This week on Network World Fusion, 02/09/03

1) Showtime for Linux

1) Sun, HP put 64-bit power in spotlight

2) Check Point users urged to patch firewall gaps

3) A Wider Net: Do you believe in Magic Quadrants?

4) Regulation called a threat to VoIP

5) Wireless Wizards: Why does a wireless system need extra VPNs?

6) Nutter’s Help Desk: How much back-up power is enough?

7) Review: Mobile middleware

8) Review: NetSupport DNA

9) Review: Microsoft System Management Server 2003

10) Technology Update: RAIN architecture scales storage

11) Hacker insurance

12) Coming soon to your IM client: Spim

13) Layer 8: How to freak out your Mac friends

14) Legacy app servers get Web services

15) Network, telecom funding drops off

16) Adventures in networked media players

17) IT execs cautious in budget forecasts

Editor’s Note: Another day, another poll. Check out what Melissa Shaw is asking you today, in our exclusive Layer 8 poll: https://www.nwfusion.com/weblogs/layer8/ (today, it’s your choice for the best personal technology)agaffin@nww.com

   — Adam Gaffin, executive editor,

1) Sun, HP put 64-bit power in spotlight

Looking to offer machines that do more yet cost less, Sun and HP this week are expected to expand their server families with boxes that promise 64-bit capabilities at prices competitive with 32-bit systems.

DocFinder: 9646

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209server.html

2) Check Point users urged to patch firewall gaps

Check Point customers have been plugging two vulnerabilities discovered last week in the company’s firewall and VPN software that could compromise the networks the products are designed to protect.

DocFinder: 9647

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209checkpoint.html

3) A Wider Net: Do you believe in Magic Quadrants?

Gartner analysts say they have their trademarked Magic Quadrant down to a science. But plenty of vendors, gored by the quadrant’s twin axes of “completeness of vision” and “ability to execute,” insist it’s all just hocus-pocus.

DocFinder: 9648

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209widernetquadrant.html

4) Regulation called a threat to VoIP

VoIP service now is mostly free of government regulation, and FCC Chairman Michael Powell has indicated over the past couple of months that he’d like to see the commission exert a “light touch” on regulating VoIP.

DocFinder: 9645

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209voipstory.html

Also see:

More VoIP issues bubbling up

DocFinder: 9673

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209voipreg.html

5) Wireless Wizards: Why does a wireless system need extra VPNs?

The Wizards explain all.

DocFinder: 9675

https://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/0209wizards.html

6) Nutter’s Help Desk: How much back-up power is enough?

Ron Nutter helps a user whose company keeps losing power.

DocFinder: 9676

https://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/0209nutter.html

7) Review: Mobile middleware

We test four mobile middleware products from Aligo, Extended Systems, iAnywhere Solutions and JP Mobile.

DocFinder: 9663

https://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2004/0209revmm.html

8) Review: NetSupport DNA

We recently tested the newest version of NetSupport DNA, and while it still has a few warts, it does a great job of making a system administrator’s job easier.

DocFinder: 9664

https://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2004/0209revdna.html

9) Review: Microsoft System Management Server 2003

SMS has undergone something of a purpose change with a focus on features that help identify security vulnerabilities and distribute critical updates.

DocFinder: 9665

https://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2004/0209revsms.html

10) Technology Update: RAIN architecture scales storage

Redundant Array of Inexpensive Nodes surpasses traditional storage architecture by offering data-storage and protection systems that are more distributed, shareable and scalable.

DocFinder: 9666

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/tech/2004/0209techupdate.html

11) Hacker insurance

Experts explain how cyberinsurance could save the day if your network is violated.

DocFinder: 9667

https://www.nwfusion.com/careers/2004/0209man.html

12) Coming soon to your IM client: Spim

Experts predict that unwanted IMs have the potential to wreak just as much havoc as spam.

DocFinder: 9668

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209carrspecialfocus.html

13) Layer 8: How to freak out your Mac friends

Turn the Mac lovers in your life apoplectic with the story of Andy, the boy who wanted a Dell for Christmas (huh?) but got a G5 – which he promptly gutted and turned into a PC. Turns out it’s a hoax, but it’s a pretty darn funny one, complete with pictures. Also today: the winner of last week’s caption contest; the start of this week’s tilt; and how you can weasel out of spending a lot on Valentine’s Day.

DocFinder: 9669

https://www.nwfusion.com/weblogs/layer8/

14) Legacy app servers get Web services

Two vendors are unveiling software designed to make it easier for companies to bring legacy applications to the Web.

DocFinder: 9670

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209hostwares.html

15) Network, telecom funding drops off

With 2003 marking the lowest venture-capital investment levels for the network and telecommunications sectors in recent years, these categories could certainly benefit from an increase in corporate IT spending.

DocFinder: 9671

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209moneytree.html

16) Adventures in networked media players

We test three of the latest media players, and let you know whether they’re worth your time and money.

DocFinder: 9674

https://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/news/2004/0209adventures.html

17) IT execs cautious in budget forecasts

IT executives are beginning to take sales calls from technology vendors again, evidenced by a number of large vendors that cited increases in corporate spending as a major contributor to their improved results in the latest round of financial reports.

DocFinder: 9672

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0209spending.html