SMB IT | Curtis Franklin » September 2006

September 29, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Emerging Enterprise: Investigating and CAS

TAGS: Podcast

Back to regularly scheduled on-air imbibing. This week we're discussing what to do if you're faced with handling an internal investigation and then we talk about the next step up in file system organization: content addressed storage.   Listen!

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 29, 2006 11:52 AM

September 26, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Interesting Color Printing Report

TAGS: SMB Hardware

One of the editors (hi, Ted) forwarded this market study spotlight report from Current Analysis to me today on the impact of 'disposable' color printers to the printer industry. Nothing super-new on the surface: color inkjets have become so cheap that they cost less than a business lunch and color lasers have dropped down far enough that many of them might be considered home printers.

That's created a problem for the printing industry, apparently, combining an increase in disposables as well as a decrease in demand for a chunk of their product lines. My vote: Buy a color laser and go with it.

But near the end of the report, they bring up a new thing: SMB Pay-per-Print programs. It's lilke an all-in-one car lease. You get the printer(s), all the consumables and all maintenance from the manufacturer for a set monthly fee based on the manufacturer's assessment of your printing volume.

Xerox apparently already has a program like this called Xerox PagePack (offered as a service option when you purchase specific Xerox hardware) as well as a metered supplies program, and the folks at Oki are expected to do the same thing in the next month or two. Europe's apparently had them for a while from both of the above as well as Epson.

Advantage to the SMB? You know what your printing costs are up front. No muss, no budgeting fuss. I'm still thinking about this one. Sounds good, but I'd think it's most useful to outfits that really do a lot of printing. Your general office print volume deal might still be served more simply just purchasing X color lasers per X employees and being done with it.

If anyone has had experience with PagePack, post your experiences here and we can talk about it some more.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 26, 2006 10:12 AM

September 22, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Emerging Enterprise: REVving up Iomega and Web Office Suites

TAGS: Podcast

We're catching up with an extra episode this week, so the InfoWorld editors don't have me whacked. So we're talking about why I like REV drives so much and then I ruminate on Web-based prodcutivity tools.   Listen!

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 22, 2006 06:04 AM

September 21, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Tape Rotation Tutorial

TAGS: SMB Hardware

I've been blogging enthusiastically about Iomega's new REV 70 drive, and especially it's upcoming auto-loader version -- eight of these stacked on top of each other and rotating automatically. Full week plus a weekly slot for the off-site cartridge.

Very cool. But what if you're not into dropping another $2000 on a new backup solution? What if you're into using your existing tape hardware more effectvely? Check out this short tutorial from Kiltak over on Geeks Are Sexy. Worth the read if you want to keep that old tape system humming.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 21, 2006 07:18 PM

September 21, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Emerging Enterprise: Interop and Remote Access

TAGS: Podcast

I'm talking from this week's Interop NYC show. First we talk about WAFS and where that standard really is and then we talk about hooking your near-remote sites together with more than just T1 lines.   Listen!

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 21, 2006 10:28 AM

September 20, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Interop Notes 1: Availl and WAFS

TAGS: SMB Networking

Whilst wandering the show floor here at Interop NY, I've bumped into a few things, but I'm going to milk them for multiple posts. First, there's WAFS. Wide Area File System in case you're wondering what the acronym stands for. It's supposed to be an industry standard by now, but hasn't evolved fast enough to make that a reality. In fact, there's pretty much no specific technology as long as you achieve one or more of WAFS' goals.

So for now, we're talking proprietary. But if you're okay with sticking to one vendor for your file system (pretty safe compared to other parts of your network), Availl's version of WAFS is pretty impressive.

The idea behind WAFS is to do full file replication across servers at multiple locations, regardless of WAN speed or security hurdles. For the most part, Availl seems to have made that work...with some caveats.

First, it's software only and restricted to managing NTFS files systems. Install the Availl central server (which acts as a traffic cop and license monitor) and you can manage any number of files for $2,500 per server. A mite pricey, but even for small businesses, this has benefits.

First, it doesn't care about bandwidth, firewalls, VPNs, whatever. As long as the target server has an Availl agent installed and can see the central server, you're good. Second, it incoroporates enough version control to get by even out of the box. If user A opens the file WEENIE.DOC in London and User B tries to open the same file at the same time or a few microseconds later, the traffic will determine who got there first and show the file as read-only to the second dude. Meantime, the system will keep all your files in sync across all your NTFS file stores.

Plus, it can do it as full multi-directional (meaning all files are accessible to users at all locations and changes updated across all targets) or as uni-directional, also known as "backup." Databases are supported, but only SQL-based data stores. I'd watch that claim, however, as I've never had luck syncing or backing up databases using software or services that didn't specifically support the database I was working on.

We'll see more WAFS coming from other vendors soon. Cisco was supposed to be building an appliance, but I lost track of where that is. And smaller vendors like Yellow Box said they were going to incorporate it as soon as a Linux version was stable enough. No idea when that might be.

