Clever network tools to download

For PC hobbyists, DHCP server, local and external IP or port forwarding have been common terms for 15 years. But networking has left the PC: Today, televisions, smartphones, game consoles and stereo systems also want to be connected to the network. This makes our home networks more fun – and more complicated. Above all, however, it is no longer PC freaks and network admins who are confronted with subnet masks, rights problems and wireless network specifications, but rather TV users and music fans. If you feel addressed: Here you get a solid basis for all essential tasks in the home network. In addition, it is an invitation to see even a small home network as an expandable creative space: it practically always offers more network than you previously thought possible.

The local home network in practice

Networking is actually complex: books alone about the TCP/IP network protocol with 1000 pages suggest that a clear focus is necessary: ​​Of course you will find articles on PCWelt.de about the right connection to the outside, about security rules in public networks and responsible Use of Cloud Services. However, the clear focus is on the home network in everyday user life: What do which technologies do? Which hardware do you need in each case, which is optional? What basic knowledge does every TV set require today? Just as important as the hardware are the software components, from the firewall to the browser to the media player. We particularly consider Windows systems, but also Android and Linux. Step-by-step instructions show you how to optimally set up the cable network, powerline and WLAN and trim them for performance and security. Router configuration and wireless network security are an important topic, another big topic with different types is data exchange and media streaming between different types of devices such as PCs, notebooks, TVs, smartphones, NAS and consoles.

Useful bootable systems

Knoppix and Tails are two bootable systems. Insert a data medium with the two systems before starting the computer and allow Bios to boot from the data medium (you can set this in the Bios setup if necessary). You can then choose between the two systems. Tails – The Amnesic Incognito Live System – is a special system and allows anonymous surfing behind a total of three random intermediate stations. Use Knoppix as a test and repair system for network problems or system problems; it has the most important system tools and an Internet browser on board and runs on practically any hardware and with any network adapter. A recommendation for TV, video and music fans is the media center Kodi.

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After working on the network configuration, the pleasure: The media center XBMCbuntu on DVD is definitely worth a test run. It comes with all services as a central media server and can be expanded with countless add-ons.

In the following list you will find other useful programs to get more out of your network.

Systems and programs for your network:

Tails

Bootable special system for anonymous surfing

buttonpix

Bootable test and analysis system

code

Excellent media center based on Ubuntu

XigmaNAS

Feature-rich NAS system based on Free BSD

Ekahau Heatmapper

Visualized WiFi signal measurement

insiders

WLAN scanner for radio network search

Metasploit Framework

Professional tool for detecting security gaps

Netstress

WiFi speed measurement

team viewer

PC remote control via Internet

Wireshark

Professional network monitoring tool