Networking

Improve connectivity and solve Wi-Fi issues with practical networking guides.

Computer networking connects your devices to the internet and to each other. Your WiFi router, modem, and ethernet cables work together to move data between your computer, smartphone, tablet, and the web. When you stream Netflix, play online games, video chat, or browse websites, you're using your home network. Understanding how these connections work helps you fix slow internet speeds, weak WiFi signals, and connection problems.

Your network starts with your internet service provider (ISP), which sends internet to your modem. The modem connects to your router, which creates your home WiFi network and ethernet ports for wired connections. Network adapters in your computer (either built-in WiFi or ethernet card) connect to the router. Each device gets an IP address so the router knows where to send data. DNS servers translate website names into numbers that computers understand.