Communications News articles from June 2002

Communications News archives from June 2002

G'day, Mr. Murray. (Editor's Note).(attitude toward United States high tech industry's problems)(Editorial)
June 1, 2002... The IT industry in the U.S. has single-handedly wrecked the world economy over the last couple of years." You have to love the forthrightness of the Australians, as evidenced by that remark made by Commonwealth Bank of Australia CEO David...

Publication. (Trends).
June 1, 2002... Charles F. Goldfarb and Paul Prescod's The XML Handbook, Fourth Edition is a 1,200-page resource covering the full breadth of XML applications, tools and technologies that are revolutionizing Web services, e-business and software development....

Heat: the invisible destroyer. (Clarification).(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2002... In the article under Special Focus: Network Management, April 2002, on page 14, the company name and URL should have been noted as Hoffman Enclosures and www.ehoffman.com.

Events. (Trends).
June 1, 2002... * SANSFIRE focuses on computer security with hot topics like forensics, investigations, response and education from June 27 to July 2 at the Boston Sheraton Hotel, plus offers training and information on GIAC certification in SANS essentials...

MSP secures company's e-mail. (Trends).(Air Products uses MessageLabs' SkyScan AV)
June 1, 2002... With an electronic messaging system currently handling a massive 1.5 million e-mails every month, Air Products, Allentown, PA, is sensitive to the threat of viruses penetrating its networks. As a multinational business constantly exchanging...

On the wireless industry's call for more spectrum. (Short Take).
June 1, 2002... On the wireless industry's call for more spectrum: "What we need is a blitzkrieg."--CTIA President and CEO Tom Wheeler in response to FCC Chairman Michael Powell's description of the slow and difficult struggle involving a range of government...

Alcatel. (nanoBITS).(contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Alcatel, Calabasas, CA, has secured a $15-million contract to provide IP communications solutions at 65 locations for Advocate Health Care, Oak Brook, IL....

DynCorp Systems & Solutions. (nanoBITS).(government contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... DynCorp Systems & Solutions, Reston, VA, will perform site requirements analysis and definition, system design and development, logistic support, cable installation, system testing, integration and implementation, and user orientation and...

RADVision. (nanoBITS).(contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... German research network Deutsches Forschungsnetz has deployed RADVisien, Mahwah, NJ, videoconferencing network infrastructure solutions for the German company's 400 member facilities....

AT&T Business Services. (nanoBITS).(government contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The U.S. General Services Administration has contracted with AT&T Business Services, Washington, to replace the FirstGov.gov search engine....

Underwriters Laboratories. (nanoBITS).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Underwriters Laboratories, has acquired a test lab in Northbrook, IL, for evaluating fiber-optic connectors, patch cords, cables and fan outs....

Avaya. (nanoBITS).(government contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Avaya, Basking Ridge, NJ, has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement by the U.S. Department of Treasury to provide voice and data solutions....

Computer Science Corp. (nanoBITS).(government contract)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... In a $25-million deal, Computer Science Corp., El Segundo, CA, will provide a broad range of information technology infrastructure services and support to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

TANDBERG Data Simi Valley, CA, has merged with LAND-5 Corp., San Diego. (nanoBITS).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... ... TANDBERG Data, Simi Valley, CA, has merged with LAND-5 Corp., San Diego, providing TANDBERG with network-attached data storage technology.

Taming the technical Medusa. (Feedback).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2002... To Lenny Liebmann: Thank you for writing the "Tactical Outsourcing" article ("The Bottom Line," December 2001). It was very rewarding to read your supportive comments about tactical outsourcing and the benefits companies can derive. So...

Educating confused customers. (Feedback).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2002... To Morris Edwards: I saw your IP VPN article ("Netcom Update") in the January 2002 issue and thought it was very insightful. One of the main responsibilities for vendors, consultants and editors alike is to help educate a very confused...

