802.11n

Mar 1 2008   4:48AM GMT

Rogue Wireless Devices Create Security Risk

Posted by: Tony Bradley
802.11n, Mobile, 802.11, BlackBerry, iPhone, Mobile device, wi-fi, WiMax, Wireless

Wireless networks can be cost effective and help employees to be more productive, freeing them to move about while still maintaining access to necessary data and network resources. Since the inception of wireless networking though, corporations have struggled with the security implications. With compliance mandates such as the PCI Data Security Standards, or HIPAA, it is even more important that companies are aware of every possible vector of risk to their network resources and data assets. However, so many devices have wireless functionality now, and it is so easy for users to set up rogue wireless networks without authority, that it is extremely difficult to stay on top of the security issue. Mobile device security: Auditing the airwaves, by Lisa Phifer takes a look at these issues and some ways administrators can monitor for, detect, and proactively manage the wireless access to their networks.

Feb 27 2008   3:53AM GMT

Wi-Fi and Cellular Converge To Improve Productivity

Posted by: Tony Bradley
802.11n, UCC, Mobile, 802.11, BlackBerry, Mobile device, wi-fi, VoIP, Office Communications Server 2007, Office Communicator 2007, SIP, Unified Communications

One of the promises, or benefits, of unified communications is being able to communicate with people where they are when you need them. The concept of ‘presence’ in Microsoft’s UCC (Unified Communications and Collaboration) is designed so that you can tell if a person is available or not, the contact them by the most efficient, or convenient means possible. One potential gap in the communications is determining if a user is actually at their desk, available to answer their office phone, or if they are moving about the building or even off site, in which case you would contact them via their cell phone. Of course, the user can always set up various call-forwarding solutions to try and send the calls to where they will be, but that is cumbersome and most users don’t understand it and won’t take the time. Now, new solutions are emerging that leverage the converged wireless networking and cellular communications capabilities of mobile phones so that the land line can be ditched and the mobile phone can be the sole method of voice communication. For more details, read Wi-Fi cellular convergence can boost mobile worker productivity on SearchMobileComputing.

Feb 24 2008   1:53PM GMT

Wi-Fi Networks Enter 4th Generation

Posted by: Tony Bradley
802.11n, Mobile, 802.11, Mobile device, wi-fi, Wireless

New 4th-generation wireless networking equipment is entering the market. We started with consumer-based wireless equipment with virtually no security, then enterprise quality products with improved security were released. The current standard, the 3rd-generation wireless networks, have centralized controllers that help enable the hand-off between access points as users move about, and even more improved security. The next generation though, based on 802.11n technology, allows all access points to share a channel and greatly improves the hand-off from access point to acccess point. Unlike previous wireless implementations, which require careful placement of access points to maximize coverage while avoiding channel interference, 4th-generation wireless networks allow for denser, and simpler deployments. Take a look at this SearchNetworking.com article for more details about next-generation wireless for the enterprise: Wireless networking heads into fourth generation — but should you follow?

Jan 3 2008   6:38PM GMT

Choosing a Wireless Platform

Posted by: Tony Bradley
3g, 802.11n, Mobile, 802.11, Mobile device, wi-fi, WiMax, Wireless

If you are a road-warrior and do most, if not all, of your computing from anywhere but your desk in your office, you need to know how to stay connected. Whether you are in a hotel, driving down the interstate, waiting for a flight at an airport, or stopping off for a cup of coffee, you want to be able to access your email, the Web, and other Internet-based resources. There are some emerging and cutting edge technologies that are not quite ready for primetime, but, according to network expert Lisa Phifer, you basically have to choose between 3G and WiFi. Take a look at this overview for more advice from Lisa about the pros and cons, and the factors you should consider in choosing which wireless platform works best for you.

Sep 27 2007   7:00PM GMT

Wired Networks R.I.P.

Posted by: Tony Bradley
Gigabit ethernet, 802.11n, wi-fi, Wireless, Ethernet

According to a recent report from Burton Group Senior Analyst Paul DeBeasi, the end of wired Ethernet networking is at hand. Comparing the features and functionality of the latest standards- 802.11n wireless vs. wired Gigabit Ethernet- DeBeasi concludes that the benefits of an 802.11n network will establish it as the default network type and chip away at the dominance of wired networks over the next few years. You can read more about the report in this Computerworld.com article.