http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/ en-gb Sat, 11 Feb 2012 9:00:03 GMT Copyright: (C) Comms Express 2007 http://www.comms-express.com/images/logo.jpg http://www.comms-express.com/ Netgear has announced the launch of four new 12- and 24-port managed switches with PoE+ connectivity.

The firm's ProSafe Gigabit L2+ solutions are described as being "perfect for organisations requiring intelligence at the network edge".

Netgear access layer switches are an "extremely cost-effective" component of converged voice, video and data networking solutions, the firm said.

And the ProSafe managed switch product line now includes 24/7 telephone technical support plus three years of onsite service.

"Many IP telephony and IP camera deployments are still limited to Fast Ethernet switching, which enterprise vendors push on midmarket organisations because their Gigabit and PoE+ offerings are cost-prohibitive," said Laurent Masia, product line manager at Netgear.

"Underscoring our commitment to smart IT, not big IT, Netgear Intelligent Edge managed switches now deliver reliable, affordable and simple Gigabit technology backed with lifetime support."

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear routers and switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/netgear-launches-new-managed-switches-801280822/ 2012-02-01 12:10:42 Broadband Expert.

The broadband provider scooped the top prize in the 2011 mobile broadband awards, repeating its success in 2010.

Broadband Expert looked at the download speeds received by 32,574 dongle users, and also considered their satisfaction levels in making the award.

3 gained an average rating of 73/100 for customer satisfaction, fending off competition from O2 with a customer rating of 65/100.

And while O2 was found to deliver the fastest mobile broadband speeds, 3 was presented with the best value for money award.

But as Broadband Expert chief executive Rob Webber explained, each customer should select a mobile broadband provider based on their own location, requirements and circumstances.

"Networks have different levels of coverage dependent on where you are in the UK," he noted.

"It is advised that consumers use a coverage checker before deciding on a provider as the best network in one area could have the poorest coverage in another area."

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Research conducted by IT analyst Gartner indicated that 92.2 million units were shipped between September and December 2011, down by 1.4 per cent on the equivalent period in 2010.

Earlier in the year, the firm had predicted a one per cent reduction in PC shipments - which is likely to have a bearing on demand for computer cabinets and computer cables.

Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner, said that while professional demand for PCs held up, fewer consumers were purchasing PCs in Q4 2011.

"Economic uncertainty in Western Europe had an effect on consumer PC shipments, and expectations of a healthier economic outlook in North America could not stimulate consumer PC demand in that region," he stated.

"The healthy professional PC market as well as growth in emerging markets could not compensate for the weaknesses in mature markets, with overall growth still negative."

PC shipments in Europe, the Middle East and Africa totalled 28.9 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011, down 9.6 per cent on the same period the previous year.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for network equipment on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/fewer-pcs-shipped-reduced-demand-for-accessories-801264071/ 2012-01-13 14:46:06 network equipment is set to increase during 2012, one industry expert has claimed.

Saar Gillai, chief technology officer at HP Networking, said more companies will be looking to deploy 40GbE and 100GbE Ethernet solutions.

Speaking to EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet, he noted that HP already has 40GbE support on its 5900 series top-of-rack switch, which was unveiled in October.

"For the first time in many years there really is a shortage of bandwidth," Mr Gillai noted.

"Today, there is a lot of pressure to get to 40 and 100GbE, since as you start moving from 1GbE servers to 10GbE servers you have to get your uplinks to make the necessary adjustments in order to continue in a non-blocking fashion."

He added that HP plans to release 40GbE across its networking portfolio over the course of the next 12 months.

Mr Gillai said the firm is looking to challenge industry leader Cisco in terms of revenue and market share.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for HP switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/hp-predicts-demand-for-high-bandwidth-ethernet-801257353/ 2012-01-06 12:36:12 Netgear router to safeguard their internet experience.

In a recent blog posting, the manufacturer unashamedly highlighted the benefits of its N600 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router, which offers Wi-Fi protected access.

Netgear explained that the device - which it describes as "revolutionary" - offers double firewall protection, helping customers purchase Virtual Console WiiWare and/or Xbox LIVE games and add-ons safely and confidently.

Gamers who invest in this Netgear router are better protected from credit card fraud and identity theft, the company added.

"Parents can also protect their little gamers' online adventures just as securely with the router's customisable filter settings," it said.

In a separate posting, Netgear explained that customers benefit from a straightforward setup process courtesy when purchasing their router.

