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September 05, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Test Center Tracker: The road ahead for Oliver Rist

Business is business It's an all mobile phone week for Tom Yager, who after completing a comparative review of seven enterprise models brings up the topic of how to get a better deal when buying one. Act like a business, and not like a consumer party, is Tom's advice in his Ahead of the Curve column.

The Road Ahead? All good things come to an end. If you enjoyed Oliver Rist columns take a good reading of this one because it's his last. Oliver parting gift to his readers is a look at what's coming with Windows in the near feature and how to prepare for it. Was he trying to mimic (or mock) "The Road Ahead"? Perhaps. One never knows with Oliver.

Posted by Mario Apicella on September 5, 2007 09:13 AM

August 17, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Spot On

OK, so it's not particularly cool to blog and point to your own article, but that's the way the cookie crumbles on this fine Friday in August, so bear with me...

If you're like most of us, cell phone reception has moved far beyond "Can you hear me now?" to a matter of serious business need and service-level requirement. If you haven't been blessed by geography and cell-tower placement, then a little boost can be just what the doctor ordered for your RF signal strength woes. The Spotwave Z1900 can provide just the sort of boost you need and the price is right, so take a look at my review to see if a Z1900 can solve your cell reception problems.

Next, take a look at Roger Grimes' Security Adviser, where he talks about applications that just won't go away. No, it's not malware he's talking about, but legitimate apps that leave older versions on your system after updates--older versions that just sit there, holding the door open for pirates and thieves to exploit vulnerabilities you thought you'd taken care of.

Finally, with air conditioners humming all over our fair land, it's a good time to read Ted Samson's Sustainable IT and learn how the right networking architectures and technologies aren't just good for business--they're good for the planet.

Have a good weekend and head back to the Test Center on Monday...there's a big week ahead.

Posted by Curt Franklin on August 17, 2007 04:29 PM

May 24, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Enterprise wireless: In search of shootout suggestions

As a ten-year veteran of the Interop NOC team, I've noticed a change in the enterprise wireless market. We used to say that we sure had to run a lot of wire for the wireless system just so that we could separate the Wi-Fi network from our production network. Today's Wi-Fi market seems to be demanding multiple wireless network separation with multimedia features, while still keeping my wireless users safe from attackers. I'm also seeing a significant amount of integration with wireless IDS vendors.

So while we've seen offerings from both Aruba and Trapeze, I'm thinking it might be time to pit thin access points versus thick access points. What kinds of things do you want to see in an enterprise wireless shootout? Toss me an e-mail at brian_chee@infoworld.com and drop us your two cents' worth as we plan our next enterprise wireless shootout.

Posted by Brian Chee on May 24, 2007 02:30 PM

March 15, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Foundry beefs up wireless LAN products

Foundry Networks gave their IronPoint wireless line a boost yesterday with the unwrapping of two new infrastructure products and an update to its IronPoint Wireless Location Manager application.

The new IronPoint Mobility RS4000 Radio Switch is a thin access point (AP) that can handle a large number of clients -- up to 256 -- making it useful for environments such as college campuses that have many concurrent users (such as 300 students in a lecture hall all logging on to the wireless network). It has two 802.11a radios and two 802.11b/g radios
for service to multiple 802.11a/b/g channels.

Scalability was also a driving force behind the new AP150 access point, which supports 802.11 a, b, and g. The AP150 is a single-channel solution, and will intelligently interact with other APs on your network to prevent interference and eliminate the need for an admin to carefully plan out channels when deploying APs.

New updates to the IronPoint Wireless Location Manager 2.02 (WLM) focus on security. The application can now do real-time mapping and scanning of the wireless network and location tracking, helping to sniff out rogue APs. Existing APs act as a sensor network, eliminating the need for a second set of sensors to detect location information.WLM combines the network mapping with location-based access information to detect unauthorized users and send alerts to admins when problems crop up.

All three IronPoint Mobility products will be available in April. The RS400 will be priced at $2,075 for the 180-degree directional antenna and $2,195 for the 360-degree omni-directional antenna. The AP150 is priced at $525. WLM 2.02 is available at a price of $7,995.

Posted by Stephanie McLoughlin on March 15, 2007 11:31 AM

January 08, 2007 | Comments: (0)

Samsung hedges its mobile search bets

As Google and Yahoo prepare to battle for dominance of mobile search, one company is clearly poised to cash in no matter which search giant wins: Samsung.

Both Google and Yahoo separately announced strategic partnerships with Samsung today through which the consumer electronics company will ship some mobile devices pre-installed with Google search and e-mail apps, and more -- and some select devices packaged with Yahoo search and e-mail apps, and more.

Specifically, the Google-y Samsung devices will come with "a Google icon in the application menu, providing users with one-click access to Google search"; Google Maps, "an application that enables users to view maps and satellite imagery, find local businesses, and get driving directions," and Gmail for mobile devices, according to Google.

