Archive for the ‘Computers’ Category
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
What actually is network planning and how can you benefit from it? Simply putting, network planning is to streamline business goals and build a whole network revolving around those goals. Marking out these business ends before actually plunging into the execution of network installation will help you get a network that’ll work best for you in the present as well as the future. Here is how you can develop your network installation plan:
Identify your needs:
The first step in network installation will be to determine your network requirements and needs. Your business is going to change and so will your needs, for this matter you must have long term vision of what kind of network installation will work best for you. Here are some points you should keep in mind:
• Total users of the network will help you determine the amount of computers and peripheral devices you may need.
• Identify the patterns of network usage by the users. For example, will each person operate a personal computer, or will a group of people use a single computer, or will someone use the network remotely.
• Identify the needs and requirements of your staff and integrate them with your network plans, giving special consideration to time and money
• If you are expecting your business growth and extension in the future, choose a network accordingly so you don’t have to keep on shifting to other networks, which can be extremely expensive.
• Decide who will run your network keeping in mind your business needs. You have two options to choose from, you can either hire in-house network experts, or you can hire a full fledge IT support company.
• Security and safety of your business data is important, therefore your network plan must offer security in the form of passwords, firewalls, antivirus, data encryption etc.
What to look for before network installation?
Before you start with your actual network installation, look out for the following:
• First comes planning—Here you will determine the number of people using a particular network, on-site and off-site users, on-site devices connected with the network, and server details.
• After that, determine your hardware requirements including backup devices, printers, systems, hubs, switches etc.
• Next comes the network pattern—here you will establish the network operating system, network topology, NIC’s, network cabling or wireless network, and location of all the devices (routers, hubs, modems, servers, firewalls, printers etc)
• Security check should be your next consideration. Here you will ensure passwords, virus protection etc. Moreover, you’ll also verify the backup system you have in order to save data from being lost and also the backup in case of power failure.
Network installation is quite a demanding task, and it is only through effective planning that you are able to implement your network properly. There are many network installation services to help you plan out your entire network process, so if you are facing any kind of trouble in planning your network, you can always opt for such services.
About Author:
Bryan Williams has closely worked with small and medium businesses in analysis, planning &management. If you’re looking for advice regarding IT support, especially network installation and or choosing right network installation services , you can always ask Bryan.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2010
In the current economy, driving a small and efficient business is not an easy thing to do. And of course, it is the only way to survive also. Companies all over the world are trying to reduce their cost in every wing they have which includes the Network Infrastructure also.
So how can a company stay small and save money, while still getting the best enterprise network equipment available? As we all know the standards of Cisco Systems Products and their Quality, they make quality networking equipment that often retains a great value even after a bit of wear and tear. Many of the companies dispose the network equipment that is no longer working, but still they can be recycled and refurbished for sale.
Here I just want to mention some thing about the Cisco Routers. The difference that sets a router a part from a PC is the fact that a router can perform special tasks such as controlling or routing traffic between two or more computer networks. Routers can be thought of as a smart network device. Consider the hardware of a Cisco router in order to understand just specifically how a router can perform its many functions. Besides all these, the cost of these routers is also a bit expensive. But today, we can able get the used Routers for a better price. So many companies sell used Cisco routers for an affordable price.
So, Buying or selling the used Network equipment can save lot of money. It makes a big difference in costs; it would be ten to thousands of dollars, with little difference in the quality. We can put the money which we saved by buying a used networking hardware in different areas of our business.
There are so many ways to buy and sell used Cisco Routers and the other equipment. We can find so many companies running this business and are been very much successful.
We can buy them online and we can also have the trusted warranty and 100% product certification for used networking hardware. You can just search online for your desired equipment and you can easily find that.
Many businesses are now opting to employ refurbished or used Cisco routers and switches. It also has become a common practice to deploy used Cisco IT equipment, as evidenced by the emergence of reliable vendors specializing in refurbished and re-marketed Cisco equipment.
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Monday, February 8th, 2010
Just wind back the world where all and sundry longed to get a degree. Imagine wanting an education so badly that one would walk for miles to get it. This seems to be a never ending scenario, crave for education. An anthem is in the making, Microsoft and Cisco call it the certification!
The world is banging with the echo ‘hire only certified people’. SO, out of the 100%, only 10% of the people are equipped with certifications and rest of them is forced into it! And now it is like a battle having populace trying to get hold of most of the certification they can! No one is seen with a different eye, unless a professional degree is wrapped under the arms of the certified courses. Keeping in mind the strategies, the demands, the competition, the professionals, MICROSOFT and CISCO have framed a number of certification courses, right from system administrator to the IT professional.
