Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

• How do we add wireless printer servers to our network?

  Learn how to add wireless printer servers to your network: Know what equipment you need and how to stop non-employees from using those printers.  Continue Reading

• Should you take the CCNA or get a degree?

  Compare what a CCNA is worth next to a two- or four-year degree, in this response from our training and certification expert, Ed Tittel.  Continue Reading

• Can you obtain an entry-level networking job with only certifications?

  See whether experience, certifications or degrees get you the best networking career, and learn if you can obtain entry-level jobs with only certifications, in this expert response with training and certification guru Ed Tittel.  Continue Reading

• What is interVLAN routing?

  Learn what interVLAN routing is in this Ask the Expert with routing expert Sudhanshu Gupta.  Continue Reading

• Configure branch office VLANs to route across WAN

  If your traffic isn't routable across WLAN networks, learn how you need to configure your branch office VLANs to route traffic across your WAN.  Continue Reading

• Does a firewall need two static IPs for port forwarding?

  See if it takes two static IPs to accomplish port forwarding in a Cisco firewall, in this expert response from network security expert Puneet Mehta.  Continue Reading

• What network monitoring tools monitor all OSI layers?

  To understand network monitoring in all Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) layers, view this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Why was IPv6 developed, and what issues does IPv4 have?

  Learn what issues cannot be rectified using IPv4 and why IPv6 was developed, in this Ask the Expert.  Continue Reading

• Can I use my Windows Server as an Internet proxy server?

  To use your Windows Server as an Internet proxy server, what do you need to do? Find out from our wireless expert, Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• How do I make a Cisco lab for CCNP training?

  Want to know how to set up a cost-effective Cisco lab for CCNP training? Learn from Cisco certification expert Dave Minutella in this response.  Continue Reading

• How do you assign a default gateway?

  Find out the command you need to run to assign a default gateway in this response from our routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta.  Continue Reading

• Can you convert a Layer 3 switch to Layer 2?

  See how a Layer 3 switch can convert to a Layer 2 switch, in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• At what circuit utilization percentage should I increase bandwidth?

  How do you know when to increase your bandwidth? Find out from WAN optimization expert Dr. David Hughes.  Continue Reading

• Are high-gain antennas needed on both AP and client sides?

  See if you need a high-gain antenna on both the AP and client side to boost wireless range and signal quality. Wireless expert Lisa Phifer elaborates on the metrics and reasoning.  Continue Reading

• What is FEC in MPLS?

  Learn what Forwarding Equivalence Class (FEC) is and how it works with Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS).  Continue Reading

• What are TCP Wrappers? How do they work?

  Network security expert, Puneet Mehta, explains TCP Wrappers and how they work in this Ask the Expert.  Continue Reading

• What is layered defense approach to network security?

  Learn what the layered defense approach to network security is in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Frame relay, ATM, and Gigabit Ethernet pros and cons

  Frame relay, ATM, and Gigabit Ethernet have pros and cons for basing network infrastructure off of, according to our networking fundamentals expert.  Continue Reading

• How do you check if TCP/IP is installed on the system?

  Understand the TCP/IP stack and how to check if it is installed on your system in this networking fundamentals expert response.  Continue Reading

• How do we control who gets our wireless network's free Internet access?

  Learn how to control access to your wireless network's free Internet.  Continue Reading

• To renew my CCNP, which exam should I take?

  Learn what test you need to take to renew your CCNP from Cisco certification expert David Minutella.  Continue Reading

• What protocol works on all layers of OSI?

  Learn what protocol, if any, works on all layers of OSI in this expert answer.  Continue Reading

• How do routers and switches differ in the OSI model?

  Learn the difference between a switch and a router in relation to the OSI model in this Ask the Expert.  Continue Reading

• How to block some users from the Internet while allowing others

  Learn how to block certain users from the Internet while allowing others on the same LAN in this expert response with enterprise security expert Michael Gregg.  Continue Reading

• Are Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certifications good for a networking career?

  See if Linux Professional Institute (LPI) certifications will further your networking career in this expert response with our training and certification expert, Ed Tittel.  Continue Reading

• Do sandstorms, too much heat, and strong winds affect Wi-Fi connections?

  How much does weather affect Wi-Fi? Wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer explains how sandstorms, too much heat and strong winds might affect your connection in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Where should I place my cable modem?

