Network Computing Report #263
http://www.networkcomputing.com/
Monday, August 26, 2002

-----------------------------------------------------------
This issue is sponsored by UniPress Software.
Get control over your IT assets and speed support with FootPrints 
Asset Management.This fast-to-implement, web-based discovery & 
tracking tool automates IT asset audits, identifies asset location, 
tracks changes & software license compliance, & links asset data to 
help desk trouble tickets.  Free guided walkthrough at 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJR0A2

 
-----------------------------------------------------------

This week, we look at unified authentication management packages. If
you want to make sure your company's security policy is enforceable,
you won't want to miss our test results of three top products. Also,
check out our Buyer's Guide on Gigabit Ethernet NICs.

Be sure to bookmark our Weblog, the Network Computing Daily Blog, and
check back often for IT news and views.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BZ4R0AR

As always, please feel free to message us directly if you have any
comments or questions (mailto:newsletter@nwc.com).

Best regards,
--The Network Computing Report Team

-----------------------------------------------------------
In This Issue:
-----------------------------------------------------------
1)  Newsletter Specials
2)  The Daily Blog
3)  BuzzCut
4)  Webcasts
5)  Feature: Control the Keys to the Kingdom
6)  Review: PremierAccess Heads a Pedestrian Pack
7)  Review: PatchLink Helps Keep Windows Closed
8)  Buyer's Guide: Gigabit Ethernet NICs Toe the Line
9)  Sneak Preview: AppDancer Networks' AppDancer/FA Network Flow
     Analyzer
10) Sneak Preview: Gomez' Gomez Performance Network Service 3.5
11) Quick Takes
12) Down to Business: Gut Check
13) Latest IT Professional Downloads
14) Subscription Information

-----------------------------------------------------------
1) Newsletter Specials
------------------------------------------------------------
a) Five-Minute Workout: Wireless Networking Troubleshooting Tools
Get a quick and easy lesson in tools for wireless network
troubleshooting with our latest workout, sponsored by Fluke Networks.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJB0Al

b) TechQuiz: Biometric Authentication
Try your hand at our biometric authentication TechQuiz. Answer all our
editors' questions on this hot new security measure correctly, and you
could win a very cool USB security token. We'll be giving one away
each day for two weeks! Sponsored by Rainbow Technologies.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40TNs0AE

c) Top 11 List: Your First Day as AOL's CEO
Stretch your wit and imagination -- contribute your ideas to the
Network Computing Top 11 List. This time around, tell us the top thing
you'd do if you were named AOL's new CEO. If we were named CEO, we'd
send an apology for all past AOL CDs on, well, CDs. Be sure to catch
reader contributions to our last Top 11 List on Microsoft's Palladium
in the September 30 issue of Network Computing.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40Bgrv0AI

d) Ask the Coach
Whatever your job conundrum, Network Computing's Career Coach can help
by directing your queries to a range of HR, IT, job search and legal
professionals. So send in your question and watch for the launch of
the Career Coach column on September 30.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BgYP0AF

e) Compare IT: Dedicated Internet Access
If you're looking for a high-performance solution, look no further
than Compare IT, where we make it easy to compare product features and
prices from these top vendors: Epoch, Qwest Communications and Savvis
Communications. You can get quotes, too!
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJC0Am

f) NetSeminar: Future-Proofing Your WLAN Investment
We'll be online with Symbol Technologies on September 17 at 11 a.m.
PDT examining the technologies and strategies of WLAN design. We'll
also discuss how to protect your investment and spot hidden costs. For
more information and to register.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40Bgru0AH

g) Tech Library Spotlight: 802.11a Solutions
Proxim will help you sort through the benefits and challenges of
high-speed wireless networking with its hands-on guide to evaluating
and deploying 802.11a technologies.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40Bgsl0A8

h) Capacity Management IT Exam
As capacity has exploded and costs for resources such as CPU and
memory have plummeted, the trend is to shift away from rigorous
capacity planning. Take our exam to understand where your
organization's capacity planning stands and how to proceed.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJD0An