Searching for industry info. (Feedback).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2002... To Ken Anderberg: Thank you for running such a great story "What's in Store for 2002?" (Dec. 2001). As an RCDD searching for a new job, it helped me answer interview questions on the industry as a whole. I searched and searched other...

Redefining services. (Feedback).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2002... To Morris Edwards: I recently read your article "Look for Recovery in 2003" ("Netcom Update," Dec. 2001). As you may be able to tell, my company specializes in both of these markets, and your article prompted some reassurance that we do...

Overcoming obstacles. (Feedback).(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2002... To Lenny Liebmann: I have found and read your articles (www.comnews.com) while troubleshooting and upgrading a VoIP over a NAT connection offered by a local ISP. (I work as a contractor in a large corporation, but I need videoconferencing...

The hidden security hole; how to protect the network. (Guest Column).(Column)
June 1, 2002... The defense mechanism of choice against virus and hacker attacks is the firewall. It protects the front door of the network, much like humans throwing furniture in front of the doors on the main floor to keep out the zombies in all those horror...

Winning VoIP solutions; World Cup, U.S. enterprises opt for multifunction communications technology. (Special focus: Voice over IP).(Cover Story)
June 1, 2002... Consider Gerard Gouillou's position. The general manager and chief information officer of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Association wanted a network for the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, being held this...

Voice over IP Buyers Guide: the first portion of this Voice over IP Buyers Guide, the Product Guide, lists the various products in this category, and the companies that make those products.(Buyers Guide)
June 1, 2002... The second section, the Company Guide, provides phone and fax numbers, and Web addresses of those companies. For quick access to the companies and to view their products, check out the Communications News website at www.comnews.com. (Specical...

Communications platform. (IP telephony products).(Mitel Networks 3340 Branch Office Solution)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Extend corporate network features and benefits to the branch office with the 3340 Branch Office Solution. The system enables users to access and manage resources through seamless IP connectivity between offices. The 3340 delivers call control,...

IP phone system. (IP telephony products).(Shoreline Communications' Shoreline4 IP)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Enterprises can now leverage the benefits of standards-based interoperability in their voice systems with the Shoreline4 IP phone system. Users can take command of any phone within the enterprise, regardless of signaling protocol, model or...

Remote gateway. (IP telephony products).(Vodavi Technology Express VoIP)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Eliminate long-distance charges between geographically dispersed office locations with the Express VoIP, an external gateway box that contains two analog CO ports and an Ethernet port. Using VoIP technologies, such as the H.323 revision 2...

Combine phone systems. (IP telephony products).(AltiGen Communications' AltiWare Open Edition 4.5)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Link separate phone system servers together over a network to function and appear as a single system with AltiWare Open Edition 4.5 with multisite management capabilities. Designed for small and midsize businesses, the system links a company's...

VoIP platform. (IP telephony products).(Network Equipment Technologies SHOUT2500)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The SHOUT2500 open telephony platform eliminates multiple stand-alone devices and complex integration efforts. The system combines gateway, gatekeeper, robust IP and TDM switching, SS7 and other signaling, call control, interactive voice...

VoIP cable modem. (IP telephony products).(Toshiba America Information Systems' PCX3000)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The PCX3000 is a PacketCable-based VoIP cable modem that includes dual ports for telephone connectivity, in addition to USB and Ethernet interfaces for data connections. The modem is designed to meet Network Calling Signaling standards to...

Web-based monitoring builds trust; relinquishing control of an IT investment to a service provider is no longer totally unthinkable. (Testing and Diagnostics).
June 1, 2002... Being the CTO at an enterprise is not easy these days. When the CTO recognizes the multitude of expensive hardware and software in his data center that is nearly maxed out, and when the CEO directs him to deploy a customer relationship...

DS3 testing. (Enterprise troubleshooting products).(Guide Technology's DS3 Test Brick)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Comprehensive DS3 Test Brick uses any Palm or laptop device as a graphical display. The unit features an RS-232 port, a wireless Blue-tooth port and a remote control. An automatic set-up process and a quick 15-minute DS3 test mode speeds...

