This week on Network World Fusion, 06/14/04

1) Cisco’s WLAN plan has landed 2) N+I spotlights security and apps management 3) A Wider Net: Inside MIT’s new geek lair 4) InteropNet Labs: Testers drill down on SIP, 802.1X security and MPLS 5) InteropNet Labs: SIP aces basic interop tests 6) InteropNet Labs: Vendors hit the 802.1X mark for access, but security holes remain 7) InteropNet Labs: Team mixes MPLS and IPv6 for enterprising results 8) VoIP breaks down the walls of the call center 9) Review: Network Physics NP-2000 appliance 10) Review: Cisco’s MDS 9509 11) Face-off: Is a unified WLAN approach better than an overlay? 12) Management Strategies: Negotiation know-how 13) Server Sleuths: Security attributes of a server management platform 14) Channel woes dog Microsoft 15) Nutter’s Help Desk: Wireless access point problems 16) Extreme changes 17) IBM ups the ante on Power servers 18) MCI by the numbers 19) New access services meet SOHO needs 20) Start-ups scramble for venture dollars

1) Switches taking on new security roles

2) Security titans intensify rivalry

3) Technology Insider: Application performance mgmt.

4) Wireless Wizards: How do I convince my boss to go wireless?

5) Protecting wireless networks

6) Network World Fusion Radio

7) Saluting digital dads

8) Application management: A work in progress

9) DS-UWB enables convergence

10) Justifiying anti-spam costs

11) Grape grower juices up its planning systems

12) VoIP requires wide range of planning

13) As CLECs get a second chance, users get deals

14) Nortel doubles Shasta performance, density

15) Security vendors tout new wares

16) Fibre Channel storage boxes set to get smarter

17) Juniper set to tap into enterprise routing

18) XML router on tap from Sarvega

19) Aprisma beefing up network mgmt. package

20) HP OpenView to gain business process, protocol analysis

21) IronPort extends spam-detection tool

22) Start-up looks to undercut frame, IP VPN prices

23) RFID is prescription for drug companies

24) Interest in ASPs, Web hosting picking up

1) Switches taking on new security roles

Security innovations being built into switches are attracting attention from buyers who not long ago focused primarily on feeds and speeds.

DocFinder: 2450

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614switchsecurity.html

2) Security titans intensify rivalry

Network Associates and Symantec long to be more than anti-virus vendors. The rivals want to be one-stop security shops where businesses buy everything from intrusion prevention to spam control to firewalls. Each has invested a small fortune in pursuit of this goal, yet sweeping success is guaranteed for neither.

DocFinder: 2451

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614antivirus.html

3) Technology Insider: Application performance mgmt.

While application performance management (APM) point products certainly are getting better, the reality is that there is no single end-to-end solution today. Furthermore, there are no products that operate at Layer 7, the application layer. Lack of industry cooperation leaves customers struggling to piece together a comprehensive solution.

DocFinder: 2453

https://www.nwfusion.com/techinsider/2004/0614techinsiderpoint.html

4) Wireless Wizards: How do I convince my boss to go wireless?

I need to convince my boss that a wireless network will definitely work in our organization; can I just go and buy an access point and plug it into my existing T-1 line and show him that wireless networks will work perfectly in our organization?

DocFinder: 2478

https://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/0614wizards.html

5) Protecting wireless networks

We’re getting requests to install more wireless access at our company. I want to make it as secure as possible without increasing the workload for our Help Desk folks. In researching the options, I ‘ve read about WEP and WPA. I ‘ve seen references to other options, but I’m not sure which would be the best to go with. Any suggestions?

DocFinder: 2479

https://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2004/0614nutter.html

6) Network World Fusion Radio

It’s our new audio interview series: Listen to short interviews on key networking issues, from buying cheap servers to the latest on SIP interoperability. New interviews weekly.

DocFinder: 2480

https://www.nwfusion.com/radio/

7) Saluting digital dads

James Gosling is one proud papa.   The father of Java says he gets recognized quite often, mostly in ‘geek contexts.” In Asia he gets asked to sign autographs, and during a recent trip to India 3,000 people at a conference sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.

DocFinder: 2452

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614widernetfathers.html

8) Application management: A work in progress

With multiple point products available, managers must mix and match to find the best approach for their networks.

