New Technology Reviews!.: Planning

Planning For the Future of Your IT Infrastructure - Notes From Interop Conference

Managing Data Centers A typical data center or room full of servers should be built correctly and build to last for at least 7 to 10 years in order to be truly effective. These servers should have the capability of accommodating a minimum of ten GB (gigabits) of data. Still, with the growing demand on bandwidth, planning technology should prepare for a need of 100 GB to run efficiently. Another common concern is the need for cooling and power in the server room. For example, the IT staff at Google spends more on electricity for cooling their rooms every year than the cost of the servers within the data centers. Think about it. Virtualization is another popular discussion topic. This term refers to hiding the characteristics of computing resources through encapsulation. This includes the process of making an individual physical resources appear to work like multiple logical resources. It can also include making many physical resources like storage devices or severs appear as a single resource. It's important to understand how virualization can help: although it can reduce the physical amount of servers, it doesn't mean that admin time to support them is also reduced. The costs of administration can truly hinder the entire process and the overall attempt to find a cost-saving strategy. Services & Infrastructure As with Data Center management, Infrastructure and Services' virtualization has benefits which deserve a look. However, the experts will highlight the reality that it can also generate far more work, especially in large environments. The solutions from appliances are returning as they create reliable, simple services which require little overhead, making them suited for an environment in which administrative support fetches a premium. A key point on this topic is that Asset Management Network Administrators must be aware while maintaining good records of each piece of equipment - not just the servers and workstations. It's important to control this information for security and administrative purposes as well as lifecycle management and optimization. Security Many companies showed an interest in data security and compliance issues. The recommended advice seems to be 'Defense in Depth.' Perimeter defense systems which use Web Gateways and Unified Threat Management are available from a variety of companies and were discussed by several speakers. These systems monitored and blocked Web usage while defending against complex attacks using methods of prevention and detection. Network Access Control, or NAC, was a big hit at the conference. NAC disallows unauthorized access, either through wireless access points or the Ethernet. No security plan is complete without encryption. If a system is ever hacked and the info isn't encrypted, the industry will show no tolerance for having practiced this unsafe strategy. Collaboration and VoIP While most everyone will agree that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Collaboration technology are significant advantages to end users, the vendors and speakers both agree that there's no real 'one solution.' The client's needs need to match the features of the solution, no matter if it's an IP PBX system, hosted solution, or a combination of the two. Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWF) was also demonstrated. Even though many office locations are wi-fi connected, there are some complexities and solution to make VoIP work on the these networks as well. Mobility and Wireless Many speakers and vendors discussed the access methods to gain corporate data from a mobile phone. Security methods including encryption, SSL, and others ensure that the data which flows between the wireless system and the headquarters is secure while in transit. In fact, nearly all companies are headed toward a more mobile workforce. This is not just the executive staff any longer, as there are more people telecommuters, field personnel and sales representatives who need to access information while away from the headquarters building in order to do their jobs well. The final point on Mobility and Wireless revolved around wireless access point placement architecture, particularly for campus locations. With the need for bandwidth and technological advances, there will be radical changes in the ways these networks are set up.

Planning For the Future of Your IT Infrastructure - Notes From Interop Conference

Managing Data Centers A typical data center or room full of servers should be built correctly and build to last for at least 7 to 10 years i...

Acer planning 3D tablets and mobile phones

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mobile-computing/notebooks-and-tablet-pcs/Acer/AS5745D_03-200-200.jpg"> Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci has talked about the company's plans for a 3D tablet or even a 3D phone following the growing trend in 3D gaming. The laptop giant has unveiled its tablet range – including the novel dual tablet Iconia – but the company is keen to make 3D a bigger part of its plans. <img alt="Acer iconia - dual-screen tablet, 3d on the way?" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mobile-computing/images/Acer-Iconia5-420-100.jpg" title="Acer iconia - dual-screen tablet, 3d on the way?" width="420"></IMG> In an interview with All Things Digital, Lanci talked up the company's investment in 3D technology and believes that it can now be stepped up. "If you think about gaming, 3-D gaming has becoming quite popular," Lanci said in an <a href="http://mobilized.allthingsd.com/20101129/acer-ceo-on-why-hes-waiting-on-android-tablets/">All Things Digital interview</A>. "If you think about a 3-D tablet, you can play games. We are working on 3-D on a lot of things. Same on phones and tablets "I think we are going to do the same on phone, even on tablets," he added. Lanci is surprised that more laptop manufacturers haven't taken the 3D route stating: "When I look at notebooks or hardware, the number of companies doing innovation are not too many. "I think we are one of the few companies left focused on innovation. This is maybe the reason why you don't see it." Acer's phone strategy has yet to really ignite, but the company's growth into a major player in laptops – vying for market leadership – makes it very much one to watch. Although the Iconia may have raised a few eyebrows, with a chunky form factor and £1,500 price tag, many will be eager to see if the company can bring 3D to the realm of the tablet, and compete with the likes of Sharp in pushing a 3D mobile phone. Via <a href="http://mobilized.allthingsd.com/20101129/acer-ceo-on-why-hes-waiting-on-android-tablets/">ATD blog</A>

Acer planning 3D tablets and mobile phones

Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci has talked about the company's plans for a 3D tablet or even a 3D phone following the growing trend in 3D gami...

