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When configuring your router, you'll often see something called a MAC address.  This may happen when you go to a status page that shows the computers that are connected to the router.  You'll also run across it on a wireless security settings page.  What exactly is a MAC address?  I'll try to explain it without getting too technical.

A MAC address is usually represented as a string of hexadecimal numbers that looks something like this 00:14:38:44:A7:4A.  The colons really don't mean anything and just make it easier to read.  Continue reading »

tags: MAC Address, Networking, router, TCP/IP, tutorial, Wireless Router

TCP/IP networking is the most prevalent protocol in use today, and dealing with ports is a common task. So, what is a port?  Here's a basic explanation.  Simply put, a port is a line of communication between two computers.  Every computer on a network or on the Internet has an IP address.  For internal networks, typically each computer is assigned an IP address like 192.168.0.1, 192.168.0.2, or 192.168.0.3, etc...  So data travels between computers and the packets of data have an IP address of the destination computer that should receive the data.  It's almost like writing an address on an envelope.  Once the computer receives the data, it figures out which port to send the data to.  Ports are like channels on a TV or radio stations.  Someone has to be listening on that specific channel or port, otherwise the data is discarded.  Ports are numbered 1 to 65535 (2^16).

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tags: Networking, router, TCP/IP, tutorial