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Companies in trouble and some that are just starting up have no trouble making headlines.

Everyone wants to know what's new. But solid name-brand outfits have plenty going on, as well. With that in mind, Network World analyzed five companies that long ago became household names. We wanted to see what critical issues these companies were facing, and how they planned to confront them.

All have learned the lessons of history - that it's not enough to be big or well-known. You also have to be good and, in some cases, lucky. Being in the net business just makes it all that much harder, and more intense.

So each of the five companies has a strategy crafted by market pressure and in some cases, actual crisis. Each also has a dynamic leader whose very reputation depends on making the strategy work.

Only time will tell if these leaders will succeed. But our special reports at least give a clue as to where to place your bets.