Local Area Network and Internet/Wide Area Network topics

Using your location - check what mobile networks are available at your location

There are only three primarly cellular services in the UK. Each of these is used by a number of secondary mobile service providers and each has their own tariff and level of service. When choosing a mobile service contract you need to select one that uses a prmary network provider that can deliver the bandwidth, and other services, you require to your location.

Reports Internet faults over the country. Helps to identify whether there is a generic fault affecting your internet provider or whether it is local to you.

Shows the number of reports received over a period. If there are a large number of reports against the time you had a problem it will show a graph showing reported faults on a timeline.

If you are actually experiencing a problem you may need to access this site via an alternative Internet provider e.g. a friend of on a mobile phone. After the fault has ben corrected you will be able to view the history.

TCPView is the real work horse for detecting if you have been hacked. This program will list all the programs on your computer that are connected to a remote computer or are waiting for a connection. The program will also list all the IP addresses that are connected and even perform reverse DNS on them so that you can get useful information on who is connected.

A Microsoft SynsIinternals program

Wireshark is a network sniffing tool that allows you to see the data that is flowing through your network. If you are concerned you are hacked, you can install and use Wireshark to look at the raw TCP/IP packets to see if any nefarious activity is taking place.

This is an advanced tool and, while it is safe to use, it can generate VAST amounts of data that can be difficult for a novice to apply the necessary filters to see the "needle in the haystack".

Comprehensive Zip/Encryption/Splitter program

PeaZip is a comprehensive file archive utility. It is effectively a ZIP archive manager but with so much more…

It is described in the associated Soroban Guide as a very useful tool to assist in file sharing over the Internet using a file sharing service, WeTransfer. The Guide only covers its installation and use for file sharing, The features that make it so useful for this purpose include:

• Cross platform with Window, MAC and Linux downloads

• Ability to create and extract Zip files but with many further features!

• Can encrypt an archive file so it is protected when transferred over the Internet via a file sharing service such as WeTransfer

• If an archive file is too large it can be split into "chunks" that are small enough to be transferred via WeTransfer for example and recombined at the receiving end

This description and the associated Soroban Guide only scratch the surface of this very interesting program. There is comprehensive descriptions on their web site.

Wetransfer - Sharing large files

This service enables large files to be uploaded to the Wetransfer server and then provides a download link that can be shared with other parties by email.

Wetransfer requires an account to be created on their site that enables you to control what files you have stored on their server. There is a limit of a total of 2 Gbytes for the free account. Other paid for plans are available. It is easy to manage the data you have stored by logging on to your account.

Once the file, or files, have been uploaded via the web interface they can be downloaded by anyone with access to the link. This link can be emailed from the web service or a link can be provided for you to include in an email.

The data stored on their server is not secure! It is stored exactly as it is uploaded so be careful about using this service to share any sensitive data. A suggestion would be to encode sensitive data in a password protected zip file before it uploaded and then share the password via a different route with the users who you want to share the data with.

Check what internet services BT Openreach can provide for that telephone number

This link only lists what services BT Openreach can provide. Other broadband service providers MAY also be able to provide Fibre to the premises. Such providers MAY provide telephone services over the Internet connection. You need to check!

Reports Internet faults over the country. Helps to identify whether there is a generic fault affecting your internet provider or whether it is local to you.

Shows the number of reports received over a period. If there are a large number of reports against the time you had a problem it will show a graph showing reported faults on a timeline.

If you are actually experiencing a problem you may need to access this site via an alternative Internet provider e.g. a friend of on a mobile phone. After the fault has ben corrected you will be able to view the history.

Network/Internet Scanner

The link goes to a "news page" that also contains a download link. This has only been tested on Window and is the only version that incldes Zenmap with the friendly GUI!

The software package installed from the Windows download link includes a program Zenmap which provides a Windows interface to the underlying NMAP command line program and is the way in which it should be used unless you are very experienced with the underlying product.

The tool will perform a number of tests on the link between your computer and the target address. These are all documented in the user documentation which is all online and accessible from the Help menu.

