Being sold a mobile plan on a network that turns out not to be available where you need it is an all-too-common experience. A current ACCC court case demonstrates just how extreme the practice can be. More »
It’s commonplace these days to talk about how everyone should be able to bring their phone or tablet of choice into a corporate environment. That’s a noble-sounding ideal and an increasingly common reality, but what’s often neglected is the headache and cost that it can create for IT workers. More »
Dear Lifehacker, I’m starting a new job as a systems administrator in a few weeks. I have a few years’ experience managing a help desk, supporting between 300-400 users, and doing some Windows admin with a few servers (<10 most of the time), including SQL backups and basic maintenance. My new role is focused on the server/infrastructure rather than the help desk, performing many of the server duties I’m familiar with, however I am going to be a bit in the “deep-end” because I won’t have any mentors in the new role, and my new boss is a project manager without a lot of experience on the technical side. More »
If you’re a fan of gauges and visual indicators this DIY project combines a vintage voltage meter with a modern microchip to create an eye-catching bandwidth monitor. More »
Windows: If you want a solid overview of what computers, networked printers and other resources are available on your network, NetResView is a free, lightweight and portable application for doing so. More »
Windows 7 sports a great new feature that allows you to set default printers based on what network your computer is connected to, perfect for folks who carry laptops from network to network. More »
Google and a host of net-savvy partners have opened up a free set of web tools to help anyone determine if their net connection is blocking or throttling BitTorrent or otherwise limits their bandwidth. At the moment, three tools are available—when their servers aren’t jammed up, and they seem to be pretty popular at the moment. The Glasnost tool determines how your ISP is handling BitTorrent traffic and gives a readout on whether it’s being denied, throttled, or otherwise impaired. Network Diagnostic Tool covers other problems that might affect your upload or download speeds. And the Network Path and Application Diagnosis tries to reveal the routing, network tools, and other “last mile” issues that affect net performance. The tests are fairly simple, and each seems to require a working Java plugin to run. The Glasnost test, for instance, creates a fake BitTorrent stream between your connection point and the test’s servers, then monitors what happens to the packets.
Windows only: BitMeter is a small bandwidth-monitoring application packed with features to help you track and analyse your bandwidth usage and avoid end-of-month shaping or excess bills. On top of the basic features like a real time usage meter, BitMeter allows you to export your usage stats as a spreadsheet for further number crunching and remotely access your bandwidth data when away from your computer. Additionally, you can set BitMeter to alert you when you’ve reached a user specified percentage of your bandwidth allotment. For another free Windows bandwidth meter, check out Net Worx. BitMeter is freeware, Windows only, and requires Microsoft .NET 1.1 or later. Thanks nfs! BitMeter II
Windows only: The Giveaway of the Day web site has a home network monitoring tool, NetStat Agent 2.0, available as a free download today only (available for the next eight hours or so). NetStat Agent 2.0 is normally $35—and truth be told, as a commenter points out, it basically puts a friendly graphical interface on free tools like whois, ping, and traceroute. NetStat Agent shows you what programs and processes on your PC are connecting out to the internet and using what protocol. It can customise and generate reports, and give you stats about how much internet traffic goes in and out of your PC. Like all Giveaway of the Day deals, you’ve got to download, activate, and install this sucker within the limited window of time the offer is available, and you’re limited to one PC without tech support. If those terms don’t work for you, check out five quick searches that turn Firefox’s address bar into a network command line.
