Networking

Oct 21 2009   5:57AM GMT

Do you think routers are dead?

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Networking, TechWise TV, ISR Routers, Routers, ISR G2, Web Cast, Cisco Web Cast, Routers Are Dead Long Live the Router

 

Cisco’s TechWise TV is webcasting a  60 minute Episode on 29th of October 2009  with a title ‘”Routers Are Dead. Long Live the Router!” where you can learn the Cisco integrated services router will dramatically simplify your branch architecture and greatly reduce your network management workload.

 

By registering to this web cast you will get the chance to see the technological advances that will enable you to create a truly borderless network, while giving you the convenient, powerful network management features you crave in today’s resource-challenged IT environment.

The Agenda

• ISR G2: New Model New Story
• The ISR Autopsy
• New Modules
• Security Innovation in the ISR
• Collaboration Enablement
• The Service Ready Engine
• Universal IOS
• Long Live the Router

Register now

Oct 18 2009   6:09AM GMT

CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide to be released in November 2009

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification, CCIE, Routing, Switching, Cisco Press, Rough Cuts, LAN Switching, CCNA, CCNP Books, CCNP, Cisco Press authors, Wendell Doman, Rus Healy, Denise Donohue, Cisco, Cisco Press Books, CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide, OSI model, bridging, IP and IP Routing protocols, Add new tag

I was just accessing the rough cuts for the Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide, 4^th Edition. I had a great first impression. I had a chance to read “LAN Switching” part. It was a great firsthand experience. This segment is organized well and the approach is similar to CCNA, CCNP books, starts with a brief introduction and then the most useful section of Cisco Press Books “Do I Know This Already?” Quiz followed by “Foundation topics and “Foundation Summary”.

 

Pic Courtesy: Cisco Press

 

The Cisco Press authors Wendell Odom, Rus Healy and Denise Donohue did a credible job; I liked the way they presented the topics, since I spent most of my time on Switching I really enjoyed the “LAN Switching” part. Though I am familiar with most of the things they were talking but it was great experience to refresh my info.

 

The CCIE Routing and Switching Official Certification Guide 4^th Edition is to be released on 19^th of November 2009 by Cisco Press, they are offering great discount do check Cisco Press web site for more details, but make sure you registered yourself to Cisco Press website to get more discount. Once the book released I will try to write a review on this book.

 

Oct 14 2009   5:58AM GMT

Cisco intends to acquire advance wireless gear maker Starent Networks Corp for 2.9 billion dollars

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco Systems, Starent Networks Corp, Starent, Network Technologies and Trends, smart mobile, mobile internet, advance wireless, Wi-Max technology, Cisco Blog, WI-Max, Cisco acquisitions, Tandberg, Cisco News, Cisco Updates, next-generation networks

Yet another acquisition is planned by Cisco Systems. Cisco Systems is planning to buy advance wireless telecommunication equipment makers Starent Networks Corp for 2.9 billion dollars to boost its product offerings as phone carriers build out next-generation networks. This will be a second major acquisition this month for Cisco Systems after billion buyout of videoconferencing leader Tandberg for roughly 3 billion dollars.

According to a post in Cisco blogs, by acquiring Starent Networks Corp - Cisco Systems can expand their product portfolio in mobile internet market. As we all know the Emerging markets are seeing the success of Wi-Max technology. Surely this acquisition will help Cisco to broaden its presence in the Wi-Max area.

“The growth of smart mobile devices and net books has fundamentally changed consumer behavior with regards to how they use the Internet,” said Ned Hooper, Cisco’s chief strategy officer who also oversees the consumer business.

By first half of year 2010, the acquisition is expected to close. Until then Cisco Systems and Starent Networks Corp  will continue to operate as separate companies. Upon completion of the transaction Starent Networks Corp will become the new Mobile Internet Technology Group led by Starent President and CEO Ashraf Dahod. Starent was founded in 2000 and completed its initial public offering in 2007. The company is based in Tewksbury, Mass., and has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide.

Oct 13 2009   1:25PM GMT

Using Cisco Unified Customer Voice portal two million calls are shifted daily!

