Storage
Intel offers storage suite for small SMB SANs
Intel introduced the Storage System SSR212MA, a set of hardware and software designed to allow small- and medium-sized businesses to build a full-featured Storage Area Network (SAN) based on IP networking standards as a low-cost, complement or alternative to fibre channel-based solutions. Using a single Intel Xeon processor, the platform supports up to 12 Serial ATA hard drives and iSCSI connectivity, which allows SANs to be built on existing network IP infrastructure.
The platform comes standard with a suite of software tools to manage geographically diverse storage resources and accommodate rapidly expanding storage growth. From a central console, a customer can configure and manage the SAN, configure and provision volumes, make incremental copies of data volumes and authenticate users.
Optional features allow customers to extend the capacity and performance of the Intel Storage System SSR212MA and provide business continuity by adding an additional layer of protection from natural disasters and outages affecting an entire site.
The Intel Storage System SSR212MA based on IP networking standards is available today from participating Intel Channel members.
EMC offers data protection through RecoverPoint
EMC Corp. introduced EMC RecoverPoint, enterprise-level continuous data protection software. In addition, EMC announced enhancements to its flagship backup and recovery software – EMC Legato NetWorker – and software for backup reporting and analysis – EMC Backup Advisor.
RecoverPoint captures all writes to production environments as they occur and writes them in parallel to an allocated recovery storage space. Because data is captured whenever a change is made, a possible recovery point is available for every instant in time. RecoverPoint supports heterogeneous storage arrays, applications and operating systems, protecting existing storage investments.
EMC Legato NetWorker version 7.3 includes increased backup flexibility, including enhanced retention policies and target sharing. The software offers a new graphical user interface and enhanced security features such as 256-bit AES encryption, enhanced authentication and network address translation firewall support.
EMC Backup Advisor is a backup reporting and analysis tool that gathers information from the entire backup infrastructure (backup software, tape drives, backup server operating system, etc.) and presents it in a way that helps customers identify and rectify backup process and operational problems. With Backup Advisor, users can conduct advanced fault diagnosis, predict where problems are developing and see where the business is at risk in relation to meeting service level agreements (SLAs) and external regulatory data retention laws. EMC Backup Advisor is immediately available and EMC RecoverPoint and EMC Legato NetWorker – version 7.3 – will be available later this quarter.
Kashya integrates CDP appliance with Oracle, SQL
Kashya announced the availability of its KBX5000 CDP appliance fully integrated with Oracle and SQL databases. These enhanced capabilities, which include application-aware I/O bookmarks for Oracle and VSS integration for SQL environments, enable instantaneous recovery of mission-critical applications, automatically mapping application events to specific points in time from both local and remote locations.
The intelligent I/O bookmarks introduced on the Kashya KBX5000 CDP allow administrators to protect critical data by automatically tagging database transaction activity within the CDP history volume. These I/O based bookmarks correlate specific application events to points in time, which can be used by the administrator to dynamically recover databases in response to any type of corruption or failure.
Kashya has also announced support for Microsoft’s Volume Shadowcopy Service (VSS) for SQL and Exchange environments, allowing I/O bookmarks to automatically be mapped to points in time within the CDP history volumes.
Security
Dekart ID management solution avoids passwords
Dekart released Logon 2.21, access control software which allows users to log on to Windows PCs without the need to memorize passwords. Users can protect access to Windows PCs with a range of devices, such as flash disks, smart cards, tokens or digital audio players, paired with fingerprint readers. Dekart Logon offers native support for Microsoft Windows 9x/2000, XP, Windows Server 2003 and close integration with Microsoft Active Directory and Novell eDirectory.
Dekart Logon 2.21 relies on cryptographic algorithms certified by NIST. Version 2.21 includes Windows 2003 compliance, full compatibility with Novell Client 4.81, Novell authentication performed independently from Windows authentication and enhanced support of Gemplus MPCOS-EMV smart cards. A personal or business license costs USD$39.00 (Volume discounts apply). A student license costs USD$19.00. A 30-day free trial download is available.
VoIPShield offers auditing tool to prevent attacks
VoIPshield Systems Inc. announced VoIPaudit, a vulnerability assessment solution built specifically for Voice-over-IP (VoIP). VoIPaudit is designed to allow organizations to automatically identify and eliminate possible VoIP-specific attacks before they impact IP telephone services.
VoIPaudit is based on a continuously updated threats database, developed by VoIPshield’s Security Research Team, which is exclusively dedicated to the monitoring, researching and remediating of VoIP security vulnerabilities.