Wireless monitoring. (Enterprise troubleshooting products).(Berkeley Varitronics Systems Hornet)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Monitor wireless networks with the Hornet, a self-contained 802.11b WLAN monitoring system that detects and responds to unauthorized access attempts and sources of channel interference on any local DSSS network. By continually running through a...

VoIP diagnostics. (Enterprise troubleshooting products).(NetlQ's VoIP Manager 2.0)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Gain a comprehensive VoIP management solution for Cisco AVVID applications with VoIP Manager 2.0. The solution simplifies the management of Cisco's IP telephony solutions, with new management modules for Cisco Unity and Cisco Personal...

Category 6 testing. (Enterprise troubleshooting products).(Fluke Networks Universal Permanent Link Interface Adapter)(Product Announcement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Achieve consistent test results of a wide variety of Category 6 cabling systems with the Universal Permanent Link Interface Adapter (OMNI-LIA 101 S) for the OMNIScanner series. The unit is designed to deliver repeatable, accurate test results...

Remote troubleshooting. (Enterprise troubleshooting products).(NIKSUN's NetX Suite AMR Module network performance analysis/diagnostic software)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Confirm SLA agreements and acquire an enterprisewide view of network performance for network monitoring and management with the NetX Suite AMR Module. The analysis, monitoring and reporting module is a centralized tool for the management of...

Cabling system hits a home run; careful preparation puts a customer-oriented corporation in the big leagues. (Cabling, Wiring and Enclosures).(Newgen Results upgrades call centers)
June 1, 2002... A move is difficult under any circumstances. Merging two offices into a new facility with 600 workstations within a nine-month time frame amplifies the difficulties. Add to the complexity of such a project the fact that relocating the company's...

Catalog. (Fiber optics and enclosures).(Bud Industries)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Find electronic enclosures with the new 2002 Standard Products Catalog. The 67-page, four-color catalog is an up-to-date and comprehensive enclosure reference guide that includes accessories, brackets, cabinets, card racks, chassis,...

Fiber phone link. (Fiber optics and enclosures).(American Fibertek 86 Series Fiber Optic Phone Link)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Transmit voice communications over fiber with the 86 Series Fiber Optic Phone Link. The phone link allows intercoms and emergency phone systems to be installed in remote areas without any sacrifice in performance. Available as stand-alone units...

Fiber transceiver. (Cabling, Wiring and Enclosures).(International Fiber Systems D7100 Series Ethernet Transceiver)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Designed for point-to-point transmission systems, such as corporate data networks, access control systems and video over IP, the D7100 Series Ethernet Transceiver can transmit either 10-Mbps or 100-Mbps Ethernet data over multimode or...

Sliding rail cabinet. (Cabling, Wiring and Enclosures).(Middle Atlantic Products SRSR Rotating Sliding Rail System)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Gain easy access to installed wiring and components with the SRSR Rotating Sliding Rail System. The rack system pulls out 19" and rotates 90 to provide convenient rear access for equipment installation and servicing. Available in 21" and 42"...

Compact fiber cabinet. (Cabling, Wiring and Enclosures).(Fons HRC-3.5PS)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The HRC-3.5PS low-profile fiber patch-and-splice cabinet is utilized for applications within premises and other remote fiber terminal locations with limited space. With a height of only 3.5", the compact cabinet is designed for splicing and...

Duct rodders. (Cabling, Wiring and Enclosures).
June 1, 2002... Direct cabling through hard-to-reach areas with the new Duct Rodder. The device features a high-quality, fiberglass rod designed to provide high tensile strength while retaining flexibility. The glass fiber core is reinforced with a...

CDN accelerates global access; innovative manufacturer raises productivity. (Internet/IP Technologies).
June 1, 2002... Innovation continues to drive rapid corporate growth at Logitech International, Fremont, CA--one of the world's largest manufacturers of computer mice, and a market leader in cordless input devices and Internet video cameras. To facilitate...

