Network issues? Diagnose your issues quickly with these utilities

Diagnose tricky networking problems with RawCap

Looking for some network utilities? There are plenty of options, but don’t waste time on the bulky and more heavyweight contenders, unless you really need them – our Tiny Tools may provide all you need.

If you’d like to find out what software is installed across your network, for instance, you could install some expensive commercial solution, complete with database, analytical tools and more. But we’ve found a 160KB program which will scan all your network PCs for no cost at all.

And capturing network traffic normally involves installing complex utilities, and a supporting library or two. But if you can get by with raw sockets then the 20KB RawCap will get you started in seconds.

This is just the start, though. Other tools in the list will help with performance issues, network management, security, file sharing and more. And they’re all free, and very lightweight: even installing all ten will use less than 7MB hard drive space.

1. Network Stuff 3.0.9 – 1.34 MB

 

 

Figuring out what’s happening on your network normally involves a whole library of tools, yet somehow Network Stuff has managed to cram them all into a single portable application.

It’s strong on the basics, for instance: the program can display your IP addresses (both local and external), scan your network for other systems, reveal MAC addresses and run graphical ping or traceroutes to the addresses you specify.

But Network Stuff can also display all the currently open network and internet connections; use built-in Whois and DNS tools to get more information on IP addresses; remotely wake up or shut down other systems on your network, and the list goes on.

The only problem here is complexity, as there’s a lot to explore. If you get lost, though, check the author’s website for some helpful guidance.

2. DNS Jumper 1.0.5 – 812KB

 

 

Changing your DNS settings can improve your online security, perhaps give you access to sites you couldn’t reach otherwise, and improve your browsing speed. Windows doesn’t exactly make this easy, but that’s whereDNS Jumper comes in.

This tiny tool comes with a lengthy list of DNS alternatives. If you’re not sure which is best then it can test them all to find the fastest. When you’re happy, it’s able to apply your preferred DNS settings in a click, and the program can even back up and restore your original settings to avoid the chance of any problems.

3. RawCap 0.1.4.0 – 20KB

 

 

Packet sniffing – capturing network traffic for later analysis – can be an invaluable way to diagnose tricky network problems, both hardware and software. And there are few easier ways to get the job done than with the super-lightweight RawCap.

The program is a command line tool, but it’s also straightforward to run from Explorer. Just double-click the file, choose your network interface, enter an output file name, and that’s it – the program will capture raw packets and save them in a .pcap file.

Unsurprisingly for a 20KB tool, there’s no help here to analyse the finished results. Just opening the file in Notepad may be enough, though if you’re looking for plain text. And there’s no doubting RawCap’s simplicity: it doesn’t need any other components or DLLs beyond the .NET Framework 2.0.

4. Fast Software Audit 1.0.0 – 160 KB

 

 

If you manage a PC network then you’ll know it’s important to keep track of the software your users are installing. You could check this manually, or invest in some big corporate inventory tool, but the ultra-compact Fast Software Audit – portable and only 160KB – could be enough. Just enter the network names of the computers you’d like to audit and it’ll quickly scan them, revealing the list of installed applications. (Though please note, your systems will need the Remote Registry service to be running for this to work.)

5. CloseTheDoor 0.2.1 portable – 484 KB

 

 

When you want to secure your network it’s important to understand which processes are listening for connections, and the portable CloseTheDoorwill tell you everything you want to know: the network interface, ports, protocols, process, related Windows services and a whole lot more.

All this information can seem baffling at first, but CloseTheDoor can help. Right-click something and you’ll find options to search the web for useful information on the process, port and how it’s generally used.

And if you do identify malware then CloseTheDoor can even shut down that process, though be careful – if you accidentally terminate something important then you might crash your PC.

6. BlueLife Hosts Editor 1.0 – 388KB

 

 

The HOSTS file can be used to tell Windows the IP address of various network or Internet resources, so improving performance or allowing you to block some sites or resources entirely.

Windows doesn’t make it particularly easy to access HOSTS, unfortunately, but the BlueLife Hosts Editor probably provides everything you’ll need. Just launch the program to view your current HOSTS file, then add or remove entries to suit your needs, and save the results when you’re finished: easy.

Beware, though, if you try to block a site you’ve just visited then it’ll appear not to work, as Windows will cache the previous IP address. Save the new file, click “Flush DNS” and everything should now work just as you expect.

7. Network Activity Indicator 1.6 -1.03 MB

 

 

We often miss the old Windows XP network icon, where the monitors flashed to show network activity. But now there’s an easy way to get it back. InstallNetwork Activity Indicator and it’ll immediately restore the same icon to your system tray. (Although Windows Vista/Windows 7 will often hide it again: click the arrow to the left of the system tray area, click Customize and set “Network Activity Indicator” to “Show icon and notifications to bring it back.)

This isn’t just a cosmetic tool, though. You can also customise the program to flash only for particular network traffic (TCP, UDP, ICMP), or on specific network interfaces. And it’s even able to provide details on network traffic (MB’s uploaded and downloaded), and a host of useful statistics (open connections, failed connection attempts, errors received, more).