The Yahooified devices, Yahoo says, will come with Yahoo Go 2.0, Yahoo's new mobile Internet application that lets users "navigate the selection of Yahoo Go widgets for e-mail, local information and maps, and more"; Yahoo oneSearch, "a new mobile search service designed to give consumers instant answers through more relevant search results; Yahoo Mail; Yahoo Messenger; and Yahoo Personal Information Management for synchronizing contacts from Yahoo Address Book and tasks and events saved on Yahoo Calendar.

Amusingly, the two announcements have somewhat similar canned quotes attributed to Kitae Lee, Samsung's president of telecommunications network business.

Of the Google partnership, she -- ahem -- "said", "We are very thrilled to introduce Samsung mobiles with one-click access to Google services. Our cooperation with Google exemplifies our commitment to leading the evolution from the fixed-Internet era to a mobile Internet era and ushering in a ubiquitous world where mobile enables our consumers to access information about anything, anywhere, anytime. Samsung and Google will enhance users' mobile experience with a powerful, yet easy-to-use handset with simple access to information and personal management."

And of the Yahoo partnership, Lee declared, "Samsung recognizes consumers' need for Internet access through their mobiles anytime, anywhere. Samsung mobile phones with Yahoo services will provide consumers with fast and convenient access to the Internet, even on the move. Our successful partnership with Yahoo builds on Samsung's continuing efforts to enhance consumers' mobile experience."

Hm. The Google quote is much longer. Do you think Samsung is playing favorites already?

Posted by Ted Samson on January 8, 2007 01:06 PM

October 30, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Review: ComVu wows with camera-phone video broadcasts

YouTube proves the value of Internet video. But what if you could build the infrastructure for live video, broadcast from camera phones (like the Motorola Q or Palm Treo 700w), and embed GPS tracking data frame-by-frame as a bonus? That's exactly what ComVu's done with its PocketCaster solution.

OK, so you're probably thinking this is cute for embedding videos into personal Web pages and blogs -- but it has little place in the enterprise world. After looking at various ComVu products, I can say for sure that's not the case.

Fundamentally, the company's developed an elegant back-end distribution system that connects to the Internet backbone of 10 tier-1 global ISPs -- plus sophisticated software running on the phone. Just set up an account, load up the PocketCaster software, and hit the Start button. Your video's streamed to ComVu over the wireless data network (Wi-Fi, 3G, GPRS, BGAN), optimized for viewing, and also archived. Subscribers receive instant notification of the Webcast (via e-mail, IM, RSS, or SMS) which is viewed on desktop systems or mobile devices.

So fast-forward and consider how enterprises and agencies are already leveraging this self-service streaming. Security is one obvious application. A guard dispatched in response to a break-in alarm immediately goes live and broadcasts video to the proper authorities. Or, insurance adjusters transmit and archive videos of accidents or disasters.

What makes these situations even more convincing is ComVu's automatic Geotagging. Real-time GPS coordinates embedded with the video (which sync up to a map available in a secondary Web window) would be very difficult to fake -- making this solution significant for investigative purposes and priceless in life-and-death emergency situations.

Internet video has undeniably changed the broadcast and cable industry, with viewers expecting instant coverage of breaking news. Here, too, ComVu plays an important role. In the pivotal minutes while TV crews race to a scene and setup a remote broadcast an on-site reporter (or citizen journalist) could be sending live video.

Even in less spectacular circumstances, there are other business uses I see. PocketCaster Pro (currently in beta) runs on a laptop or Ultra Mobile PC. Using a Webcam or DV cam, you could broadcast from client events or seminars; the service's security lets you restrict the audience (or potentially charge for viewing).

Lastly, Mobile Video Studio (also in beta), would be a fine fit for corporate or media Websites. Like a traditional broadcast studio, you preview multiple live feeds (or archives) and select the one for Web viewing.

ComVu Mobile Video Studio
Availability: PocketCaster currently shipping; Pro version and Studio in beta.
Pricing: Starts at $10 per month for individual accounts to $50,000 for Mobile Video Studio.
Verdict: ComVu ups the value of camera phones as business tools. One-button transmission of live video, embedded GPS data, and archiving have broad appeal, but should especially interest security firms, insurance companies, and the broadcast industry.

Posted by Mike Heck on October 30, 2006 10:19 AM

October 16, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Is that a Wiki in your pocket?

Bar bouncers may need to start patting down patrons for PDAs on pub trivia night. Using technology from "offline Web technology provider" Webaroo, you can now download the contents of the expansive knowledge-trove Wikipedia to your portable device.

Webaroo is a free software program and service. Essentially, Webaroo servers gather key content of Web sites and compress them into "Web packs," which users can then download to their laptops, PDAs, and phones to search while on the go, even without a connection. (When you re-connect, the device content gets updated.)

