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The hospital where I do a lot of work has digital X-ray machines, MRI equipment, security cameras and telephone systems on the Ethernet LAN. Many of these devices (not the MRI machines, which need a lead-lined room) would benefit from being wireless-enabled.

In the case of wireless telephones, just giving them their own VLAN isn't sufficient. Emerging IP phones have short message services and mini browsers that make them information appliances with the need to access broader information sources. And what do you do when a wireless IP phone is in the same hospital room as the portable digital X-ray machine -- run two access points on different VLANs?

Put Your Business Cap On
Rob Preston's point that the implementation of new technology must be considered carefully, not only with a technical eye but also from a business perspective, is probably the most important yet most difficult concept for IT managers ("Getting There First But Not Always Winning"). IT managers feel pressure to deploy cutting-edge technology, often driven by the marketing propaganda vendors deliver to high-level executives (Computer Associates advertises on prime-time TV!). Our efforts to prove our worth and expertise often prevent us from properly evaluating new technology and resisting the pressure to adopt immature products.

I've been criticized for taking Dow Chemical's approach. About three years ago, I dropped all dial-up access to our network and implemented a VPN. However, I left our business-critical application on our 10-year-old Unix platform. Remote access to the network was rare, and implementing the VPN early was easy and cost-effective. As we've grown, it has become a critical service. The business-critical application, however, has been stable and effective for the past 10 years; changing it now would be tremendously expensive and interruptive. It is not sexy, with its browser interface and fancy Microsoft Windows forms, but it does exactly what we need it to do. Periodically, I evaluate applications to replace it, but until I find the right product I'm staying put.

The more important matter is not what we can do but what we should do.

Chris Wiest
Network Services
Famous Software
chrisw@hdcsi.com

Free Bugs
Does "bug-free" now mean "bugs included free"? Will the lack of software quality bring down the entire world? My Nokia cell phone requires a warm boot once a week to stay on my provider's network. My Sony VCR demands a cold boot -- that is, pulling the plug -- once a month to restore normal functioning. My RCA satellite receiver needs power cycling a couple of times a year to clear stuck caller IDs displayed on my TV. And my Toyota once required me to perform a combination of turning the ignition key plus working the electric locks to reprogram the door locks so they wouldn't open after the car was in motion.

What worries me is how soon a traffic-light computer will need booting or a nuclear fail-safe computer will require power cycling or a missile-launch control system will need reprogramming. Similar problems have happened to telephone and ATM systems. It seems to be only a matter of time until something bad happens to an even more critical system near me.

Bryan Bennett
Owner/President
3-B
bryanbennett@mail.com

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