The procedure involved is quite simple and lucid. The certificate is awarded to any person who completes and clears the test carried out by the organization in the stipulated time. The certification is based on different areas of scientific proficiency. The certifications offered by MICROSOFT are MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCP, and MCSE.
MCSA is an acronym for Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator; it is an official recognition for a person’s knowledge in system administration of Microsoft Windows operating systems. This certificate is attained by clearing two networking system exams, a client operating system and an elective paper.
A person having MCSA is more valued when he owns a MCSE certificate. It stands for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and is one of the superlative certification for Windows Server 2003. It shapes a person into a tycoon who can handle any crisis and take care of the requirements, plan and the execution involved for the same. The next one to follow is the MCTS; it is a technological specialist certification. There are more than twenty MCTS certifications based on the requirements and specifications.
This decade has proved that certifications hold a much higher value than any other degree under the sun.
Apart from Microsoft, CISCO also provides various certifications for the same. Now, it has become a trend and outstandingly necessity to have certification spaced out from standard degree. CISCO provides courses and certification for network managers and professionals. The most popular one is called the ‘CCNA’ which has taken an immense silhouette throughout the country. It stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. A person who claims to have a CCNA certificate is very well equipped in the areas involving WAN and remote servers. To go hand in hand with it, CISCO has also introduced certification course named CCNP, CCIE.
With recession ruling the world, it is important for an individual to show his potential and uniqueness, which can be easily accomplished by getting hold of the above mentioned certificates.
The article about MCSE, CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, MCITP, MCTS, MCSA and MCP certifications was pen down by Radu Antohi who has contributed with a lot of articles on various certification techniques.
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Monday, February 8th, 2010
The ‘recession’ being the watch-word these days the upcoming IT professionals are finding it highly difficult to place them in the industry. Just like the saying ‘every dark cloud has a silver lining’ the MNC’s have come up with a solution to help out the beginners and the late bloomers the resultant being the introduction of the certification courses. The certification courses not only provide validation but also authentication along with it. It is like a direct pass into the IT industry.
So what are these certification courses? It is nothing but the mark of refinement that the particular person is more equipped and is capable than the rest of the lot. They are trained in a particular area and are put in an interrogatory situation where in they are tested under various circumstances and when the mark of adequacy is reached the person is held in esteem. The certification courses inculcate professionalism in an ordinary person as it provides an upper hand.
The MNC’s that offer the certification courses are the Microsoft and Cisco. With perfection being the main aim aggressiveness foisted upon competition. The core area of the certification course is the networking and it is being followed up by internet work and system administration and technology specialization. The certification for ‘Networking’ in different aspects is provided by Cisco. The facets being CCNA, CCNP, CCIE which is noting but the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) this marks the basic stage in the ocean of networking. As the certification says the person makes up a logical connection with the networking industry. The CCNA has made its mark in the networking industry.
Following it is the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) which is the highest degree provided for the networking professional involving all of the network concepts including the ones like handling routers and satellites which is now an important facet in the banking industry these days especially in areas like Core banking services (CBS) thus playing an important role in all the industries. The other certification provided by CISCO is the Cisco Certified Internet work Expert (CCIE).
The MICROSOFT being the most reputed MNC is the IT galaxy provides certification courses to create a ripple among the ordinary people who achieve the degree of uniqueness after attaining the certification. The Microsoft trademark is the most sought after in the four corners of the world.
The certifications’ provided are MCSE, MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, MCP.
A system engineer is the one who has mastered the art of handling the equipment. A higher grade is obtained by the system engineer when the certification Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) is obtained. Microsoft Certification for Information Technology Professional (MCITP) is a division of the IT field which throws light upon the important perceptions. The certification provided for a PRO to become in system administration is Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is provided for the technology specialist like separating the executives and the amateur. The other course provided is the
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP).
Thus the certification courses provide a direct solution for the beginners.With recession in the air and the cats and rats following up the same track the certification course are marker for distinguishing them.
The article about various certifications is written by author Radu Antohi who contributes articles on certifications like MCSE, CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, MCITP, MCTS, MCSA, and MCP.
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Friday, February 5th, 2010
From “ignorance is bliss” to “surprise attack and disaster” – how many thousands of Internet users have experienced this frustration and grief?
This raises the obvious question: “Why haven’t they prepared to avoid it?”
The startling fact is that there are many long term Internet users who have never even considered updating their Operating Systems and protective Safe-ware.
Perhaps the complexity of it all contributes to what might be described as User apathy – or indifference and a lack of enthusiasm toward the following:
* The news of yet another vulnerability or patch process.
