Networking and communication

EMC's Tucci vows to keep up with new features

EMC CEO says storage giant is widening its technology net to match innovations of smaller competitors. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Raffo

Microsoft's OCS is finally here, for better or for worse

Zeus Kerravala reports on the long-awaited Microsoft OCS launch. Find out the pros and cons of OCS. Continue Reading

By

• Zeus Kerravala, ZK Research

Non-unified communications can cost millions

Fragmented communications are costing companies millions of dollars by disrupting workflow and business processes, a new study has revealed. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Unified communications platform gets SMB twist

While unified communications has eluded the SMB market, Siemens has released an all-in-one UC appliance specifically for the SMB. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

As network configuration management matures, documentation woes linger

Documentation of networks is a tertiary consideration. Is this hurting your business? Continue Reading

By

• Michael Morisy, TechTarget

Asterisk creator: Consider open source VoIP, think twice about hybrid-hosted

Asterisk creator Mark Spencer clarifies his position on hybrid-hosted VoIP, and discusses open source VoIP and what it means for business users. Continue Reading

By

• Amy Kucharik, TechTarget

How to manage mobility

Planning a new mobility deployment? This tip and podcast offer eight strategies to make sure you get it right. Continue Reading

By

• Simon Forge

Bringing QoS to end-user standards

The phone call setup experience and perception of voice quality are the biggest factors contributing to the user's satisfaction. However, while the dialing experience can be objectively measured, the caller's judgment of voice quality is subjective. Find out which four factors end users expect and how to meet those specifications. Continue Reading

By

• Gary Audin, Delphi Inc.

Using VMware to test open source network analysis tools

Open source network analysis tools can help network monitoring. Try out the open source network protocol analyser Wireshark inside a VMware Player Guest OS. Continue Reading

By

• David Davis

VoIP certification credentials

Many certifications touch on voice over IP topics tangentially, but numerous credentials now focus a fairly substantial portion of their coverage on this subject matter. In this certification survey, we take a look at available certifications, distinguishing between those credentials for which VoIP is a primary topic and those for which it is secondary. Continue Reading

By

• Ed Tittel

VoIP certification credentials

Looking for VoIP skills? Want to know how to hire a VoIP specialist? This list of VoIP certifications and the skills they impart should be useful reading! Continue Reading

By

• Ed Tittel

Checklist for purchasing hardware-based encryption

Encryption appliances sit inline on a network and use specially designed electronics to encrypt data at line speeds, essentially eliminating the performance penalty imposed by encryption software running on a general server. While software-based encryption is typically handled as a specific event or process (e.g., encrypting data during a backup process), appliance-based encryption normally can handle any quantity of data in flight. Continue Reading

Unified communications new priority for HP

Unified communications is a confusing area with a number of vendors in the mix. HP has launched new services to help ease companies into unified communications and help them determine which integrated tools will best fit their business goals. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

Securing VoIP Networks Chapter 7: Key Management Mechanisms

Key management is a fundamental part of protecting Internet multimedia applications like VoIP, but the protocols can be difficult to design. Continue Reading

By

• Peter Thermos and Ari Takanen

Unified communications new priority for HP

HP has launched unified communications (UC) services to help companies find and design a UC deployment that is right for their business. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

The Tao of automated network management

Read or podcast this article about taking the first step toward an automated future by integrating network management tools. Continue Reading

By

• Richard L. Ptak

Happy Birthday to TechTarget ANZ

It's our birthday, so gift us with your presence and join us in recollection of our most read articles of recent times. Continue Reading

By

• Simon Sharwood

IP telephony adoption rising, quality sagging

IP telephony adoption continues to grow, but service quality is lagging behind, according to a user survey from Psytechnics. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

IP PBX eases VoIP transition for gas company

An IP PBX with Sip helped one gas company upgrade to a new phone system while also jumping into VoIP. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

Tool suites for identifying the problem -- from 'Network troubleshooting and diagnostics'

Learn network troubleshooting tool suites and their feature sets to support your technical troubleshooting activities. Continue Reading

By

• Greg Shields, Concentrated Technology

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) lags mobile application delivery

IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) was supposed to provide convergence between fixed and mobile services, but new mobile applications have bypassed it. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

Network engineering applications -- from 'Network troubleshooting and diagnostics'

Network analysis applications, including protocol analysers, traffic generators, and simulation tools, can be used to understand how networks operate. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

