Identifying network traffic types is vital because it allows you to consider various facets of network quality. Though people use multiple classifications and terms to define network traffic, it’s broadly classified by direction, such as north-south or east-west traffic. Typically, network traffic represents the data or packets of data that travel through one or more…
Network packets are small units of data that are sent from one network device to another. When you send information online — like an email, a file, or a video stream — it’s broken down into packets, which travel separately to the destination. Once all the packets reach their destination, they are put back together…
A virtual private network (VPN) is a marvelous tool for protecting people and their data while browsing the internet, especially when working from unsecured or weakly protected networks like those at public libraries and coffee shops. From a business perspective, VPNs keep business data secure when employees work with sensitive material like trade secrets and…
A VoIP quality test measures the performance of your network connection. The test simulates a set number of calls on your network and uses key metrics to determine how calls would sound in different situations. It can help you understand whether your connection is strong enough before implementing a VoIP system and alert you to…
Confused about network security keys? You’re not alone. This guide includes step-by-step instructions on how to find your network key for the four most popular digital devices. Here’s a quick summary: iOS: Open the Settings app, tap on Wi-Fi, select your connected network, and find the Password field. Android: Open the Settings app, tap on…
If you’re experiencing choppy phone or video calls, pixelated conferencing, or disjointed VoIP audio connections, your network jitter may very well be above acceptable levels. Jitter refers to the variation in the arrival times of data packets across a network. There is always going to be a little variation, but if the jitter rate is…
Network Address Translation (NAT) is one of the key technological concepts behind the performance of communication networks and the internet at large. NAT is a mechanism for converting private (local) IP addresses into public (global) IP addresses and vice versa. There are six main NAT types: static, dynamic, port address translation, overlapping, and masquerade. Understanding…
