How Bits and Bytes Work

Bytes and bits are the starting point of the computer world. Find out about the Base-2 system, 8-bit bytes, the ASCII character set, byte prefixes and binary math.

How Cable Modems Work

Learn how a cable modem works and see how dozens of television channels plus any Web site out there can flow over a single coaxial cable into your home.

How does a FireWire IEEE-1394 connection work?

FireWire offers quite a few advantages, though it does cost a bit more than USB. Learn what makes FireWire different.

How Ethernet Works

Ethernet is one of the most common computer-networking components, and the standardization of this technology has created some of the easiest ways to connect a few computers with or without wires.

How FireWire Works

A FireWire connection lets you send data to and from high-bandwidth digital devices such as digital camcorders, and it's faster than USB. Learn what FireWire is, how it works and why you might want to use it.

How hard is it to set up a network between two computers in my home?

Networking two or more home computers provides many conveniences, but how do you get started? Start here for the answer.

How Home Networking Works

If you're thinking of networking the computers in your home, you have several options to explore. Learn about the different types of home computer networks, how they work and what to keep in mind if you're planning to create one.

How LAN Switches Work

We wouldn’t get very far without LAN switches -- bedlam would break loose at each network junction and most of us would be wondering what happened to that e-mail we sent two hours ago.

How Modems Work

Much of the world still uses a standard modem to connect to the Internet. In this article, we'll start with the original 300-baud modems and progress all the way through to the ADSL configurations.

How Motherboards Work

Nearly everything you use to run your computer or enhance its performance is either part of the motherboard or plugs into it. Trace the history of this essential computer component.

How Network Address Translation Works

If you're reading this via the Internet you're probably using Network Address Translation (NAT). NAT helps reuse IP addresses and improve security -- find out how it works.

How OSI Works

When information travels through a network, it follows certain guidelines to ensure compatibility. Find out about OSI and the protocol stacks that prepare your data for transfer.

How Power-line Networking Works

No new wires! Power-line networking uses the wiring already in your house to connect your computers. Learn about the pros and cons of a power-line network and how to set one up.

How Routers Work

Routers are a vital component of the Internet -- they comprise an intricate network that delivers millions of e-mail messages every day. Find out how routers deliver packets of information to the right place.

How Ubiquitous Networking Will Work

As we move closer to intelligent computers, they may begin to follow us wherever we go. Learn how ubiquitous networking will allow our data and information to travel with us.