IP address management -- from 'Network troubleshooting and diagnostics'

Learn how IP address management and maintenance tools can help manage the scope of IP addresses on your network. Continue Reading

By

• Greg Shields, Concentrated Technology

How to select the right IP PBX

Selecting the right IP PBX system for your company can be complicated. Here are some important things to consider when purchasing an IP PBX. Continue Reading

By

• Brien Posey

How to select the right IP PBX

Selecting the right IP PBX system for your company can be complicated. Here are some important things to consider when purchasing an IP PBX. Continue Reading

By

• Brien Posey

Developing good troubleshooting technique -- from 'Network troubleshooting and diagnostics'

The most important part of troubleshooting is technique. This excerpt examines several approaches such as Bottom-Up, Top-Down, and Divide-and-Conquer methods Continue Reading

By

• Realtimepublishers.com

3Com to be acquired by equity firm

3Com has announced it will be acquired by private equity firm Bain Capital Partners for US$2.2 billion. Continue Reading

By

• Michael Morisy, TechTarget

Australians more tech-aware

Telecommunications and the internet are becoming increasingly embedded in the lives of Australians, says an ACMA survey. Continue Reading

By

• Voice&Data Staff

Unified communications an 'uphill battle' for Microsoft

Unified communications is going to be a tough sell for Microsoft, which is looking to eliminate the PBX and go all software. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Wireless troubleshooting

Wireless network troubleshooting basics are discussed in this guide. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

End-to-end network management enables reliable VoIP, unified communications

Monitoring voice quality, service availability, and security conditions are discussed in this Q & A with Gurmeet Lamba of Clarus Systems. Continue Reading

By

• Amy Kucharik, TechTarget

802.11 protocols

802.11 wireless protocols and deployment basics are discussed in this guide. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

Cisco to acquire Cognio

Cisco will acquire wireless spectrum analysis and management vendor Cognio in a deal that will give Cisco a leg-up on wireless and mobility. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Nokia to acquire mobile advertiser

Nokia has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire mobile advertising and marketing company Enpocket for an undisclosed amount. Continue Reading

By

• Voice&Data Staff

Wireless security

Wireless security and polices are covered in this guide. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

Wireless network deployment and management

Wireless network deployment and management are discussed in this guide. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

Wireless access points

The basics of wireless access point (AP) as well as configuration and placement are covered in this guide. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

Communications-as-a-service taking hold

Communications-as-a-service is taking hold worldwide as a viable hosted IP telephony system. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

Wireless protocols learning guide

Wireless technologies including 802.11, WLAN and Wi-Fi defined in this guide. Continue Reading

By

• SearchNetworking ANZ Staff

VoIP, unified communications prompt new technologies, threats

Wireless voice servers and handsets, VoIP and unified communications threats, and licensing agreements constitute recent changes in the VoIP market. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Dostart, Associate Editor

Virtual appliance lets users convert DAS to iSCSI San

LeftHand Networks has released an edition of its SaniQ iSCSI San software that will convert locally attached disc to networked storage. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Pariseau, Senior News Writer

Understanding VoWLAN

Like VoIP, VoWLAN contributes to cost efficiency. Because calls can be routed over the data network internally or over the Internet externally, mobile telephony costs can be eliminated or decreased significantly. In the long term, VoWLAN deployment is a significant step toward interoperability and seamless mobile connectivity between private WLANs and public wireless and cellular networks. Continue Reading

Cisco goes next generation with 802.11n

Cisco today released 802.11n WLAN gear, as wireless experts predict the technology will soon kill the need for wired Ethernet LAN access. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Wireless network security: Controlling secondary connections

Secondary connections are the latest threat to corporate wireless networks and require more than password protection to remain secured. Continue Reading

By

• Professor Michel Cukier

Cisco issues CallManager security update

Security flaws in Cisco CallManager and Unified Communications Manager could be exploited for cross-site scripting and SQL injection attacks, but a security update is available. Continue Reading

By

• Bill Brenner

Suncorp reveals five-year VoIP plan

Financial services group Suncorp explains its plans to IP-enable its operations to Adam Turner. Continue Reading

By

• Adam Turner

VoIP, unified communications study reveals challenges

VoIP and unified communications deployments can affect other applications. A study by Network General highlighted some challenges introduced by convergence. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

VoIP, unified communications study reveals challenges

VoIP and unified communications deployments can affect other applications. A study by Network General highlighted some challenges introduced by convergence. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

