Market Analysis: Business Service Management By Bruce Boardman
Network Architects managing massive infrastructures must make sure a downed server in North America doesn't mean the loss of a six-figure contract in Singapore. Is BSM the answer? Can it close the gap between IT and business goals?
Review: BSM Tools By Bruce Boardman
We tested five BSM application topology mapping suites on our business applications lab network to determine the impact of outages and changes. Our Editor's Pick won for the best dependency mapping, but you may find our runner up a better value.
Review: Hosted CRM Software By Pete Payne
CRM hosts promise top-notch customer service plus better access for mobile salespeople. Of the six we examined, our Editor's Choice impressed us with its well-designed interface.
Workshops
Primer: Mesh Configurations and Applications By Dave Molta
Wireless mesh is an increasingly popular option for backhauling wireless traffic, especially when a wired connection isn't feasible. We give you the basics.
Buyer's Guide: All-In-One Gateways By Curtis Franklin Jr.
A single gateway that can handle all routing, switching and security functions is the Holy Grail of network infrastructure. We'll help you attempt to grasp it.
X1 Technologies' X1 Enterprise Edition 2.0 By Sean Doherty
This search engine lets admins and users in Windows environments find missing information quickly, no matter where it was misplaced.
Gambit Communications' Mimic Virtual Lab CCNA By Bruce Boardman
Virtual Lab provides a simulation environment in which to practice configuration scenarios without messing up the live network.
Departments
Last Mile: Server Room Quidditch, Anyone? Edited By Tim Wilson and Tom LaSusa This time out: the Top 11 reasons Harry Potter would make a lousy IT pro; sound effects in the conference room; and the digital cowbell.
Quick Takes: Wireless LAN Array By Patricia Thomas
This edition looks at NetSuite 10.6, Xirrus XS-3900 Wireless LAN Array, Citrix GoToMeeting 2.0 and Lumigent Vulnerability Manager DB 3.0.
Letters: Cut Prices By NWC Readers
Ed Chavez ponders, "RFID has yet to be deployed widely in the retail arena, so isn't it premature to talk about tagging kids?"
Columns
The IT Agenda: Required Reading By Jonathan Feldman
We offer a trio of tomes that serve as a prime source of excellent IT and management resource material.
Reality IT: Let the Helpdesk Do Their Jobs By Hunter Metatek
Even if you think you've got the chops to install a program on your desktop, let someone who's been doing it day-in day-out do it for you.
BuzzCuts
Bot Worms Garner More Attention Than Deserved By Garrett Michael Hayes The recent rash of "bot" worms caused big stirs, partly because they brought down some major news networks. Truth is, the whole thing could have been avoided with some simple precautions.
Is Wireless VoIP Ready to Take Off? By Dave Molta
While there's keen interest in this technology, the wireless VoIP market is still more promise than reality.
FUDBusters: Wi-Fi: Not Just for Internet Access Anymore By Tim Wilson
Most consumers still see Wi-Fi as an easy way to hook to a printer or access the Internet, but they are unaware of the many new Wi-Fi apps coming on the market for home networks.
REPORTS
Analyize In-Line NAC strategies and products.
ANALYTICS Plan and design your enterprise blade server deployments
InformationWeek U.S. IT Salary Survey 2008
Salaries for business technology professionals are falling. Here's what you need to know in order to make good hiring decisions and personal career choices. Purchase Today: $299