You're not limited to Webaroo Web Packs, either; you also can download Web pages of your choice.

The Wikipedia Web pack is a 6GB download, though the company recommends you have 1GB of RAM and 10GB of free space. You also may opt to select individual sections of Wikipedia instead, such as Wiki - Unix, Wiki - Business Leaders, and, of course, Wiki - Canadian Music. (Who doesn't need constant access to the discographies of Celine Dion and Raffi?)

Roaming techies might also find use in some of the Technology Web packs, such as Chip-India Know-How Internet & Networking (resources for creating and running a smooth network) and Chip-India Know-How Operating System (topics related to desktop operating systems--from Windows XP to Mac to several flavors of Linux).

Or, again, if you have a Web-based tech resource you refer to often, you might find use in downloading its content yourself.

Another enterprise application: You could, for example, download a customer's Web site before a business trip and read up on them on the airplane.

The list of supported document formats as well as audio and video formats is pretty extensive, too. Check out the FAQ for more info,

Webaroo is free and works on Pocket PCs or a Pocket PC Phones running Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition or Windows Mobile 5.0. For laptops, you need Windows XP Service Pack 1+ or Windows 2000 Service Pack 4.

What kind of Web sites would you like to save to your PDA?

Posted by Ted Samson on October 16, 2006 12:31 PM

October 09, 2006 | Comments: (0)

Trapeze distributes switching smarts

Trapeze Networks today unveiled Smart Mobile, intelligent switching software aimed at giving companies the potential benefits of both a distributed and a centralized WLAN.

Wireless LANs today require data traffic to flow through the controller, which isn't always necessary and can sometimes result in latency and jitter. Using Smart Mobile, according to the company, organizations can pick and choose on an app-by-app and user-by-user basis whether data needs to travel via the controller, or if the switching and encryption can be done at the AP level.

So, for example, were a guest to connect to your company WLAN, the traffic from his session could all go through the controller in a centralized fashion, making it more secure.

However, a low-latency application such as voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) might take the distributed AP-to-AP path, enabling them to communicate directly in a peer-to-peer fashion without requiring round trips to the central controller. With traffic flowing directly from handset to handset, VoWLAN deployments can scale dramatically, according to the company -- not just for a few users, but for hundreds to thousands of users.

"Smart Mobile represents a fundamental shift in WLAN architectures," said Dan Simone, VP and CTO at Trapeze Networks. "By distributing intelligence throughout the network while retaining centralized policy and management, Smart Mobile delivers the technological breakthrough enabling customers for the first time to deploy next-generation wireless applications such as voice over WLAN on an unprecedented scale."

According to the company, Smart Mobile also compensates for the shortcomings found in outdoor Wi-Fi solutions, which lack Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) support and WPA2 security. Thus organizations seeking to expand outdoors, such as on large university campuses can benefit, and can manage the entire network from the Trapeze RingMaster management software.

"Centralized WLANs have failed to deliver scalable outdoor service, because they require centralized policy enforcement, resulting in inefficient use of scarce over-the-air bandwidth. Smart Mobile overcomes this limitation through intelligent switching, which distributes policy enforcement throughout the network to optimize traffic flow and eliminate unnecessary traffic."

In touting the Smart Mobile technology, Trapeze has the forthcoming 802.11n standard in mind. (802.11n is expected to be 50 times faster than 802.11b, and well over 10 times faster than 802.11a or 802.11g.)

Trapeze makes the case that by deploying Smart Mobile, companies looking to upgrade to 802.11n down the road won't have to gut their switch closet to reap the benefits. "In contrast, Trapeze's Smart Mobile is 802.11n ready out of the box, enabling customers to support a 10-fold increase in network load without having to upgrade their entire switched infrastructure," according to the company.

"For CIOs and network managers who are wondering how to cost-effectively scale their WLANs to deliver enterprisewide mobility, support rapidly increasing numbers of users, and provide mobile applications such as voice and video, Smart Mobile provides in-place scaling. No forklift upgrades are required," Simone said.

Time will tell how long it takes other vendors to start supporting 802.11n. According to InfoWorld Test Center Senior Contributing Editor (and Geek in Paradise) Brian Chee, "WMM is an integral part of 802.11n and is what WiFi VoIP is betting the farm on. So while folks like Tra-peze already have WMM and are demoing it with guys like DiVitas, the reality is that folks like Nokia, Erickson, Motorola, etc. are all waiting for 802.11n before really dumping a lot of bucks into WiFi VoIP. The 802.11n chipsets from folks like Broadcom are only in OEM samples right now."

Smart Mobile will be made available this month, free to existing customers. It also will be built in to Trapeze products moving forwarded, though their costs will remain unchanged.

For more information, go to www.trapezenetworks.com.

Posted by Ted Samson on October 9, 2006 04:06 PM

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