Here is this week's Editors' Choice; look for Readers' Choice later this week.
EDITORS’ CHOICE
From the front page of Network World
Microsoft piracy plan means work, concerns for IT
Microsoft’s antipiracy plan announced this week is a slap at a multimillion dollar problem, but it leaves a number of questions especially for volume licensing customers who will have to devise new administrative and management plans to ensure their software doesn’t get crippled.
The changing art of measuring TV viewership
If everyone started watching “24” or “CSI” on video iPods or streamed over the Internet – instead of on TV in their living rooms – these top-rated shows would probably go the way of “Cop Rock.”
10 management companies to watch
BMC, CA, HP and IBM had better watch their backs.
Networking costume contest
OK, we know that most of the time, you’re pretty quiet out there – scrambling from your desk to put out fires across your enterprise leaves little time for fun, eh? But Halloween is approaching. We know you’ve unleashed your Inner Geek in the past. Show us how! We’re running a networking costume contest. Send us a photo of you in your best ever costume – preferably one proving you are an Alpha Geek. Our crack team of judges will pick the best entry and award a shockingly bad grab bag of tchotchkes, with maybe a surprise or two thrown in. Three runner-ups will get those oh-so-valuable Network World Fusion mousepads (remember: There’s no more Network World Fusion, so these are sure to appreciate in value). E-mail your photo by witching hour, um, midnight, October 20 to: agaffin@nww.com. The fine print.
In depth
The wireless wave has swept through colleges, hospitals, factory floors, retailers, downtowns, hot spots and the home, but it’s still just lapping at the edges of traditional enterprise office environments.
Wideband audio boosts VoIP quality
Companies have rapidly deployed VoIP technology to reduce operational costs and increase productivity by integrating telecom services with other enterprise workflows. However, the codecs most widely used today that let speech be transmitted over IP data networks do not reproduce speech faithfully for a variety of dialects.
It takes a certain level of expertise, self-confidence, self-promotion and, above all, good grammar and writing skills, to make the jump from IT professional to IT author.
More on Indiana’s efforts to clean up IT
We recently interviewed the state of Indiana’s new CIO on his work to streamline the state’s infrastructure and IT staff. The article generated a number of comments, some critical. We post some along with the CIO’s replies.
Review
Open source Quagga router sets an acceptable pace
Open source routing software projects have been receiving attention lately as viable, inexpensive platforms for midlevel routing deployments. But are they practical for enterprise network managers used to the performance levels and feature bells and whistles served up by commercial router vendors?
From the blogs and forums
Mark Gibbs keeps getting signed up for newsletters he never requested. James Gaskin looks at stupid white papers and the true cost of Microsoft Vista. Layer 8 decides not to take in a concert consisting of cell-phone ring tones. Readers react to another article about a supposed lack of IT workers. Paul McNamara wonders who’d want 1,000 disposable e-mail addresses.
Audio/Video
Twisted Pair: From the HP boardroom to prison?
Back from DEMOfall, Jason and Keith talk about five indicted HP folks – will customers and/or share price be impacted?; McAfee makes a splash with an acquisition and complaints about Microsoft; Big Security Oops of the Week; Google offers code search; and three-ways to make a million dollars.
ITVideo: Speeding up the WAN
Certeon is the only WAN acceleration vendor to optimize SSL traffic and compares its approach to finding one of two cars in a garage as opposed to the competition’s approach to finding a grain of sand on the beach. Certeon CEO Peter Dougherty explains on this week’s Network World Hot Seat.
How to
Ron Nutter helps a user figure out why somebody overseas can’t connect to his company’s Web site. Devin Akin of Wireless Vulnerabilities and Exploits discusses the issues involved in upgrading embedded devices from WEP to WPA.
More news
Isilon adds oomph to clustered storage line
Isilon today plans to roll out enhancements to its clustered storage system designed to help companies better protect data by taking point-in-time snapshots and balancing loads across storage resources.
ESoft revamps security systems
Security vendor eSoft this week plans to announce six gateway intrusion-prevention systems and content-filtering appliances that the company says significantly boost speed and processing power compared with the company’s current security models.
Trapeze creates ‘smart’ wireless LAN traffic
Trapeze Networks this week is introducing software that lets its wireless LAN switches and access points negotiate the best way to handle different kinds of wireless traffic.
Antiphishing efforts try to keep pace
While many experts say phishers will continue to stay one step ahead of even advanced preventative measures, a handful of security companies are developing new ways to keep the public informed of fraudulent Web sites and cut down on scams.
Array looks to simplify SSL VPN access
With its SSL site-to-site VPN gear, Array Networks is making it possible to rachet down controls on network access between business partners and to simplify the infrastructure of corporate VPNs.
Force10 switches take aim at wiring closets
Force10 Networks plans to enter the LAN edge/wiring-closet market this week with new switches that bring data-center scale and resiliency to the LAN edge.
These energy effort are hot, hot, hot
As heat, power and cooling rise to the top of the list of concerns for data center managers, there are a growing number of initiatives aimed at helping enterprises reduce electricity consumption and increase efficiency of their technology infrastructures.
WiMAX takes root in Canadian farming town
Hanna, Alberta, has 2,996 people, 16 restaurants, 10 churches, seven motels, and six WiMAX towers.
IBM debuts another batch of SOA-related offerings
In its second service-oriented architecture blitz of the year, IBM has detailed a range of products and services aimed at helping companies extend their service-oriented architecture deployments.
Silver Peak unveils security roadmap for its WAN acceleration gear
Silver Peak is introducing a security roadmap for its WAN acceleration gear that, when implemented, will not only make traffic between corporate sites more secure but also will speed up SSL transactions. The company is also introducing a new appliance that tops the speed of its current flagship device.
MuleSource targets open source ESB users
A start-up built around the Mule open source integration project is set to make its corporate debut Tuesday. MuleSource is backed by $4 million secured in a first round of venture funding it closed this past summer.