Apple Planning to use Retina Display in iPad 2

<img alt="Apple Planning to use Retina Display in iPad 2 " border="0" height="150" src="/113587matter.jpg" width="200"> Earlier, we reported that Apple has been rumored of working on the second generation iPad which will be shown in February next year. Now, a Taiwanese news website DigiTimes has noted that Apple will be adding five new features in the iPad 2 according to a source who tipped the information to Economic Daily News, a Chinese-language news paper. These features include Retina display, front facing camera for FaceTime, USB Port, and smaller form factor. Now we know you're slowly getting mad at us for writing too much about Apple who doesn't bother launching the iPad in India. However, there is no harm in staying abreast with developments that might help instead of staying aloof. Rumor mills and spin doctors are already speculating the theories that Apple will show off in a smaller 7-inch iPad 2 sometime early next year. Also, this new iPad would be slimmer than the current generation one as per Apple's patent application. So we can expect a form-factor of anything between 7-inch to 9-inch. In the iPad 2, Apple would be using Retina Display technology with thinner glass panels. The IPS-panel technology based Retina glass is a bit costly but they improve the color and image quality. Hence, expect that part to add up to the total price of the iPad. Industry based component makers also stated that Apple would be adding a USB port to make the iPad 2 more connection friendly. This kind of contradicts Apple CEO Steve Jobs' response to an Apple product fan - We don't see USB 3 taking off at this time. No support from Intel, for example. So instead, we can expect USB 2.0 in iPad 2. Sounds like some cryptic chronology - USB 2.0 in iPad 2 and may be USB 3.0 in iPad 3. That's Apple for you. For the gaming frenzy folks, Apple will add 3-axis gyroscopic sensors to enhance the possible gaming experience. Finally, Apple will add a camera in the front panel to enable FaceTime which is already available to iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4 devices. Once again, I'd like to point out that these are just preliminary buzzes you'll hear till the actual product is shown off.

Apple Planning to use Retina Display in iPad 2

Earlier, we reported that Apple has been rumored of working on the second generation iPad which will be shown in February next year. Now, a ...

