Network Computing Report #360
http://www.networkcomputing.com/
Monday, July 19, 2004

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Join InformationWeek for a FREE, live TechWebCast on
Consolidating IT Sites without Building More Infrastructure.
Learn how to successfully complete site consolidation
projects, which enable you to move file servers, Exchange
servers, NAS and tape auto-loaders from remote offices to
datacenters.  Tues., July 27, 2003 – 11:00 PT / 2:00 PM ET
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevX0Ai

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In This Issue:
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1) Branch Office Management
     - IT Central
     - Remote-Site Management Products Review
2) New on NWC.com!
     - Security Channel
     - IT Pro Downloads Re-Launch
3) Reviewed
     - Sneak Preview: Castle Rock Computing's SNMPc 7.0
     - Sneak Preview: PolyCom's VSX 3000
4) Reader Reverb
     - The IT Logo Game
     - TechQuiz
     - Just Ask Cisco
     - Top 11
     - Quick Poll
     - Last Mile
5) Your Monday IT Briefing
     - What Every Company Should Know About E-mail Management for
        Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance
     - Making Process Optimization Easier
     - Ethernet: You Da MAN!
     - Webplan Drives Supply Chain Performance to Next Level
     - Automating the IT Factory
     - Witness Systems Builds on Mature Call Center Foundation
6) Opinion
     - BuzzCut: Microsoft's Settlements--Not the End?
     - BuzzCut: Switch Vendors Join the Security Battle
     - BuzzCut: Java Open-Source Debate Continues
     - Industry Insights: Intel, AMD and the Enterprise Chip War
7) Coming Events
     - IntelligentPerformance Webinar: Operational Performance
        Management
     - TECHXNY
     - IntelligentPerformance Conference & Expo
8) CMP MarketPlace

Look for the next Network Computing Report newsletter on Monday, July
26, 2004!


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1) Branch Office Management
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a) IT Central
By Richard J. Brown
Nothing magnifies IT efficiencies--and inefficiencies--more than remote
sites. And despite some vendor claims, there is no silver bullet; 
remote
support is complex and unique to your infrastructure and systems. But
there are best practices for managing your far-flung branches, and here
we'll share the lessons we've learned from our years on the job. Names
are withheld to protect the (not always so) innocent, but the specifics
aren't what is important. Rather, it's the concepts that are key.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevF0AQ

b) Remote-Site Management Products Review
By Richard J. Brown and Gerard R. Sheenan
Availability of local support is one of the biggest challenges to
remote-site management. We examine two technologies essential to
supporting those sites--network protocol analyzers and remote-access 
and
control software--and compare commercial products with their 
open-source
counterparts.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevG0AR


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2) New on NWC.com!
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a) Security Channel
Stay on top of security patches and exploits. Stop by our Security
Channel every day for a fresh dose of industry news, the current
Internet threat level and Network Computing's security-related reviews,
workshops and columns. Plus, our special Microsoft coverage will give
you a head's up on new Windows vulnerabilities, patches and 
workarounds.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CdEf0A7

b) IT Pro Downloads Re-Launch
We're proud to announce the re-launch of IT Pro Downloads, your 
one-stop
resource for a wide range of IT-centric applications. You'll find
management utilities, productivity applications and, of course,
recreational software only a geek could love, all across Windows,
Macintosh, Linux/Unix and many other platforms.
http://www.itprodownloads.com/


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3) Reviewed
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a) Sneak Preview: Castle Rock Computing's SNMPc 7.0
By Ian Brown
Finally, an easily installed and configured network monitoring
application that delivers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevH0AS

b) Sneak Preview: PolyCom's VSX 3000
By Michael Kuszczak-Bielecki
Its small footprint and good, low-bandwidth performance are a plus. But
not everything is picture perfect.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevI0AT


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4) Reader Reverb
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a) The IT Logo Game
You've undoubtedly seen various logo games for breakfast cereal, where
you try to guess the company name armed only with a single letter or
icon from its logo. Well, who says cereal fans get to have all the fun?
We've created our own logo contest, targeting IT hardware vendors. Try
your hand at our letter matrix.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevJ0AU

b) TechQuiz
Put your IT skills to the test with our quiz on "Managing IT at the
Branch Office." If you can outsmart our editors, we'll throw your name
into the hat for a free NWC mug and/or subscription to NewsGator's
Online Services.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0TNs0A6

c) Just Ask Cisco
Thanks to everyone who submitted questions for our upcoming interview
with Cisco executives. We were impressed. You'll be able to check out
Cisco's answers in our October 28, 2004, issue. In the meantime, we
invite you to check out our complete set of questions posed by NWC
readers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0Cd7W0Ad

d) Top 11
This week, we're looking for the "Top 11 signs your coworker is on the
Google IPO Friends List." Make us chuckle inextricably, and we'll 
publish
your submission in print and online. Here are some ideas to get you
started.
--Writes all woords that have oone oo as if there were twoo oos.
--Submits convincing proposal for corporate migration to Gmail.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CEhF0Ae

e) Quick Poll
With the presidential election just months away, cast your vote for or
against Electronic Voting.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevK0AV

f) Last Mile
Edited by Bradley F. Shimmin and Tim Wilson
This edition: Top 11 things SpongeBob could teach us about IT. Also,
play the Logo Game, and Pizza Boxes for your laptops.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevL0AW

