How-tos are detailed posts that explain how stuff works and how to get things done. All how-tos on Dong Knows Tech are based on real-world experience or hands-on testing.
If you have never heard of network-attached storage (NAS), this post is for you. Even if you already know about NAS, you’ll probably learn a thing or two. It’ll explain, in simple terms, the general NAS concept and its significance in data redundancy and safekeeping. For those who want to …
We use the Internet for all sorts of applications, and not all of them are created equal. Things can get complicated when your broadband connection is not up to snuff. And that’s where a popular traffic management feature, called Quality of Service, comes into play. Unfamiliar with Quality of Service? …
I’ve always recommended using network cables to extend a (Wi-Fi) home network. I still do. However, when running new wires is impossible, MoCA, where available, is the best alternative. In ideal conditions—fairly easy to achieve—it can deliver a real Gigabit or even 2.5Gbps network connection, equivalent to the entry-level of …
Among popular networking vendors, Ubiquiti has a unique approach, UniFi, that suits all user demographics from novice to enterprise. This post provides an overview of the ecosystem and guides you through setting up and managing a UniFi-based network—including Wi-Fi—for your home or small office. If you’ve never heard of Ubiquiti …
AiMesh is a free feature available in all routers since the beginning of 2018, starting with the RT-AC86U, initially as a free add-on via firmware updates. Over the years, it has proven to be the networking company’s most impactful home networking feature and an essential part of its core router …
One of the most essential elements of a home router is its Wi-Fi range. Wireless signals are invisible, so how far they can actually go is often up to interpretation, and hardware vendors tend to exaggerate that greatly. The most important thing to remember about Wi-Fi is that newer or …
You must have heard of hard drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs). Some of you might have even used the term “memory” to call them both, and you’re sort of correct. But things are more complicated than that. This post will explain digital storage and how it works in a …
If you’re unsure of the differences between USB-C and Thunderbolt or between USB 3.0 and USB 3.2 (or is that USB 3.1?), you’re not alone. Mind you, we’ve been in a pretty good place in the past half a decade. Before that, we had to deal with a myriad of …
You must have heard of “VPN”. You might even be using one right now and want to brag about how it keeps your network “secure” as if you knew better. So, what exactly is a VPN? Is it all that good? If you have these questions or, for some reason, …
Kudos to you for reading this right now. You’re clearly online! Often, folks worry about broadband Internet troubleshooting when they can not connect, which is a terrible time to start googling for solutions. Such is life. The point is that it’s good to be well-prepared. Give yourself a pat on …