------------------------------------------------------------
2) The Daily Blog
------------------------------------------------------------
a) Be Gone, Spam!
If you're one of the brave few tasked with corralling and removing
spam within your organization, you of course have my sympathies. After
spending some time with our Lab Manager, Ron Anderson, for an audio
show recording, it became very clear to me that there is no
straightforward answer to the spam problem -- particularly from an IT
professional's perspective. So when one of our technical editors
passed along what appears to be a great spam filter package, I felt I
should share it with you.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJE0Ao

b) Have Linux Available for Your IT Staff
Richard Quick has the right idea. As a small business owner, he
deployed Open Office to make Microsoft Office less problematic and to
allow Linux and Windows users to communicate. Now, he says, perhaps
the stubborn Windows users in his office will discover the joys of the
more stable Linux system.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJF0Ap

c) Your Scholarship Dollars at Work
A number of students at Brown University turned the campus library
into a 12-story Tetris game called La Bastille. Check out the photos
documenting their efforts.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJG0Aq

------------------------------------------------------------
3) BuzzCut
------------------------------------------------------------
The Microsoft Shared Source Debate
Point: Be Skeptical of Microsoft's Newfound 'Openness,' But Don't
Dismiss It
By Don MacVittie
If there's any good coming out of Microsoft's new open licensing
policies, it's that the giant is moving in a positive direction.

Counterpoint: It's Nothing New, and It's Just for Show
By Lori MacVittie
PR without substance -- that's all it is -- to make Microsoft appear
as though it's playing nice.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJH0Ar

------------------------------------------------------------
4) Webcasts
------------------------------------------------------------
a) The CEO Minute: AltiGen's Richard De Soto
If you're looking for ideas and tips on VoIP and IP PBX technology, be
sure to tune in to our Webcast with AltiGen's Richard De Soto. Brad
Shimmin recently interviewed De Soto and found out how this expert
intends to keep his telecom firm's growth strong in a down economy.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJI0As

b) This Week at Network Computing
Back from a short break, Brad and Mike get a little manic with a
spirited (and timed) debate on important matters like whether Maxtor
should have gotten out of the storage business and, more importantly,
whether anyone who starred on Star Trek should be taken seriously as a
Linux cheerleader.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJJ0At

c) Five-Minute Workout: High-Speed Wireless Networking
Don't let 802.11a pass you by. Stream our audio/video primer on
high-speed wireless networking to see how you can upgrade to or
interact with the latest technologies. Sponsored by Proxim.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BgYM0AC

Note: Requires RealPlayer

------------------------------------------------------------
5) Feature: Control the Keys to the Kingdom
------------------------------------------------------------
By Mike Fratto
A comprehensive security policy is critical in protecting corporate
resources. But you need a unified authentication management
application that combines user authentication, access control and
accounting features to enforce that policy.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJK0Au

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40CN80Aw

Download network security white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40N7V0AG

Research network security products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40N7W0AH

------------------------------------------------------------
6) Review: PremierAccess Heads a Pedestrian Pack
------------------------------------------------------------
By Mike Fratto
We tested three unified authentication management packages in our
Real-World Labs(R) and found that each required intense integration
work to ensure seamless control.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJL0Av

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40CN80Aw

Download network security white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40N7V0AG

Research network security products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40N7W0AH

------------------------------------------------------------
7) Review: PatchLink Helps Keep Windows Closed
------------------------------------------------------------
By Patrick Mueller
Keeping up with patches on your Windows systems is time-consuming, but
vital. We tested five tools that can help you ease the burden.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJM0Aw

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40CTE0AH

Download network management white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40OMX0Af

Research network management products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40OTA0AP

------------------------------------------------------------
8) Buyer's Guide: Gigabit Ethernet NICs Toe the Line
------------------------------------------------------------
By Sean Doherty
Got an overburdened network? Take a load off using a combination of
NICs and TCP/IP offload engines.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJN0Ax

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40COC0AA

Download Gigabit Ethernet white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40PGX0Aa

Research network management products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40OTA0AP

------------------------------------------------------------
9) Sneak Preview: AppDancer Networks' AppDancer/FA Network Flow
   Analyzer
------------------------------------------------------------
By Bruce Boardman
AppDancer/FA, created to diagnose application traffic, is an analyzer
and performance monitor like no other. It lets you view any
transaction between client and server in any amount of detail.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJO0Ay

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40CTE0AH

Download network monitoring white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40O3R0A8

Research network management products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40OTA0AP

