Network Computing Report #390
http://www.networkcomputing.com/
Tuesday, February 22, 2005

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This issue is sponsored by pulver.com 
Spring VON'05 Conference & Expo - VoIP Happens Right Here!
March 7-10, San Jose Convention Center. Get the latest in IP 
communications technology, network management and implementation
best practices. Plus see 225 companies at the VON Expo. Register
now at 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCst0Em 
Save up to $100 - Use priority code'CMP2' 

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In This Issue:
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1) Reviews and How-Tos
    - Review: Content Switches
    - Feature: Itanium and Opteron Pit Power Against Compatibility
    - Sneak Preview: Ipswitch WhatsUp Professional
    - Quick Takes: Mobile Computing Platforms
    - Workshop: How to Measure Call Quality
    - Buyer's Guide: VPN Gateways
2) Reader Reverb
    - Top 11 Would Be IE Upgrades
    - Monthly IT Haiku Contest
    - CEO Minute: Network Physics
3) Calling All Readers
    - Mobile and Wireless Channel
    - Survey: Business Intelligence and Microsoft Office
    - IT Exam: The ROI of Server Consolidation
    - How Do You Find the Best Price?
    - E-Poll: Home Sweet Data Center
    - 2005 CMP National IT Salary Survey: Call for Participation
4) The Daily Blog
    - The Call of Cthulhu's iPod?
    - Notes From the Lab
    - Bill Gates Keynote at RSA
5) Opinion
    - Air Time: The Delicate Balance of Wireless Security
    - BuzzCut: PeopleSoft Users Weigh DB2 Options
    - BuzzCut: Congress Weighs Tax on VoIP, PBX-Enabled Enterprise
       Networks
    - FUDBuster: Web Sites Favored in Liability Suit
    - Letters
6) Your Monday IT Briefing
    - Improved Security Enables More Wireless Apps
    - Solaris 10: A Star Is Born
    - A Promise of Interoperability
    - It's a Three-Ring Week of Conferences, Announcements
    - HP's Software Strangles Worms
    - Did Anti-Spyware Vendors Cave in to Pressure From Spyware 
Authors?
7) Coming Events
    - Managing the Application Performance Lifecycle
    - Introducing Crystal Reports Server XI
    - Network Storage Conference 2005
    - Building, Deploying and Securing Wireless LANs
8) CMP MarketPlace
9) Subscription Information

Look for the next Network Computing Report newsletter on Monday,
February 28, 2005.


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1) Reviews and How-Tos
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a) Review: Content Switches
By Lori MacVittie
Our parent company needed a new Layer 7 switch, and we needed a testing
scenario. The result was a joint review of content switches from four
top names. These devices can dig deep into payloads and have made
strides in configurability. See which won our Editor's Choice--and 
which
company received a purchase order from CMP Media.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoW0EG

b) Feature: Itanium and Opteron Pit Power Against Compatibility
By Steven J. Schuchart Jr.
Intel's 64-bit Itanium processing architecture looked like a sure
winner--until AMD's Opteron brought x86 compatibility into the mix.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoX0EH

c) Sneak Preview: Ipswitch WhatsUp Professional
By Bruce Boardman
Ipswitch splits its monitoring tool into versions for small businesses
and professional networks.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoY0EI

d) Quick Takes: Mobile Computing Platforms
By Patricia Thomas
This edition looks at Realm Systems' Mobile Personal Server and SOBA
Router, Empirix's e-Test Suite 8.0, Zix Corp.'s ZixVPM 2.3 and
NotePage's rss2html.php.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoZ0EJ

e) Workshop: How to Measure Call Quality
By Peter Morrissey
We dig into the different algorithms and approaches for monitoring and
measuring the quality of calls in voice over IP implementations.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoa0EQ

f) Buyer's Guide: VPN Gateways
By Michael J. DeMaria
A VPN gateway provides three essentials for your data: authentication,
confidentiality and integrity. We show you what to look for in an
enterprise-class device.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDob0ER