To use the program you select an Internet target URL and then select the scan Profile. The default is called "Intense scan". This produces a comprehensive analysis of the path to the server identified by the URL and of the server capabilities. It runs a set of tests between your computer and the server.

Internet advice for consumers

This site is provided by the UK telecoms standards body. It gives advice to consumers via this page.

The advice incudes advice about broadband speeds and potential improvements you can make.

It also provides a speed estimator for your postcode/address. This information is not as detailed as the SamKnows website also listed here but is a good starting point if you are having problems.

The additional details given on the SamKnows site is only helpful if you have some understanding of the technology, or know someone who does!

Broadband Speed Test

Runs a series of test that measure the performance of your broadband connection.

• PING - measures the delay from your computer th their test server

• DOWNLOAD speed - the data rate at which you are downloading data from the test server. The actual speed should be close to your contract with your ISP

• UPLOAD speed - How fast you can upload data to the test server

Upload speed is only important if you are uploading data regularly. The download speed is much more important in most cases unless you are (for example) maintaining a web site and updating the content frequently.

If you are having problems run the tests, make a note of the numbers (repeat the tests at different times of day) and if the download speed is significantly different from what your contract with your ISP says then ask them to investigate.

These numbers can also assist any network expert help to advise you what action you could take

There is also a Soroban Support guide to give more details as to how and when you should use this service

Available Broadband Speed at Your Location

You enter your post code, your phone number, or both, and the site will estimate what broadband speed you can expect to get at your location.

If there is more than one service option available e.g. a service called "Local Loop Unbundling" where an Internet Service Provider (ISP) places their equipment in the BT exchange, it will list all the options available, including fibre optic services, and the predicted speed available for each service.

Internet Archive

This site holds an archive of the Internet!

It periodically scans websites and when there is any change/update from its previous version it records the change and the date this change was discovered.

It shows a timeline for all changes since the site was first recognised by the Wayback service and allows you to select that date and view the site as it was then. It can be interesting to see have the web site evolves!

Wayback polls websites periodically so it may not record all changes if they happen frequently. It is not clear how it finds new web sites or how frequently it polls the sites it knows about.

Wayback does not appear to archive the files needed to render XML files - he XLST files. It may store the XML files themselves bt this had not been verified.

The ultimate speed test tool for TCP, UDP and SCTP

A tool that can be used to investigate the network connection performance between two computers on a network selecting one of a number of available network protocols. One instance of the program is configured to be the client and the other, on a different computer, is configured to be the server which will respond to the client requests. These are assumed to be on different computers.

The program is available for several platforms so, or example, it could be used to test the performance of connections between a Windows PC and a MAC.

A link to a tutorial has also been provided.

This program requires some knowledge of networking to be able to use it effectively. If in any doubt use the Ask button.

Local Network Scanning Tools

A tool that can be used to analyse a local network segment/subnet. Among many functions it can:

• Find all network devices on a local network (subnet)

• List all ports available on those devices

• etc.

This is a comprehensive network scanner. Basic network scanning will identify all devices connected to the local network. It can also be used to identify ports that are open on each device.

Basic functions can be performed with little network knowledge. The more advanced functions need support from a network specialist. Use the Ask button if you need assistance.

The Linux installer points to a page covering all Linux distributions. Follow the instructions on that page for your specific distribution.

TCPView is the real work horse for detecting if you have been hacked. This program will list all the programs on your computer that are connected to a remote computer or are waiting for a connection. The program will also list all the IP addresses that are connected and even perform reverse DNS on them so that you can get useful information on who is connected.

A Microsoft SynsIinternals program

Wifi analysis tool

This is a free tool (with optional non free add-ons) that will analyse the WiFi networks in you neighbourhood. For most purpose the free version is sufficient.

WiFi Analyzer that can monitor both 2.4 Ghz and 5 GHz networks.

• It can analyse both 2.4 Ghz and 5 GHz networks (provided that your PC Wifi interface and WiFi Access Point can support both networks)

• It can show signal strength together with channel number for all networks on the selected band. This can help you to consider whether an alternative channel could be a better choice.

