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bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2lwLWNvbnZlcmdlbmNlLTEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" alt="How IP Convergence Works" width="540" height="360" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2lwLWNvbnZlcmdlbmNlLTEuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" width="540" alt="How IP Convergence Works" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-convergence.htm">How IP Convergence Works</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">IP convergence brings your telephone, Internet, 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It could save you time, money and the headache of system administration. 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Learn all about the technology behind VoIP and how you can set it up on your PC.</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By <a class="inline z-20" href="https://www.howstuffworks.com/about-author.htm">Robert Valdes</a> & <a class="inline z-20" href="https://www.howstuffworks.com/about-dave-roos.htm">Dave Roos</a></p></div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/ubiquitous-network.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjE4MH0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoiYXZpZiJ9fQ==" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NDIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjIzNn0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoiYXZpZiJ9fQ==" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM30sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoiYXZpZiJ9fQ==" type="image/avif"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjE4MH19fQ=="><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NDIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjIzNn19fQ=="><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ=="> <img class="object-cover bg-gray-light bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ==" alt="How Ubiquitous Networking Will Work" width="540" height="532" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3ViaXF1aXRvdXMtbmV0d29yay1vZmZpY2UtbWFwLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ==" width="540" alt="How Ubiquitous Networking Will Work" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/ubiquitous-network.htm">How Ubiquitous Networking Will Work</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">As we move closer to intelligent computers, they may begin to follow us wherever we go. 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Learn all about the pros and cons of using a phone-line network.</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By Jeff Tyson</p></div> </div> <div class="sticky-container ad-container print:hidden md:hidden h-min-400 mb-6"> <div class="sticky top-99"> <p class="ad-disclaimer clear-both text-xs text-center mb-1 md:hidden">Advertisement</p> <div id="ad-wrap-mobinline9" class="print:hidden md:hidden ad-inline ad-mobinline bg-gray w-max-full h-min-250"><div id="ad-div-mobinline9" class="ad-tag h-max-250"></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-network.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfX19"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fX19"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19"> <img class="object-cover bg-gray-light bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" alt="How Power-line Networking Works" width="540" height="324" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3Bvd2VyLW5ldHdvcmstcGNpYm9hcmQxLTI1MHgxNTAuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" width="540" alt="How Power-line Networking Works" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-network.htm">How Power-line Networking Works</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">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.</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By Jeff Tyson</p></div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjE4MH0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoiYXZpZiJ9fQ==" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NDIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjIzNn0sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoiYXZpZiJ9fQ==" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM30sInRvRm9ybWF0IjoiYXZpZiJ9fQ==" type="image/avif"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MzIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjE4MH19fQ=="><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NDIwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjIzNn19fQ=="><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ=="> <img class="object-cover bg-gray-light bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ==" alt="How Home Networking Works" width="540" height="360" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2hvdy10by1vcmdhbml6ZS1ob21lLW9mZmljZS0xLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ==" width="540" alt="How Home Networking Works" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm">How Home Networking Works</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">If you're thinking of networking the computers in your home, you have several options to explore. Will you go wired or wireless? And what's the best way to ensure the safety of your network?</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By <a class="inline z-20" href="https://www.howstuffworks.com/about-tracy-wilson.htm">Tracy V. Wilson</a> & <a class="inline z-20" href="https://www.howstuffworks.com/about-john-fuller.htm">John Fuller</a></p></div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/nat.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfX19"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fX19"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19"> <img class="object-cover bg-gray-light bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" alt="NAT: How Network Address Translation Works" width="540" height="197" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL25hdC1yb3V0ZXIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" width="540" alt="NAT: How Network Address Translation Works" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/nat.htm">NAT: How Network Address Translation Works</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">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!