Line testing. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(Agilent Technologies J2127A Transmission Test Set)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 22132, 22346 The portable J2127A Transmission Test Set has been updated to include test coverage for Gigabit Ethernet, supporting line rates up to 10 Gbps. The new version has been designed to test the latest aggregation platforms,...

Optical multiplexer. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(Larscom Orion 5003)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 30920 Housed in a 1-U 19" chassis, the Orion 5003 provides the enterprise a compact, energy-efficient multiplexer for optical-friendly DS3 or STS-1 traffic aggregation. With direct interfaces to both TDM and SONET/SDH network...

Wireless connectivity. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(AirFiber 5800)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 24446 Eliminate many of the problems typically associated with free-space optical communications with the AirFiber 5800. The product features a suite of active subsystems that include an active redundant link control to eliminate...

CWDM platform. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(Controlware Communications Systems WavePilot)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 12651 The WavePilot CWDM platform is designed to economically enhance capacity of existing and new fiber connectivity in enterprise SANs and between LAN segments. The unit incorporates an SDI interface for video transport and...

Fiber-optic testing. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(EXFO Electro Optical Engineering FTB-74234C-B)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 22836 At the touch of a button, the FTB-74234C-B triple-wavelength OTDR module enables automatic OTDR testing in the O-, C- and L-bands, and makes possible the testing of three wavelengths from a single module for automatic...

Wireless networking. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(WaveRider Communications LMS4000 Starter Kit)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 31942 The LMS4000 Starter Kit is a non-line-of-sight wireless product that operates in the license-exempt 902-MHz spectrum. Once installed, the wireless network can be easily expanded to serve hundreds of subscribers on a single...

ADSL gateway: see at Siemens'. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(Efficient Networks 5930 ADSL Business Gateway)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 23322 The 5930 ADSL Business Gateway is a device that combines an ADSL modem, router, robust firewall, eight-port 10/100-Ethernet switch and v.90 modem for dial backup. Easily installed by end-users, the 5930 enables managed services...

Enterprise switch. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(Telco SystemsT5G)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 24622 Ensure proper flow control and traffic prioritization in a network with the T5G multi-Gigabit Ethernet IP, a high-density, non-blocking Gigabit Ethernet switch capable of supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports over copper with...

Fiber converter. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(IMC Networks iMcV-FM-LIM)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Booth 12346 Monitor the condition of fiber connections to ensure the consistency of data transport services with the iMcV-FM-LIM, a modular, 100-Mbps Ethernet media converter with the ability to set a threshold and monitor optical input...

Gigabit optical wireless: booth 32434. (SUPERCOMM 2002).(Canon USA's Canobeam DT-55)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Achieve high-speed wireless connectivity with the Canobeam DT-55, built for fiberless transmission of Gigabit Ethernet. The product features an autotracking system to maintain alignment between units, even under conditions in which buildings or...

How accurate is data? A variety of factors and practices contribute to corrupt databases. (Network Management).
June 1, 2002... The trends toward application integration and Internet exploitation are creating significant changes in the way data is collected and shared. Data volumes are expanding, while more data is available--and more valuable--to more people....

Wireless application conferencing. (Remote access).(Cutting Edge Software's Quickoffice Conference)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Remotely collaborate on projects simultaneously via Palm OS handhelds. Quickoffice Conference combines wireless networking technologies with a suite of word-processing, spreadsheet and charting applications for Palm OS hand-held computers,...

KVM switch. (Remote access).(CyberResearch GFA 1518)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Space-saving KVM switch. The rackmount GFA 1518 FoldAway display/keyboard contains an eight-port KVM switch, 15" LCD monitor and 105-key full-function keyboard--in one RU of vertical rack space. Users can run up to eight PCs on any mix of...

Control from anywhere. (Remote access).(Avocent DSR2161 KVM switch)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... KVM switch provides remote access and control to multiple data devices in enterprise data centers. The DSR2161 provides flexible, scalable control of as many as 16 connected servers per appliance. The 1-U DSR unit captures the analog signals...

