Networking
Routing, switching, wireless, VLANs, labs, and field notes.
Private DNS for Homelabs Without Leaking Internal ServicesNew!!
A private DNS guide for homelabs: use home.arpa, split-horizon DNS, VPN DNS, and DNS-01 certificates without leaking internal service inventory.
It Is Always DNS: Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, Technitium, and the SPOF ProblemNew!!
A practical DNS design guide for Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, and Technitium that avoids the single-point-of-failure trap.
Nginx Proxy Manager vs Caddy vs Traefik: A Reverse Proxy Decision Tree
A reverse proxy decision tree for homelabs: when to pick Nginx Proxy Manager, Caddy, Traefik, or raw NGINX.
VLAN vs Subnetting: Why They Work Better Together
VLANs separate Layer 2 broadcast domains. Subnets organize Layer 3 IP networks. Most practical designs use one subnet per VLAN.
Single-Mode vs Multi-Mode Fiber: Which One Should You Run?
Single-mode fiber is for long distance and future flexibility. Multi-mode fiber is common for shorter links but depends on distance and speed.
SFP, SFP+, SFP28, QSFP, and QSFP-DD Explained
Transceiver modules connect network equipment to fiber, DAC, AOC, or copper media. Match speed, port type, connector, distance, and vendor support.
Router vs Switch vs Access Point: What Each Box Actually Does
Routers move traffic between networks, switches connect wired devices on a network, and access points provide Wi-Fi access to that network.
Public IP vs Private IP: What Your Router Is Hiding
Public IP addresses are reachable on the internet. Private IP addresses are reused inside local networks and usually sit behind NAT.
PoE vs PoE+ vs PoE++: Why Cameras and APs Reboot
Power over Ethernet sends power and data over one cable. The standard, switch budget, cable quality, and device draw all matter.
Patch Panel vs Switch: What Belongs in the Rack
A patch panel terminates and organizes cables. A switch forwards network traffic. They work together but do completely different jobs.