  Learn how cable modem placement will affect your wireless network connection, in this expert response with Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between VPN and VPN pass-through?

  In this Q&A, our VPN expert describes the difference between a basic VPN and VPN pass-through, a feature often found in small business Internet gateway devices.  Continue Reading

• How many wireless devices can connect to an 802.11g access point?

  Learn how many wireless devices can connect to an 802.11G access point (AP) in this expert response with Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• To evaluate network management, what criteria is there?

  What are the criteria for evaluating how efficient your network management is? Find out in this expert response with Lindi Horton.  Continue Reading

• Can I set up a VPN on my wireless router?

  Learn about the difference between functions in a consumer and pro-sumer cable modem and how to set up your VPN on your wireless router, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• To set up a VPN server, do you need two NIC cards?

  To set up a VPN server, do you need two NIC cards? Find out the answer to this and how to fix disconnects in this Q&A with Sampath Ramaswami.  Continue Reading

• How do I connect to our VPN with authentication ID?

  Learn how to connect wireless laptops to your VPN using a SecurID authentication and Nortel Contivity VPN gateway in this Q&A with wireless expert Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• Stop simultaneous connections to corporate LANs and external Wi-Fi networks

  How can you stop simultaneous connections to corporate LANs and external Wi-Fi networks? Find out from wireless expert Lisa Phifer in this Ask the Expert.  Continue Reading

• To practice my CCNA, what equipment do I need?

  Learn what equipment you need to set up a home lab to practice for your CCNA in this Q&A with Cisco certifications expert David Minutella.  Continue Reading

• How can I define the layered approach to protocols?

  Learn what the network security advantages are in the layered approach to protocols and how to define the layered approach protocol, in this Q&A with Michael Gregg.  Continue Reading

• Do stateful packet-filtering firewalls have vulnerabilities?

  Learn what types of attacks stateful packet-filtering firewalls are vulnerable to in this Q&A with security expert Puneet Mehta.  Continue Reading

• Is IT a good, safe career choice?

  Is IT a safe career choice? Read training and certification expert Ed Tittel's response to this query.  Continue Reading

• How does any certification expire if a degree never does?

  Why does a certification expire? View this Q&A debating the reasons for network certification expirations.  Continue Reading

• What are the routing differences between IPv4 and IPv6?

  Between IPv4 and IPv6, find out how routing differs, in this Q&A with Silvia Hagen.  Continue Reading

• Can I connect WLAN and LAN clients using 802.1x and EAP?

  Learn how to connect wireless and wired LAN clients using 802.1x and EAP with a workgroup instead of an Active Directory Domain in this Q&A with Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• Why can't my phone connect to the wired LAN?

  Learn why your 802.11g-enabled phone can connect to the Internet through a Lynksys router but not to your wired LAN, in this Q&A with Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• Is my hotspot provider vulnerable to MAC address spoofing?

  In this Q&A with wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer, see if your hotspot provider is vulnerable to MAC address spoofing when it uses Web portal to charge customers for wireless access.  Continue Reading

• How do I block MAC addresses from my DHCP server?

  Learn how to block MAC addresses on your network from getting any IP addresses off your DHCP server, in this expert response with security expert Puneet Mehta.  Continue Reading

• What causes packet loss across the WAN, and how can I tell when it affects application behavior?

  Learn what causes packet loss across a WAN, plus how you might be able to tell when packet loss is affecting your network's application behavior, in this Q&A with Dr. Hughes.  Continue Reading

• How does a Layer 3 switch work in a network?

  Learn how a Layer 3 switch works in a network, in this Q&A with routing and switching expert Sudhanshu Gupta.  Continue Reading

• How do I connect my VLANs to the Internet using NAT and the appropriately configured ACL?

  Confused about using NAT and configuring ACL? Learn how to connect your VLANs to the Internet over a router with sub-interfaces already defined.  Continue Reading

• What is the advantage of frame relay over leased lines?

  Learn about data transmission over leased lines in this expert response about frame relay.  Continue Reading

• Can you hook a Cisco IP phone to a wireless access point connection?

  Find out if you can hook a Cisco IP phone to a wireless access point connection in this Q&A with Carrie Higbie.  Continue Reading

• What is the relationship between cable frequency and bandwidth?

  How does bandwidth relate to cable frequency? Find out from infrastructure expert Carrie Higbie, in this response.  Continue Reading

• How can I connect two wireless devices wirelessly via a router and an access point?