</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By Jeff Tyson</p></div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/lan-switch.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2xhbi1zd2l0Y2gtY2lzY28uZ2lmIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2xhbi1zd2l0Y2gtY2lzY28uZ2lmIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" 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bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2xhbi1zd2l0Y2gtY2lzY28uZ2lmIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" alt="How LAN Switches Work" width="540" height="189" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL2xhbi1zd2l0Y2gtY2lzY28uZ2lmIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" width="540" alt="How LAN Switches Work" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/lan-switch.htm">How LAN Switches Work</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">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. </p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By Jeff Tyson</p></div> </div> <div class="sticky-container ad-container print:hidden md:hidden h-min-400 mb-6"> <div class="sticky top-99"> <p class="ad-disclaimer clear-both text-xs text-center mb-1 md:hidden">Advertisement</p> <div id="ad-wrap-mobinline11" class="print:hidden md:hidden ad-inline ad-mobinline bg-gray w-max-full h-min-250"><div id="ad-div-mobinline11" class="ad-tag h-max-250"></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/question525.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" 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data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3F1ZXN0aW9uNTI1LXBhY2tldC0yNTB4MTUwLmdpZiIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ==" alt="What is a packet?" width="540" height="324" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3F1ZXN0aW9uNTI1LXBhY2tldC0yNTB4MTUwLmdpZiIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6NTQwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMwM319fQ==" width="540" alt="What is a packet?" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/question525.htm">What is a packet?</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">It turns out that everything you do on the internet involves packets. For example, every webpage that you receive comes as a series of packets, and every email you send leaves as a series of packets. Find out what this term really means.</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block"></p></div> </div> <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-stretch mb-4 pb-4 border-b border-light-gray"> <div class="w-full md:w-1/3 lg:w-1/4 overflow-hidden"> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/router.htm"> <picture class="lazyload"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfSwidG9Gb3JtYXQiOiJhdmlmIn19" type="image/avif"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjozMjAsImhlaWdodCI6MTgwfX19"><source media="(min-width: 321px) and (max-width: 599px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo0MjAsImhlaWdodCI6MjM2fX19"><source media="(min-width: 600px)" data-srcset="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19"> <img class="object-cover bg-gray-light bg-opacity-50" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABAAAAAJCAQAAACRI2S5AAAAEElEQVR42mNkIAAYRxWAAQAG9gAKqv6+AwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" alt="What Does a Router Do?" width="540" height="651" border="0"> </picture> <noscript> "<img src="https://media.hswstatic.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250ZW50Lmhzd3N0YXRpYy5jb20iLCJrZXkiOiJnaWZcL3JvdXRlci1nZW9zdHJlYW0uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo1NDAsImhlaWdodCI6MzAzfX19" width="540" alt="What Does a Router Do?" border="0">" </noscript> </a> </div> <div class="w-full px-4 pt-4 md:pt-0 md:w-2/3 lg:w-3/4"> <div class="text-xl leading-tight font-bold mb-2"><a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/router.htm">What Does a Router Do?</a></div> <p class="mb-2 text-black line-clamp-2">Routers are a vital component of the Internet, but what does a router do? Find out how routers deliver packets of information to the right place, millions of times per day!</p> <p class="text-sm text-black inline-block">By <a class="inline z-20" href="https://www.howstuffworks.com/hsw-contact.htm">Curt Franklin</a></p></div> </div> </div> <nav class="pagination flex justify-center" aria-label="Category pages"> <span class="items-center justify-center border border-tan text-sm font-bold transition-colors duration-300 ease-in-out min-h-3 min-w-3 lg:min-h-2 lg:min-w-2 border-l-0 flex bg-accent-1 text-white current" aria-disabled="true" aria-current="page">1</span> <a class="items-center justify-center border border-tan text-sm font-bold transition-colors duration-300 ease-in-out min-h-3 min-w-3 lg:min-h-2 lg:min-w-2 hidden md:flex hover:bg-lighter-gray border-l-0" href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer-networking-channel.htm?page=2">2</a> <a href="https://computer.howstuffworks.com/computer-networking-channel.htm?page=2" class="items-center justify-center border border-tan text-sm font-bold transition-colors duration-300 ease-in-out min-h-3 min-w-3 lg:min-h-2 lg:min-w-2 hover:bg-lighter-gray border-l-0 flex text-accent-1 w-8 h-8 next" rel="next" data-page="2" data-track-gtm="Next" aria-label="Next Page"> <svg class='fill-current' xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='20' height='13' viewBox='0 0 25.989 17.333'><title>Next Page</title><path d='M24.449,11.584a1.18,1.18,0,0,0-.009,1.661l5.489,5.5H9.04a1.174,1.174,0,0,0,0,2.347h20.88l-5.489,5.5a1.188,1.188,0,0,0,.009,1.661,1.169,1.169,0,0,0,1.652-.009l7.438-7.493h0a1.318,1.318,0,0,0,.244-.37,1.12,1.12,0,0,0,.09-.451,1.177,1.177,0,0,0-.334-.821l-7.438-7.493A1.15,1.15,0,0,0,24.449,11.584Z' transform='translate(-7.875 -11.252)'/></svg> </a> </nav> </div> </div> </div><div class="hidden print:hidden md:shrink-0 md:block relative flex-none col-rail" style="width: 300px; 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