NetFlash: Management case studies

I wanted to alert you to a series of five articles we ran online this week that looked at some key user-related network management issues. Written by my colleague Denise Dubie, the series spotlights corporate network executives’ innovative use of management products to automate processes, prevent outages and ultimately save money.

The articles you should check out include:

* Ace Hardware simplifies security management

* Toronto Star minimizes mainframe costs

* Zurich Life tackles change management

* Time Warner revamps its help desk

* Staples automates configuration mgmt.

To read any or all of the articles in this series, go to: https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/mgmt-casestudies.html

In other news:

Q&A: Microsoft exec Muglia spells out company’s management software, Windows plans

Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Windows Server Division, sat down with Network World Senior Editor John Fontana at the software company’s annual Management Summit to talk about a host of issues, including the company’s development plans for its management and Windows software.

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0317muglia.html

Novell to deliver two new Linux products

Linux users seeking higher performance from their open source operating system may be interested in two new products from Novell, which acquired German vendor SuSE Linux AG in November.

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0318noveltode.html

Cebit: Cisco speeds admin with Catalyst updates

Cisco updated its Catalyst line of intelligent switches Thursday, adding security features and the Cisco Smartports management feature across the entire product family. The company also announced upgrades to its 6500 and 4500 Modular Chassis and to its 3750 stackable switch family.

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0318cebitcis.html

IBM targets telecom providers with new blade system

IBM this week announced an expansion of its blade server lineup with a system designed specifically for telecommunications providers that must adhere to rigorous uptime requirements.

https://www.nwfusion.com/edge/news/2004/0318ibmblade.html

Today on Layer 8, where we’re always workin’ for the weekend:

Examining the growing cult of Tivo; meet the next-generation booty call; how funny is your senator; last day to enter our “What is Bill saying?” contest; all this and much more today at your home for not-just-networking news.

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