Techmall

Linksys’ new NAS solution

Linksys, a division of Cisco Systems, has announced the availability of its new network attached storage (NAS) solution, the Network Storage System with 2 bays, NAS200.
As per a company release, the NAS200 is designed to enable consumers to share, utilize and secure valuable data over their networks. Uses include streaming music or high-definition video stored on the NAS200 for playback via the built-in media server for streaming to a PC or UPnP AV digital media adapter.
NAS200 features two 3.5 inch SATA drive bays which allow users to attach the storage they need. For even more expandability, there are two USB ports through which users can easily connect an external hard disk drive or flash disk to quickly access or back up portable data. A setup wizard is designed to make the NAS200 easy to configure, and back up of important files is done with the touch of a button and bundled backup software.
The product does not require a client utility that must be run on a PC. Connecting the storage system to the network is easy: simply install one or more hard drives in the network storage system, connect it to an available 10/100 Ethernet port on a router or switch, and the storage is instantly accessible by the whole network. The NAS200 can also be set up to be accessible directly from the Internet via a Web browser or FTP client.

Juniper’s UAC version 2.1 

Juniper Networks has announced the launch of its Unified Access Control (UAC) version 2.1. According to a company release, UAC 2.1 provides advanced network protection and application visibility, monitoring and control, and simplifies network access control deployments. 
Key innovations and features include coordinated threat control, identity-enabled profiler, unmanageable device support, advanced security assessment, heterogeneous endpoint support and simplified deployment.
Coordinated threat control leverages the features and capabilities of Juniper’s Intrusion Detection and Prevention platforms to deliver broad Layer 2-7 visibility into application traffic, providing IT the ability to isolate a threat down to the user or device level and then employ a specific, configurable policy action against that user or device. 
Identity-Enabled Profiler ties user identity and role information to network and application usage. Unmanageable Device Support addresses unmanageable endpoint devices such as printers, enabling enterprises to leverage existing policy and profile stores or asset discovery solutions for role and resource-based access control.
Advanced Security Assessment expands UAC’s security assessment capabilities with the integration of Shavlik NetChk Protect predefined patch management assessment checks. Heterogeneous Endpoint Support extends support for the most popular enterprise computing platforms with a new Layer 2/Layer 3 UAC Agent for the Windows Vista platform. Simplified Deployment extends authentication protocol support for supporting phased deployments and provides enhanced automatic remediation capabilities.

Stellar rolls out data recovery software 

Stellar Information Systems has launched the Stellar Phoenix Macintosh v2.0 data recovery software. According to a press release, the software is a complete solution that helps to recover data from damaged, deleted or corrupted volumes, and even from initialized disks. It also supports the HFS, HFS+, HFSX and HFS Wrapper file systems, and works fully in the Mac OS 10.3.9 and above.
 This application for Macintosh data recovery comes with an advanced search feature. The feature offers greater possibility to discover lost data. Stellar Phoenix is powered by a new engine which helps scan the drive three times faster. Standard search is very fast and efficient in normal cases. If one is not able to get the desired results, it also offers an advanced search option. Further, it scans each cluster of the logical volume and also scans the entire unused cluster for known file types.
 The raw file recovery feature recovers more than 50 file types in case of severe file system corruption. This helps in cases of severe damage, and helps to recover different file types including Web, images, movie, digital camera and application files.

Hitachi simplifies data storage 

Hitachi has introduced the Hitachi Simple Modular Storage model 100, a low-cost, entry-level storage system designed to fulfill the requirements of small and medium-sized businesses, and that is easy to integrate with Microsoft Windows and Symantec Backup Exec.
According to a press release, the Simple Modular Storage system includes an intuitive wizard-based GUI setup and auto-configuration software. The system can be plugged into any home or office using the same standard power outlet, and scales from under one terabyte to nearly nine terabytes of capacity with no onsite IT support.
The solution provides non-stop data availability via a plug-and-play disk slot and allows an upgrade to a new Simple Modular Storage system for greater capacity requirement.
Simple Modular Storage creates instantaneous snap or full copies of all data, and offers disaster recovery with optional remote replication from a simple icon-based management cockpit. It delivers eco-friendly, power-efficient storage, and is compliant with Reduction of Hazardous Substances regulations which limit the use of hazardous material in electronic equipment.