DocFinder: 2454

https://www.nwfusion.com/techinsider/2004/0614techinsideram.html

9) DS-UWB enables convergence

Current wireless technologies don’t offer sufficient data rates to support the multimedia-intensive applications in development for multifunctional devices. Ultrawideband (UWB) might provide the missing link.

DocFinder: 2455

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/tech/2004/0614techupdate.html

10) Justifiying anti-spam costs

Analyzing the toll unwanted e-mail takes on productivity, bandwidth, storage and support aids your attack.

DocFinder: 2456

https://www.nwfusion.com/careers/2004/0614man.html

11) Grape grower juices up its planning systems

Welch’s is in the final stages of a 30-month project to overhaul a number of its key operational systems. When it’s done, the Concord, Mass., food manufacturer will have integrated two functions that traditionally are handled by separate applications: promotions management and demand planning.

DocFinder: 2457

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614welchs.html

12) VoIP requires wide range of planning

When network executives evaluate their networks to see if they are ready for VoIP, they must look beyond the factors that jump to mind immediately, say those who have been through the process.

DocFinder: 2458

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614voip.html

13) As CLECs get a second chance, users get deals

Telecom observers have seen dozens of small and midsize CLECs emerge from bankruptcy in the past year, and even more came back in the previous year. Some survivors are gobbling up smaller competitors, some are cutting back on services or markets, some are offering new services and still others are just trying to turn a profit. The good news for telecom buyers is that these formerly bankrupt CLECs are focused on competing with their larger cousins and with incumbent carriers, sometimes by lowering prices and sometimes by trying to offer bundled services or better customer service.

DocFinder: 2459

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/061404spspecialfocusclecs.html

14) Nortel doubles Shasta performance, density

Nortel last week unveiled an upgrade to its Shasta Broadband Services Node 5000 edge router that more than doubles the performance and density of the 6-year-old incumbent, the company says.

DocFinder: 2460

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614nortel.html

15) Security vendors tout new wares

Network Associates, Trend Micro and eEye Digital Security this week will each unveil upgraded versions of their products aimed at protecting networks from viruses, worms and other types of attacks.

DocFinder: 2461

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614trendnainews.html

16) Fibre Channel storage boxes set to get smarter

While start-ups such as StoreAge and Incipient are providing intelligent applications for Fibre Channel switches, major vendors such as Brocade and McData are lagging behind, saying applications they are developing are taking more time to build because they are bigger and more complicated to design than those that start-ups provide.

DocFinder: 2462

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614intelligence.html

17) Juniper set to tap into enterprise routing

Juniper’s introduction this week of enterprise branch routers could offer users a strong alternative to Cisco.

DocFinder: 2463

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614pepsi.html

18) XML router on tap from Sarvega

Sarvega next week is expected to introduce an XML router designed for a WAN, an appliance that could make it easier for companies to integrate Web services across multiple partner networks.

DocFinder: 2464

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614sarvega.html

19) Aprisma beefing up network mgmt. package

Aprisma this week will use its annual customer conference to unveil several improvements to its flagship Spectrum product that are designed to help companies get a better feel for what’s on their network and why it might be underperforming.

DocFinder: 2466

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614aprisma.html

20) HP OpenView to gain business process, protocol analysis

HP this week plans to debut its OpenView Business Process Insight at the HP Software Forum in Montreal. The event is expected to attract 1,400 HP OpenView customers and partners.

DocFinder: 2467

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/061404hpopenview.html

21) IronPort extends spam-detection tool

E-mail security vendor IronPort Systems is administering its spam-catching service to help users stop viruses before they penetrate their corporate networks.

DocFinder: 2468

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614ironport.html

22) Start-up looks to undercut frame, IP VPN prices

Start-up StraitShot Communications this week is expected to launch its first service, which the company says will give business users a less expensive alternative to traditional frame relay and IP VPN offerings.

DocFinder: 2469

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/061404straitshot.html

23) RFID is prescription for drug companies

The front lines of technology are typically unfamiliar  But the chain is making an exception for radio frequency identification (RFID).

DocFinder: 2470

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/061404rfid.html

24) Interest in ASPs, Web hosting picking up

Enterprise customers in growing numbers are taking a look at application service providers and Web hosting companies as they seek ways to make their IT operations more efficient by using on-demand services.

DocFinder: 2474

https://www.nwfusion.com/news/2004/0614asphosting.html