Features

Features

• Access control compliance and corporate governance considerations

  As regulatory compliance obligations play a more prominent role in client businesses, solution providers need to focus more on access control compliance considerations. Learn about these access control compliance regulations and how to help your ...  Continue Reading

• Tech Watch: Telepresence solutions

  Telepresence solutions may just be recession-proof, and solution providers looking to enter the telepresence market will find a range of technologies for companies big and small to choose from.  Continue Reading

• Access control management

  Access control management presents many opportunities for security solution providers. As businesses grow and more employees are added, efficient access control management becomes essential. Learn how to best manage your customer's access control ...  Continue Reading

• Implement access control systems successfully in your organization

  Access control is an important step toward mitigating an organization's security risks. Learn the importance of an access control system and how to implement it successfully.  Continue Reading

• Storage architecture choices: SANs

  Storage area networks offer a number of benefits over DAS and NAS -- even for companies with only 100 employees. Find out why certain customers are better candidates than others and what the typical costs are.  Continue Reading

• Key considerations in developing a storage area network design

  The best storage area network design for your customers will take into consideration a number of critical issues: uptime needs, scalability, security and disaster recovery. Find out how each of these factors will influence storage area network ...  Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel and iSCSI: Dueling storage networking protocols

  You've probably heard the mantra that Fibre Channel SANs are used at big companies while iSCSI SANs are good for SMBs. But why? Drill down into the cost and performance differences between Fibre Channel and iSCSI so you can guide your customers ...  Continue Reading

• Introduction to business intelligence tools and reporting

  As businesses grow and accumulate more data, the role of business intelligence reporting grows and becomes more complicated. Learn about the business intelligence tools and approaches VARs use to grow their businesses and stay ahead of the ...  Continue Reading

• Strategies for disaster recovery contingency planning

  Create strategic disaster recovery plans for your clients and protect them from data loss if a disaster should strike. This feature article introduces the second installment of our Disaster Recovery Hot Spot Tutorial  Continue Reading

• Searching for multiple strings in packet payloads

  This section of our chapter excerpt on network algorithms explains how to use the Aho-Corasick algorithm for searching for multiple strings in one pass and the the classical approach of the Boyer-Moore algorithm.  Continue Reading

• Detecting worms

  This section of our chapter excerpt on network algorithms teaches how to detect worms using Code Red and Smaller technologies and how each can present slow response and constant effort.  Continue Reading

• Network design documentation

  Inadequate network documentation can lead to a multitude of problems for solution providers. Learn the importance of network documentation and what network design documentation a solution provider needs from customers.  Continue Reading

• Using virtualization to achieve green data centers

  Green is the hottest color in IT these days, so make sure your knowledge of green data centers is up to snuff. In this Q&A, virtualization expert Toby J. Velte discusses the future of cloud computing for solution providers and how to use ...  Continue Reading

• Configuration of the guest operating system

  This section of our chapter excerpt on performance optimization offers tips on increasing the performance of a Microsoft Windows environment on a physical server and installing the latest version of VMware Tools on a virtual machine.  Continue Reading

• Configuration of the virtual machine

  This section of our chapter excerpt on performance optimization offers tips on enhancing performance of a virtual machine by removing hardware, assessing the virtual machine processors, examining memory and more.  Continue Reading

• Host server processor and memory performance

  This section of our chapter excerpt on performance optimization explains why it is important to examine the physical hardware of your host server and why a client should add as much memory to the VMware ESX Server host server as possible.  Continue Reading

• Implementing robust network design projects

  In order to execute seamless network design projects, it is crucial for solution providers to understand their clients' need for minimum downtime and network flexibility. Learn about some of the most important considerations for a robust network ...  Continue Reading

• Network design considerations checklist for providers

  There are many network design considerations that every solution provider should take into account before embarking on a network design project. Knowing these trends and caveats will help you make the best network design planning and network design ...  Continue Reading

• Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) FAQ

  When deploying virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) projects, solution providers need to ensure that they've got the best information about the technology. Our Project FAQ examines the most frequently asked questions about desktop virtualization ...  Continue Reading