Meantime, a more proprietary solution like Availl's probably costs a bit more, but the numbers aren't nuts and the bennies look worth it.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 20, 2006 01:06 PM

September 19, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Tips for Building a Small-Biz Data Closet

TAGS: SMB Hardware

Usually, even medium-sized businesses have enough of an IT budget to put together a 'real' data center. But often these and smaller organizations are forced to make do with an empty room or even a spare closet. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you've got to go that route, these are a few good steps to follow:

1. Make sure it's enclosed. Spare cubicles doth not a good server room make. The only advantage they might have is good airflow, but that's easily outweighed by the noise, power, security and heat flow side effects. You're far better off dividing an office in half or findig a closet big enough for a server rack.

2. Don't forget about air flow. Venting and heat dissipation becomes all the more critical the smaller the space surrounding the server. Stick a couple of servers in a closet and they'll overheat significantly faster than if you stick them in a spare room. So while buying a rack and finding a closet sounds quick, making sure that closet can be vented is crucial.

3. Plan for cables, then run them. Too many of these half-way data center projects are treated so casually that cable management is considered only when the servers are being slid into the racks. Better advice? Make sure your vent problem is solved, then organize and run your cables, then buy servers, racks and the rest of your infrastructure.

4. Don't shy away from patch panels. Yes, it's a different punch down process, but patch panels can be worth gold for organizing small office cabling. They're cheap by themselves, you've just got to dish for a wiring pro to do the punch downs--unless you're willing to learn yourself.

5. Think about flooring. Cabling brings up the issue of flooring. While a raised floor is the default, that's not always the best thing for a closet-sized data center. Raised floors require access in order take advantage--possible in a spare office, but a pain in a closet. This is dictated by your particular circumstance, but don't under-value the flexibility of ceiling panels.
Last, don't leave carpet in there. Can't tell you how many times I see that. If it's going to be a data closet, treat it like one and put down anti-static flooring.

6. Educate your cleaning staff. It sounds funny, but servers can get fried by cleaning people who don't know what it is they're trying to make sparkel. Especially so if you suddenly stick expensive stuff in an old closet and don't tell anyone. Make sure that cleaning staff understand that the closet is now highly electrical and that cleaning should be restricted to vacuuming the floor near the rack and polishing the screens and front-bezels of machines using specialized cleaning rags like those sold by 3M.

7. Monitoring is important. With lack of space and heat being such an issue, monitoring temperature becomes all-important. Sure, these devices can be expensive, but if they save your servers from a meltdown they're worth it. They can also tell you if you've got enough venting and airflow aids or you need more.

8. Security is still important. Just because it's in a closet doesn't mean your server is any less important. Upgrading to a high-security door lock is a good idea. Then talk to your building faciities management about what kind of extension a closet or office can get from your building's fire suppression systems. Even consider installing a higher-end one just for that space if you've got the bucks--though that's usually not cost-effective for a closet.

9. Invest in off-site backup. No matter how smart you are, no matter how many tape drives or NAS boxes you've got, building a make-shift data center in a closet means not having access to all the disaster-recovery tools and reliability conveniences that a full-sized data center has to offer. So cover your posterior and invest in off-site data backup solutions like Iron Mountain. Worth every penny on a bad day.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 19, 2006 12:23 PM

September 17, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Review: Iomega Bumps Rev to 70GB

TAGS: SMB Hardware

Iomega came out with the REV drive back in 2004. A somewhat difficult concept at the time. An external hard disk-style enclosure, but with a REV cartridge plugged in instead of a hard disk. The cartridges look like medium-sized tape cartridges. They've got capacities of 35GB and cost about $60 on the street, but the important thing is that their response times are hard disk-styled not tape-drive styled.

Combine that with 90GB capacity if you use compression, Iomega's Backup Pro backup software and network-ability and what Iomega was trying to sell was a sweet little SMB backup device that costs little more than a standard tape drive but doubles as a network hard disk. The world took a bit of time getting used to the idea, but once it did the thing started selling like hot cakes.

But while 35/90GB is pretty good, it's still a mite constrained for SMB storage tasks--especially if you want to use it as a network hard disk device, too. Fortunately, Iomega isn't letting it go at that; they've recently upped the REV to 70GB and were nice enough to send me a sample.

The new drive, the REV 70, has (not surprisingly) a 70GB storage capacity that bumps to about 140GB with compression. The new drive costs between $450 and $500 on the street ($600 list) while its cartridges cost about $65.

Just like the previous model, the REV 70 comes in single-user and server-style versions. Unlike the previous model, Iomega has done away with its in-house backup software and instead has partnered with EMC to bundle Retrospect Express 7.5 with the single-user version. The server version comes with BrightStor ARCserver Backup, and that's definitely the better choice for the SMB set--mainly because you can more easily use that software to run not just the REV drive but any older tape drives you may still be using.

Nevertheless, I used the EMC version. However, before that you've got to install the hardware. That was easy wnough, it's not the USB 2.0 plug-and-play drill that Iomega's advertising leads you to believe. The REV is a unique breed of cat, so Windows needs drivers in order to mount it fully. Without drivers, it might show up as a CD-ROM drive, but you won't be able to write to it--and that's just a maybe. Running the full software intall dumps both the drivers and the EMC software onto your system, though it takes a while for both.

