Network Computing Report #377
http://www.networkcomputing.com/
Monday, November 15, 2004

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Join InformationWeek for a FREE, on-demand TechWebCast on
Getting It All Together: Business Continuity Considerations
in Physical Server Consolidation. We’ll assess the drivers
of server consolidation, and discuss collaborative planning
for server consolidation and business continuity, and more.
Register and view now: 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CXzS0AD 
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In This Issue:
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1) Smart Web App Performance Monitoring
   - Feature: Watching the Web Apps
   - Review: Web Application Performance Monitors
   - TechQuiz: Web Performance
2) Reviews and How-Tos
   - Quick Review: Novell Linux Desktop 9
   - Quick Review: Google Desktop
   - Review: Affordable IT: Fax Servers
   - Workshop: A Database Fix for the File System
   - Sneak Preview: Veritas' OpForce 4.0
   - Sneak Preview: Adaptec's Snap Server 18000
   - Sneak Preview: Softek's Softek Performance Tuner
   - Quick Takes: Content Security
   - Buyer's Guide: 1U Servers
3) Reader Reverb
   - IT Codename Generator
   - IT Exam: VoIP ROI
   - IT Strategy Center
   - New Content in the Security Channel
   - E-Poll: Enterprise-class Authentication Systems
   - Top 11: Swami Says
   - Last Mile: Steve Ballmer--The Music Man
   - Quick Poll: MSN's Beta Search
4) The Daily Blog
   - IT Consulting for Free
   - Firefox--Not Just an 80's Movie Anymore
5) Your Monday IT Briefing
   - People Power
   - Hacking for Dollars
   - WLAN Makes Its Voice Heard
   - Optimizing Workforce Communication and Productivity
   - Microsoft Makes Nice. Pigs Fly.
   - Time for Internet Explorer to Get Lost?
   - IBM Opens Up Its Digital Asset Framework
6) Opinion
   - BuzzCut: What's in Your Blade Server?
   - BuzzCut: IE Becomes Hacker Favorite
   - BuzzCut: CenterBoard Could Be SOA Platform
   - BuzzCut: Wireless Moves Out to the Branch
   - FUDBusters: Regional AntiSpam Legislation Gets Its First 
Conviction
   - Reality IT: Proper Budget Planning for the Next Year
   - Air Time: Commoditized IT? Don't Believe It!
   - Down to Business: The Word Is--Compliance
   - Letters: In-House Fixes
7) Coming Events
   - Voice and Data on Enterprise Wi-Fi Networks
   - Are You Prepared for an Electronic Discovery Request?
   - Introducing the Crystal Reports SMB Reporting and Delivery 
Solution
   - Security NeoCast
8) CMP MarketPlace

Look for the next Network Computing Report newsletter on Monday,
November 22, 2004!


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1) Smart Web App Performance Monitoring
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a) Feature: Watching the Web Apps
By Bruce Boardman
It's critical to identify points of failure in your Web applications.
Smart monitoring across multiple tiers can help pin down problems and
abolish the blame game. Learn what to expect from these expensive 
suites
and how to calculate your real costs.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8f0Av

b) Review: Web Application Performance Monitors
By Bruce Boardman
We tested six Web application performance monitors to see how well they
gather data about Web-facing applications and devices in a large 
network
as well as how clearly they present that information. Find out which
product won our Editor's Choice, primarily on the strength of its
intuitive interface.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8g0Aw

c) TechQuiz: Web Performance
Take our latest quiz to see if your application performance monitoring
know-how is up to snuff. If you can outsmart our editors, we'll throw
your name into the hat for a free NWC collectible pen/stylus.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0TNs0Ao

