* Dr. Internet columnist Steve Blass recommends some database tricks * Help Desk columnist Ron Nutter discusses how to power VoIP phones
* Database tricks
By Steve Blass
Q: What commands would I use from the MySQL command line to recreate a large database table’s structure without having to type it all back in through the MySQL Administrator or PHP-MyAdmin GUI?
A: After making sure that you have the mysql command-line command available on your system, you would start by connecting to your database server using the “mysql -u username -h hostname -p” command. Replace “username” and “hostname” with the name of your database server. Once connected, issue the “show databases;” command to list the databases on the server.
To read Steve’s response in its entirety, please click here.
* How to power VoIP phones
By Ron Nutter
Q: We are looking at replacing our current legacy PBX with a VoIP based phone system. One of the things that we are deciding on is how to power the phones – power supply, Cisco proprietary or 802.3af. If we go with either of the two latter choices, we are looking at significant costs to replace our current network equipment with switches that can support VoIP phones. What would you suggest?
A: While you can certainly go with the power-supply option, that will incur additional expense per phone and give you yet one more thing to troubleshoot when there is a problem. This also means that you will have one more thing to plug into a wall at desks that may already have more things plugged in that what they probably should. While this is an option, I would take it as the last option.
To read Ron’s response in its entirety, please click here.