Video matrix switch. (Remote access).(Hall Research Technologies VSM-404 Video Matrix Switch)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Mix and match four video displays to any or all of four PCs, with the VSM-404 Video Matrix Switch. Suitable for boardroom, conference room, training class or command center settings, the device allows four PCs to be routed to four displays in...

Wireless LANs. (Remote access).(Bluesocket WG-1000 Wireless Gateway)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Secure wireless LANs with the WG-1000 Wireless Gateway. The product is a scalable, single-component solution for solving security, QoS and management issues for enterprises and service providers deploying IEEE 802.11 b and Bluetooth-based...

Data switch. (Networld+Interop, Spring 2002).(Alcatel OmniSwitch 7000)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Featuring protection against user misconfiguration and an optional redundant management module, the OmniSwitch 7000 is a standards-based switch designed for use on the network edge, in the wiring closet for converged applications and with the...

2002 ComNews Editors' Choice. (Networld+Interop, Spring 2002).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The unofficial theme of the Spring 2002 N+I conference was "Return to the Enterprise," with e-business, storage, remote access and security products dominating. Our editors reviewed dozens of products at the show and selected these five to...

Intelligent power. (Networld+Interop, Spring 2002).(SmartPro RM2U 1400 UPS system from Tripp Lite)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Designed for corporate and departmental servers, workstations, hubs/ routers/gateways/bridges, and telephone/voice mail systems, the SmartPro RM2U 1400 UPS system provides intelligent, line-interactive battery backup with extended-run...

Secure Web. (Networld+Interop, Spring 2002).(CacheFlow Security Gateway)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Combining security and Web acceleration technologies, the Security Gateway is a hardened appliance that provides a point of integration, control and acceleration for enterprise Web-security applications. The system provides authorization...

Secure wireless. (Networld+Interop, Spring 2002).(Vernier Networks IS 6000 Integrated System)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Deploy, manage and enforce security at the wireless network edge with the IS 6000 Integrated System. In a single stand-alone device, the IS 6000 combines the functionality of a control server for wireless network configuration and management,...

Repel hackers. (Networld+Interop, Spring 2002).(Bodacion Technologies Hydra Internet server)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... HYDRA is a secure Internet server that uses encryption and embedded systems to eliminate the risk that Internet sessions can be used to steal or corrupt important content and sensitive data. With the ability to handle more than 3,000 concurrent...

Microwave gives schools a textbook solution; security and future proofing were major considerations in the final selection. (Wireless).
June 1, 2002... How do you bring connectivity to 23,000 students--K-12, and adult education--in an area 10 miles by 21 miles with 28 campuses? This daunting task faced the Palm Springs Unified School District in California. It needed to connect all of the...

Slim Category 6 cables. (New Products).(General CAble GenSPEED 6000)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... High-performance cable features a smaller diameter compared to other CAT 6 designs. GenSPEED 6000 is a Category 6 cable with a unique filler design that offers all the performance needed for tomorrow's technology. The cable's slim profile...

Power protection. (New Products).(Compaq UPS T1000 XR)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Protect equipment and critical data against damage due to power outages, surges and spikes. The UPS T1000 XR supports optional extended runtime modules, while providing power protection for servers, storage, computer equipment and network...

Secure messaging. (New Products).(SyntheSys Secure Technologies JabCast)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
June 1, 2002... Instant messaging solution allows secure, real-time communications and data sharing between users on differing network platforms. JabCast is a secure communications system that allows users to instant message and perform interactive text, file...

Re-thinking remote management: KVM-over-IP is looking more attractive to network managers who are in charge of lots of boxes. (The Bottom Line).
June 1, 2002... A couple of months ago, I discussed in-band vs. out-of-band network management. One of the points I raised was how in-band management alone was insufficient for maintaining a highly reliable network, since it can be rendered useless by problems...