Networking in plain terms.
WHAT A CONNECTION REQUIRES
A physical or wireless link An address Agreed rules
WHAT YOUR ROUTER DOES
Connects your devices to the internet, and to each other.
WHAT WIRED AND WIRELESS DIFFER IN
Wired is more consistent and faster.
Wireless is convenient and varies with distance and obstruction.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Most complaints of slow internet are actually wireless problems.
HOW TO TELL
Test the same thing on a cable.
WHAT AN ADDRESS IS
A number identifying a device on a network.
WHAT A DOMAIN NAME IS
A readable name translated to an address.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU VISIT A SITE
The name is translated to an address Your device connects to it The page is returned
WHY KNOWING THAT HELPS
It tells you where a problem might be.
WHAT TO CHECK WHEN NOTHING WORKS
Whether other devices are affected, and whether the router needs restarting.