• It can display a signal strength against time against all available networks on the same band. This is useful for checking strength in a "walk test" around your property

Download is from the Windows Store. You need to select your language. It is ONLY available for Windows!

There is also a separate link to the "Tutorials" page which gives comprehensive explanations of all asects of how to use the program.

This is now my preferred WiFi analyser program for Windows. Note that it sometimes takes LONG time before the initial display appears. Be patient!

Wireless Network Watcher is a small utility that scans your wireless network and displays the list of all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network.

For every computer or device that is connected to your network, the following information is displayed:

• IP address

• MAC address

• the company that manufactured the network card

• optionally the computer name

You can also export the connected devices list into html/xml/csv/text file, or copy the list to the clipboard and then paste into Excel or other spreadsheet application.

Wireshark is a network sniffing tool that allows you to see the data that is flowing through your network. If you are concerned you are hacked, you can install and use Wireshark to look at the raw TCP/IP packets to see if any nefarious activity is taking place.

This is an advanced tool and, while it is safe to use, it can generate VAST amounts of data that can be difficult for a novice to apply the necessary filters to see the "needle in the haystack".

GTmetrix - Web Site performance analysis

A tool that analyses many aspects of web site behaviour. The report can be used to investigate poor download times and suggest ways of improving behaviour.

Slow load times can prevent users from using your site. There are metrics on initial page suggesting that if it is too slow (about 2 to 3 seconds) visitors will often give up and go elsewhere.

There is a free version and several paid for options. You do need to register.

Web performance analysis

Submit a website URL and receive a report showing an analysis of its behaviour

You can create an account and it will then retain results

Test Web Site Compliance with HTML 5

Will accept a URL and test the contents of the page for compliance with HTML5 standards

If any errors are detected it will normally identify the issue and perhaps even suggest a change.

Make a long URL much shorter or expand a shortened URL to its orignal full link and then visit the site.

While the shortening function makes the URL shorter and hence easier to type it also makes the URL initially annoymous so it cannot be checked be "hovering" the mouse over it.

You can choose the Shorten URL or Expand URL fuction.

When shortening a URL you can select which shortening server is used. TinyURL, a well known and reliable service, is the default. The chosen shortening service will map the short URL to the full URL and, it should be noted, will store the full URL in its own servers which could be a privacy issue in some cases.

Wifi analysis tool

This is a free tool (with optional non free add-ons) that will analyse the WiFi networks in you neighbourhood. For most purpose the free version is sufficient.

WiFi Analyzer that can monitor both 2.4 Ghz and 5 GHz networks.

• It can analyse both 2.4 Ghz and 5 GHz networks (provided that your PC Wifi interface and WiFi Access Point can support both networks)

• It can show signal strength together with channel number for all networks on the selected band. This can help you to consider whether an alternative channel could be a better choice.

• It can display a signal strength against time against all available networks on the same band. This is useful for checking strength in a "walk test" around your property

Download is from the Windows Store. You need to select your language. It is ONLY available for Windows!

There is also a separate link to the "Tutorials" page which gives comprehensive explanations of all asects of how to use the program.

This is now my preferred WiFi analyser program for Windows. Note that it sometimes takes LONG time before the initial display appears. Be patient!

Wireless Network Watcher is a small utility that scans your wireless network and displays the list of all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network.

For every computer or device that is connected to your network, the following information is displayed:

• IP address

• MAC address

• the company that manufactured the network card

• optionally the computer name

You can also export the connected devices list into html/xml/csv/text file, or copy the list to the clipboard and then paste into Excel or other spreadsheet application.

Reports Internet faults over the country. Helps to identify whether there is a generic fault affecting your internet provider or whether it is local to you.

Shows the number of reports received over a period. If there are a large number of reports against the time you had a problem it will show a graph showing reported faults on a timeline.

If you are actually experiencing a problem you may need to access this site via an alternative Internet provider e.g. a friend of on a mobile phone. After the fault has ben corrected you will be able to view the history.

You have an Internet or telephone problem - what are your rights?