  WLAN expert Stephen Kim answers how to connect two wireless devices wirelessly via a router and an access point in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Why does my event log show the client associate then disassociate, when I try to connect wirelessly?

  What does it mean when your event log shows the client associate then dissassociate? Learn how to connect wirelessly with expert Stephen Kim's advice.  Continue Reading

• Will WEP and MAC address filtering protect our WLAN from hackers?

  Find out if you're doing enough to protect your WLAN against wireless hackers in this Q&A with Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• Should I start my networking career with Voice over IP, network security, or SANs?

  Learn what long term plan would advance your budding networking career, in this expert response with certification and training expert Ed Tittel.  Continue Reading

• What causes my overseas VPN connection to slow during the day?

  Learn what slows connectivity for a VPN overseas during particular times of day, in this Q&A with VPN expert Sampath Ramaswami.  Continue Reading

• What equipment do I use to connect two LANs in different cities? What are the steps?

  How do you connect two LANS from different cities? VPN expert Sampath Ramaswami notes the steps to be taken, in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• Can a machine with a single DNS name have multiple addresses?

  Can a machine with a single DNS name have multiple addresses? Learn from networking fundamentals expert Chris Partsenidis in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• What is network latency?

  Learn what network latency is in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between online backup and offline backup?

  What is the difference between online backup and offline backup? Find out from SearchNetworking.com's networking help desk expert, Amy Kucharik.  Continue Reading

• What's the difference between patches and service packs?

  In this Q&A with Amy Kucharik, learn what the difference is between a patch and a service pack.  Continue Reading

• How can I limit the number of MBs each user downloads?

  Learn about rate limiting from network administration expert Lindi Horton, in this response.  Continue Reading

• When do you use a straight-through patch cable, and when do you use a crossover cable?

  Learn when to use a straight-through patch cable and when to use a crossover cable in this Q&A with infrastructure expert Carrie Higbie.  Continue Reading

• What are the criteria for evaluating an indoor wireless network?

  In this Q&A., learn how to evaluate an indoor wireless network with criteria provided by expert Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• What is the step-by-step process to ping a host on two hosts using a router?

  Learn how to ping a host on two hosts using a router in this expert response by Sudhanshu Gupta.  Continue Reading

• What top five subjects does the CCNA test focus on?

  Know what subjects are tested most heavily on in the CCNA exam. Use this top five list from Cisco certifications expert Dave Minutella in this response.  Continue Reading

• Is there any private/public IP address range in IPv6?

  Learn about private and public IP address ranges in IPv6 in this expert response by Silvia Hagen.  Continue Reading

• How are IP addresses and subnet masks calculated?

  Learn how to calculate IP addresses and subnet masks in this Q&A with Chris Partsenidis.  Continue Reading

• Can more than one computer on a LAN function as a server?

  Network administration expert Lindi Horton answers whether or not more than one computer on a LAN can function as a server.  Continue Reading

• Does intermittent connectivity mean my switch is going?

  Learn a few key troubleshooting steps in this Q&A with Lindi Horton, to see if a switch is going.  Continue Reading

• How can I know what programs are running in another machine in the same network?

  For those who need to access other machines on a network, expert Lindi Horton discusses what monitoring software is available.  Continue Reading

• Where can I find a good practice lab for Aruba mobility controller, switches and access points?

  Find a good practice lab for Aruba mobility controller, switches and access points in this expert response by Lisa Phifer.  Continue Reading

• Is there any network management software that can look after wireless routers, switches and access p

  Wireless networking expert Lisa Phifer explains the types of network management software available for looking after wireless routers, switches and access points, in this response.  Continue Reading

• What is the difference between a patch panel and a switch?

  Routing and switching expert Sudhanshu Gupta explains the use of a patch panel and how it differs from a switch in this response.  Continue Reading

• Is system or networking a better career path in terms of growth and money?

  How do you choose between networking and system careers? Ed Tittel offers his advice.  Continue Reading

• PRI and E1 defined

  PRI and E1 defined, with links for more information.  Continue Reading

• IPv5: Did it exist between IPv4 and IPv6?

  In this expert response, about IPv5, Silvia Hagen explains what happened between IPv4 and IPv6.  Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting steps to isolate ISP account/website display problems

  Use these troubleshooting steps to determine whether you have ISP account or other network problems.  Continue Reading

• How do I check if the switches on my network support IGMP?