* The potential damage to computer, personal information and reputation – i.e. the “It can’t happen to me” attitude.
* Their own abilities – i.e. “I’m too old, too dumb, too whatever – to learn how to fix a computer without breaking something.”
* Updating – i.e. “My computer came with an anti-virus program, so why does it need to be updated now?”
The sad fact is that the lack of confidence people have in their ability to build a defense often leads to a reluctance to even accept the reality of Cyber Threats.
Some of the lesser-experienced Internet users rationalize their lack of action with pessimism, even defeatism. Human nature often supports these excuses with defensive attitudes and mis-beliefs like:
* False sense of disaster support – “My nephew, neighbor, son or whoever, is a computer whizz. They’ll be able to fix the problem if anything ever happens.”
* Scepticism – “All this talk about viruses is just so the “news people” will have information for publishing, and so the software manufacturers can scare people into buying more of their products.”
* Ignorance (of the extent of deception, skills and sophistication that the malicious hackers have attained).
* Disbelief (that personal computer might be infected and used by others to spread malicious viruses and worms). “My computer seems to be working ok – a little slow, maybe, but it is getting pretty old.”
* Overwhelmed (too many choices with firewalls, anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-spyware, Trojan removers). “Why do I need all of these and which ones should I use?” or “Do I really need to update my Operating System, my anti virus, spam, spyware stuff?”…I’ll just never learn how to do all of this.
* Expense (How much will all this cost and is it really necessary?)
* Fatalism – “Hey, if it’s going to happen, it will, and I’ll just junk my computer and get another one. Mine’s getting kind of old, anyway.”
Here, then, are the Shocking facts about updating PC Operating Systems.
There are many unaware Internet users who have been online for years, but lack in these Ares:
* They don’t know what “Updating” really means.
* They have never responded to the popup message associated with the icon in the Task tray that announces new Windows Updates.
* They have never clicked on the Windows Update icon in the Program Start menu.
* They have never visited the Microsoft Windows Update web page at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
* They have never updated their PC Operating Systems.
Even if they have been able to navigate to the Microsoft Update webpage, many just throw up their hands in despair at the overwhelming number of choices and unknowns, such as:
* Choosing what to update from the long list of options.
* Waiting for Windows to check the registry for available updates.
* Deciphering the Update descriptions (and instructions).
* Selecting or Removing the necessary options.
* Starting the download.
And oftentimes, many people have never even used the Windows Help information to find out how to update their computer Operating Systems.
How many self taught or untrained computer users are going to persevere through all of the hassle described above? Is it any wonder so many computers become infected? The criminal Hackers building their bot and zombie armies have nearly an open and undefended playing field; many are using it every day to steal money and identities.
So, what is the solution to this problem?
If individuals with computer “understanding” would help and assist others with less knowledge, there would probably be less of a problem.
Nearly everyone who has faithfully kept their PC Operating Systems and Safe-ware up to date surely has family members and friends who could benefit from an hour or so of basic instructions. This would make it much more difficult for the criminal Hackers to compromise another persons computer.
Hacker’s would eventually be faced with a growing number of adequately protected computers, educated Users and hopefully would finally give-up trying!
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Friday, January 29th, 2010
With a rapidly changing world , an abundance of information, it is a common knowledge now that all Web sites require constant updates as static content simply isn’t useful to visitors and customers.
Around-the-clock revisions of Web sites, a constant battle between technology and content management requirements and the speed at which information needs to be distributed can become easily a big challenge for large organization, and is a real burden for small and medium sized organizations and is like a real show stopper for any kind of non-profit organization.
This is why an online CMS system or a content management system that is presented to you as a service, and not as a product could be the solution of tackling the problem of an ever lasting need to manage your website content daily and the need to do this with a simple, easy to use and affordable software tool.
In contrast to more traditional Content management Systems that are known to be difficult to implement, difficult to maintain and expensive in procurement and expensive in training, the new online CMS systems are known to be easy to implement, because they do not require any installation at your premises. They also require little or no training to be used and very importantly you are paying for these systems as you use them: the more functionality you require, the more expensive the service will be and overall these software services will come at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems, not only in the procurement phase but more importantly throughout the entire life-cycle of the service.
While Web content management systems may be effective in creating, editing, managing and publishing content, they are usually costly to acquire and even more costly to own. They are therefore not well suited for medium sized organizations, small organizations, let alone non-profit organizations who have little or no access to professional IT help at a reasonable cost. Also the fact that these products run on own servers, or servers installed in a data center makes the job even more difficult, as you need to source that competence of running a website on own or hosted servers. The sole fact of running a software product and having a hardware platform to manage on top it, always comes at a serious cost.