Once intalledd EMC Retrospect 7.5 (home version)had everything you could ask for on the home front: cross platform support (including Linux), various security features (including encryption) and even , and also lets you image a client PC and then make a restore CD off the image--means you can do a bare-metal re-install that covers everything including that user's data right off the CD.

Two things I wasn't able to test, but think are possible is the you can most likely turn the home user version of the REV into a home hard disk and use the Retrospect software to manage backups across your home clients (as long as you install the Retrospect software on all of them). I also think you can choose to use REV 70 with other backup options, including Windows Backup back or even SyncToy, but I haven't tried either of these yet and I'm past due already. Let you guys know the results of that later.

Performance was similar to the REV 35 I looked at several years ago, which is to say fast. It's not quite as fast as a hard disk, but fast enough that you won't mind the difference. Under compression, you're definitely notice a performance lag, but then that's a backup-only operation so who cares?

So the real question is whether the REV makes sense when compared to a standard tape or networked hard disk? Downside, the cost of using a REV (on paper) is more expensive as a backup solution than a networked or server hard disk when used as shared network storage, though it can be about the same or even cheaper than tape depending on what tape solution you're using.

Fortunately, it's not meant to do either, it's meant to do both. For $500 plus another $500 or so in cartridge costs you get the ability to share files across a network during the day and run incremental backups at night--same software, same drive.

Okay, that's still not for everyone, but it does fit well in certain businesses--many of them, in fact. Which is borne out by the fact that Iomega has sold over 1.2 million of the 35GB models since 2004.

REV 70
Iomega
Price: $599 (list, drive); $249 (list, cartridge 4-pak)
Verdict: For an easy small office/SOHO backup and shared storage drive combo, the REV fits perfectly.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 17, 2006 09:00 PM

September 13, 2006 | Comments: (0)

New SMB VoIP Products from Covad

TAGS: SMB VoIP

Covad just introed their new ClearEdge Office voice-over-IP service. Think of it as Vonage for businesses with 20 people or fewer. All you need is business class broadband and you're in good to go.

According to Covad, the voice quality is the same as standard voice service (which our recent VoIP service tests would tend to bear out, though some folks are starting to question that), but at Vonage-style pricing. Also comes with Vonage-style features, including not just the usual voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, etc. stuff, but also business-specific features like the ability to create "hunt groups" of forwarded phones so your calls can find you across multiple different lines and handsets and also IP faxing support, which is very cool as long as they make it easy.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 13, 2006 12:37 PM

September 11, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Comparative SMB Shipping Site

TAGS: Worthwhile Web Sites

Like how sites like Expedia or Travelocity show you side-by-side price comparisons for airline tickets to the same destination at the same time? Well now you can do the same thing for packages.

RedRoller.com takes your basic shipping information and them computes what it would cost to send your package with all the most popular shipping companies. You get a side-by-side (or rather stacked like in the screen shot above) price comparison and links to immediately ship your package online. The site lets you print mailing labels and is even integrated with eBay.

Best of all, it's still free for the moment. Check it out.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 11, 2006 02:02 PM

September 07, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Better late than never: APC's Free Facilities Classes

TAGS: Public Service Links

Should have posted this a few weeks ago, but missed it. Seems APC is out there giving more free classes away. Starting next week, the company will be sponsoring a number of educational events around the country.

Register to attend one and you'll get free seminars on power and data center management, time to play with the company's InfraStruXure products and most likely some free snackies.

Having just had a client who lost the transformer behind his building when a tree fell on it, these kinds of classes are just the thing to figure out what size generator his office building needs to guard against that in the future.

More info and registration here.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 7, 2006 12:12 PM

September 06, 2006 | Comments: (0)

More Small Biz Resources from Microsoft

TAGS: Worthwhile Web Sites

Microsoft's always had a decent selection of online small business resources, but they've just added a few more.

The (semi-) new site is called Small Business + and Redmond's trying to make it more of a personalized SMB resource rather than just a general one. Signing up requires you to give them some information about yourself and your business, but the payback is content delivered up to you that's (hopefully) of specific interest.

You get access to Microsoft's Small Business Summit trade shows, a delivered monthly newsletter, online training course content and some free online technical advisors you can actually talk to.

What I really wish, however, is that instead of just providing 'resources' Microsoft actually help the SMB customer. Like with pricing in a nasty economy...? Just a thought.

Check it out.

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 6, 2006 09:44 AM

September 01, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Emerging Enterprise: Amazon's Elastic and Microsoft's SBS Recall

TAGS: Podcast

I've got Paul Venezia doing this one with me, and we get into the impact that services like Amazon's Elastic rent-a-cluster might have on SMBs and then we riff on Microsoft's extremely rare software recall on Small Business Server 2003 R2.   Listen!

Posted by Oliver Rist on September 1, 2006 12:52 PM