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco Unified Customer Voice portal, Cisco, News, Newsroom, Features, Releases, Demos, videos, IDEA Cellular, Aditya Birla Group, Telecom operato, r Cisco solutions, business success story

 

One of the leading Telecom operators in India, IDEA Cellular an Aditya Birla Group Company was able to shift two million daily calls from live agents to a self-service voice portal that increased customer satisfaction and reduced average hold by using the Cisco Unified Customer Voice Portal.

With the use Cisco Unified Customer Voice portal, IDEA Cellular is catering more than 47 million customers. Yet another business success story by using Cisco solutions. The solution was implemented by IMB India.

Oct 10 2009   5:59AM GMT

The Borderless Networks Experience:Cool new innovations

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Borderless Networks Experience, Virtual Event, Cisco Events, Cisco Systems, Cisco Innovations, Cisco networking experts, webcast, Cisco Webcast, The World is Your Workspace, Cool new innovations

 

 

October 20^th, we can all experience the architectural vision for Borderless Networks Cisco is creating, on 20^th October, 2009 at 11 AM PST Cisco System is conducting a virtual event “Borderless Networks Experience”.  If you are in different time zone no probs, Cisco Systems is hosting this virtual even in three different time zones. So just pick that one which suits you the best and enjoy the latest innovation. The details are as follows

The Borderless Networks Experience: The World is Your Workspace Tues., Oct. 20; 11:00 PDT (18:00 GMT) Imagine a world where you can use video in innovative ways with your customers, business partners and employees. Imagine a world where customer satisfaction is improved by making interactions more personal and immediate. In this world, the workspace is seamlessly transformed to be more global, efficient and fun. This webcast will explain how new technologies can transform your business to make the Borderless Network Experience a reality. Live Q&A Cisco experts will be available throughout the webcast to answer your questions regarding this new, ground-breaking technology.

Agenda

o   Cisco networking experts unveil industry-changing innovations for delivering the ultimate workspace experience o   Industry leading IT managers describe how these innovations are already transforming their businesses. o   Discover how to make your organization borderless

 

So have fun and check this cool video as well.

Oct 8 2009   10:10PM GMT

Bad news for SPAM, Good news for you

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco Systems, Cisco Spam and Virus Blocker, antivirus, antispam, email gateway, email threats, antiphishing, Appliance, cisco security device, security appliance, SC magazine, internet edge, email server, iPod shuffle, all star rating

Cisco Systems have come up with a security appliance which is a dedicated antispam, antivirus and antiphisihing appliance which virtually eliminates email threat right out of box. Cisco named this security appliance as The Cisco Spam and Virus Blocker, which is aimed at small business segment and can support up to 250 users. More over the SC Magazine has awarded all star rating for the Cisco Spam & Virus Blocker i.e. 5-star rating

 

The Cisco Spam and Virus Blocker acts as an email gateway and message transfer agent, typically deployed between the internet edge and the email server. The appliance secures email using anti-malware, anti-spam and content filtering.

The good news is Cisco Systems is offering a 30 days money back guarantee and if you are among first 100 customers to fix an appointment chances are high to receive an iPod shuffle.

 

Some of the salient features of Cisco Spam and Virus Blocker are as follows

 

·         Protects small businesses by providing powerful protection against spam, viruses and other email threats to secure your network and business data while improving productivity.

·         Stops spam right out of the box, unlike other products that require ongoing and time-consuming administration to work effectively.

·         Reduces operational costs through simple setup in minutes and continuous automatic updates.

·         Enhances the performance of networks, servers, and computers by helping eliminate unwanted email.

·         Provides peace of mind with a complete solution including hardware, software, updates, and product support in a single package.

Overall the Cisco Spam and Virus Blocker is an impressive device as an entry point into the small business market. Smaller organizations with the budget and need for granular security options can enjoy the full featured enterprise-class nature of the product, as well as the support.

Oct 2 2009   10:52AM GMT

Create your own episode of The Realm and WIN!