• Network infrastructure FAQ

  There are many components involved in a network infrastructure project. In this FAQ, Allen Zuk discusses how to manage a network infrastructure project, what kinds of technologies and equipment you'll need and how to deal with long-term operational ...  Continue Reading

• Password-protecting a router

  This section of the chapter excerpt focuses on one level of security -- password protection -- for routers.  Continue Reading

• Configuring privilege levels

  This section of the chapter excerpt focuses on supporting multiple administrative levels of router configuration.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Security Device Manager Overview

  This section of the chapter excerpt introduces Security Device Manager (SDM) and how to configure, launch and navigate it.  Continue Reading

• Application virtualization solutions explained

  Application virtualization solutions make managing and maintaining an IT environment much simpler. Learn the benefits and drawbacks to application virtualization solutions, and how to make the best choice for your customer.  Continue Reading

• Virtualization technologies explained

  Virtualization technologies are becoming an integral part of the management and maintenance of IT environments. Learn how virtualization technologies allow IT administrators to better utilize their hardware and simplify their environments. Once ...  Continue Reading

• Storage virtualization solutions explained

  Storage virtualization solutions aggregate available storage space and pool it into one spot, making it easier to manage and maintain.  Continue Reading

• Server virtualization explained

  Server virtualization can improve server utilization in your customers' IT environments and allow for better workload management. Although there are many benefits, there are also drawbacks to server virtualization that can affect deployment. Find ...  Continue Reading

• Channel Explained: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

  VoIP has emerged as a convenient, reliable and cost-effective network option for businesses of all sizes. In this Channel Explained you'll learn how VoIP works, what to consider before deploying it in a company, and how to take advantage of the ...  Continue Reading

• Introduction to identity management solutions

  Identity management solutions allow business customers to manage end-user data in a secure way. Keeping track of which employees have access to what is a daunting task, and becomes almost unmanageable at the midsized and enterprise level. Identity ...  Continue Reading

• Business impact analysis

  A business impact analysis not only brings in consulting revenue; it can also give you greater insight into what your customers' pain points are. Find out what's involved in a BIA and how to conduct one for your customers.  Continue Reading

• How can managed services increase solutions and services sales?

  As a trusted advisor to your customer, you can sell more solutions and services by recognizing business opportunities in your customers' network. Find out how offering managed services can take you to the role of trusted advisor for your customer.  Continue Reading

• How can managed services be marketed?

  To boost business, managed services providers must carry out specific marketing campaigns. Find out the best way to market yourself as a managed services provider.  Continue Reading

• What are the 3 core deliverables of basic MSP offerings?

  Developing an efficient managed services offering is essential to building loyal clientele. Learn about the three core deliverables that comprise a managed services offering.  Continue Reading

• What should be included in a managed services agreement?

  A well-written managed services agreement should provide a common understanding of the services to be performed by the managed services provider for the client. Learn why the managed services agreement is often the first step taken by MSPs, the ...  Continue Reading

• Disaster recovery software and compliance considerations

  Disaster recovery software is necessary in any organization, but is especially important for public companies that need to comply with industry regulations. Testing and monitoring your client's DR plan is becoming simpler, however, as disaster ...  Continue Reading

• How to write an IT service-level agreement

  A service-level agreement (SLA) is a document that clearly lays out your responsibilities as a client's managed services provider. Learn how to write an SLA to protect your managed services business by avoiding confusion with customers that can lead...  Continue Reading

• Getting your WAN requirements right for network disaster recovery

  WAN technologies and issues, including bandwidth and connectivity, play an important role in network disaster recovery. Learn about some of these roles and how to best apply them to a disaster recovery plan.  Continue Reading

• What operating systems are used at the customer organization?

