Francis Chu

Wireless LANs are getting faster, with better interoperability and more cost effective connectivity for mobile users. However, current 802.11x wireless standards offer limited security measures, as recently discovered vulnerabilities in the Wire Equivalent Privacy protocol demonstrate. IT managers need better products to secure their WLANs from eavesdroppers and unauthorized access, and to enable centralized management […]

Celestix networks latest Linux-based server appliance, the Aries One, features Check Point Software Technologies VPN-1/ Firewall-1, which helps it deliver enterprise-class Internet security to small businesses or branch offices. At less than 7 inches tall, the compact Aries One, priced at $649, packs plenty of features into a small space, providing a complete, easy-to-use Internet […]

ActiveScout Nips Attacks in the Bud”> ForeScout Technologies Inc.s ActiveScout 2.1 IDS provides an extra layer of protection from attackers and certain viruses that will be appreciated at security-conscious sites. Although its more expensive than its competition, an ActiveScout purchase will be money well-spent for companies that place a premium on security. In eWeek Labs […]

Companies that long to simplify their systems, but face thorny issues of complexity, cost and long rollout time when implementing VPN and secure extranet systems, have a new ally. SafeWebs SEA (Secure Extranet Appliance), available now, allows organizations to securely share corporate applications across networking boundaries over traditional VPNs and extranets in a streamlined way. […]

The latest edition of M-Systems DiskOnKey, to be released next month, will hold 512MB—perfect for storing files on the go and a great replacement for bulky floppy drives used in laptops. The current $149 DiskOnKey, a flash memory device, holds 128MB. Its roughly the size of a thick pen or highlighter, with a USB interface. […]

Intel this week introduced the Low Voltage Pentium III, a processor that will allow manufacturers to build ultradense server blades that support two processors per blade. Ultradense server blades have the main components (processor, memory, hard drive, motherboard) condensed in a compact PCI card form, and multiple blades are housed in a rack-mount chassis with […]

Dell Server Puts Enterprise Redundancy in 1U Footprint”> Dell Computer Corp.s newest two-way server, the PowerEdge 1650, offers better redundancy features than other servers in its class and boasts robust performance in a rack-optimized form factor. IT managers looking for an application server or a space-saving Web server application should consider the PowerEdge 1650. The […]

At a recent meeting, AMD demonstrated its next-generation X86-64 “Hammer” processor technology in action. From what I saw at the demo, the Hammer architecture is impressive, although its still too early to say if the Hammer will do well in the market. The heart of AMDs Hammer architecture, which will debut in the ClawHammer and […]

Flatrock Adds Dimension to Extranets With Routers”> Flatrock Inc.s Linux-based series 1500 Application Routers break new ground in the extranet market by providing enterprises with a simple, secure and manageable way to rapidly deploy applications over networking and organizational boundaries. In eWeek Labs tests, the Flatrock Instant Extranet package—comprising a pair of Series 1500 Application […]

Adaptecs XHub7+ utility connects up to seven USB peripherals to a PC. The XHub7+ supports the new USB 2.0 devices and is backward-compatible with USB 1.1 devices. It comes with USB 2.0 drivers for PCs running Windows 98, 2000, ME and XP and also supports Mac OS 9.1 or later. Its convenient stand let me […]

IT managers looking for a compact and affordable entry level DLT autoloader should consider Benchmark Storage Innovations Inc.s ValuSmart Tape 640 Blade. The VS640 is the first tape autoloader eWEEK Labs has seen that stands at less than 2U (actual height: 3.34 inches). This slim, rack-mountable autoloader can hold up to eight digital linear tape […]

Now that wireless networks are faster and better, is streaming video over wireless LANs possible? Streaming multimedia content is a challenge to any type of network. A typical high-resolution MPEG video stream running at 30 frames per second demands megabits of bandwidth. Given the capabilities of current 802.11a products, video over wireless still seems far […]