The product offers automated, intelligent scanning of all VoIP specific devices and applications, and related components such as directory servers, routers, firewalls and the underlying operating system. It also provides multi-vendor support for VoIP protocols including SIP, H323, Cisco Skinny, Nortel Unistim, and other proprietary protocols.
Organizations can select the ideal audit parameters, whether it is continuous, which enables vulnerabilities to be identified as soon as they are discovered, or periodic scans. VoIPaudit is now available starting at $US10,000.
RegRestore includes risk assessment features
Maxion Software has released RegRestore PC TuneUp 5.0, an advanced Windows registry scanner, cleaner, and repair tool.
RegRestore scans the entire registry for corruptions in the registry database, invalid or missing entries, and other problems, and displays a list of those that are found. RegRestore offers a categorized registry risk assignment of each problem, so users know which are the most serious and require special attention. Registry Restore can also make a backup of any registry entries removed or replaced so that users can easily recover any changes should they make a mistake. With the Compact feature, the system registry will be scanned for gaps and wasted space. Compact function will then rebuild the registry to improve performance. The Optimize feature will apply tweaks and patches to the registry to speed PC performance.
The program works with Windows XP, Me, 98, 95, NT, 2000, and 2003. One year of free updates and email technical support are included. The cost of RegRestore is US$29.95.
AdRem puts servers on view through console
AdRem Software announced Server Manager 5.0.
Version 5 includes a monitor console that gives system administrators an enterprise-wide view of all managed servers, complete with key performance indicators illustrating the overall condition of each managed server. Other improvements include the ability to compare trends of a single server parameter across multiple servers, copy files from multiple servers to the local workstation, and monitor new performance objects.
AdRem Server Manager 5.0 is available for US$595 per single managed server (price includes 12 months of free e-mail and phone support).
Networking
Avocent KVM switches manage in mixed environments
Avocent Corp. announced it has expanded its AutoView line of keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) switches for small and midsize data centres that need a product for managing mixed environments of PS/2, USB, Sun and serial servers. Administrators can connect up to 16 multi-platform servers to a single switch and configure servers at the rack with an on-screen display. The AutoView 2020 and 2030 switches feature local virtual media for connecting USB media devices, and advanced cabling options.
The AutoView switches offer connectivity with fixed length integrated access cables, and server interface modules that allow administrators to customize their cable lengths using category 5, 5e and 6 cables. Either option automatically assigns and retains unique server names for each attached server.
The AutoView line of KVM switches also includes the AutoView 1400 single user eight-port switch, AutoView 1500 dual user eight-port switch, and the AutoView 2000 dual user 16-port switch.
Agilent puts Ethernet passive optical networks to the test
Agilent Technologies Inc. announced a performance-analysis solution for testing Ethernet passive optical networks (EPONs). The Agilent N2X EPON Performance Analysis Solution is designed to validate and debug EPON implementations and to quickly bring EPON services into operation. The Agilent N2X is a multiport traffic solution that includes native EPON specific test capabilities.
The test system isolates the source of EPON performance issues to either the Optical Network Unit (ONU) or the Optical Line Terminal (OLT). Engineers can use the trigger, filter, capture and decode capabilities on the test system to analyze and isolate the specific causes of performance or protocol conformance issues. The test solution also inspects Ethernet OAM flows to debug vendor-specific settings.
The Agilent N2X EPON Performance Analysis Solution is available at a starting price of $79,200.
VoIP analyzer tool tackles signaling problems
Agilent Technologies Inc. also unveiled a voice-over-IP (VoIP) call trace signaling analyzer that can uniquely identify complex signaling problems end-to-end across multiple voice technologies such as VoIP over broadband, legacy SS7, 2G, 2.5G or 3G mobile networks.
Benefits of the signaling analyzer VoIP include the ability to trace a single call through VoIP, SS7, SS7/IP, 2G, 2.5G and 3G mobile networks, real-time call trace, call statistics and Key Performance Indicators, multi-user capability and the ability to use in combination with the Agilent telephony network analyzer.
The Agilent J7844A signaling analyzer VoIP is available for order now at a list price of $14,500 and is expected to ship in December.
ATEN brings DVI video switches to SMB market
ATEN Technology announced two DVI-compliant video switches designed specifically for SOHO and SMB environments. The VS-261/461 DVI Video Switch solutions, available in two- and four-port devices, combine DVI video functionality with audio support for PC and Mac systems.
