Free online courses

Haven't posted in awhile..

Here is a link to some free MBA type courses.

http://business-technology.us/news.html

They have some good practical stuff as well.

Also check out open courseware links

http://iberry.widged.com/html/ocd.htm

Video on the go

Here is few video options that will change the way we interact with television.

The sling box

http://www.slingmedia.com/

Then the pocketdish

http://www.pocketdish.com/

More to come soon

Neuro Interactions

Haven't posted anything over a month now. I remembered watching a news story on CNN about this concept. While its good in the short-term for disabled people. I think it has good applications in general with man-machine interaction.

www.cyberkineticsinc.com



Enjoy

Wifi VOIP Phones

Today you can find phones that work well for 802.11 networks especially for an Enterprise or campus type scenario. An example is here http://www.zyxel.com/product/P2000W.phpWhile that solution can help very much, the best deal would be to marry 802.11 capability with existing GSM or CDMA phones. This approach is slowly picking up traction especially with respect to costing requirements.The capability will have reachability, since sometimes cell phones will not work in some areas of the office. On the other hand, it could be separate numbers, with the 802.11 portion been tied to your regular extension.Here is an article on these phones..

Some news

Just a quick one.

This is an article I just ran into http://www.forbes.com/2006/01/24/tello-wireless-software-cz_qh_1024tello.html?partner=msn

Network Services

It always seem that from time to time, you end up saying the same thing in a different way. This comes to mind when we look at the issue of convergence.

Currently Cellphones and Landlines work just fine, but then VOIP is still very hot as a way to make calls. The same thing applies to TV and video.

What is apparent is that the increase use of the Internet has attracted the need to provide services in different ways. For example nowadays, you can download a PC TV client and there you have full access to many TV stations (example http://beelinetv.com/). This actually is more than getting TV in another way, it actually allows you see TV from just about anywhere, which could be expensive with satellite and totally not possible with Cable at low cost.

In the case of VOIP, it would seem that this is driven by cost but then in some practical ways it solves some current problems such as proper cellphone coverage in buildings. WIFI/GSM/CDMA hybrid phones will solve this issue over time as well. On company is taking a different approach by allowing better indoor Cell coverage (www.spotwave.com).

This brings me back to the need for good broadband wireless. Obviusly the sophisticated user may want everything available but I would think more of the user with limited access to wired networks for both cable and Internet access. The presence of the Wireless connection would allow the user to access regular data services, like finding the best deal anywhere in the world, services such as TV since may not want to buy expensive satellite and maintain. The additional premium is VOIP in your house. Companies such as www.vonage.com already have the soltuion once you have a connection.

In summary it seems connectivity will provide better services and eventually change the way you do things.

Planning and Building a network

Building a network requires careful consideration of the process and parameters that will drive its success. The illustration shows the general process applied to a network

Planning the network means to consider applications, performance, connectivity, security and reliability. Applications and performance normally goes together from a network point of view, its important to know actual application needs and how many users or instances. The following table gives an example of common application needs.

Connectivity, affects how users are connected to the network or how a site is connected to other sites. This could be driven by application requirements or availability options as in the case with Workers Bank. Wireless maybe used in a campus environment while a WAN would have ADSL, T1, DS3 or in some cases Metro Ethernet. Security would come in different levels including physically securing network equipment, limit access to the network and protecting actual network data with encryption for example. The following is an example of connectivity using Virtual Private Network (VPN) protocol such as Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC – RFC2401).

Reliability covers many aspects from physical provisioning such as battery backups to protocols used in link failures. Protocols used at MAC layer are 802.1d (STP), LAG, and MLPPP. Network layer could use dynamic routing, VRRP and Server load balancing implementation.

Documenting the design with all the above factors could mean using simulation models to fine the design then move to implementation.

Deployment or implementation means planning and ensuring the environment is ready, pre-stage and test equipment to ensure things will go smoothly. You then need to verify the installation using the many management tools available which can also be used for long term management.

Management means to ensure the network is available and look at parameters that may require optimization or generate a new network project for example with addition of more users or more demanding applications.

Broadband Pointers

Haven't been logging any activity in a while.. Here is a good link for planning Wireless Broadband in an area.

http://www.bbwexchange.com/howto/

Will add some notes soon on how to design a network, both Enterprise and ISP base