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
The Realm, Cisco Events, Cisco Security, Flip Camcorder, LCD TV, Winner, new realm episode

Guess what Cisco Systems; Security division is coming up with a unique contest. It’s all about creating your own new episode of The Realm. Creating a new episode at your own is not a hard task as you will have the privilege to use the original artwork, backgrounds and music available at The Realm home page,  using all the resources available at The Realm home page, you can build pages of your story and at the end all you have to do is to submit those stories.

 

Ten finalists will receive a Flip camcorder and one grand prize of an LCD TV will be awarded to the winner with the most popular votes. 

Sep 28 2009   5:55AM GMT

Chance to win any 5 titles from Cisco Press

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco Press Products, Cisco Press, Cisco Press Face Book Fan Page, Face Book, Cisco Press Contest, Cisco books

Do you thing just by posting the picture of Cisco Press books you own, you can win 5 books bundle of your choice. Make sure to post the pictures of the all the Cisco Press books you own before 30^th of September at Cisco Press Fan Page in face book.  It’s amazing to know about the new contest from Cisco Press Products. I was zapped to see the geeks there with the book case full of Cisco Press titles. Better luck everybody and don’t miss the chance to win.

 

 

 

Sep 27 2009   4:45AM GMT

How to configure Trunking between a Cisco Catalyst and a 3Com SuperStack?

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco Switches, Trunking between Cisco and 3 Com Switches, 3-Com 4200 Switch, 3-Com 3300 Switch, Trunking, 802.1q, VLANS, Cisco Catalyst Switch, 802.1 q trunking port, Trunking between a Cisco Catalyst and a 3Com SuperStack, ITKE, tagged, untagged, HP Procurve

 

I am writing this article to answer the question  for establishing the trunking between a Cisco Catalyst Switch and a 3Com Super Stack Switch in ITKE community.

 

The goal of the article is show the user how to configure an inter operable trunk port in both Cisco and 3 Com Switch. As far as trunking concepts are concerned I did posted an article in ITKE blog comparing the HP Procurve and a Cisco Catalyst Switches which help to understand the trunking methodologies applied in 3 Com and Cisco Switches.

In order understand the configuration process easily I present a scenario, based on this scenario we will configure the Cisco and 3 Com Switches to meet the objectives.

 

In this example 

·         A Cisco Catalyst Switch is connected to a 3-Com Super Stack 4200 Switch (3-Com Super stack 3300 configuration is also available as the configuration process defers in a 3300 Switch)) using a port fast /Giga Ethernet 1 in both the Switches.

·         Create two VLANS locally in both the Cisco Catalyst Switch and a 3-Com Super Stack 4200.

1.       VLAN 100 – For Workstations (named PCS).

2.       VLAN 200- For Servers and Management Devices (Named MANG).

·         Configure fast Ethernet 0/1 on both the Cisco Catalyst Switch and a 3-Com Super Stack 4200 as 802.1 q trunking port.

 

Cisco Catalyst Switch Configuration Example

 

Task 1 – Create VLANS

 

ITKE-Cisco#configure t

Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.

ITKE-Cisco(config)#vlan 100

ITKE-Cisco(config-vlan)#name PCS   

ITKE-Cisco(config-vlan)#exit

ITKE-Cisco(config)#vlan 200

ITKE-Cisco(config-vlan)#name MANG

 

Task 2 - Configure the port fastethernet 0/1 as 802.1 q trunk port.

 

ITKE-Cisco(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/1

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#description Connected to 3-COM Switch

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport mode trunk

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#no shutdown

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#

 

Task 3 – Configure the ports fastethernet 0/5 for VLAN 100 and fastethernet 0/10 for VLAN 200.

ITKE-Cisco(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/5

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#description Connected to PC

 

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport mode access

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport access vlan 100

 

ITKE-Cisco(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/10

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#description Connected to SERVER

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport mode access

ITKE-Cisco(config-if)#switchport access vlan 200

 

3-Com Super Stack 4200 Switch Configuration Example (Configuration steps are as per the 3-Com Advance configuration manual – not tested).

Task 1 – Create VLANS and add ports Giga Ethernet 0/5 for VLAN 100 and Giga Ethernet 0/10 for VLAN 200

 

<SwitchB> system-view

[SwitchB] vlan 100

[SwitchB-vlan100] description PCS

[SwitchB-vlan100] port GigabitEthernet 1/0/5

[SwitchB-vlan100] quit

 

Create VLAN 200, and add GigabitEthernet1/0/10 to VLAN 200.