"Just follow the simple Push 'N' Connect Wi-Fi Protected Setup instructions on the Smart Wizard installation CD that comes with your new premium router , and, in a minute or two, you'll have your ultimate HDTV gaming setup, well, all set up," Netgear added.

The firm said customers will be able to easily monitor, manage and control their new home network, and never miss an update due to automatic notifications.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Netgear routers on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/netgear-router-improves-gamer-security-801247521/ 2011-12-22 13:32:00 KVM solutions to allow multiple computers to share a keyboard, video monitor and mouse.

Items such as KVM switches and Cat 5 extender varieties can help businesses make the most of their IT hardware, and keep their physical infrastructure under control.

Users simply need to connect their monitor, keyboard, and mouse to the console port on the KVM device, and then hook up the computers to the other ports using network cables.

Control is switched from one computer to another through the switch or buttons on the KVM device, giving IT managers and other business users maximum flexibility with their IT.

This may be able to help them increase efficiency, or raise productivity within the workplace - both of which are particularly useful in the current economic climate.

The number of computer which can be connected varies according to each KVM device, but some switches cater for up to 512 individual units.

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Healthcare centre Seattle Children's, self-service tools manufacturer Diebold, Incorporated and Seattle University are using the solutions to revolutionise their service delivery.

Cisco explained that desktop virtualisation is being rapidly adopted across a wide variety of industries because it reduces costs, helps to secure data and improves performance.

The firm noted that Seattle Children's, Diebold, and Seattle University are among the thousands of companies benefitting from its UCS computing model, which integrates computing, network tools, storage access and management in a single cohesive system.

This is designed to reduce management complexity, require less infrastructure, improve IT agility and reduce the overall total cost of ownership, Cisco added.

Jake Hughes, chief technical architect at Seattle Children's, said the decision to embrace the unified computing system was "a game-changer".

"It's not just ideal for desktop virtualisation," he added. "It also proved to be the right platform for our server virtualisation, security infrastructure and management efficiency."

Earlier this month, Infonetics Research reported that Cisco reclaimed market share in the UK switches sector during the third quarter of 2011.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Cisco switches on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/cisco-tools-create-cohesive-it-platforms-801244577/ 2011-12-20 13:12:08 network equipment can reduce the risk of data loss and external attacks when working on open networks, it has been claimed.

According to Cisco, there are "significant" risks to organisations when employees use their own consumer devices in the workplace, if the necessary precautions are not taken.

The firm explained that on most public Wi-Fi networks, information sent to and from a mobile device is unencrypted.

"Anyone with a laptop and easily obtained sniffer software can access all the data moving over the wireless network," Cisco noted.

"Users may also connect to rogue Wi-Fi access points that can monitor the content of all transmissions."

The firm said this can be a huge problem if employees are doing business research or moving sensitive documents.

Any unpatched vulnerabilities or other security holes can also be exploited by others on the same local network, it added.

But virtual private networks (VPNs) create an encrypted 'tunnel' trough the public internet between the user's PC, phone, or tablet and a server inside the enterprise firewall, Cisco claimed.

In order to overcome cost barriers, and enable a wide variety of businesses to take advantage, businesses should enable corporate users to connect to public Wi-Fi networks using public VPNs, the firm added.

"These are less secure than corporate VPNs since they provide encryption only from the device to the service provider, not all the way through to the corporate network. But they do protect the most vulnerable zone, the Wi-Fi link and associated local area network," Cisco said.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for Networking Industry News on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/virtual-private-network-tools-can-improve-security-801243225/ 2011-12-19 14:15:47 Netgear is aiming to increase revenues in the fast-expanding Chinese market, it has been claimed.

The networking manufacturer, which is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, aims to double sales in the Far Eastern superpower during 2012.

Despite entering China in 2002, Netgear is yet to sell any localised products. But next year will see the manufacturer overhaul its strategy.

Li Yijia, general manager of products for Netgear China, said the new strategy calls for products designed to meet the pricing and feature demands of the Chinese market.

He explained that the company plans to increase its investment in product research and development, sales channels, and other aspects of its domestic business.

A new Netgear router aimed at Chinese consumers and businesses - the RangeMax N300 - will lead the way, while four or five other networking products are set to be launched in the near future.

Netgear China said it will initially focus its sales push on the major cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for network tools on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/netgear-seeking-sales-growth-in-china-801234446/ 2011-12-09 09:17:19 Data splitters can help provide greater flexibility for office managers needing to install new communications solutions at short notice.