Plus, check out our extended underwater mix of complete reader
submissions for the "Top 11 things that SpongeBob SquarePants can teach
us about working in IT."
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevM0AX


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

a) What Every Company Should Know About E-mail Management for
Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance
Since e-mail has become the de facto method of communication for almost
every large business, the management of e-mail is a fundamental element
of SOX compliance.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevN0AY

b) Making Process Optimization Easier
Nimbus control-ES facilitates business process design for Global 2000
companies.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CeQh0AN

c) Ethernet: You Da MAN!
Once the exclusive domain of niche players, metropolitan-area networks
are being democratized by wireless and Ethernet technologies.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevO0AZ

d) Webplan Drives Supply Chain Performance to Next Level
This operational performance application links demand and supply chain
planning.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevP0Aa

e) Automating the IT Factory
Computing has transformed factories into models of efficiency. Now it's
IT's turn to learn the lesson.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevQ0Ab

f) Witness Systems Builds on Mature Call Center Foundation
Customers bear witness to eQuality insights.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CeQi0AO

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/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CJp80Ad


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6) Opinion
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a) BuzzCut: Microsoft's Settlements--Not the End?
By Jonathan Feldman
With Microsoft making payments in its various antitrust cases, some see
this as an end to the company's legal battles. Not so fast.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevR0Ac

b) BuzzCut: Switch Vendors Join the Security Battle
By John R. Vacca
Enterprises fighting traffic-based attacks have a new line of defense.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevS0Ad

c) BuzzCut: Java Open-Source Debate Continues
By Richard Hoffman
Once again, Sun's officials find themselves pressed to make Java an
open-source technology.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevT0Ae

d) Industry Insights: Intel, AMD and the Enterprise Chip War
By Mike Lee
When it comes to Intel's Itanium and AMD's x86 architecture, both
companies are taking chances but also facing high hurdles.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevU0Af


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7) Coming Events
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a) IntelligentPerformance Webinar: Operational Performance Management
Tuesday, August 10 at 11:00am PST/2:00pm EST
This Webinar will focus on adopting performance management and
leveraging customer information for operational effectiveness. Be sure
to join us.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevV0Ag

b) TECHXNY
Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
October 5-7, 2004
TECHXNY offers something for every business and IT professional, 
whether
your firm's primary focus is in finance, retail, marketing, media,
healthcare, etc. Whatever the industry, TECHXNY provides the business
solutions you're looking for, including PCs and PDAs, security, 
Internet
and wireless solutions, database management, infrastructure mainframes,
storage, networking, ERP, ASPs and the latest in Linux.

For more information.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0OZd0Ax

c) IntelligentPerformance Conference & Expo
Hyatt Regency, La Jolla, CA
November 15-18, 2004
IntelligentPerformance is the first independent conference dedicated
exclusively to the technologies and practices that enable business
performance management. Produced expressly for senior business and IT
leaders who seek serious, in-depth education and interaction with their
peers, IntelligentPerformance will demonstrate how information and
analytics can maximize the efficiency of organizational decision-making
and action.

For more information.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CXi50Ah


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8) CMP MarketPlace
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Reduce operational risks and costs with Cyclades' 
comprehensive line of AlterPath(TM) out-of-band 
console servers, KVM, power and systems management gateways. 
IT professionals can monitor and manage hardware in data centers 
and branch offices from a single view. 
Visit Cyclades at LinuxWorld San Francisco, August 3-5. Booth #1359. 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0BxQe0Ac


This issue is sponsored by Worth Data, the manufacturer/developer 
of the 701 RF Terminal which has 3000 ft. range, operates in the 
uncrowded 900Mhz spectrum, requires little if any warehouse or factory
floor wiring, has a 24 hour battery life, and exclusively uses host 
programs to drive it which can be written in any language. Simple, 
powerful, and inexpensive to install,
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CZfI0A1


NEW POTS LINE COUPLER.
Connects two telephone lines together to allow calls over
alternate networks. PSTN, to VoIP, GSM, GW.
Dedicated controller or shared telco line controller.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CYwT0AT


This issue sponsored by Sensaphone, manufacturer of the IMS-4000.  
The IMS-4000 is the industry’s only monitoring system that sends 
alert messages in multiple formats:  E-Mail, SNMP, real custom voice,
fax, text pager, and popup windows.  For over twenty years, Sensaphone
has been a leader in developing innovative and reliable monitoring 
systems 
for just about any application. 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CcZE0At


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Join InformationWeek for a FREE, live TechWebCast on
Consolidating IT Sites without Building More Infrastructure.
Learn how to successfully complete site consolidation
projects, which enable you to move file servers, Exchange
servers, NAS and tape auto-loaders from remote offices to
datacenters.  Tues., July 27, 2003 – 11:00 PT / 2:00 PM ET
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eiLd0GO4rP0G4g0CevX0Ai

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As always, we welcome your feedback about our newsletter. Please
feel free to message us directly if you have any comments or
questions (mailto:newsletter@nwc.com).

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