VoIP, unified communications study reveals challenges

VoIP and unified communications deployments can affect other applications. A recent study by Network General highlighted some of the challenges introduced by convergence. Continue Reading

By

• Susan Fogarty, Senior Director

IBM back in iSCSI SAN fray

IBM is looking to take on HP's MSA and EMC's AX150, as well as EqualLogic and LeftHand, with a new iSCSI SAN product OEMed from LSI. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Pariseau, Senior News Writer

Nokia Intellisync boosts device management

Nokia Intellisync has released updates to its Mobile Suite to enhance remote device support, loss and theft protection, and management capabilities. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

Nokia Intellisync boosts device management

Nokia Intellisync has updated its mobile device management portfolio. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Australian telecoms growth predicted to fall

Research consultancy BuddeComm has predicted the Australian telecoms market will grow just 2.8% in the 2008 financial year to $36.3 billion, driven predominantly by data and broadband services. This is down from the 3.1% estimated this financial year. Continue Reading

By

• Voice&Data Staff

VoIP performance management abounds at VoiceCon

VoIP performance management tools were announced at VoiceCon, signaling a shift in focus from infrastructure to end-user experience. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

VoIP performance management abounds at VoiceCon

VoIP performance management tools announced at VoiceCon show that vendors are focusing on user experience over infrastructure. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Hosted VoIP: Take the headache and heartache out of VoIP, Part 2

Part 2 of this series investigates the QoS and security issues of the hosted VoIP model. Continue Reading

By

• SearchVoIP ANZ Staff

Hosted and managed VoIP fundamentals

Adoption rates of hosted VoIP and managed VoIP are increasing as more companies look to reduce the costs and complexities of deploying VoIP in house. Enterprises are factoring revenue growth, enhanced productivity and communication services into ROI calculations to make a business case for hosted or managed VoIP. This guide explains the differences between hosted and managed VoIP solutions and will help you decide if outsourcing VoIP is right for your organization. Continue Reading

Hosted VoIP: Take the headache and heartache out of VoIP, Part 1

No matter what size network an enterprise is running these days, large and small alike are faced with increasing technical and financial challenges. Continue Reading

By

• SearchVoIP ANZ Staff

Wal-Mart deploys new data security system

Wal-Mart Stores has deployed a data security and encryption system to secure data going over its global network. Continue Reading

By

• Antony Savvas

Voice over WLAN improves a hospital's communications

A Voice over WLAN (VoWLAN) system was the solution to improving communications and response times for staff at one hospital, while boosting employee satisfaction. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Dostart, Associate Editor

Voice over IPv6: Architectures for Next Generation VoIP Networks

VoIP technolgies are not immune to system failures, from hacking to jitter, and these issues can present problems for companies who depend on their network. This chapter examines some of the issues that are faced by VoIP systems, focusing on those that can be addressed by IPv6, namely scalability and end-to-end robustness. Continue Reading

By

• Daniel Minoli

Secure Cisco routers against IOS flaw attack

Learn how to secure Cisco routers against the recently announced Cisco IOS flaw, which could be exploited by hackers. Find out how to determine which routers are affected and ways to protect yourself from this vulnerability, including steps to disable the SIP protocol where it is not needed or to perform traffic mitigation by filtering traffic arriving at your Cisco routers. Continue Reading

By

• David Davis

VoIP models and services: Complete guide

With clear, concise explanations of existing VoIP business models and deployment methodologies, this guide will enable you to weigh the pros and cons of each based on your needs. Continue Reading

By

• SearchVoIP ANZ

Asterisk PBX solves enterprise's growing communication problem

An Asterisk-based PBX proved to be the solution to one enterprise's communications growing pains. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Dostart, Associate Editor

QoS -- What voice managers need to know

Quality of Service (QoS) technologies can be quite confusing between technical complexities and marketing jargon. In this tip, find out what voice managers need to know about QoS as it relates to VoIP. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Lancaster

Novell to acquire Senforce for endpoint security

Novell is acquiring Senforce, an early network access control supplier, to integrate its endpoint security features and develop an endpoint management suite. Continue Reading

By

• Robert Westervelt, TechTarget

Fibre-optic networks: Access network design

Fibre-optic technology in access networks is expanding due to the demand for broadband. Learn about FTTX and passive optical networking (PON) systems. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