  Your customer's OS preference might not be the same as yours. Learn how to work within your customer's OS and provide an authentication solution that works best within their network architecture.  Continue Reading

• Using blade servers for virtualization, clustering

  While blade servers are similar to standard servers in many ways, companies are increasingly turning to blade servers for advanced functions such as virtualization and clustering.  Continue Reading

• Tackle WAN connectivity issues before planning network DR

  WAN connectivity is a vulnerable, but critical, issue to consider in network disaster recovery. Learn about some of these issues and how to apply them to successful network disaster recovery planning.  Continue Reading

• Top 5 data migration tools

  Today's unprecedented rate of data growth means there's big opportunity for integrators around data migration services. Learn which tools are the best in five different categories.  Continue Reading

• Pros and cons of blade server technology

  While certain businesses will derive great benefits from the compact size of blade server technology, consolidating computing resources and keeping costs low, this technology isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone. Learn the pros and cons ...  Continue Reading

• Validated firewalls

  Firewalls need to be checked and validated to ensure proper function before they are put into production. This section of the chapter excerpt will deal with validating and maintaining firewalls.  Continue Reading

• System administration

  After configuring and setting up the firewall, the next important step is to make sure that the processes are running properly. This section of the chapter excerpt will focus on effective system administration.  Continue Reading

• Packet flow from all networks

  After configuring the firewall, other tools are necessary to scan the traffic through the networks. This section of the chapter excerpt will focus on how to analyze the packet flow through and from all networks.  Continue Reading

• Mobile computing service opportunities

  The growing trend of mobile computing is creating numerous opportunities for resellers and service providers. Find out how you can grow your business by offering mobile computing services.  Continue Reading

• Securing Windows Server 2008: Installing and turning on BitLocker

  Aaron Tiensivu covers steps for installing and turning on BitLocker in Windows Server 2008 in this chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading

• What are the disadvantages of high-performance NAS technology?

  High-performance NAS is not appropriate for every client. IT solution providers must understand the disadvantages of the technology and know when to recommend an alternative to the client.  Continue Reading

• Vendors: How to get your company listed in our Partner Program Directories

  Learn how technology manufacturers can get their company listed in our Partner Program Directories.  Continue Reading

• Downloading OSSEC HIDS

  This section of the chapter excerpt reviews and provides step-by-step approaches downloading OSSEC HIDS.  Continue Reading

• Installing the Windows agent

  This section of the chapter excerpt covers the steps to undertake when installing the windows agent of the OSSEC HIDS.  Continue Reading

• The benefits of storage virtualization

  Storage virtualization can satisfy your customers' storage needs and also provide great business opportunities for you as a service provider. Learn about the benefits of storage virtualization in this installment of our Hot Spot Tutorial.  Continue Reading

• What are federated databases?

  Federated databases are a possible solution to your customers' database search issues. This IT Channel Explained will explain what a federated database is and how it works and give you the info you need to determine whether it's a good fit for your ...  Continue Reading

• Have you created a map of the to-be architecture?

  Before implementing the remote platform management service, it is imperative to create a map of the architecture to-be, which includes creation of a network documentation that will foster better understanding of the security framework and needs. ...  Continue Reading

• How can solution providers differentiate themselves from competition?

  Solution providers need to attract new business by standing apart from competitors with new and unique solutions to important business problems. This often includes a knowledge of important new technologies like virtualization or green initiatives.  Continue Reading

• System Recovery and Diagnostic Tricks: Vista Recovery: Advanced Boot Options, WinRE and WinPE

  Vista's Advanced Boot Options, the Windows Recovery Environment Platform, WinRE and WinPE are all covered in this chapter excerpt from "Tricks of the Microsoft Windows Vista Masters." Learn about these options before choosing CompletePC backup.  Continue Reading

• System Recovery and Diagnostic Tricks: Memory Diagnostics tool

  Vista's Memory Diagnostics tool and the Resource Exhaustion Detection and Recovery (RADAR) tool are constantly running in your client's system background. Learn how to use these tools in this chapter excerpt from "Tricks of the Microsoft Windows ...  Continue Reading

