Network & storageHome
A whole-home network and NAS rebuild, finished in one day
A multi-level home with a mesh Wi-Fi system, smart-home devices, cameras and a multi-drive NAS that was still waiting to become a real storage system. Scoped for two days. Finished in one.
- The problem
- Weak performance upstairs, smart-home devices that couldn't connect reliably, and a NAS that wasn't yet set up to protect or organize anything.
- What I found
- Testing showed congested channels on all three Wi-Fi bands (2.4, 5 and 6 GHz), a 2.4 GHz setup the smart-home gear couldn't use well, and router and wireless security still largely on factory defaults.
- What I did
- Re-tuned the mesh: channels, channel widths, satellite placement and backhaul.
- Moved smart-home and guest devices onto isolated networks without breaking the older gear.
- Hardened the router: new admin credentials, remote administration off, UPnP and port forwards cleaned up, every connected device reviewed.
- Built the NAS so any one of its drives can die without losing data, with a folder for each purpose and an account for each person that sees only what it should.
- Added recycle bins and 30 days of snapshots on the important folders, so deleted or overwritten files can be rolled back, plus PC sync with file version history.
- Set up secure remote access through a private, encrypted tunnel, so approved devices can reach the NAS and the rest of the home network from anywhere with no ports opened to the internet.
- What changed
- A documented, hardened network. Storage that survives a complete drive failure and can undo a deletion. Secure access from anywhere without exposing the house to the internet. The owner holds every credential, and a year of follow-up guidance is built in.
Related: Wi-Fi & Home Network Help · Data Backup, Transfer & Recovery
Data protectionSmall business
Two USB drives were the only copy of the business. Not anymore.
A home-based business kept its working files and line-of-business data on external drives: hundreds of gigabytes with no dependable second copy. One spilled coffee away from a very bad week.
- The problem
- Critical business data on external drives with no real backup, and no secure way for me to support those computers remotely.
- What I found
- No NAS, no cloud, no second drive, nothing. The business PCs also shared one flat network with doorbells, smart speakers and streaming boxes.
- What I did
- Built a dedicated remote-support gateway on a small, locked-down appliance: encrypted tunnel, default-deny firewall, key-only logins. Unplug it and the access is gone.
- Installed local backup storage, so a second copy now lives on site.
- Added a cloud-storage layer for off-site protection.
- Put the business on a month-to-month managed plan with Microsoft 365 administration, monthly backup checks and quarterly test restores.
- What changed
- A second copy on site instead of one drive and luck, an off-site layer behind it, a secure way for me to fix problems without a site visit, and a monthly check that the backups are actually running.
Related: Data Backup, Transfer & Recovery · Small Business IT Support
Office moveSmall business
A small office moved buildings, and everything worked before I left
A small office was relocating with no server, no IT department and nobody administering its Microsoft 365. I set up the workstations, printers and network in a single day, then added shared file storage.
- The problem
- Move a small team into a new space without losing working days. Email is the most critical service, and nobody on staff handles IT.
- What I found
- The internet provider's gateway still on its default admin password, a Microsoft 365 account nobody was in charge of, and a mix of laptops, docks, monitors and printers to get working together.
- What I did
- Mounted and arranged the monitors at every workstation, then connected and tested every machine.
- Installed and configured the printers and confirmed printing.
- Configured shared file storage in Microsoft 365 (SharePoint), so the whole office has one organized home for its files.
- Connected everyone to the new office network, replaced the gateway's default admin password, switched off WPS and UPnP, and re-tested access after the lockdown.
- Installed my remote-support agent, so most problems can be fixed without a trip.
- Troubleshot Outlook account and address-suggestion behavior.
- What changed
- The team sat down to a working office, with computers, printers, network and users all confirmed before I left, a shared home for their files, and a local tech to call when something breaks. No contract required.
Related: Small Business IT Support
Home technologyHome
A tangled living room, two PCs and a pile of devices, sorted in a single visit
A household wanted its TV setup, computers, phones and tablets to simply work. One visit, three jobs, everything current and out of sight.
- The problem
- Loose cabling behind the TV console, a soundbar, an HDMI switch and an audio transmitter with no proper home, and computers that needed updating and a move to Windows 11.
- What I found
- Nothing exotic. A layout problem, not an equipment problem: the gear they already owned just needed a sensible place to live.
- What I did
- Wall-mounted the soundbar and HDMI switch and ran the cabling through wall pass-throughs.
- Put the TV on an articulating mount with the cable routing tidied behind it, and connected and powered the TV audio transmitter.
- Upgraded one PC to Windows 11 and brought the other fully up to date.
- Worked through the phones and tablets so they behave with the rest of the setup.
- What changed
- A clean, wall-mounted setup with every device powered and working, current computers, and nothing left over for a second trip.
Related: Computer Repair & Upgrades