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2) Reviews and How-Tos
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a) Quick Review: Novell Linux Desktop 9
By Michael J. DeMaria
The product's tight ties to Novell network services such as ZENworks 
and
iFolder make it a viable candidate for the desktop in most
Novell-centric shops. Just don't expect it to go beyond the traditional
SUSE distribution.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8h0Ax

b) Quick Review: Google Desktop
By David Strom
Google's latest search project, called Desktop, must have been designed
specifically for those of us who tend to forget where we put our files.
We get comfy with Google's new Desktop and build a bridge between the
outer Web and the inner hard drive.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CvzL0Aa

c) Review: Affordable IT: Fax Servers
By Sean Doherty
Fax servers help get the right papers to the right desks securely,
efficiently and inexpensively. The seven we tested all got very high
marks, but our Editor's Choice went to the one with superior Web-based
administration and pain-free LDAP integration.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8i0Ay

d) Workshop: A Database Fix for the File System
By Jon William Toigo
Most everyone agrees that migrating unstructured files into a 
structured
object-oriented database is the best way to track and manage the
explosion of enterprise data. We give you the lowdown on where this 
file
system effort stands and the obstacles to creating a better file system
infrastructure.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8j0Az

e) Sneak Preview: Veritas' OpForce 4.0
By Ian Brown
Supporting a wide range of server architectures in both 32- and 64-bit
formats, OpForce automates server configurations and deployments.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8k0A1

f) Sneak Preview: Adaptec's Snap Server 18000
By Don MacVittie
Although its capacity might be too small for larger installations,
Snap's easy-to-use storage is the perfect size for small and midsize
businesses.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8l0A2

g) Sneak Preview: Softek's Softek Performance Tuner
By Steven Hill
Put a finger on the pulse of your storage network with this add-on to
the Softek Storage Manager.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8m0A3

h) Quick Takes: Content Security
By Patricia Thomas
This edition looks at ClearSwift's MIMESweeper for SMTP 5.0, FatWire's
Content Server 6 and Array Networks' SPX Enterprise VPN Appliances.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8n0A4

i) Buyer's Guide: 1U Servers
By Don MacVittie
Competition and developmental cost reductions have resulted in low-cost
servers with more CPUs, memory and hard disks as well as USB 
connections
and support for Gigabit Ethernet. But before you buy, you should
consider both short- and long-term goals.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8o0A5

Plus, check out our Interactive Buyer's Guide and research today's
hottest rack mounted servers--ultra-slim 1U units. Compare products 
from
top storage vendors including Hewlett-Packard, IBM and ProLiant to help
with your product selection.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8p0A6

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3) Reader Reverb
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a) IT Codename Generator
You've heard all those great military codenames for various missions,
names like Enduring Freedom, Operation Desert Storm and Golden 
Pheasant.
Well, now you can use our interactive Codename Generator for your own 
IT
operations. Don't settle for boring names like "Verity Upgrade." Try
"Infinite Justice" on for size and impress your coworkers with a name
more fitting to your project.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8q0A7

b) IT Exam: VoIP ROI
Test the state of your convergence readiness with our self-scoring IT
Exam. We'll take you through the five key questions that will allow you
to determine if VoIP is right for your organization now or in the
future.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8r0A8

c) IT Strategy Center
Get out ahead of the competition and the wily hacker with our new IT
Strategy Resource Center, a unique editorial resource for information 
on
all aspects and implications of the convergence of security and IT
operations, brought to you by Studio One Networks.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cvfa0Ab

d) New Content in the Security Channel
In conjunction with Network Magazine, we're pleased to introduce a new
security resource, Andrew Conry-Murray, who will be guest blogging
within our Security Channel. Each week he'll bring you a
technology-centric look at security issues such as RFID, authentication
and biometics.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CdEf0Ap

e) E-Poll: Enterprise-class Authentication Systems
For our February 3, 2005, issue, Network Computing will take a look at
enterprise-class authentication systems--servers and client-side
technologies and tokens to replace or supplement standard user
name/password authentication--all with a view to eventual single sign
on. We'll focus on management via global directory services. Tell us
what your experience with authentication systems has been by taking our
survey.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8s0AA

