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Windows Computing

Jan 27 2008   4:33AM GMT

Network Mapping With Windows Vista



Posted by: Tony Bradley
LLTD protocol, network mapping, Group Policy, Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows, Windows Computing, Networking

It can be very useful to have a network map. A graphic depiction of the layout, devices, and interconnections of the network can help with planning and troubleshooting, as well as asset or inventory control. Microsoft included an automatic network mapping feature in Windows Vista that uses the Link Layer Topology Discovery (LLTD) protocol to detect and visually illustrate a map of the network. They felt that domain administrators may not want every user to have the ability to map the whole network, so in systems connected to a domain the feature is disabled by default and must be enabled via Group Policy. One BIG caveat- there are no Group Policy settings to control this feature in Windows Server 2003. They will be in Windows Server 2008, but that doesn’t help you today. Check out Enabling Windows Vista’s Network Mapping feature on domain networks at SearchNetworking to learn how you can turn this feature on in a domain system.

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Jan 17 2008   5:13PM GMT

New Internet Tools From Microsoft



Posted by: Tony Bradley
adCenter, pay-per-click, PPC, Advertising, Google, Microsoft Windows, Windows Computing

Microsoft is taking off the gloves to do battle with Google. They are going head to head on Internet search, Internet advertising, and web browser toolbars. It is hard to imagine Microsoft playing the role of underdog, but in these areas Microsoft is stepping out of their dominant arena and facing Google on Google’s home turf so to speak. Microsoft has unveiled adCenter, their answer to Google AdSense. Like AdSense, adCenter lets companies or individuals market their products and services via the web based on targeted keywords. As an incentive, Microsoft is letting users start adCenter accounts for as little as $5 and they are throwing in an additional free $50 worth of advertising. Sign Up for a Microsoft adCenter Account, and get your message out to a potential 97 million customers. With the browser toolbar, Microsoft has updated the Windows Live Toolbar to version 3.0 and they have added some cool new features. Users can initiate a search from anywhere on the web page, or highlight information on a web page to get more details. You can preview maps, weather, or stock data from the Windows Live Toolbar, and add custom buttons for quick and easy access to the features and information you use most. In addition to the pop-up blocker features found in most browser toolbars, Microsoft also provides extra security to help protect your web surfing from phishing scams or malware attacks. Click here to download Windows Live Toolbar for free.

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