#home-network
14 episodes
#3902: Manual Network Config Demystified
Why your Linux box asks for gateway, subnet mask, and IP separately — and what each actually does.
#3884: Why Your Wi-Fi 7 Mesh Might Make Things Worse
Most people either under-provision or over-provision their home networks. Wi-Fi 7 makes both mistakes more expensive.
#3882: Fiber vs Ethernet from Your ONT
What to run from your ONT — Ethernet, fiber, or both? A practical breakdown of the two topologies.
#3808: Tracing a Packet: 3 Home Switches vs the Internet Backbone
Three home switches add 36 microseconds. Your cable modem adds 5-15 milliseconds. Let's follow a packet from phone to Google News.
#3535: Fiber vs Copper: Wiring Your Home Network Right
Fiber backbone or copper Ethernet? How to wire a modern home network from the ONT to every room.
#3454: Bluetooth Range Lies: How to Get Audio Through Concrete Walls
Your phone's Bluetooth antenna can't punch through concrete walls. Here's the dedicated transmitter that can.
#3228: Bulk Ethernet by the Reel: Where to Buy, What Size, Is It Worth It?
Where to buy bulk Ethernet cable by the reel, what spool sizes exist, and whether crimping your own beats pre-made cables.
#2916: Why Your MTU Setting Is Probably Wrong
That 1492 MTU everyone recommends? It's likely costing you performance on modern fiber.
#2763: Do You Really Need VLANs at Home?
Is VLAN segmentation worth it for home networks, or is it just sysadmin cosplay?
#2646: When Your Door Won't Open: The Failure-Mode Philosophy of Smart Locks
Z-Wave vs Zigbee vs Wi-Fi for smart locks. What's reliable enough to trust with your front door?
#2232: One Remote, Three Streams: Building a Sane Media Setup
A renter juggling six remotes and brittle integrations finds a simpler path: fewer devices, cleaner software, and accepting that Netflix won't play...
#2095: Bluetooth Finally Beats Wi-Fi for Whole-House Audio
Wi-Fi audio sync is a mess. A new Bluetooth standard called Auracast fixes it with simple, seamless broadcasting.
#169: The Incremental Upgrade Trap: Why Category 8 Cables Hurt Your Home Network
Stop the lag: Herman and Corn break down Cat 6A, SFP+ backbones, and why Wi-Fi 7 is the ultimate upgrade for local AI.
#151: The Hidden Physics of Wireless Backhaul
Tired of losing speed to a mesh system? Herman and Corn break down Wi-Fi 7, VLANs, and how to reclaim your home network's performance.