Interoperable VoIP: it works, but needs tweaking
The good news is that VoIP equipment among multiple vendors is, finally, pretty interoperable; the bad news is that there are still lots of potholes that can ruin VoIP implementation.
Stories by Tim Greene
WAN optimisers make bandwidth budgets go further
One of the surest ways for companies with expensive data links to save money is to install WAN acceleration devices. The gear pays for itself in as little as a few months, some users say.
Study: Skype dangers may be acceptable to businesses
Corporations should seriously consider banning Skype because of potential risks, but not before weighing whether the risks are outweighed by benefits, according to a new study by the Burton Group.
Microsoft: Keep converged nets open for new apps
Businesses should consider how well their VOIP infrastructure will interoperate with upcoming communications applications when they revamp their voice networks, says Gurdeep Singh Pall, Microsoft vice president of real time collaboration during his keynote address at Interop New York on Tuesday.
Katrina KOs net service providers
The hardest-hit US Gulf areas were wiped out during and after Hurricane Katrina, but there were some extraordinary efforts by skeleton carrier crews who remained behind, keeping equipment online as windows shattered around them and New Orleans was evacuated.
IP PBXs outsell traditional PBXs, study says
A new study says sales of IP PBXs have outstripped those of traditional TDM PBXs and that trend is likely to continue.
World Wide Packets does VPLS
World Wide Packets is introducing gear to support virtual Ethernet LAN services to homes and businesses over copper wiring or fiber optics.
ServGate joins forces with IBM to beef up security
ServGate Technologies this week will announce an alliance with IBM to offer managed security services to customers who own ServGate EdgeForce security appliances.
Cosine enhances Customer Network Management software
Cosine Communications Inc. is rolling out new features for its Customer Network Management software so service providers can supply service-level agreement reports for their business customers, report firewall activity and mine data about individual customers' use patterns so they can better tailor new services.
VOICECON - Lucent introduces a new Web portal
Lucent Technologies is introducing a Web portal that unites an IP telephony system for small and midsize businesses that is made up of Lucent gear and equipment made by partners.
Zone Labs supports more devices, Check Point VPNs
Zone Labs is introducing a new version of its security software that increases the types of 802.1x wireless devices that it supports to include handhelds and phones, letting customers ensure specified security measures are in place before those devices are allowed wireless network access.
Ciena acquires two more
Ciena Corp. this week said it is spending US$636 million to buy up broadband-access equipment maker Catena Networks Inc. and carrier-grade optical Ethernet vendor Internet Photonics Inc.
Expand's ExpandView management software is worth a look
Expand Networks Inc. is announcing management software to keep track of its acceleration gear and produce reports about overall WAN performance.
Allot Communications introduces NetEnforcer
Allot Communications Ltd. is introducing a high-availability version of its policy enforcement gear to make sure quality-of-service policies remain in tact when a site with two internet connections loses one link.
Analog Devices, Townshend settle 56K modem lawsuit
FRAMINGHAM (12/02/2003) - The inventor of 56K modems has settled a suit against Analog Devices Inc. for allegedly using his technology without a license, but a similar suit against four other modem makers continues.