f) Top 11: Swami Says
This week, we're looking for the "Top 11 somewhat misguided IT
predictions for 2005." Make us laugh "right here, where it counts," and
we'll publish your entry in print and online. Here are a couple of 
ideas
to get you going.
-- IPv6 will be replaced by the much simpler IPv6.232e14.
-- Hard disks will give way to gelatinous biomass, compliments of Kraft
Foods.
-- Floppy 2.0: The comeback!
-- Since the price of computers falls every year, you can cut next
year's budget without worry.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CEhF0AN

g) Last Mile: Steve Ballmer--The Music Man
By Bradley F. Shimmin and Tim Wilson
This Edition: Top 11 pirated songs found on Steve Ballmer's secret 
iPod;
the IT codename generator; and Pez memory sticks.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8t0AB

h) Quick Poll: MSN's Beta Search
Microsoft is working on a new general purpose search engine. Does the
Internet really need one?
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8u0AC

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4) The Daily Blog
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a) IT Consulting for Free
Okay, a slightly misleading title to the blog. What I meant to convey
was, do you think IT departments are properly consulted on system
purchases? The IT shop is the place to go for assistance when looking
into new systems. We offer free advice, so we don't get left holding 
the
bag later. Do you often feel left out of decisions made by other
departments?
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8v0AD

b) Firefox--Not Just an 80's Movie Anymore
The 1982 Clint Eastwood vehicle about stealing a top-secret aircraft is
easily forgettable, but the Mozilla folks are hoping their new browser,
also named Firefox, leaves a lasting impression--especially on 
Microsoft
and its IE users.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8w0AE

Read more entries from The Daily Blog.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0B5MU0As

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5) Your Monday IT Briefing
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Here are some of the must-read news stories we're following this week.

a) People Power
Organizations can only go so far to improve performance before they 
must
address their most important asset: the workforce. Competitive forces
are pushing managers to look beyond HR and ERP systems and embrace
performance management.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8x0AF

b) Hacking for Dollars
More and more hackers are looking to steal your computer and then use 
it
to steal money.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CwMX0A3

c) WLAN Makes Its Voice Heard
The convergence of VoIP and WLANs promises new services and lower
telecom costs for enterprises and SMBs. Despite all the hype, is the
technology ready for prime time?
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8y0AG

Get the latest Networking news, reviews and trends every week.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Crgs0Aq

d) Optimizing Workforce Communication and Productivity
Employee collaboration utilizing instant messaging brings value over
e-mail.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw8z0AH

e) Microsoft Makes Nice. Pigs Fly.
You've just gotta wonder: What's up with Microsoft? The meanest,
toughest, junkyard-doggiest company in the software business is rushing
around licking everybody's hand.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw810A3

Get the latest Systems Management news, product info and trends every
week.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw820A4

f) Time for Internet Explorer to Get Lost?
Will the open-source Firefox Web browser supply the spark to (finally!)
ingite a large-scale backlash against Internet Explorer?
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw830A5

Get the latest Linux news, trends, explanations and insights every 
week.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Crgq0Ao

g) IBM Opens Up Its Digital Asset Framework
IBM has updated and renamed its software for creating, managing and
distributing rich media.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw840A6

You can find links to these and other breaking news stories organized 
by
technology via our handy NetNews Service.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CJp80AM