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2) Reader Reverb
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a) Top 11 Would Be IE Upgrades
Because we just can't leave Microsoft alone, this week we're looking 
for
the "Top 11 requested features that won't make it into Internet 
Explorer
7." We'll pick the best entries and post them in print and online. Here
are a couple of ideas to get you going. Good luck!
-- Drunk dancing baby Bill Gates Avatar
-- Superflux quantum nebulized screen modulator
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0CEhF0Eq

b) Monthly IT Haiku Contest
Because of the overwhelming response and high-brow entries we received
for our recent Haiku Technical Support Competition, we're pleased to
announce a monthly IT Haiku contest. Send us your poetic masterpieces,
and we'll pick and promote the best of the best. Here's the best entry
from this past week, by Darin M. Bush:
Fixing PDAs, Wireless, and Intranet
Please let me play Doom
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCsc0EV

c) CEO Minute: Network Physics
Tune in to hear Bruce Boardman discuss the importance of monitoring the
flow of IP transactions with David Jones, president and CEO of Network
Physics. Plus, find out how Mr. Jones intends to fill the gap between
application and network management systems.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoc0ES

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3) Calling All Readers
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a) Mobile and Wireless Channel
We're pleased to bring you our newest Channel on Mobile and Wireless
technologies. Each week, you'll find plenty of news and commentary on
current events by industry experts Dave Molta and Jim Geier.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCse0EX

b) Survey: Business Intelligence and Microsoft Office
Along with our research partner, Ventana Research, we need your help.
Please take a few minutes to complete this brief survey, which examines
the priorities, actions and needs of organizations faced with
integrating Microsoft Office and business intelligence systems into a
seamless information dissemination environment. In exchange for your
valuable time and insights, qualified respondents will receive the
research report on the findings, a $125 membership to the Ventana
Research Performance Management Community and a Starbucks Card loaded
with $5 (first 50 participants).
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDod0ET

c) IT Exam: The ROI of Server Consolidation
The premise is simple--collapse multiple under-utilized servers into a
bigger server (virtualization) and save a ton of money--right? Well,
maybe. Take our interactive exam to find out if your company is ready
for consolidation.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCsd0EW

d) How Do You Find the Best Price?
Network Computing is currently conducting research to find out how
enterprises get the best prices they can find for commodity IT items.
Help us learn from your experience! Tell us what resources you use to
compare prices on smaller IT items and what sources you have found to
get the best prices. Take our short, five-question survey and tell us
what you think.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCsf0EY

e) E-Poll: Home Sweet Data Center
NWC is taking a page from Bob Vila's book and hammering together an
entire issue devoted to your home sweet data center, and we need your
help. Please share your thoughts on the issues confronting your data
center and how they are affecting your organization. Help us understand
your concerns by taking our survey.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDBc0Eh

f) 2005 CMP National IT Salary Survey: Call for Participation
Do you deserve a raise? Is your career on track? The editors of
InformationWeek and Network Computing invite you to participate in 
their
8th annual National IT Salary Survey.

Here's why you should participate:
--It's fast. It's convenient. It's confidential.
--We'll compare your salary and job satisfaction responses to those of
your peers in a 30-plus-page report.
--You can compare salaries regionally and nationally (for free).

Click here to go to the survey.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCsg0EZ

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4) The Daily Blog
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a) The Call of Cthulhu's iPod?
Do you think as the ancient, Lovecraftian horror Cthulhu lies "Dead but
Dreaming" in his sunken city, he cranks up a little Foghat on his iPod
to drown out the sounds of the insignificant insects (read: us) above
him? If he does, he might want to use this handy-dandy iPod cozy that
bears a striking resemblance to the cephalopod-eque creature himself.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoe0EU

b) Notes From the Lab
We've all heard about "security through obscurity," but working in labs
has taught me that absolute clarity is much more secure than is
confusion when it comes to knowing which devices and segments are
connected to the network. With that in mind, I've got nothing but great
things to say about the Dymo RhinoPro 5000, a professional labeler that
helps keep cables, ports and devices straight when we're moving too 
many
boxes around in the racks.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDof0EV

c) Bill Gates Keynote at RSA
During his keynote today at the RSA Conference, Bill Gates quoted a
Gartner report claiming that 75 percent of all vulnerabilities are
application related. Mr. Gates then promptly blamed Microsoft's
development tool customers for those vulnerabilities. Well, judging by
the rate of patches coming out of Redmond, I'd have to disagree. 
Perhaps
the problem is a bit closer to home.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDog0EW

Read more entries from The Daily Blog.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0B5MU0EN