8. RemoteRebootX 2012 – 428KB

 

 

Network management can be easier than you think. If you’ve got a copy ofRemoteRebootX to hand, anyway.

Add the names of your network computers to the program, and in click or two you can then remotely shut them down or wake them up again, all from the comfort of your own PC.

You can even automate the process, for example having a PC woken up just after lunch so it’s ready and waiting when you return.

And there are even system information options to, say, retrieve the free C: drive space on one of the systems, or its list of automatic but stopped services (very useful for troubleshooting). Not bad at all for a portable tool under 500KB in size.

9. HFS 2.2f – 560KB

 

 

When you want others on the network to be able to access your files then you’ll probably start by sharing folders. But if you can’t get that working as you like then setting up a web server with HFS could be a simpler approach.

There’s no complex configuration involved, for instance – just run the program and it’s ready to go.

Drag and drop the files you’d like to share and they’ll be accessible within seconds.

And yet there are plenty more advanced options, if you need them. Worried about the program taking up all your bandwidth, for instance? Just limit the download speed to suit your requirements – it’s all very easy.

10. Simple IP Config 2.3 – 1.32MB

 

 

If you regularly use a laptop on a couple of networks – home and work, say – then the chances are you probably waste a lot of time manually adjusting a host of low-level network settings. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Simple IP Config allows you to create separate network profiles for home, work, and anywhere else you like. Each of these can be used to store your IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway, DNS Server, and so on. And switching from one profile to another is as simple as selecting it, and clicking “Apply” – no messing around in Control Panel is required at all.

How to set up and optimise your home network

The redesigned Network and Sharing Center screen has lots of options for advanced users to play with

 

Running a home network is pretty essential in this day and age.

Thankfully, modern hardware and software has reduced the complexities of configuring networks down to a few setup screens, and the relevant hardware often comes free with an internet connection.

If you have multiple computers, the chances are they’re already talking to each other, either through wires or wirelessly. However, while your home network might be up and running, optimising it takes some doing. Follow our simple tips to extract the last drop of juice from your network hardware.

1. Change channel number

Wireless routers operate on a fixed channel. Since most routers ship with a pre-selected channel, the wireless signal may interfere with other routers in the vicinity that are operating on the same channel.

Changing the wireless channel from the factory default is a good starting point if your wireless signal strength is poor.

2. Give the router space to breathe

The biggest advantage of a wireless router is that it can penetrate doors and walls – but that doesn’t mean you can just stuff it next to a wall or cordless telephone, or use it as a stand for your stack of DVDs. Treat it with respect.

Try to keep it in a central location, away from other wireless devices; make sure it’s not in direct sunlight; lift it off the carpet; and ensure its vents and air holes aren’t covered.

3. Improve reception

Try as you might, you’ll find it’s sometimes not possible to put the router in a good spot. One way around the problem is to buy a router with multiple antennas and point them in a variety of directions covering your home.

Alternatively, if you’ve already got a router, check whether it’s possible to upgrade its antennas to something stronger. However, don’t get disheartened if your router doesn’t have any antennas. A wireless repeater compatible with your router is a perfect solution.

4. Use WEP

Running an unsecured network will earn you brownie points from neighbours and hackers with cars, but that’s about it. Wireless routers support a variety of encryption methods, such as WPA and WEP, but these aren’t enabled by default.

WPA2 is the most secure method at the moment, but before deciding on an encryption method, make sure your network cards and adapters support it as well. Bear in mind that older machines – and games consoles such as the Nintendo DS – don’t support WPA.

5. Restrict access to specific PCs

If you really don’t want to use encryption, you can force your router to only connect to specific PCs. Your router identifies each computer by the unique MAC address of its network gear. Feed it a list of MAC addresses to connect to and you save yourself the trouble of entering a password each time you log in.

The disadvantage is that you’ll have to add the MAC address of any new computer before it can get on your network – which is probably a more annoying way of getting things done.

6. Disable SSID broadcast

All wireless routers have a Service Set Identifier (SSID) that identifies them to network computers. Routers from the same manufacturer generally ship with the same SSID; ‘Netgear’ or ‘Cisco’, for example.

You should first change the SSID to something unique to set your router apart from those of your neighbours. Then, once all your hardware has been set up, it’s better to turn off broadcasting the SSID altogether. This ensures your router isn’t displayed in the list of available networks, and won’t be a target for potential hackers.

7. Keep the firmware updated

Router manufacturers keep working on firmware, even after hardware has been shipped. In addition to tweaks in the user interface, new versions might make better use of the various components in the router, or add extra features.

Just like with an operating system, it’s a good idea to upgrade the firmware of the router regularly – check the manufacturer’s website for a new version. In the good old days, there was the risk of a botched firmware upgrade bricking your router, but it’s a lot safer today.

8. Familiarise yourself with the router manager

All routers ship with a browser based manager. To use many of the tips in this article, you’ll have to log in to this interface – try typing 192.168.1.1 into your web browser for the most common location.

