NETWORKING
-
Why Should I Bother With A Site Audit
After working this contract for over a year, I feel like I've got a pretty good idea of the current equipment, installation standards, some of the exceptions and some of the chronic issues support staff face.
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/04/why-should-i-bother-with-site-audit.html -
Baselining, No Problem
Not a week goes by without an email from someone asking me to how to create a baseline or worse, requests to review their baseline. I will explain both points before moving on.
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/baselining-no-problem.html
-
Troubleshooting HTTP 503 Issues
I have seen many web applications that ‘work’ but not ‘work well’. if you dig in, you may find error messages or logs. Errors can caused many different ways
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/troubleshooting-http-503-issues.html
-
Free Command Line timer
Command line or batch files are incredibly important to me as an analyst. https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/free-command-line-timer.html
-
What To Do When Your Network Decided to Ghost Itself
Your switch port is sitting there in Discarding state like it's on a bad date—totally up physically, link lights are happy, but it's refusing to pass any traffic. In modern speak (especially with Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol, aka RSTP), "discarding" is the cool new name for the old-school "blocking" state.
-
The Case For Nmap Ping Only Subnet Scans
Why You Should Be Ping-Happy The Case for Quick Nmap Subnet Scans Ever wonder which devices are actually alive on your network without calling up IT and asking for a census That’s where a simple Nmap ping scan comes in handy. and Top Internet Connectivity Issues and How to Fix Them #netbeez https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-case-for-nmap-ping-only-subnet-scans.html
-
Who Invited This access-point?
Monitoring your Wi-Fi network isn’t just for giant enterprises with blinking racks of gear—it’s just as important for small offices and home labs. Systems like Ubiquiti UniFi don’t just move packets around; they actively watch what’s happening in your wireless environment and throw up alerts when something looks fishy. That “third-party access point broadcasting the same SSID” warning is a perfect example of your network politely saying, “Uh, hey… this doesn’t look like one of ours.” https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/who-invited-this-access-point.html
-
WE HAVE A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE
The most frustrating thing as a user, is when you try to explain an issue and no one takes it seriously. I see this from the support side and many times that is precisely why I am called in..... and Helping IT Organizations Prevent Disruptions Before They Impact Business https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2019/09/we-have-failure-to-communicate.html
-
Reserving an IP on a Cudy Router Without Losing Your Mind and Impact
of AI on Networking Engineers
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/reserving-ip-on-cudy-router-without.html
-
The Case for the Post-Install Check-In Installing new network gear can
feel like crossing the finish line of a marathon
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-case-for-post-install-check-in.html
-
Cudy AX3000 Review - The Setup
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/cudy-ax3000-review-setup.html
-
Why Your EdgeRouter Deserves Proper Name Resolution
If you’ve ever stared at your equipment logs trying to figure out which mystery IP address belongs to which device, you already know the pain
https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/why-your-edgerouter-deserves-proper.html - Screenshot or It Didn’t Happen: Why Install Notes Save Your Sanity
&iperf3
There’s nothing quite like finishing a hardware install and thinking, “I’ll remember how I set this up.” Spoiler alert: you won’t https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/screenshot-or-it-didnt-happen-why.html
- Lets play IP 'Whack a Mole' https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2026/01/let-play-ip-whack-mole.html Had such a weird problem the other day after the installation of a voice switch. The voice switch was manually configured with an ip address (x.x.x.2) and an old Cisco switch (model unknown) decides to grab the same ip from our dhcp server. Here's the odd part, I configured the DHCP scope to start at x.x.x.11.
-
After an install, I always go online the next day or two and check logs, port stats, etc.. I would say I will find something odd that is worth investigating about 30% of the time.
-
The Unsung Hero of Install Day: Ubiquiti Wave Pro’s Cable Test Feature
When deploying a Ubiquiti Wave Pro wireless link, one of the most underrated yet invaluable tools is the built-in cable test feature. https://thetechfirmblog.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-unsung-hero-of-install-day-ubiquiti.html -
Crimp, Click, and Connect: Building a Custom Outdoor Ethernet Cable from Scratch
There’s a certain satisfaction in crafting your own Ethernet cable—especially when it’s built to last in the great outdoors. I recently purchased a complete RJ45 kit from Amazon that came with everything I needed: connectors, protective boots, a crimper, and a compact cable tester. Instead of relying on pre-made patch cords, I decided to put the kit to the test using a roll of outdoor-rated Ethernet cable, built tough for weather and UV exposure. -
Why Every IT Troubleshooter Should Carry a Portable LCD Display
-
A Breath of Fresh Air Why Blowing Out Dust Keeps Your Computer Alive Longer
-
When in Doubt, Update: How a Fresh Copy of PuTTY Saved My Sanity
-
When the Camera Isn’t the Problem: How Bad Cabling Fooled Everyone
-
Why You Should Double-Check an Electrician’s Network Cabling Work
-
Why a Handheld Tester Like the NetAlly LinkRunner is Essential .
-
Do Unmanaged Switches Break Trunk Ports? Lab Testing the Myth
-
Know Your Tools What I Learned from the LinkRunner in my lab
-
Why Reviewing Router Logs After Firewall Rule Changes Is Crucial for Network Security
-
Mastering EdgeRouter Security: Why Command Line and GeoIP Blocking Are Game-Changers
-
The Importance of Auditing and Cleaning Up Firewall Policies
-
Ever try to use some heat shrink and its just a bit too small..??
-
Add Value !! I
-
wanted to see how much dust accumulates in the computer in 6 months.
-
Figuring out the IP Address of your Equipment, like my Profitap IOTA
-
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Performance: Don’t Overlook the Antenna
-
Weird by Works: Fixing Drag and Drop With VMware Workstation 12
-
Would You Rent Out Your Personal Info
-
Troubleshooting DHCP is actually a lot trickier than you might think
-
Enabling tools can put security practices on high alert (article)