Disaster Recovery and Planning - Business Documents and Records

Disaster wears many faces. People know the importance of insuring their homes, vehicles, businesses, and lives from both natural and man-made disaster. When tragedy strikes, the most important concern is obviously human welfare - surviving the event with minimal or no permanent damage. The next concern, however, is the kind of permanent damage that can feel like a life has ended: losing imperative data. While facilities and equipment can be replaced, nothing can replace damaged or destroyed documents. Every company keeps data that is so important; losing it would be catastrophic to the business. However, many businesses have unreliable disaster plans, or none at all. These companies are facing very large and unnecessary risks.There are hundreds of news articles featuring businesses that have lost invaluable information to natural disaster. Consider the possible flukes that can set a building ablaze: gas leak, poor wiring, equipment failure, and negligence. Weather concerns are relevant across the world. The source of destruction depends on geographic location, but severe weather happens everywhere. The point is that every business is vulnerable to disaster, and no business can afford to lose their most valued data and documents. This article will discuss the aspect of document recovery in disaster planning. To efficiently and successfully prepare for the worst, several points must be considered: Nature of disaster capable of occurring Type of information that would need to be recovered Format of documentation or information How these factors affect the decision-making process What could happen?As stated earlier, the two kinds of disaster that can ruin a business are natural and man-made. Each is a separate and real risks.Natural disasters: The most common natural disasters, depending on geographic location, come by way of hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning, earth quakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, extreme cold or heat, landslides, snow or ice storms, hail, and fire.Man-made disasters: This category may include explosions, arson, hazardous materials, terrorism, sabotage, theft, structural collapse, nuclear catastrophe, computer viruses, power disruption, and power spikes.Either form of destruction can have an enormous impact on records and files. Without backup copies or alternate forms of recordkeeping, this data may be gone forever. No matter how unlikely it is for such an event to take place, it is always a possibility.What information needs to be saved?There are numerous categories of information that may need to be recovered in the event of a disaster. Some include: Drawings Specs Vital HR records Video or audio records Procedures Financial records and information Customer information Quality and product tracking records Inventory Certificates Licenses Security information Assess which records and data would be most vital to recover if all was lost forever. How would the organization function without them? What is the safest way to ensure a copy is available if the building and equipment are destroyed? How do you go about recovering this document in the event of a disaster?How the information is keptBusinesses that most urgently need disaster planning are obviously those whose records are only kept on paper. Drawings, manuals, and books are often kept in filing cabinets, drawers, shelves, and boxes on-site. Even paper files that are kept in an off-site storage facility are susceptible to destruction. It is wisest to keep records in more than one format. Following is a brief description of non-paper methods of keeping and storing information.Electronic Format: Files stored and retrieved by computers. Some common formats for vital records include TIFF images, PDF/searchable PDF, databases, video files, and audio files. Electronic files can be stored on hard drives, CD's or DVDs, flash drives, floppy discs, and tapes. This would include paper documents that are scanned and indexed for fast retrieval.Microfiche: A flat film that contains a matrix of micro images that can be stored in boxes, file cabinets, drawers and envelopes.Microfilm: A reel or roll of film that can be perforated in 35mm or 16 mm format and contains micro images. Microfilm is typically stored in open-reel type systems or in cassettes.Aperture Cards: A punched or non-punched card with a microfilm image mounted. They can be stored in boxes, file cabinets, drawers and envelopes.Putting it all togetherKnowing what could happen, what would be destroyed, and what is most important to recover, you want to decide on the disaster-recovery plan that is best for you. Here are a few key elements to consider when choosing a method of document safekeeping:Prioritize: Not every record or document is critical, and the likelihood of a hurricane hitting South Dakota is zero. It is ridiculous to address every possible situation, so address the most catastrophic situation that is most likely to occur.Storage: Very few storage systems are 100% disaster proof. Humidity, extreme temperatures, fire, water, and chemicals will destroy or degrade paper, microfilm, microfiche, and aperture cards. Even electronic formats are susceptible to the elements. Duplicates of your vital records should be stored in an off-site location. To minimize damage at the off-site storage, consider the type of destruction possible. For instance, if hurricanes occur in your area, it may be wise to choose a site that would likely be out of harms way should a hurricane destroy your site.Document Integrity: Time alone can compromise paper, microfilm, microfiche and aperture cards. Be prepared to replace that which degrades over time.Access: Documents that are difficult or impossible to retrieve are no more useful than destroyed documents. Your retrieval system must ensure that any given document or record can be found quickly. In the case of electronic storage, images need a logical indexing format for easy search and retrieval.Conversion: Microfilm, microfiche, paper, and aperture cards can all be converted to electronic format with <a href="http://www.microfacs.com" rel="nofollow" target="_new">digital scanning</a> technology. The most common electronic formats are TIFF (image) and PDF (including searchable PDF). While scanning, a document can be indexed for efficient retrieval. Indexing allows the documents to be searched or cross-referenced by a number of fields, such as: name, SSN, model or serial number, date, etc.Electronically-formatted documents are easiest to store and retrieve. One can rent electronic storage in a dozen locations around the world at a minimum cost. Retrieval is instantaneous. Electronic data can be automatically backed up to off-site locations daily or even hourly if needed. Cost is typically based on the amount of memory needed, but is relatively inexpensive compared to physical storage facilitiesDocuments may also be converted from electronic format to eye-readable formats (such as microfilm or microfiche.) From a security standpoint, retrieving electronic information may be impossible if power or internet access is interrupted. For some, computer/network hacking is a greater threat to security than a physical break-in at a secured storage area.Above all, be realistic and take disaster recovery-planning seriously. Choose only what is most likely to happen and thoroughly prepare for it. Devise a plan that will work, not just a checklist that no one can put into action. Hopefully your company will never suffer the kind of disaster that can destroy a business. If the worst were to happen, though, there's no turning back. Preparing for disaster today may save your business tomorrow.	 	 		 			 				 					 						Rick Romens founded Microfacs in 1988 after having 10 years in the micrographic industry. Microfacs Inc is a digital conversion company that specializes in microfilm scanning, <a href="http://www.microfacs.com/digital/microfiche.htm" target="_new">microfiche scanning</a>, scanning aperture cards and <a href="http://www.microfacs.com/digital/paper.htm" target="_new">paper scanning services</a>.

Disaster Recovery and Planning - Business Documents and Records

Disaster wears many faces. People know the importance of insuring their homes, vehicles, businesses, and lives from both natural and man-...