The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a necessary tool for every network administrator. You can easily configure it with just a few commands. SNMP is still the most popular way to monitor ...

When a network router doesn't have enough network ports to connect all the necessary devices, a switch can be used to add additional ports. In the case of business networks, switches are often ...

I’ve given a few tips for ways to configure your router, and a reader asked how to log into a specific model. If you act as your own IT department, that basic step may be the only thing keeping you ...

When it comes to complexity of network connectors, you have got multiple levels, with a switch (hub) at the bottom and a router at the top. A hub is an astonishingly dumb gadget. It accepts a packet ...

Are you confused about the difference between a hub, a router, and a switch? You’re not alone! These networking devices may seem similar, but they serve different purposes and play distinct roles in ...

Forum visitor mustbjones needs a little gentle understanding in regard to routers and hubs. He or she writes: My house is wired with three Ethernet drops fed by the three ports on my router. I got a ...

The set up is a little weird. I won't get into why, but the PCs are spread all over the house and the switch and router are not physically anywhere near each other. I have run a lot of cat 5e and cat ...

Many administrators forget—or don't even realize—that they can configure Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) on Cisco IOS routers and switches. David Davis discusses the pros and cons of this ...