Extreme’s new solutions

Extreme Networks has extended the power of network insight and control to a new set of enterprise solutions designed to enhance network longevity and reduce cost. These products and services include a new line of Summit X150 edge switches, a new framework for automating labor-intensive network tasks with pre-built software modules that address the entire network lifecycle, and a new professional services practice focused on the development and delivery of custom automation tools.
As per a press release, the new Summit X150 series fixed configuration switches are available in 24 and 48 port models with power over Ethernet. The  switches are targeted at wiring closets where convergence and security are required, and controlling costs is paramount.
Extreme’s automation framework leverages the modular ExtremeXOS operating system and the EPICenter management platform to automate network deployment, ongoing operations, and infrastructure optimization.
The deployment module includes a best practice module which helps to configure management interfaces, establish basic quality of service, and baseline VLANs to segment the network. A voice grade network module helps to configure more advanced QoS and endpoint detection of IP handsets.
The optimization automation modules include a new broadcast storm mitigation module which works with CLEAR-Flow-enabled BlackDiamond switches to help protect against broadcast storms, and an Internet control message protocol imbalance module which spots route-down problems and IP address sweeps that can indicate network usage policy violations.  
 

Experian launches Totalvue Retail

Experian has announced the launch of its enhanced retail marketing database offering, Totalvue Retail. The offering will help marketers make sound investments across their different channels by providing analysis of all marketing efforts within the database along with increased ROI measurement and reporting.
According to a release, Totalvue Retail helps marketers better understand where and how customers prefer to shop by compiling and tracking their purchase behavior across the entire business.
Totalvue Retail integrates this single customer view with an advanced business reporting suite that mines the database to help marketers better understand the performance of campaigns, products and channels in order to improve and increase marketing ROI.
The database takes the complexity out of campaign management and measurement by providing interaction between the marketing database and online marketing efforts while identifying and reporting on customer responses across various Internet promotions, catalogs, direct mail, call centers and stores.
 Totalvue Retail gives retailers a complete, integrated offering that helps them build actionable customer segmentation systems, customer-relevant contact strategies, and media buying plans that maximize their marketing investments.

Cincom’s Sales Configurator

Cincom Systems has launched Sales Configurator for salesforce.com’s AppExchange. It is available at www.salesforce.com/appxchange.com. Salesforce.com’s more than 35,300 customers now have access to Cincom’s Sales Configurator through the AppExchange.
According to a release, Sales Configurator captures the product, services and business knowledge needed for guided selling, complex product and sales configuration, and proposal management. It enables complex manufacturers to capture and deliver critical application, product, pricing, and process knowledge to the point of sale.
To the end-user, the integration between the two products is seamless. A simple button appears on the Salesforce menu marked ‘configure product.’ This button opens a Web-based version of Sales Configurator for Salesforce, and lists all of the products that can be configured. Products configured in the Sales Configurator are stored in the Salesforce application.

Fluke adds features to OptiView Series

Fluke Networks has announced new capabilities for its OptiView Series III Integrated Network Analyzer. According to a company release, users can now see new views of network traffic, including round-trip network latency, plus the response time of the far end server.  Traffic data is presented via a new graphical transactions chart presenting results in an intuitive, visual format. The transactions chart includes drill-down capability, providing the fastest, simplest means of capturing packet-level detail.
Also new to the OptiView Series III Integrated Network Analyzer is OptiView Reporter, which turns automated network discovery into complete network documentation using Visio-based mapping.   
The Integrated Network Analyzer can see all VLANs on the network by analyzing all VLAN-tagged traffic.  This helps in identifying and resolving VLAN configuration questions, and balancing traffic loads between VLANS.