Whereas service levels are always guaranteed with online CMS systems, they are often non-existing with traditional CMS systems, and this is very often a cause of serious debates between the IT department or IT vendors and the business owners.
But the main reason why a lot of organizations, small or big are keen to look into online CMS system or CMS systems sold as a service is the fact that the ownership of all web content and web communication, and to a certain extend all web functionality sits with the business owners or the marketing department. If you are making a brochure for your business or organization or if you are publishing a newsletter, you are not going to ask the printer to make this for you. The same applies for a web site: not the IT department will drive your web content or web communication, but the business or the core of the organization will drive this.
Therefore the basic requirements of any tool to drive your web communication should be: is the technology scalable, is it easy to manage all the content elements of my website, is it easy to manage user generated content, can I easily change the design of my website in other words can I focus all my attention on design and content, rather then on software development and hardware configuration.
Online CMS systems or CMS systems sold as a service are the perfect answer to the desires and the needs of any organization, small or big that wants to own and manage the entire design and content of its website. The service is delivered over the Internet without anything to install, no hardware to manage, and no infrastructure to maintain. Unlike traditional software that requires consumers
to pay a substantial amount to buy the product, ensure its functionality, and maintain it through third party vendors, software sold as a service provides a transparent way of maintaining your Web site without any hidden cost or surprises and without the need to be a computer wizard other then being able to access the Internet through a browser.
As a customer, you just pay a fixed subscription fees on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis and leave the task of managing, maintaining and upgrading the software to the vendor. Vendors guarantee a running application completely configured to the environment that you have configured. Typically you will have the benefit of a Service Level agreement and typically your website will be backed up by the vendor and you will have the possibility to restore your website in case you deleted certain elements of your website inappropriately.
With no hardware to buy or software to install, a CMS delivered as a service can be up and running quickly. It can deliver significantly higher productivity gains by allowing a business user or any user to contribute and update content on a Web site from any location by using an Internet connection only. And it can all be managed by multiple people with different user rights and different administration rights. And it is all geared up to take advantage of the latest developments on the Internet, which is that you will need to integrate user generated content in to you website on an ever growing basis, but that you will need a software tool to manage and display that user generated content.
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Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
As the person in charge of gathering the company’s staff from different corners of the country, you’ve got to be asking yourself how you will to get them to a single conference centre and keep company expenses at a minimum. The logical answer is that you need everyone in the same place so that identical information can be disseminated at the same time. Unfortuntely, the cost of getting hundreds of people to attend a conference in the same city can often be prohibitive, particularly if you are organising a conference between people from different countries.
There has been a significant decrease in business air fares of late, and there is a reason for that which could wind up playing a big role in how your information is delivered to your satellite offices. It’s called web conferencing, and it has rapidly become a viable alternative to travelling physically to a geographic location. With the expansion of this technology, more and more companies are looking to connect with their remote staff via the web conferencing medium.
The advances in video conferencing mean that multiple delegates can now watch real-time streaming of a video event. What this has done is to bring the corporate community much
closer. The price of video conferencing has also recently come down, which makes it an even more viable prospect for companies wishing to adopt the technology.
Whereas in the 1990s video conferencing required a lot of special eqiupment and a dedicated phone connection, now all you need is a simple browser and an internet connection. This has allowed many more people to join conferences that otherwise would not have been able to. Those conferences can also be recorded and accessed on the web at a later date. Those that can attend are now able to watch it and real time, where ideas can be put forth, and brainstorming can take place through shared applications like polling and virtual whiteboards; as well, presentations can also be made through PowerPoint slides and other documentation which can be transferred to all participants with a minimum of hassle.
In Australia alone, video conferencing software such as WebEx is used by over 11,000 businesses. The reduced travel this has allowed will have reduced the amount of carbon emitted by thousands of tonnes. As well as conducting e-training events, web conferencing software can be used for large scale events and for staying in touch with suppliers and customers alike.
Kinobo is an online retailer of computer electronics and software. We supply customers with webcams, microphones, headsets and other video conferencingequipment. We also offer a free trial of Microsoft Live Meeting web based video conferencing.
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Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Using these units, multiple high resolution VGA video signals can be switched and displayed on a single display without ghosting of images. In fact, a VGA switch provides a resolution of up to 1920 x 1440 @ 60 Hz and a bandwidth of 250 MHz. The images presented are crisp and clear and appear as though they are directly connected to the source device. More than one switcher can be daisy chained to expand the number of computers that can be connected to each other. VGA Cables are used to connect these switchers to both the source as well as the display devices, thus eliminating the need for long, bulky coax cables with BNC connectors. Switching is done quickly and easily through the front panel control buttons or through the use of optional IR remote control or RS232.