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6) Opinion
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a) BuzzCut: What's in Your Blade Server?
By Don MacVittie
By integrating SAN switches directly into their blade servers, vendors
could improve the performance of storage and server processing. But
beware: Interoperability is still an issue.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw850A7

b) BuzzCut: IE Becomes Hacker Favorite
By Curtis Franklin Jr.
The latest IE-based Trojan horses add to a long list of vulnerabilities
introduced through Microsoft's product, leading some enterprises to
begin evaluating other, less popular browsers.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw860A8

c) BuzzCut: CenterBoard Could Be SOA Platform
By Lori MacVittie
CenterBoard is extending the OSPF routing protocol to improve the
efficiency of queries across networked data. If other vendors follow
suit, they may pave the way for service-oriented architectures.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw870AA

d) BuzzCut: Wireless Moves Out to the Branch
By Frank Bulk
New branch office wireless products from Symbol, Trapeze and Airespace
are making a serious bid to replace more costly, harder to manage
network technologies currently used in small offices.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cw880AB

e) FUDBusters: Regional AntiSpam Legislation Gets Its First Conviction
By Tim Wilson
In a cooperative effort, Virginia and North Carolina get the nation's
first conviction under antispam law.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CxAA0AU

f) Reality IT: Proper Budget Planning for the Next Year
By Hunter Metatek
'Tis the season to plan next year's budget. But instead of a "holiday
wish-list," keep your expectations for the next 12 months realistic.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CxAB0AV

g) Air Time: Commoditized IT? Don't Believe It!
By Dave Molta
IT managers must understand that the most strategic technologies are
seldom commodities.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CxAC0AW

h) Down to Business: The Word Is--Compliance
By Rob Preston
Compliance efforts present a more compelling reason to align business
and IT processes than Y2K remediation did.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CxAD0AX

i) Letters: In-House Fixes
By NWC Readers
A.V. Rutter says, "When we don't keep someone with current
troubleshooting skills, we doom ourselves to a diminished ability to
keep our systems up and running."
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CxAE0AY

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7) Coming Events
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a) Voice and Data on Enterprise Wi-Fi Networks
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
9:00am PT/11:00am CT/12:00pm ET
By converging voice and data on enterprise Wi-Fi networks, IT
organizations are finding direct results in cost savings and simplified
management. The promise of IP-based convergence of wired and wireless
networks--the merging of voice, data and video--becomes tantalizingly
possible with the growing availability of high-speed wireless IP 
access.
Join us as we explore the latest trends in converging voice and data on
enterprise Wi-Fi networks.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CwuJ0AU

b) Are You Prepared for an Electronic Discovery Request?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
9:00am PT/11:00am CT/12:00pm ET
A trip through recent headlines is enough to show why e-mail is one of
the primary targets in legal discovery today. Hear business and legal
specialists share their advice on how to prepare a data strategy with 
an
eye toward the e-discovery process you hope never comes. Register and
learn whether your current e-mail retention strategy is up to the task
of an electronic discovery, what an electronic discovery can cost and
how to minimize that.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CxAF0AZ

c) Introducing the Crystal Reports SMB Reporting and Delivery Solution
Thursday, November 18, 2004
9:00am PT/11:00am CT/12:00pm ET
Need to increase report development productivity, reduce the cost of
delivering information, improve decisions with more targeted 
information
or improve the accuracy and quality of information? This TechWebCast
will provide answers to the most challenging reporting issues facing IT
professionals and business users today, including how to easily access
and format your data into dynamic information, build end-user
interactivity into your reports and securely share information over the
Web and in Windows applications.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0Cwal0Ai

d) Security NeoCast
Thursday, December 2, 2004
12:00pm EST
What will you do when the next security incident crashes through your
door? The never-ending onslaught of worms, HR disasters and denial
service attacks makes the idea of being proactive laughable, most days.
So the question is:  How do you prepare for the storm when you're
already in one? Incident response is more than a policy or a plan; it 
is
a complete mindset. Join us for our next NeoCast as we discuss the art
of incident response and our observations from the field.
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CClS0Ac

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8) CMP MarketPlace
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Join InformationWeek for a FREE, on-demand TechWebCast on
Getting It All Together: Business Continuity Considerations
in Physical Server Consolidation. We’ll assess the drivers
of server consolidation, and discuss collaborative planning
for server consolidation and business continuity, and more.
Register and view now: 
http://update.networkcomputing.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eke80GO4rP0G4g0CXzS0AD 
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