• Network IDS/IPS vendors

  Before deciding on a network intrusion detection or intrusion prevention system (IDS/IPS), check out this Partner Program Directory. Use these checklists to compare partner programs of network IDS/IPS vendors.  Continue Reading

• Top five data storage compression methods

  Data storage compression can eliminate the many redundancies of stored data and cut storage costs. Learn the top five methods of lossless and transparent storage compression.  Continue Reading

• Introduction to the BlackBerry

  Read about the features of the BlackBerry that ease and enable forensic analysis for investigators.  Continue Reading

• iPod Forensics

  Read about how to conduct forensic investigations with data retrieved from an iPod.  Continue Reading

• The mobile device management problem (and opportunity)

  Mobile devices are proliferating in enterprises, and IT managers are faced with trying to manage a problem that's out of control. This first installment of our Hot Spot Tutorial on mobile device management analyzes the implications of smart phones, ...  Continue Reading

• Best techniques for cooling blade servers

  Blade servers present a much more complex cooling dilemma to data center engineers than standard servers do. The typical approach to cooling racks is exactly the wrong method for cooling blade servers. Find out what works and how your customers can ...  Continue Reading

• The benefits of metadata and implementing a metadata management strategy

  This section of the chapter excerpt will introduce and explore the basics of metadata.  Continue Reading

• Managing Data in the Data Hub

  This section of the chapter excerpt deals with acquiring, rationalizing, cleansing, transforming, and loading data into the Data Hub.  Continue Reading

• Strategies for cooling a server room: Flooring, cabling, budget

  There's no one best way to handle cooling a server room. Your customer's existing facilities, installed hardware and budget will be the biggest factors in how you help keep server room cooling costs down.  Continue Reading

• Overview of Business Rules Engines

  This section of the chapter excerpt provides an overview of business rules engines.  Continue Reading

• Security assessment tools for risk analysis

  Before offering security risk analysis services, solution providers need to stock their toolboxes with commonly used assessment tools. These tools are described here, as well as advice for choosing more specialized tools and translating raw data ...  Continue Reading

• Best practices for providing managed backup services

  If you're interested in providing managed backup services, make sure you've got the right message and can execute both backup and retrieval well. Learn best practices for providing managed backup services, including sales pitches, customer ...  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager review quiz

  This section provides review questions on the material covered in the previous sections of the chapter excerpt.  Continue Reading

• Channel Explained: 10 Gigabit Ethernet

  Businesses are demanding more from their networks, and technology is responding. With the availability of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE) and compatible products, should you be upgrading your clients' infrastructures? In this Channel Explained you'll ...  Continue Reading

• What are the challenges of a network performance management project?

  Ultimately the solution provider is responsible for effective and efficient deployments, and verifying that the client's network performance management project meets their expectations. A solution provider should take the time to master a particular...  Continue Reading

• What are the criteria for successful network performance management?

  Network performance management must meet the client's goals, and every client is different. Solution providers must understand the client's definition of success and apply those criteria to the current project.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager summary

  This section summarizes and reviews the topics covered in this chapter excerpt of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager licensing

  This section of the chapter excerpt focuses on the certification and licensing opportunities of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager - Hardware, Software and Clustering

  This chapter excerpt covers the compatible hardware and software for Cisco Unified Communications Manager, as well as its clustering capabilities.  Continue Reading

• Top five email archiving tools

  Find out which email archiving tools are worth hanging your service provider hat on -- and how to make the best use of them.  Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager Architecture - Introduction

   Continue Reading

• Cisco Unified Communications Manager Overview

  This chapter excerpt provides a general overview and explains some of the new features of Cisco Unified Communications Manager.  Continue Reading

• Summary of Check Point's NGX R65

  This last section of the chapter excerpt will summarize the material covered in the previous chapters.  Continue Reading

• Network firewall vendors

  Before deciding on a network firewall vendor, check out this Partner Program Directory. Use these checklists to compare partner programs of network firewall vendors.  Continue Reading

• Five questions to ask in a data deduplication project

  When scoping out a customer's data deduplication project, there are five key questions to explore with your customers to determine the best approach to take. Learn what questions you should ask and why they're important.  Continue Reading

• Marketing development funds: How to get a bigger piece of the MDF pie

  Hard work and smarts can bring you bigger market development funds from vendor partners. Find out what strategies are likely to bring you the biggest slice of the marketing development funds pie.  Continue Reading

• Understanding the impact of high-availability applications on the network

  Applications and their data must be available in order to be useful. Value-added resellers and solution providers must ensure application availability any time new software is added or updated, or any time that changes are made to the client's ...  Continue Reading

• What is the scope of the assessment?