  In this Q&A, our routing and switching expert tells us how to check if the switches on a network support IGMP?  Continue Reading

• What are the advantages of a UTP over a coax, and how do the two networks differ?

  Chris Partsenidis takes us through some networking history and explains what the advantages of a UTP computer network are over a coax computer network and how the two networks differ, in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Is it possible to convert a Layer 2 switch to a Layer 3 switch?

  In this expert response, our networking fundamentals expert, Chris Partsenidis, talks about the possibilities of converting a Layer 2 switch to a Layer 3 switch.  Continue Reading

• Safe distance for Ethernet at 100 Mbps over Cat5e

  "What is considered a safe distance for Ethernet at 100 Mbps over Cat5e?" Our infrastructure expert, Carrie Higbie, answers this question in this Q&A.  Continue Reading

• What is the relationship between network cable frequency and its bandwidth?

  Learn about the relationship between the network cable's frequency and its bandwidth capacity, the frequency formula and its physics in this expert response by Carrie Higbie.  Continue Reading

• How do I boost hotspot signal strength?

  Our wireless expert, Lisa Phifer, answers how to boost hotspot signal strength in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• Route aggregation vs. route summarization

  Is there a difference between route aggregation and route summarization? Find out here in this expert response from Michael Gregg.  Continue Reading

• Slow response times from client/server PC's running IFS applications

  How do you find out the culprit of a network delays when you see little bandwidth being used? Read this Q&A to see what our network administrating expert, Lindi Horton, has to say.  Continue Reading

• What download speed will I get with a bandwidth of 1 MBPS?

  Wondering what kind of download speed you can get with a bandwidth of 1 MBPS? Our expert, Lindi Horton can give you the lowdown on the download.  Continue Reading

• How does the VPN concentrator work?

  In this Q&A, our expert, Puneet Mehta, explains how the VPN concentrator works.  Continue Reading

• Intrusion detection vs. intrusion prevention

  Our expert, Puneet Mehta, tells us what the key difference is between intrusion detection and intrusion prevention, in this expert response.  Continue Reading

• What are the fundamental principles of CDMA?

  In this Q&A, our expert, Lindi Horton gives us an explanation of what CDMA is and what some of its fundamental principles are.  Continue Reading

• Half duplex vs. full duplex Ethernet 10BASE-T topologies

  Ever wonder why half duplex Ethernet 10BASE-T topologies have a slower data transmission rate than full duplex Ethernet 10BASE-Ttopologies? Find out in this expert response by Lindi Horton.  Continue Reading

• System engineer vs. network administrator

  Our Cisco certifications expert, David Minutella, answers what the responsibilities of a system engineer and network administrator are and what makes the two jobs different.  Continue Reading

• What is a seamless router?

  In this expert response, Sudhanshu Gupta gives us a quick history lesson in routing when he answers the question "what is meant by the term 'seamless router'?"  Continue Reading

• Is it possible to use a Cisco 2950 switch as a DHCP relay?

  In this response, our routing and switching expert, Sudhanshu Gupta, provides a table of commands to enable a Cisco 2950 switch DHCP functionality.  Continue Reading

• What to do when your server goes down

  When a server goes down at a particular time every night without the prompt of a virus, our expert, Puneet Mehta, can tell you what the problem is and what you can do to avoid it.  Continue Reading

• The difference between RIP, IGRP and EIGRP

  Our expert, Sudhanshu Gupta, goes over the differences between RIP, IGRP and EIGRP, in this explanation.  Continue Reading

• Differences between adapters and modems

  Our expert, Sudhanshu Gupta answers what it means when a router says the connection has been resent by the remote host and what the difference is between a WAN adapter and a modem.  Continue Reading

• The most commonly used network operating system

  In this Q&A, Lindi Horton answers the question "What network operating system is more currently and commonly used?"  Continue Reading

• Configuring managed and unmanaged switches

  In this Q&A, Sudhanshu Gupta answers which cable to use with managed and unmanaged switches.  Continue Reading

• How close are Cisco practice exams to the actual test?

  David Minutella explains here how close the CCNA practice tests are to the real thing and mentions a few to check out.  Continue Reading

• Can you distinguish between 802.11n and 802.11g?

  In this response, Mike Puglia describes the difference between 802.11n and 802.11g.  Continue Reading