By using a pair of data or voice splitters, businesses are able to use a single cable run when deploying an additional telephone.

Ordinarily this would only handle a single 10/100 Base Ethernet connection – but a splitter increases the options available.

Rather than having to deploy a new cable, the office manager can use a data splitter to deliver a new communication path for the phone on the existing network.

As a result, new communications solutions can be deployed faster, ensuring continued productivity in the office.

Comms Express are able to supply an extensive range of adapters as well as other Ethernet and UTP cable.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for RJ45 adapters on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/add-network-solutions-using-data-splitters-801230987/ 2011-12-06 14:37:46 trunking offers a number of benefits to business users, it has been claimed.

Writing for VoIP News, Cindy Waxer explained that a SIP trunk is a service that allows businesses with an installed PBX to use real-time communications including VoIP.

By connecting an SIP trunk to an internal traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN) phone system, companies can communicate over IP outside the enterprise.

Ms Waxer said SIP trunking services typically deliver greater cost savings and increased reliability to end users.

In addition, trunking eliminates the need to invest in costly and less capable TDM-gateway equipment infrastructure or desktop equipment, she claimed.

It also nullifies the need to purchase equipment, such as managed-media gateway devices, to interface between IP voice and the PSTN.

Ms Waxer explained that SIP trunking allows companies to outsource their PSTN connectivity to a third party, reducing long-distance charges.

Network Equipment Technologies recently claimed that companies around the world are reducing telephony costs using SIP trunking.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for network tools on the net]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/reduce-costs-using-sip-trunking-801229349/ 2011-12-05 10:54:44 Ethernet cables – can offer a solution to virtual networking problems, it has been claimed.

Writing for Search Server Virtualization, Greg Shield said that for organisations looking to simplify their physical and virtual networking, these devices are "hard to ignore".

He explained that a CNA contains both a Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter and a standard Ethernet NIC.

"The CNA portion that faces the outside world looks like a traditional NIC with one or two RJ45 Ethernet ports for Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables," Mr Shields stated.

"Once connected and properly routed, the CNA then passes traditional TCP/IP networking as well as storage traffic."

He added that the CNA can pass both types of traffic at the same time, with the CNA-equipped virtual host seeing only routed network connections.

But for converged network adapters to function, the network must support an array of new Ethernet extensions for Fibre Channel over Ethernet, Mr Shields said.

"Because CNAs run both TCP/IP and storage traffic simultaneously, the entire network generally requires the added extensions," he noted.

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Writing for his weekly column, the GadgetGUY, David Novak claimed that manufacturers may be leaning back towards PC manufacturing after focusing on touch-screens for the last couple of years.

"A number of recent tablets entering the market may make a quick exit because many PC vendors such as Acer, ASUS, HP and Dell may abandon the tablet market next year," he stated.

Mr Novak said these companies have gained "very little traction" in the tablet space, as they lack competitive advantages and are unable to challenge market leader the Apple iPad.

"While tablets may have been some dreamy eye-candy to gadget lovers over the course of the last two years, their usefulness in the workplace and even in the entertainment arena may not be all that their marketing efforts have boasted," he added.

In his view, a "major uptick" in PC and laptop sales could be just around the corner – and this surely means higher demand for computer cables and other important accessories.

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Based on Cisco's Hosted Unified Communications solutions, the system, which may have required the installation of computer cables and data splitters, will play a pivotal role in the operations of the Games.

Once all stages of the rollout have been completed, a total of 94 venues will be serviced by the system, but at the moment, 24 different Olympic venues are connected.

Stuart Hill, vice-president for central government and London 2012 at BT, commented: "Our hosted voice services are perfect for London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games because they provide the ability to grow quickly."

Recently, BT announced that a "super spade" was being used to speed up the rollout of its fibre optic network to homes and businesses across the UK by reducing the installation time from one week to two days.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for ethernet cables on the net. ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/bt-finishes-phase-one-of-olympics-uc-project-800913220/ 2011-11-10 11:17:29 RJ45 crimp connector to be used with conductor cross sections of AWG 22 has been developed by Phoenix Contact.

The product was created for Profinet and it will enable AWG 22 to be used as preassembled patch cables.

An angled version of the unit will be available as well as the standard connector and they are comparable to SERCOS III and EtherCAT cables.

Phoenix Contact explained that in the past it was only possible to assemble the Profinet cable using a Quickon RJ45 plug connector with insulation displacement connection.

Last month, Electro Standards Laboratories unveiled its model 7372 single-channel RJ45 online/offline unit.