  Before beginning a security assessment on IT systems, service providers should discuss the scope of the assessment. Learn why it is important to decide the scope of an assessment before its execution.  Continue Reading

• Has a kick-off meeting been held for the security site assessment?

  As the execution of a security site assessment begins, service providers should hold a formal kick-off meeting with their clients. Learn what aspects of the assessment should be discussed at this meeting.  Continue Reading

• What are the tangible deliverables of the security assessment?

  Learn what standard deliverables are for a security site assessment and how to tailor them to the expected audience.  Continue Reading

• What is the proper methodology for security site assessments?

  Over the years, security assessment methodology has changed. Learn the best practices and methodology for conducting a successful security site assessment.  Continue Reading

• Advantages and disadvantages of Hyper-V

  Microsoft's Hyper-V is at the release candidate stage, and some companies already have it in production use. Find out the advantages and disadvantages of the virtualization tool so you can help customers at a server virtualization decision point.  Continue Reading

• How to overcome managed security service provider challenges

  Managed security service providers (MSSPs) face a myriad of technical challenges in the infrastructure they develop, the tools they employ and the processes adopted to drive services. There are also numerous business challenges that make it ...  Continue Reading

• What's the role of tape backup in disaster recovery?

  Tape was once the most important component of disaster recovery. Learn how this role has changed and what role tape backup plays in disaster recovery today.  Continue Reading

• How does virtualization affect disaster recovery?

  Learn about the important role that virtualization plays in disaster recovery.  Continue Reading

• Technology requirements for managed security service providers

  Managed security service providers require sophisticated IT infrastructure to accommodate multiple clients. This demands a significant up-front investment in hardware, and often requires the custom development of business tools, which can lengthen ...  Continue Reading

• Thin provisioning explained and defined

  Implementing thin provisioning at customer sites can save big money by improving storage utilization rates. To deliver those savings to customers, storage VARs need to understand the benefits and limitations of thin provisioning, its impact on VARs ...  Continue Reading

• Understanding managed security services: An intro for VARs

  Security is a critical business function that can strain the resources of even dedicated security staff. Corporations are meeting these challenges by outsourcing security tasks to managed security service providers (MSSPs) that specialize in ...  Continue Reading

• Best practices for storage capacity planning

  Storage capacity planning isn't just about predicting your customers' storage growth. While getting a handle on past growth to help predict future growth is important, you should also help customers work toward curbing their storage growth by ...  Continue Reading

• Predicting data storage growth

  If your customers have deep pockets, predicting data storage growth is a relatively easy chore using storage resource management (SRM) tools. But for smaller companies with equally small budgets, you'll need to be more creative. Learn the techniques...  Continue Reading

• Secondary-market resellers thrive in the tech industry

  Many businesses are jumping off the new-equipment merry-go-round and turning to the secondary market, keeping their infrastructure alive for up to a decade. Find out how resellers in the secondary market have emerged to meet end-user tech needs, ...  Continue Reading

• TCP/IP offload engine (TOE) cards

  TCP/IP offload engines have found a niche within iSCSI SANs as a method of shifting processing work off the host CPU. While TOE cards aren't a panacea for reducing your customers' network traffic, they do have potential beyond iSCSI. Find out how ...  Continue Reading

• The benefits of storage capacity planning

  Storage capacity planning services can save your customers money and bring other benefits by balancing their storage utilization and growth rates with their tolerance for upgrade interruptions and storage architecture.  Continue Reading