Network Setup

Phone: 023 80 986 954

Security Notification December 2023

This is to confirm that we are trialling a new Business Account with mettle. Invoices produced after September 1st, 2023 may therefore have different bank account details. The sort code will be 04-03-33 and the individual digits in the account number will total 33.
I have posted the same message on my Facebook page. If you have any concerns, please contact me.

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Network Setup

" I highly recommend John Greenwood - he has done amazing things with mine and my husbands computers at a very reasonable price, to include fitting a new hard drive, anti-virus, generally cleaning it up, and all the little things that annoyed me but I didn't know how to fix. "

GY - Hythe

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A Descent Router - DrayTek

DrayTek have been in the high-speed modem business for over 20 years starting with ISDN adapters. Today they produce some of the most feature rich but affordable routers in the world. If you want a reliable and powerful router than can do almost anything straight out of the box, then check the Vigor range of routers. The 2866 can connect to modems, ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL, g.Fast, Cable modems, Starlink, Fibre modems and 3G/4G networks. On top of that it will allow the use of multiple internet connections either in a 'load balanced' or 'failover' configuration. It also supports multiple wifi networks on the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands allowing WPA2/WPA3 secure company wifi and public/guest hotspots (with bandwidth and time limitations!). If you're a network geek, just look at the technical specs!

IPv4 and IPv6 Support

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the next version after IPv4. Instead of the 32 bits used by IPv4 for addressing, IPv6 uses 128 bits for the same purpose - which theoretically makes it possible to assign 2¹²⁸ addresses - hence, it offers long term solutions to most of the problems that emerged while using IPv4.

Visit ipv6-test.com to test your IPv6 internet connection.

Networks

The connection between your high-speed router and your computer is just as important as your router selection. Wifi initially seems like the best option as it's quick and easy to setup, but what it offers in convenience it lacks in speed and reliability (have you ever tried using a wifi connected printer or scanner?). Installing an inexpensive 'switch' and CAT5 cabling to your desktop is a sensible option, or perhaps cable in a separate wifi hotspot at the other end of the building to improve coverage. We are often asked to help resolve power socket connected network devices, we almost always upgrade to a dedicated CAT5 cable and have no further problems.

DrayTek Router Dashboard

If you've paid for high-speed Infinity, Sky or Virgin Fibre, then why waste it on the 'free' wifi router that comes with it? The Draytek also offers tons of monitoring information way beyond the simple 'blue light' provided with many routers, which really helps when investigating problems.

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