These units enable users to switch among two and four DVI or analog media sources (PC, Mac, DVD player, etc.), respectively, for output on a single display (LCD monitor, plasma or projector) and set of speakers. Both models have high resolution levels of 1600×1200 and include front panel switches and an infrared remote control for video source selection.
Available today, the new VS-261 and VS-461 are priced at $199.95 and 299.95, respectively.
Cisco switch helps manage mid-size SANs
Cisco Systems, Inc. announced availability of the Cisco MDS 9020 Fabric Switch, a 20-port 4Gbps Fibre Channel storage area networking (SAN) switch designed for small and medium-sized SANs.
Included at no additional charge with the Cisco MDS 9020, Cisco Fabric Manager is a GUI-based management tool that provides fabric-wide discovery and SAN management to help organizations scale and grow their SANs to larger fabrics as needed, according to Cisco. Cisco Fabric Manager can perform topology discovery, fabric configuration and verification, provisioning, monitoring, and fault resolution.
The Cisco MDS 9020 Fabric Switch is expected to be generally available through most OEM partners starting in November.
Data Management
SAP builds in Copy Express to Business One
SAP AG unveiled the latest version of SAP Business One, its business management software solution designed to address the needs of rapidly growing small and midsize enterprises.
Enhancements to SAP Business One include a more customizable and intuitive interface designed to allow users to filter information and access the data they need to run their business. Tool tips have been added for better navigation. An implementation tool, Copy Express, allows SAP partners to copy custom reports, queries, user settings and other configurations from one installation to another. These configurations can then be deployed at customer sites.
Multi-language support of trade documents (such as invoices, quotes and purchase orders) allows users to speak to their business partners in their own tongue by assigning a specific language to each customer or vendor when trade documents are printed or displayed. This multi-lingual capability is supported by an embedded user dictionary that allows translation of items, remarks and documents. This version also includes tax declaration and sales reports for European Union countries and other individual markets. The XL Reporter tool embedded in SAP Business One leverages the Excel-style interface and reports on live data drawn from a variety of sources, including general ledger, receivables, payables, sales, purchasing and inventory software.
CMiC IO aimed at B2B collaborators
CMiC introduced CMiC IO, which allows project managers to send an e-mail from any device. All a user requires is an e-mail capable device; Pocket PC, Palm, RIM Blackberry and all other intelligent handhelds such as smartphones can be used to send e-mail into a project management database.
CMiC IO enables users to create a record, update a record or add a document to a database by simply composing an e-mail. The software recognizes key words and translates the e-mail into the appropriate database object. In addition, there is no plug-in required for the mobile device and users can even be offline and send the e-mail at a later date.
LiveTime 3.7 extends support to IBM DB2
LiveTime Software announced its upcoming release of LiveTime Version 3.7 fully supports IBM DB2 UDB v8.2 running on the Unix, Linux and Windows platforms. The release also includes strengthened support for IBM’s WebSphere J2EE web application server.
Out of the box functionality includes service level management, knowledge base, client portal, management reporting, escalation and notification engine.
PocoMail embraces RSS in Version 4
Poco Systems Inc. announced the release of the PocoMail 4 e-mail application.
Version 4 includes the ability to dynamically summarize folders, integrate RSS feeds into e-mail delivery and search e-mail folders.The interface includes the Focus Box, which starts working as soon as any text is entered, dynamically summarizing the current folder and all of its sub-folders. Focus Box also summarizes contacts, matching contacts from a specific company or from a specific area code on-the-fly. PocoMail retains its safe Preview Pane and Message window not vulnerable to scripting exploits, with control over the security level, including one-click Image Download toggle. PocoMail 4 adds the Instant Reply feature allowing for two-second replies without the need for a separate Reply window, with support for AutoText snippets.
PocoMail 4 also embraces RSS feeds: apart from the regular RSS folder where RSS feeds can be read in one place, PocoMail 4 can also deliver RSS updates as e-mail, together with regular incoming e-mail. These updates can be processed just like any other incoming e-mail via filters or built-in scripts, and can arrive to any folder that the user chooses. RSS delivery centralizes RSS feeds for heavy e-mail users and allows them to keep on top of any feed with great frequency. Unicode is now supported throughout the application and the new Help facility provides instant on-screen help for new users. Contacts management now offers instant contact preview. PocoMail 4 also provides IMAP support via Online Folders, supporting online message management for IMAP servers such as Microsoft Exchange. Integrated Newsgroup reader provides Usenet and NNTP access to multiple servers. PocoMail costs US$39.95.
