Ask the Experts

Troubleshooting networks: Can vendor software self-install firewalls?

Can firewalls block the use of a shared folder after the installation of a router? Our network security expert troubleshoots this wireless connection problem using these steps. Continue Reading
Difference between circuit-switching and packet-switching in examples

What is the difference between a circuit switching and packet switching? Our networking fundamentals expert gives examples of packet switching and circuit switching in this response. Continue Reading
VLANs versus IP subnets: Why use a VLAN over IP subnetting?

A virtual local area network (VLAN) is better than IP subnetting because its advantage is security. Learn what a VLAN is and how it differs from creating IP subnets, in this expert response from our networking fundamentals expert. Continue Reading
How to link wired LANs using wireless network bridges and APs

Our wireless networking expert aids an administrator deploy a WLAN in this response to the question "How can I link my wired LANs using ZyXEL's B-3000 access point (AP) and B-420 wireless bridges?" Continue Reading
Bandwidth allocation: How can I give a download limit for each user?

To manage bandwidth, learn how to allocate download limits for each user in your network with policy settings on devices, our administration expert advises. Continue Reading

Why error reporting ICMP messages include IP headers and datagram data

Learn why Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) error reports include IP headers and the first 8 bytes of datagram data in this response from our network administration expert. Continue Reading
How wireless network encryption affects signal strength, connectivity

Our wireless networking expert explains how Wi-Fi encryption could affect signal strength and therefore connection loss, in this expert explanation. Continue Reading
CCVP certification: Job market availability for unified communications

Are there opportunities in the job market for Cisco Certified Voice Professionals (CCVP)? Our certification expert explains where you can apply this voice specialty and what your salary increases to after obtaining this cert. Continue Reading
Creating a wireless bridge to connect clients distant from APs

Learn how to use one Wi-Fi module for creating a wireless bridge in order to connect clients that are distant from your access points (APs), in this expert response. Continue Reading
Can neighboring 802.11n and 802.11g networks avoid coexistence problems?

After an 802.11n migration, our wireless networking expert explains how to avoid coexistence problems with neighboring businesses that still use 802.11g. Continue Reading
What is a GRE tunnel and how does it differ from an IPsec tunnel?

Learn the difference between a GRE tunnel and IPsec tunnel in this Ask the Expert response. Continue Reading

Can 802.11n clients turn off radios to conserve battery life?

Learn about the wireless 802.11n standard's power save features that can manage your Wi-Fi clients to conserve batteries. Continue Reading
How do VPN concentrators and network access servers (NAS) differ?

Find out if there's a difference between a virtual private network (VPN) concentrator and a network access server (NAS) in this explanation from our network security expert, Puneet Mehta. Continue Reading
What keeps unauthorized users from accessing my IP address/Internet?

Our network security expert explains how to keep unauthorized users from accessing your router's IP address for Internet access in this advice explaining how proxy servers can solve client control issues. Continue Reading
Troubleshooting VLANs: How to monitor 802.1q tagged traffic

When troubleshooting a virtual LAN (VLAN), learn how to monitor 802.1q tagged traffic within a network in this advice from our routing and switching expert. Continue Reading