------------------------------------------------------------
10) Sneak Preview: Gomez' Gomez Performance Network Service 3.5
------------------------------------------------------------
By Lori MacVittie
The snazziest new feature of the Gomez Performance Network Service is
its ability to send SNMP-based alerts that your network management
system can process.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJP0Az

Read more articles on this subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40CTE0AH

Download network monitoring white papers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40O3R0A8

Research network management products and vendors.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40OTA0AP

------------------------------------------------------------
11) Quick Takes
------------------------------------------------------------
This issue, we take a look at these hot products:
* Hewlett-Packard Co. R12000 XR
* Executive Software International Undelete 3.0
* Novasoft Handy Backup 3.5 for Microsoft Windows
* Net Optics GigaBit TX Fail-Safe Tap
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJQ0A1

------------------------------------------------------------
12) Down to Business: Gut Check
------------------------------------------------------------
By Rob Preston
"Accountability, and its cousin fiscal conservatism, needn't preclude
innovation.... The Big IT Project may be dead or on hold, but the Big
Idea needn't be -- so long as it's implemented in measurable,
manageable chunks."
http://www.nwc.com/1318/1318colpreston.html

------------------------------------------------------------
13) Latest IT Professional Downloads
------------------------------------------------------------
Find some of the newest files in IT Pro's collection of shareware,
utility and demo downloads for network and IT professionals below. If
you would like to see more downloads and begin receiving the latest
info on hot new utilities, packs and jewels, sign up for our free,
weekly IT Pro Downloads newsletter.
http://www.submag.com/sub/nc?wp=wpdly1&tc=1&pk=WMNCED

a) Soft Switch 1.02
Soft Switch lets you control up to five computers on a LAN at one
time. It's useful for power users and network administrators.

Download at:
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhDu0AW
Size: 470k
Platform: Windows 95, 98 or NT
Licensing: Shareware; $19.95

b) Tray Helper 2.4
This handy application lets you check all your e-mail accounts (up to
50) in the background, auto-delete spam messages, watch your browser's
windows and get rid of unwanted pop-ups. You can also forward
important e-mails to your mobile device with Tray Helper.

Download at:
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhD20AP
Size: 105000k
Platform: Windows 95, 98 or NT
Licensing: Shareware; $14.99

By using IT Pro Downloads you agree to these terms of use.
http://www.nwc.com/itpro/itpro-terms.html

-----------------------------------------------------------
This issue is sponsored by UniPress Software.
Get control over your IT assets and speed support with FootPrints 
Asset Management.This fast-to-implement, web-based discovery & 
tracking tool automates IT asset audits, identifies asset location, 
tracks changes & software license compliance, & links asset data to 
help desk trouble tickets.  Free guided walkthrough at 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40BhJR0A2

 
-----------------------------------------------------------

14) Subscription Information
------------------------------------------------------------
Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Get your own issue.
http://www.submag.com/cgi-bin/subscribe/nc?tc=1&wp=wpdly&pk=WMNDLY

Subscribe to Network Computing newsletters.
http://www.submag.com/sub/nc?wp=wpdly1&tc=1&pk=WMNCED

Still not receiving your own FREE subscription to Network Computing
Magazine?
http://www.submag.com/cgi-bin/subscribe/nc?tc=1&wp=wpmag3&pk=WMDALY

Note: To better serve you we use dynamic URLs, which allow us to see
how many readers view each story. We do not share this information, or
your personal information, with any outside party. Concerned about the
privacy of your information relative to these tracking URLs? Please
refer to our privacy policy.
http://www.doubleclick.net/us/corporate/privacy

To receive additional product information directly from Network
Computing advertisers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40CHG0A6

We'd like to know what you think about the newsletter and what
information you'd like to see in future editions. E-mail your comments
to (mailto:newsletter@nwc.com).

Subscribe Today! Network Computing's Security Alert Consensus, created
in conjunction with The SANS Institute, is a free, customizable
newsletter that gives you concise, timely, accurate and authoritative
data on security holes, exploits, patches and workarounds -- all
delivered directly to you from the industry's brightest and best
security experts. What's more, you can customize your content,
selecting from various areas of interest. For more information and to
subscribe to this free newsletter.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eIcl0Be3GS0V40COV0AT

Look for the next Network Computing newsletter on Monday, September 2,
2002.

Copyright (c) 2002 Network Computing, a CMP Media LLC publication.

This message powered by DARTmail
http://www.doubleclick.net/us/corporate/privacy