This features shielded connectors and it is transparent to data speed as well as including the option to control it through a button on the front panel.

According to the manufacturer, firms that make use of this product will be able to control their RJ45s without having to plug and unplug them.

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According to the company, up to 67,500 homes and businesses connecting to the web through ethernet cables or over a wireless network will be able to achieve faster download speeds as a result of the latest changes.

Delivered over copper lines, the next-generation broadband service offered by the firm enables users to achieve speeds of up to 20Mbps.

Brenden Dick, BT Scotland director, commented: "Faster broadband can help businesses become more competitive and greatly improve the online services available to families, homeworkers and other internet users."

While the BT copper line connections may offer homeowners and companies faster connections than they were previously able to achieve, the quickest connections are through fibre cables.

Earlier this year, the company announced that it would be using fibre-to-the-premises technology to enable users in some areas of London to achieve speeds of up to 300Mbps.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for computer cables on the net. ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/bt-rolls-out-faster-broadband-in-scotland-800776436/ 2011-10-26 11:57:13 switches NextIO has unveiled a new product called the vNET I/O Maestro, which it claims could replace some ethernet and fibre channel units.

Carl Claunch, vice-president and distinguished analyst at Gartner, explained that multiple fabrics have become a "reality of today's data centres".

However, he noted that the infrastructure required for these can often result in large overheads and lead to overly complicated data centres.

"We recommend consolidating and simplifying those many connections as a best practice for data centre design and operations," he stated.

According to NextIO, firms that opt to use its latest product could reduce the time it takes them to deploy new units in server racks and may cut down on the number of cables required.

Figures published by Gartner earlier this month forecast that by 2015, spending on hardware for data centres is set to rise from $106.4 billion (£67.7 billion) to $126.2 billion.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for data cabinets on the net. ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/nextio-unveils-new-server-i-o-virtualisation-switch-800764480/ 2011-10-20 11:45:52 switches that will enable businesses to cope with heavy internet traffic volumes.

The Nexus 7000 series now has new capabilities and the Cisco has also introduced a new nine-slot chassis for the technology.

A 16-port 40Gbps ethernet unit has also been fitted in those products in the Nexus 3000 line.

Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst at ZK Research, told Network World that the capability of the Nexus 700 and 55000 to support 12,000 physical servers at 10Gb is "huge".

The expert added: "12,000 servers is a pretty good sized fabric."

John McCool, senior vice-president and general manager of Cisco's Core Technology Group, commented: "Cisco's pace of data centre innovation is unrivalled and with over 19,000 NX-OS customers, it's clear that the market has embraced Cisco's fabric approach as the foundation for their data centre architecture."

This week, Electro Standards Laboratories unveiled its new model 7372 single-channel RJ45 online/offline unit to enable users to connect two separate devices.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for server racks on the net. ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/cisco-updates-data-centre-switches-800764464/ 2011-10-20 11:39:16 RJ45 online/offline switch.

The firm, which has produced a number of fibre optic patch cable assemblies and switches in the past, revealed that its new product can connect two separate devices through an online or offline connection.

This, it noted, means that users will not need to keep plugging in and unplugging cables.

ESL's model 7372 features high-performance shielded RJ45 connectors and switches all eight pins of the latter's interface.

It is also transparent to data speed and it can be controlled through a button on the front panel or alternatively with contact closure switch commands.

Earlier this month, Allied Connectors announced that its RJ45 connectors had been redesigned to ensure they fit in with industry standards.

ElectroPages reported that the units will be available in a variety of different configurations and that they now comply with IEEE802.3 and ANSIX3.263 standards.

News provided by Comms Express, number one for value switches on the net. ]]> http://www.comms-express.com/news/networking-equipment/new-data-switch-unveiled-by-esl-800761548/ 2011-10-18 11:10:46 trunking has not reached the level experts believed it would have, a new report has found.

Conducted by Research and Markets, the study indicated that there has been a steady increase in the adoption of the technology.

However, it suggested that problems with interoperability and the limited standardisation have proved a deterrent for many service providers.

The company suggested that this has hampered the growth in the adoption of the technology and may have prevented SIP trunking from "gaining greater market penetration".

However, it also noted: "As channel partners become more familiar with SIP trunking and its benefits, they begin to pitch it more frequently and more aggressively to their customers."

This comes after figures from Infonetics Research published earlier this month suggested that the global market for SIP trunking services is set have a compound annual growth rate of 52 per cent between 2011 and 2015.

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