeginners.com/|Wif For Beginners]] The strength of the signal does matter. The amount of power a Wifi device is allowed to transmit is limited, which means the distance and number of walls between one wifi device(your router) and another wifi device (computer, printer, TV, phone) might impact all of the previously mentioned performance metrics. The two "common bands" of radio frequencies used for wifi in you home include 2.4 gigahertz and 5 gigahertz. Devices operating on 2.4 gigahertz will usually operate "properly" through "more walls" and at greater distance between the devices, than devices operating on 5 gigahertz. The speed that is achieved with 2.4 gigahertz can be slower than 5 gigahertz, but your device may not care or need the speed that 5 gigahertz can provide.
 ===== Wifi or Wifi 5 or Wifi 6 or Mesh, in your house. =====
@@ Line 89: / Line 98: @@
 Mesh references: [[https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-mesh-network-4842178|What is Mesh Networking]]?
-=== Cable Modem details Reference.  ===
+=== Cable Modem details Reference. ===
-This might be helpful...    [[:cable_modem|Cable modem thoughts.]]
+This might be helpful… [[:cable_modem|Cable modem thoughts.]]