Here is this week's Editors' Choice; look for Readers' Choice later this week.
EDITORS’ CHOICE
Editor’s Note: It’s summertime, and you might be forgiven if you cast a longing eye out toward that one tree sitting in the parking lot. Our new Toys of Summer section will show you the gadgets you just have to have when you finally bust out and take that vacation. You can also Cool Tools editor Keith Shaw put some of the tools through their paces. Now where’d I put that iced tea?
— Adam Gaffin, executive editor, NetworkWorld.com, agaffin@nww.com.
From the front page
Security-vendor buys see mixed reactions
Major vendors continue buying security companies at a rapid clip, offering hope to corporate security executives that industry consolidation will produce multifaceted security architectures that are easier to configure and manage. Where some experts see opportunity, however, others see a trade-off resulting in fewer choices and a new set of risks.
What users hate about IT pros
Really, would it kill you to spend an extra 30 seconds with a user to make sure the fix you just applied actually works? That’s what Jeff, portfolio manager with a financial services firm in the Washington, D.C., area, wants to know.
Microsoft pulls the plug on outdated products
The life and death of Microsoft’s software.
In depth
AJAX is the future of Web app development
If you’ve used Google Maps, Gmail or Microsoft’s Outlook Web Access, you’re familiar with the power of AJAX, which gives Web applications the responsiveness users associate with desktop applications.
Building switches that spot intrusions
Although current intrusion-detection and -prevention products rely on specialized security software or programs to inspect individual packets or network flows, the future of IDP is as a function within the network switch itself.
Priscilla Milam, associate vice chancellor of IT operations for the North Harris Montgomery Community College District in The Woodlands, Texas, parlayed a part-time job in her college’s computer center into a career.
From the blogs and forums
In our VoIP face-off, debate which is better: Hosted VoIP or your own IP PBX. Reader Gstick needs some help debugging a Windows XP problem. Ken Fasimpaur marvels at incoherent documentation. Mark Gibbs wonders about certain members of Congress. Paul McNamara writes that Metcalfe’s Law is still wrong. Adam Gaffin ponders why some companies can’t update the software in their own online stores. James Gaskin looks at how schools are saving big with open source.
Audio/ITVideo
Check out our new weekly audio podcast Network World 360, where Jeff Caruso relays the top news of the week and talks to reporters for the story behind the story.
How do you lower the cost and complexity of backup through software-based de-duplication and virtual tape? Diligent CEO Doron Kempel explains on this week’s Network World Hot Seat.
How to
Getting D-Link and Cisco switches to talk via fibre GBICs
Ron Nutter helps out a user.
More news
Cisco broadens security family
Cisco this week is set to launch new versions of its multipurpose Adaptive Security Appliance, with small offices and large data centers in mind.
Mobile users face knotty security issues
High-profile security breaches may indicate that network executives are using trial and error to sort out the best ways to secure the brave new world of mobile computing.
HP exec looks at IT evolution
HP’s OpenView management technology executives say the time has come to guide IT managers into adopting a more advanced approach to IT management. Russ Daniels, vice president and CTO of Software and Adaptive Enterprise in HP’s Technology Solutions Group, recently discussed the evolving role of companies’ IT management with Network World Senior Editor Denise Dubie.
Juniper unveils next M-series router
Juniper Networks this week is expected to usher in the next generation of its M-series router line with a 120Gbps multiservice edge system designed to improve redundancy and Ethernet service “awareness” for business applications.
NTP targets storage chargeback
NTP Software this week launched an enhancement to its storage management software that lets IT administrators charge departments or business units in an enterprise for their use of storage resources.
IBM unveils security management software
IBM this week debuted security information management software that the company says will help large customers better integrate their security and operation management efforts.
Tropos to help mesh net reliability
Tropos Networks has a new version of its wireless LAN mesh network software that contains changes intended to improve client connections.
IBM launches low-cost server for small-business ERP
IBM last week announced a server package aimed at reassuring small-business customers that it plans to support Oracle’s software products for years to come.
Even more
Our This Week page will also link you to: Consortium builds super firewall to stop DDOS; Intel to introduce dual-core Itanium; Alcatel upgrades its small-office IP PBX; Tumbleweed releases corporate e-mail security appliance; Aventail automates SSL VPN setup; Messaging vendors tout Exchange alternatives; Six Apart does enterprise blogging tool.