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5) Opinion
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a) Air Time: The Delicate Balance of Wireless Security
By Dave Molta
Wireless security demands the juggling of technology, risk assessment
and politics--and more effective industry solutions.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoh0EX

b) BuzzCut: PeopleSoft Users Weigh DB2 Options
By Richard Hoffman
Oracle says it will not force PeopleSoft's DB2 users to switch to the
Oracle database. But IBM isn't taking any chances and enterprises
shouldn't, either.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoi0EY

c) BuzzCut: Congress Weighs Tax on VoIP, PBX-Enabled Enterprise 
Networks
By Sean Doherty
The Joint Committee on Taxation has recommended that internal corporate
networks pay an excise tax for VoIP and other PBX-enabled services.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoj0EZ

d) FUDBuster: Web Sites Favored in Liability Suit
By Tim Wilson
Webmasters have been paranoid about being sued for nasty or libelous
comments made by users in their newsgroups and chat rooms. Find out 
what
a New Jersey appeals court ruled on the subject.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDok0Ea

e) Letters: IT Jobs--Why Apply?
By NWC Readers
Jim Bodkin shares, "My children have no desire to pursue a technology
career, and for good reason. I would not recommend the field to 
anyone."
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDol0Eb

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6) Your Monday IT Briefing
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Here are some of the must-read news stories we're following this week.

a) Improved Security Enables More Wireless Apps
When a law firm gave its employees wireless access to internal
applications, the firm increased its billable hours by seven percent.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDom0Ec

b) Solaris 10: A Star Is Born
With a solid new IP stack and development tools, Solaris 10 is a superb
product with a few rough edges.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCsp0Ei

c) A Promise of Interoperability
Microsoft shares details of its Indigo technology, the company's latest
push toward services-oriented architectures.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDon0Ed

d) It's a Three-Ring Week of Conferences, Announcements
With three major industry conferences and a barrage of product
announcements, it was hard to know where to look next last week--Linux
World Expo, DEMO or the RSA Conference?
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDoo0Ee

Read more articles at the Systems Management Pipeline.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0CyWh0Ez

e) HP's Software Strangles Worms
Hewlett-Packard rolls out a software add-on for its ProLiant servers 
and
HP BladeSystem that shuts down the inside-the-network spread of worms 
or
viruses within milliseconds.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCkQ0E4

f) Did Anti-Spyware Vendors Cave in to Pressure From Spyware Authors?
Computer Associates and the vendor that makes the anti-spyware package
Ad-Aware are coming under fire from anti-spyware advocates, who say the
vendors have quietly, and wrongly, delisted WhenU from their database 
of
spyware.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DDop0Ef

For additional research, check out our online encyclopedia providing
Web-based definitions of IT terms.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0XQ0EV

You can find links to these and other breaking news stories organized 
by
technology via our handy NetNews Service.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0CJp80Ep

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7) Coming Events
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a) Managing the Application Performance Lifecycle
--An InformationWeek Vendor Perspectives TechWebCast
Thursday, February 24, 2005
11:00 AM PST / 1:00 PM CST / 2:00 PM EST
Learn how capturing and leveraging the experience gained during
application architecture, development, QA and pre-production can
accelerate deployment, improve problem resolution, and enhance live
production availability and performance. The advantages of using a
lifecycle approach to application performance management will be
revealed during this TechWebCast.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCRH0EV

b) Introducing Crystal Reports Server XI:
Create, Manage and Deliver Reports Over the Web
--An InformationWeek Vendor Perspectives TechWebCast
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
9:00-10:00 AM PST / 12:00-1:00 PM EST
The new Crystal Reports Server is a complete reporting solution for
creating, managing and delivering reports over the Web. We'll showcase
the newest addition to the Crystal Reports product suite, Crystal
Reports Server.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DC2o0Ec

c) Network Storage Conference 2005
March 8-9, 2005
Embassy Suites Hotel, Milpitas, CA
The Network Storage Conference and Trade Show has a 10-year history of
providing a forum for new architectural network storage and storage
management products. Join senior executives and experts on digital
storage and its applications. Find more information and register.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0C87W0E6

d) Building, Deploying and Securing Wireless LANs
--An Immersion Learning Program for Network Professionals and Engineers
Effective management and security of your wireless infrastructure is
essential to your business. When you enroll in this training program,
you will learn the best practices to ensure your wireless network is
accessible and available while maintaining your critical security 
needs.
Join us for this exclusive hands-on, three-day course! For 2005 course
dates and locations.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DAMt0E7

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8) CMP MarketPlace
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This issue is sponsored by pulver.com 
Spring VON'05 Conference & Expo - VoIP Happens Right Here!
March 7-10, San Jose Convention Center. Get the latest in IP 
communications technology, network management and implementation
best practices. Plus see 225 companies at the VON Expo. Register
now at 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/emMg0GO4rP0G4g0DCst0Em 
Save up to $100 - Use priority code'CMP2' 

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Copyright (c) 2005 Network Computing, a CMP Media LLC publication
http://www.nwc.com/