[SwitchB] vlan 200

[SwitchB-vlan200] description MANG

[SwitchB-vlan200] port GigabitEthernet 1/0/10

[SwitchB-vlan200] quit

 

 

Task 2 - Configure the port Gigaethernet 1/0/1 as a trunk port.

 

[SwitchB] interface GigabitEthernet 1/0/1

[SwitchB-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] port link-type trunk

 

3-Com Super Stack 3300 Switch Configuration Example.

Task 1 – Create VLANS

Select menu option (bridge/vlan): create

Select VLAN ID (2-4094)[3]: 100

Enter VLAN Name [VLAN 10]: PCS

 

Select menu option (bridge/vlan): create

Select VLAN ID (2-4094)[3]: 200

Enter VLAN Name [VLAN 11]: MANG

 

 

Task 2 - Configure the port fastethernet 0/1 as 802.1 q trunk port

Select VLAN ID (1-2,) [1]: 100 - 200

Select bridge ports (AL1-AL4,unit:port…,?): 1:1

Enter tag type (untagged,tagged): tagged

 

Task 3 – Configure the ports Giga Ethernet 0/5 for VLAN 100 and Giga Ethernet 0/10 for VLAN 200

 

Select menu option (bridge/vlan/modify): add

Select VLAN ID (1-2,)[1]: 100

Select bridge ports (AL1-AL4,unit:port…,?): 1:5

Enter tag type (untagged, tagged): untagged

 

Select menu option (bridge/vlan/modify): add

Select VLAN ID (1-2,)[1]: 200

Select bridge ports (AL1-AL4,unit:port…,?): 1:10

Enter tag type (untagged, tagged): untagged

Sep 26 2009   7:20AM GMT

Cisco Launches SA 500 Series Security Appliances, specifically designed and priced to meet small business needs

Posted by: Yasir Irfan
Cisco SA 500, SA 520, SA 520 W, SA 540, VPN, Firewall, Trend Micro, email, Web Security, Appliance, Cisco Systems, Cisco Firewall, Wireless, secured wireless, network ports, 1 giga

 

If you are having an Organization with 100 employees or less and you are looking for an appropriate Security device to protect your Organization from the frequently growing internet threats, also offering  secured  wireless,  offering Virtual Private Network (VPN) services to remote branch offices and on to go employees, with a firewall and optional email and web security capabilities. Here is the answer, the Cisco SA 500 Series Security Appliance. Cisco Systems recently launched the Cisco SA 500 Series Security Appliance recently exclusively for Small to Medium size business.

 

The Cisco SA 500 Series Security Appliance comes in three models; SA 520, SA 520 W and SA 540,  each of these  models features the integrated firewall, support for the Trend Micro ProtectLink Gateway and network ports which are capable of working at 1 Giga Speed.  Here are some of the features of the Cisco SA 500 Series Security Appliance. Only SA 520 W is capable of supporting Wireless (802.11 b/g/n capabilities) working in the 2.4 GHz range with high encryption capabilities.

 

·       Secure remote access to business information with a built-in stateful packet inspection (SPI) firewall and VPN capabilities.

·       Increased security of remote access: With support for optional VeriSign Identity Protection (VIP), the Cisco SA 500 Series provides two-factor authentication and one-time-use password access control.

·       Lower costs associated with deployment and management based on a single, easy-to-install, easy-to-use solution.

·       Prevent security breaches from email threats or malicious websites that could lead to disruption of business-critical applications and services.

·       Increased employee productivity by helping prevent spam, spyware, and inappropriate web browsing with the optional Trend Micro ProtectLink Gateway.

·       Easy deployment and management: The embedded Security Appliance Configuration Utility offers comprehensive configuration and monitoring of all the services in a single application.

·       Affordable service coverage: The highest level of performance and reliability to keep your business running smoothly. Check out Small Business Pro Service.

In conclusion Cisco SA 500 Series Security Appliances is designed to solve Small business problems.  For more information visit the Cisco SA 500 Website.