VoIP models and services: Complete guide

With clear, concise explanations of existing VoIP business models and deployment methodologies, this guide will enable you to weigh the pros and cons of each based on your needs. Continue Reading

Implementing video on demand

Video on demand (VoD), in at least some of its potential service models, is perhaps the most challenging of all network applications. Implementation of VoD should be should be undertaken in three particular steps. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

IPv6 from 'CCNA Portable Command Guide', Chapter 25

IPv6, 'CCNA Portable Command Guide,' Chapter 25, explains IPv6 address assignment, static routes in IPv6, IPv6 ping, IPv6 tunnels and RIPng. Learn all you need to know to pass the IPv6 questions on your Cisco Certified Network Associate exam. Continue Reading

By

• Scott Empson

NAS appliance purchase considerations

NAS appliances are frequently touted for bringing convenience and simplicity to network storage. Appliances include their own dedicated disks for storage and RAID, and most NAS appliances can be upgraded with more or larger disks for additional storage space. However, NAS appliances do pose some disadvantages. Consequently, the choice of NAS appliance requires careful evaluation. Now that you've reviewed the essential issues involved in any NAS product, this guide focuses on specific considerations for dedicated NAS appliances. You'll also find a series of specifications to help make on-the-spot product comparisons between vendors. Continue Reading

Network navigation -- Chapter 6 of 'Microsoft Windows Vista Administration'

Microsoft introduced a new way to view and navigate a network with Windows Vista. This chapter from 'Microsoft Windows Vista Administration' examines such new network navigation tools as Network Map and Network Details. If you have several networks that your users need to connect to using a single computer, you'll find this chapter will explain how you can manage those connections more simply and efficiently than in earlier versions of Windows. Continue Reading

By

• Anthony Velte, Dennis Glendenning, and Toby Velte

Upcoming wireless standards promise managed WLANs

Learn about two new IEEE standards, 802.11k and 802.11v, which aim to improve wireless the problems over overlapping wireless networks, in this tip. Continue Reading

By

• David Jacobs

VoIP vulnerability threatens data

VoIP vulnerabilities have now reached a level of sophistication that allows hackers to steal, view or delete data. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

Network navigation -- Chapter 6 of 'Microsoft Windows Vista Administration'

Microsoft introduced a new way to view and navigate a network with Windows Vista. This chapter from 'Microsoft Windows Vista Administration' examines such new network navigation tools as Network Map and Network Details. If you have several networks that your users need to connect to using a single computer, you'll find this chapter will explain how you can manage those connections more simply and efficiently than in earlier versions of Windows. Continue Reading

By

• Anthony Velte, Dennis Glendenning, and Toby Velte

NAS appliance specifications

NAS appliances are noted for their convenience, offering dedicated internal storage that is relatively straightforward to identify and manage. The biggest issue for NAS appliances is avoiding network bottlenecks and supporting expansion without having to proliferate additional appliances across the network. The product snapshots in this chapter highlight key specifications for a cross section of major NAS appliance products. Continue Reading

Wi-Fi simplicity edging out Wi-Fi security

Experts say the standards are available to lock down Wi-Fi, but many network and security managers are taking an easier approach. Continue Reading

By

• Eric Parizo, Senior Analyst

WLANs require investment to yield benefits, study says

WLANs require strong investments in order to yield their benefits, according to a recent study by the Aberdeen Group. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

IP address depletion hastens IPv6 adoption

IPv4 IP address depletion is hastening the need to switch from IPv4 to IPv6. In this column, Loki Jorgenson explains where we are now in terms of IPv6 readiness and provides some insight on how much work network operators will face. Continue Reading

By

• Loki Jorgenson

WLANs require investment to yield benefits, study says

WLANs require strong investments in order to yield their benefits, according to a recent study by the Aberdeen Group. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey

Application-aware storage promises intelligence and automation

Storage professionals overbuy both performance and capacity in an effort to forestall potential storage problems. Tiered storage was one way to address this problem -- matching storage resources and costs with the value of data. Today, storage is poised to build on this notion with application-aware storage, using business policies to bring autonomy and intelligence to enterprise storage. Still, there is a great deal of confusion surrounding this technology, its capabilities and its deployment. Continue Reading

BT's SDK for do-it-yourself VoIP apps

BT's SDK takes the complexity out of VoIP application development. Continue Reading

By

• Brien Posey

How to cheat at VoIP Security

Securing a VoIP infrastructure requires planning, analysis, and detailed knowledge about the specifics of the implementation you choose to use. Continue Reading

