Network Computing | 1521 Table of Contents

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Building a Top-Flight Infrastructure | Gold Standard Networks
By Peter Morrissey
Even if a new network is not on your horizon, it pays to keep abreast of vendor advances in reliability, security, speeds and feeds, and standards support. We talk about where standards like 802.3af for PoE, 802.1X, 802.1w and 802.3ad stand, while examining both sides of the best of breed vs. single vendor debate.

Review: RFP for a Premium Network, Take II | Cradle2Grave Rises Again
By Peter Morrissey
Last year, we introduced our fictional company as it sought to build a top-flight network to support its growing business. And grow it did. Now, "Cradle2Grave" is looking to upgrade its infrastructure with an emphasis on five-nines availability and security to keep the expansion going. Alcatel, Cisco and Nortel answered our questionnaire. See which one gets the bid.

Vendor Profile: Cisco Redux | On Its Feet and On the Prowl
By Rob Preston, Dave Molta, Bruce Boardman, Peter Morrissey and Don MacVittie
The reigning network leader has bounced back from tough times with record revenue and profits. But can Cisco keep innovating while fending off challengers? Three years later, we take another look at the king of the network kingdom.

Workshops

Basic Hardware Problem Diagnostics | When Good Hardware Goes Bad
Steven J. Shuchart Jr.
We'll walk you through the steps for diagnosing and fixing some basic hardware problems as well as show you how to get the most out of your service and technical support contracts when the problem is more severe.

Buyer's Guide: Video Server Appliances | The Right Gear for Your Video Needs
By Darrin Woods
Video server appliances have a long way to go before they are plug-and-play. And although industry standards make it easier for products to interact with each other, be sure you research before you buy.
View our Interactive Buyer's Guide

Sneak Previews

Cisco's 9216i | Extending Your Reach
By Don MacVittie
This new storage switch lets you safely manage remote data storage using FC over IP.

BlueCat's Meridius | Scanning for Spam
By Joe Hernick
The price is a little steep, but this turnkey solution effectively scours for spam before it reaches your network.

Citrix's GoToAssist | Next Best Thing to Being There
By Sean Doherty
This managed service lets your helpdesk fix problems remotely. But beware platform choice limitations.

Departments

Last Mile
Edited By Bradley F. Shimmin and Tim Wilson
This edition looks at the top 11 'MacGyver Methods' for restoring power to the server closet, the best of our reader IT maxims and rating a network diagram.

Quick Takes
By NWC Editors
This edition looks at Netilla's Secure Gateway appliance, NetSupport's DNA 2.0, Microsoft's Exchange Server Best Practices and Cast Iron Systems' Application Router 1000 2.3.5.

Letters
By NWC Readers
Ron Johnson says, "I disagree with allowing local desktop admin when necessary. I'd lock them up as tight as a drum."

Columns

Down to Business: Oracle, PeopleSoft and the Future | Apocalypse Now? Bring It On
By Rob Preston
To paraphrase the band REM: It's the end of the industry as we know it--and we should feel fine.

Reality IT: The Key to Security: Prevention | Holey Server, Networkman
By Hunter Metatek
Regardless of what tools you have handy, a reactive approach is bound to be arduous, time-consuming and costlier than a preventative one.

The IT Agenda: IP Protection for the 21st Century | Tell Legislators: Enact Meaningful Change
By Jonathan Feldman
There's a difference between creating a profitable, sustainable business and creating a monster.

Microsoft Finds 22 New Flaws | Despite New Pack, Holes Remain
By Curtis Franklin Jr.
New Windows flaws prove that security managers must continue to focus on patch management and protection of client systems.

BuzzCut: Hewlett-Packard Kills Utility Data Center | UDC is DOA
By Bruce Boardman
Realizing enterprises simply could not afford the full package, HP will now offer parts of its UDC as software modules.

BuzzCut: Don't Count Out BEA Yet | Mining Diamond and QuickSilver
By Richard Hoffman
Despite financial troubles and reorganizations, BEA has developed two solid products that could give it a leg up in the development of service-oriented architectures.

BuzzCut: AT&T, Covad Take Wires Out of VoIP | VoIP Goes Wireless?
By Frank Bulk
A WiMAX infrastructure will let service providers deliver VoIP to rural areas without a backhoe.

FUDBusters: Justice Department: Prosecute P2P Users, Vendors | They Call This Justice?
By Tim Wilson
The Justice Department wants to criminalize the sharing of copyrighted data over P2P networks and allow lawsuits against vendors that "induce" file sharing.

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