Comparing competing approaches to network access control and more

EDITORS’ CHOICE

From the front page

Virtualization gaining ground in open sourceLinuxWorld news page for the latest from the show.

Open source efforts to make it easier for companies to virtualize data center resources, whether they are Linux- or Windows-based, will be on full display this week at the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in Boston. Check out our

The competition for NAC

Network access control represents the most significant change in the way that networks are secured since the invention of the firewall. But it’s also contentious, confusing and – when done right – complicated.

Gaming Google: Pet suppliers barking over online practices

When Google recently removed BMW.de from its database for using unfair Web design techniques, a collective cheer rose from the ranks of other designers around the globe. Instead of indicating an impending crackdown on tricks aimed at manipulating search engine results, however, the incident served to spotlight disagreements over what constitutes abuse.

Serial Attached SCSI switch holds promise for SMBs

A new switching technology, Serial Attached SCSI, is catching the attention of server vendors and industry experts for its ability to network more storage devices than SCSI and preserve user investments in direct-attached disk drives.

In depth

802.11w fills wireless security holes

IEEE 802.11i, the standard behind Wi-Fi Protected Access and WPA 2, patched the holes in the original Wired Equivalent Privacy specification by introducing new cryptographic algorithms to protect data traveling across a wireless network. Now, the 802.11w task group is looking at extending the protection beyond data to management frames, which perform the core operations of a network.

How to keep tabs on powerhouse vendors

Dealing with your network’s predominant vendors requires a relationship deeper than occasional face time with a sales rep. The relationship’s architecture, service levels and business objective need constant monitoring and review.

ITVideo

Taking on Google in the enterprise

Siderean Software’s Robert Petrossian takes the Network World Hot Seat to talk about the power of enterprise search and why consumer-oriented tools just don’t cut it.

Cool Tools: Good idea but …

Keith Shaw looks at a couple products – Project-a-Phone and Soldius1 – that came to the Cool Tools Lab with a lot of promise, but didn’t live up to expectation.

From the blogs

The Alpha Doggs look at how RFID could one day save lives in building fires. Paul McNamara wonders about the ramifications of the disappearing digital divide between blacks and whites in the US. Jason Meserve marvels at a guy who turned his Staples “Easy” button into a garage-door opener and ponders people considering suing Apple because they’re too dumb to turn their iPod volume down. Gibbs continues to examine the issue of Apple and DRM.

How to

First, a question from a reader – if you can help, fire away!

A company growing from 50 to 100 employees is looking for a network-access control system that does not require client software. Suggestions?

Extending WiFi range

Ron Nutter helps a user consider the options – and security issues – for covering his entire house in wireless.

More news

Data protection to take center stage

Vendors at this week’s Storage Networking World conference plan to show off products that go beyond storing data by protecting it and enabling fast recovery.

Mu Security debuts with test analyzer

This week start-up Mu Security makes its debut with a security analyzer called the Mu-4000 that can probe and discover new vulnerabilities in a variety of IP-based network gear, including switches, routers, VoIP phones, Web servers and firewalls.

College’s push to virtualize its servers is paying off

By investing in virtualization software, a small Maine college eliminated about one-third of its physical servers and sidestepped about $356,000 for new systems, even as it added enterprise applications.

UC Berkeley upgrades voice

After a lengthy review process, the university chose Interactive Intelligence and licensed its Communite unified communications software last year.

DoD readies wireless mandate

The U.S. Department of Defense is putting the final touches on a policy memo that will mandate use of the IEEE 802.11i security standard for unclassified wireless networks.

NetXen 10-Gig adapters to boost server speed

NetXen last week launched multiprotocol network adapters designed to speed processing by as much as a factor of 10 and reduce power requirements for x86-based servers by as much as 50%.

Maine college virtualizes its servers

By investing in virtualization software, a small Maine liberal arts college eliminated about one-third of its physical servers and sidestepped about $356,000 for new systems, even as it added enterprise applications. The server consolidation at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, grew out of a limited test of ESX Server, virtualization software from EMC subsidiary VMware. Initially, the IT group wanted to use the software to create virtual servers that could be dedicated to testing new or upgraded applications before they were deployed in full production mode.

Yes, there’s more!

Our This Week page will also link you to: Jacada boosts call center wares; Phishing steals spotlight at MIT Spam Conference; McAfee bundles security wares; Determina protects desktops from variety of Web threats; BT addresses security, compliance.