Disaster recovery and business continuity fundamentals

The importance of disaster recovery and business continuity planning has been underscored in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Avian flu and 9/11. As important as maintaining continuous communications in a disaster is staying connected when random, fluke incidents occur. Find out how VoIP can keep your communications flowing through natural disasters, unexpected incidents or anything else that can disable your network. Continue Reading

Video networks: The fundamental structure

Video delivery, content network, IPTV, triple play -- these are just a few of the terms used today for video over broadband data networks. This concept of video networks is an increasing challenge, and like most network challenges, this one is influenced by technology, business and regulatory factors. Continue Reading

By

• Tom Nolle, Andover Intel

F5 buys Acopia for US$210M

F5 joins the storage market with the acquisition of file virtualisation switch company Acopia. Continue Reading

By

• Jo Maitland, TechTarget

Windows Vista, IPv6 lead to network performance problems

Windows Vista, which runs on parallel IPv6 and IPv4 protocol stacks, can create network performance problems when used with older routers. Continue Reading

By

• Brien Posey

Understanding IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)

IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) is an emerging architectural framework, based on SIP and IP, for offering multimedia and VoIP services, as well as fixed mobile convergence. This tip explains exactly what the architecture behind IMS. Continue Reading

By

• Robbie Harrell

Black Hat 2007: VoIP security reaches tipping point

VoIP security is as bad today as it was a couple years ago, industry experts say. But PGP creator Phil Zimmermann thinks his new Zfone software will help turn the tide. Continue Reading

By

• Bill Brenner

Cisco knocks out Avaya as IP PBX heavyweight

IP PBX adoption is rising as Cisco and Avaya square off for market dominance. Continue Reading

By

• Andrew R. Hickey, News Editor

Black Hat 2007 preview: Blue Pill under scrutiny

Among the highlights at the year's most anticipated hacker event, vulnerability researchers will challenge Joanna Rutkowska's Blue Pill concept. They'll also pick apart flaws in VoIP, NAC and Web applications. Continue Reading

By

• Bill Brenner

Beyond Asterisk -- Other open source PBXs

Asterisk is the most widely known open source PBX, but other developers are making competitive products in the unified communications market. Learn more in this tip from Gary Audin. Continue Reading

By

• Gary Audin, Delphi Inc.

VoIP services spell trouble for telcos

The rise of VoIP is paving the way for companies that haven't traditionally sold voice services to do so. Telcos slow to move will be hard pressed to keep up Continue Reading

By

• Zeus Kerravala, Vice President, Yankee Group

Justifying VoIP deployment without cost-analysis

VoIP and UC deployment ROI can be measured using non-financial metrics. Learn more about VoIP ROI in this article from Yankee Group's Zeus Kerravala. Continue Reading

By

• Zeus Kerravala, ZK Research

VoIP services spell trouble for telcos

The rise of VoIP is paving the way for companies that haven't traditionally sold voice services to do so. Risk-adverse telcos slow to move in this rapidly changing environment will be hard pressed to keep up with more agile competitors. Continue Reading

By

• Zeus Kerravala, ZK Research

Justifying VoIP deployment without cost-analysis

VoIP and unified communications deployments remain sluggish, as network managers look for ways to justify the cost of the infrastructure and system upgrades. Non-financial return on investment (ROI) metrics can be used as a way to augment the limited financial measurements available to companies to prove that the shift to VoIP does indeed have business value. Continue Reading

By

• Zeus Kerravala, ZK Research

VoIP solution centre answers users' questions

A new VoIP performance management solution center on Fluke Networks' Web site helps IT professionals to answer some of their VoIP network questions. Continue Reading

By

• Kate Dostart

EMC reports Clariion surge, data archiving slump

EMC's revenues are up this quarter, attributed in part to a big boost in Clariion sales, but CEO Joe Tucci is critical of the company's execution in data archiving. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Pariseau, Senior News Writer

Cisco issues warning for wireless LAN controller flaws

Cisco Systems is warning customers of flaws in its wireless LAN controllers that initially crippled a wireless network at Duke University. Continue Reading

By

• Robert Westervelt, TechTarget

LeftHand refreshes iSCSI SAN software

Version 7.0 of LeftHand's iSCSI SAN software contains dozens of new features, including support for four-way replication and brushed-up thin provisioning. Continue Reading

By

• Beth Pariseau, Senior News Writer