It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the various options and settings you can tweak from within this software. Many routers also have detailed documentation that’s updated regularly, so hunt out the latest manual online.

9. Check your connections

There’s nothing more irritating than receiving a ‘cannot connect to remote machine’ error. To ensure a solid connection, use Ethernet cables where possible. It’s also a good idea to check the connection between the two PCs with the ping command.

To do this, simply open a command line and type, for instance, ping 192.168.1.2. You’ll need to replace the address given here with that of your target machine. Ping works identically on Windows, Mac and Linux.

10. Forward ports

 

 

Many servers and applications – for example, file-sharing software, FTP servers and music-streaming servers – need to serve people outside the network. These applications accept connections on specific ports.

With port forwarding – check your router’s interface – you can poke holes in your router and ask it to direct incoming traffic on a particular port (or, if you wish, a range of ports) to a specific computer that’s on the network.

11. Change DNS providers

DNS is what fetches you a website by translating the human-friendly address, such as www.pcplus.co.uk, into a bunch of machine-friendly numbers. It also displays the ‘404 page not found’ error, corrects misspelt URLs and finds the fastest route to a web server that hosts the site you want to visit, along with lots of other cool things.

Generally, it’s up to the ISP to put up a DNS server. However, there are other free services as well, including the likes of OpenDNS and Google Public DNS.

12. Use USB adapters

These days, it’s difficult to find a laptop or netbook without a built-in wireless module, but if you’ve used one, you’ll know that they can’t always be relied upon. Network cards with antennas are the best option, but they’re really only suitable for desktops.

If you really need both mobility and assurance, make sure you get a USB adapter. Most of them ship with a Windows driver, but many work out-of-the-box on Linux as well.

13. Enable Dynamic DNS

The Dynamic DNS feature enables you to connect to your computer remotely. Back in the day, when real-estate on the web was expensive, it was a wonderful option to show off your HTML skills and host your own website.

Now, by associating your dynamic IP address with a domain name, DDNS enables you to connect to the internet-exposed home computer from anywhere in the world. In addition to enabling the feature on your router, you’ll also have to register with a dynamic DNS provider, such asDynDNS.org.

14. Save power with Wake-on-LAN

What’s the point of keeping a print server on when there’s nothing to print? The smart way to save energy is to use the Wake-on- LAN feature of the network card. Thanks to this, you can put the machine to sleep after it’s been configured to wake upon detecting network activity.

15. Encrypt your online activity

With the range of snooping tools now available, it isn’t safe to do anything online without covering your footprints. There are lots of tools that promise to encrypt your online activity, making it completely unintelligible to anyone who might be listening in.

Some of the best ones to try are the Enigmail plug-in for Thunderbird,Psi for Google Talk and FireGPG, available for Gmail.

16. Get a Firewall distro

You can configure a firewall on a Windows or Linux machine, and there are also a bunch of third-party software firewalls available. However, building a firewall isn’t easy. If you’re serious about putting one up, download a dedicated firewall distro, such as Ebox.

17. Install the software

Ebox is distributed as a Live CD ISO and there are VirtualBox/VMWare images as well. It’s based on Ubuntu Server 8.04. You can also pull in Ebox packages to a standard Ubuntu Server 10.04 installation. You can find it atwww.ebox-platform.com.

18. Configure settings

Ebox can be adapted flexibly to your network. You can use it to restrict services that can be accessed and slice the network to keep some areas more secure than others. The distro runs a browser-based interface for adding, removing and configuring the components.

19. Filter content

Besides the firewall, intrusion detection (via Snort) and filtering content (via DansGuardian) are two other highlights of the distro. DansGuardian can also plug into the ClamAV antivirus scanner and filter content based on known virus signatures.

20. Exploit other features

In case you’re still not satisfied, Ebox can also act as a gateway and provide a host of other services. It bundles various applications that enable you to turn your network into a VPN, host XMPP chat sessions or run a Postfix mail server, a Squid web proxy and more.

21. Turn on UPnP

Universal Plug and Play helps smart devices that support UPnP to discover each other without any user intervention. Once turned on from within your router, UPnP enables a compatible infrared device, a Bluetooth phone or a FireWire camera to see and talk to each other.

22. Write files remotely

The most logical use of a network is to share files. This is the job of the SMB protocol. Thanks to it, you’ll be able to write files to a remote network share via Network Neighbourhood. On Linux, the SMB protocol is implemented by Samba.

23. Share printers remotely

In addition to sharing files, SMB can be used to share printers attached to a Windows machine. Once configured via the Windows Control Panel, a printer can be used to accept print orders or even be managed from a remote machine, irrespective of its operating system.

24. Format shareable partitions as FAT

PCs running Windows can easily see each other and share files. For Linux or Mac machines, ensure the partitions are formatted with the FAT filesystem. Create them as Samba shares and they’ll show up under Network Neighbourhood.

25. Plug in USB drives

 Once, if you wanted to share files on the network, a network-attached-storage, or NAS, device was the best bet. Not any more. New routers enable you to plug in one or more USB devices that are automatically accessible by all the users connected to the router.