A VGA switcher is compatible with multisync SVGA, VGA, & XGA monitors and is also compatible with PCs, MACs and SUNs with VGA video. These units are available in various models such as manual switchers, automatic switchers and matrix switchers. The Video matrix switch version comes in 2×2, 2×4, 2×8, 2×16, 4×4, 8×8, 16×16 & larger units. This switch is a combination of a video switcher and a video splitter in one unit and allows for multiple video inputs and multiple video outputs. A key feature common to some models is auto scan mode. These devices can extend video signals at distances up to 100 with standard VGA cables, and up to 1000 feet using the Cat5 matrix versions. Due to the built in video signal enhancement, quality of video is always maintained. These units support DDC, DDC2, and DDC2B protocols. Some switchers are available with audio and have the ability to switch balanced and unbalanced stereo audio. Valuable space and money can be saved by using the VGA monitor switch as it eliminates the need for redundant monitors.
Digital Signage applications, Classrooms, Boardrooms, Hospitals, Trade shows, Conference and entertainment facilities, Courtrooms, Control rooms, Casinos, CAD Applications, Remote monitoring facilities etc. are ideal places for these devices as in these places, information is presented from many computers.
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Friday, January 1st, 2010
Many companies are already using sophisticaed video conferencing systems in their boardrooms. If an important executive wants to have a meeting with colleagues on the other side of the planet, it often makes sense for the meeting to be carried out virtually to save time and cost.
These boardroom solutions are pitched at the senior members of staff, and as such can command a hefty price tag. Systems such as these rarely cost less than $10,000 to install.
For a small business then, what’s the alternative? Is it possible to get the benefit of video conferencing without the enormous capital investment? Thankfully, a new breed of video conferencing systems has emerged which answers that cry.
Web-based video conferencing systems can be used on a much smaller (or indeed larger) scale at a fraction of the cost of more traditional solutions. Instead of investing in a large amount of computing power, specialist equipment and large screens, all that is needed is a computer connected to the internet, and a webcam.
Using a service such as Live Meeting, organizers can initiate a meeting which can then be accessed by various members of the organisation. Anyone else who’s connected to the internet can technically connect, regardless of what operating system or browser they are using.
This web-based conferencing solution also enables participants to share documents and collaborate much more easily than they would have been able to using the traditional equipment. Participants can upload spreadsheets or word documents and work on them remotely, saving the changes to a centalised ‘conference center’.
If you’d like to find out more about Live Meeting, please visit our site.
Kinobo is an online retailer of computer electronics and software. We supply customers with webcams, microphones, headsets and other equipment. We also offer a free trial of Microsoft Live Meeting web based video conferencing.
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Sunday, September 20th, 2009
Who wouldn’t want to be sitting in the business class lounge of an airport sipping champagne and eating a delicious dinner? Unfortunately, the reality of business travel is rarely as glamorous. For many senior executives, business travel is actually pretty dreary. The rise of video conferncing systems has in part been due to executives wanting to cut down on the time spent travelling to meetings that could just as easily be conducted virtually.
It’s not just executives that need to travel to meetings, all grades of office employees find that visiting clients is becoming more and more necessary, particularly when the economy goes sour.
All this adds up to an enormous headache for the accounts department. It’s difficult to justify the high cost of business travel in a recession, even if it is necessary. One of the solutions to cut back on this heavy expense is to use video conferencing.
Luckily, the technology has advanced now so much that it’s possible to conduct a live, face-to-face web conference on the internet without the massive cost of installing traditional video conferencing equipment. This allows it to be used by people across an entire organisation, not just the senior board-level.
A typical web conference will allow many people to connect to a single ‘meeting room’ which is hosted online. Microsoft’s Live Meeting works by hosting one of these virtual meeting rooms on their server, and allowing access to anyone with an internet connection and either the Live Meeting software, or a web browser with Java enabled.
Participants can then enjoy the benefits of web conferencing with additional collaboration tools. They can, for instance, present material, edit spreadsheets and documents together, and record training sessions. This information can then be stored in the conference center and be made accessible to anyone who has participated in the meeting.
This is great not only for conducting meetings with colleagues in other locations, but also for meeting suppliers and discussing on-going work with clients. It might not replace real-life meetings with prospects or highly-valued clients, but it can certainly relieve much of an organisation’s unnecessary travel.
Kinobo is an online retailer of computer electronics and software. We supply customers with webcams, microphones, headsets and other equipment. We also offer a free trial of Microsoft Live Meeting web based video conferencing.
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