Gee, how would this work at my house? I've got my access point locked down via WPA and PEAP authentication. Is motorola going to include an 802.1x client for every type of wireless security? WPA? WEP? PEAP? LEAP? EAP-TLS?
Until the next 802.whatever standard is ratified, this is going to be a kludge...
My company decided that windows 2000 was the last Microsoft operating system we would use unless Microsoft removed activation from its products. Sure, we use open-license corporate edition software, but the risk of being locked out of updates is too great to consider windows XP. Our machines will easily last us 3-4 years. If Microsoft still persists on using product activation at that time, we will probably move to Mac OS X (we'll need new hardware anyway) or Linux.
We are actively evaluating both products. In 3-4 years, those products will be even better than they are today. Microsoft needs to start realizing that they aren't the only game in town anylonger.
I interact with lots of IT managers who are testing Opteron to replace many SUN products. The managers i've talked to still hesitate to go full-bore on opteron. Many are waiting for Intel's Nocona CPU (Xeon with 64-bit extensions). There seems to be this belief that Intel has better experience in the enterprise with CPUs and chipsets.
AMDs run with opteron (and athlon 64) may end when Intel releases their 64-bit chips (assuming they don't suck).
I BOUGHT a copy of RH 9 so I could run my filtering proxy server on it Dan's Guardian.
Since RH is EOLing RH9, (and their enterprise stuff is EXPENSIVE), I decided to go with Fedora Linux. Dan's Guardian installs and runs great with minimal fuss.
Good job redhat! I was a paying customer...I guess i'm not any longer. I wonder how many others they lost?
If SUN really cares about re-inventing itself, it should start buying back its outstanding shares. There are about 3 billion shares outstanding and at $4.00/share, they wouldn't have enough cash to buy all of them...but they could start now. Hell, they could produce a couple really bad quarters, drive the stock price down to $1.00 and buy all the shares with half of their cash reserve.
After that SUN could focus on new technologies without the stockholder pressure.
It wasn't a major election....just school board members and three school budget questions.
Still it was nice to push a few buttons instead of flipping levers in a 1950's era machine. Maybe we are finally slowly experiencing the modernization of some of our oldest institutions.
the person responsible for the breach has been sacked.
The person who hired the person responsible has been sacked.
The researcher who gave the candy bar in exchange for the password who was hired by the person who hired the person responsible for the security breach has also been sacked.
Before I get started: I like Linux. I use it everyday. I like it even more because it makes Microsoft look over their shoulder.
That said, sound support in linux sucks....but it's not always "Linux's fault". My 5 year old IBM 600E Thinkpad has an unsupported sound card. I DO NOT have the option of "getting a sound card that doesn't suck" as some have suggested.
I use the laptop with Linux, but every time I realize that my sound card doesn't work it makes me shake my head and think: "Maybe Microsoft will have something to worry about in 5 years....."
While i'm ranting...how about better wireless network card support? I've got a bunch of spiffy new 802.11 A/B/G cards and none of them work in Linux. I have to resort to my 3 year old Cisco 350 series card to connect on my laptop.
Here's a better illustration of the problem:
Go to compUSA and try to find a scanner that DOESN'T work in windows. You probably won't be able to find one.
I had AT&T wireless 5 years ago in college and they were no better then. Bad coverage areas, customer service people without a clue, and screwed up billing.
Say what you like about Verizon's CDMA technology. There is more to a phone company than the technology they choose. If the company can provide robust coverage, provide wireless broadband, and treat me right - they will succeed.
As for the CDMA detractors: Try getting 500k/sec. on ANY GSM system now....Verizon's testing it in DC and NY and will soon roll out nationwide.
AT&T wireless didn't fall apart because of their technology choices...they fell apart because they treated their customers badly.
Back in the old EE days in college we tried to set up some wind powered electrical generators. The EPA wanted us to do an environmental impact study before granting us a permit.
If a well funded college could not afford it, I doubt an average joe can.
Good luck though. It seems like an interesting project.
Building your own 1u box is a pain. Just try to find motherboards, power supplies and 1u cases that all work together. You'll find it is not easy. Intel makes some boards and cases that go well together, but they are pricey. A super server from supermicro includes:
Case (1u, 2u, 3u,....and up) Power Supply (no reliablity problems so far) Floppy and CD-rom/DVD drives and Motherboard that fits the case correctly.
All you need to do is add CPU(s), memory and hard drives. This way you can choose how much "horsepower" you need with out all the system integration hassles.
A military guy I know watched an entire building's communication system go up in smoke when some incompetent radar operator switched on an Aegis Combat System radar array while the ship was docked.
I'm a network admin and i'm platform agnostic. We use all types here; my job is to make them work.
So you image 14000 windows computers and you forget to install an application. Using group profiles you can remotely deploy that application the next time your users login.
Company bookmarks change? No problem, just use group profiles to update everyone's favorites next time they login.
Security patch update? Easy, after you've lab tested the patch, go to your Software Update Services machine and automatically deploy the update to all your client machines.
Love or hate MS. They have done a very good job integrating the server products to the desktop products. It helps administrators do their job without making a visit to every workstation, or writing and debugging pages of scripts.
I like OS X and Linux, and I use them every day, but MS seems to do a better job of centralized administration and deployment.
Are you connected to a managed switch? I noticed this phenomenon (with fast booting computers) on networks that have spanning tree enabled on managed switches. Some managed switches have a "fast mode" to prevent this from happening. If your network archetecture doesn't require spanning tree, disable it and your DHCP requests will be answered much faster.
I remember reading about project "Yamhill" since early 2002. Intel has been developing their x86-64 chip since then. Obviously Intel has been waiting to see how OS vendors and the market would accept an x86-64 chip.
They also didn't want to prematurely flush Itanic.
When the shit hits the Itanic fan, Intel execs shouldn't be the only ones getting reamed for this huge blunder....HP execs should also share the blame.
I didn't mean to imply that a VPN is the ONLY security measure we employ. All resources on our network are password protected. Access is based on user authentication - no one person has access to everything. VPNs merely solve (for us) the problem "port knocking" intends to solve; network access at the port level.
I already have a solution for this scenario. It's called a VPN. Anyone who doesn't know the "secret handshake" (VPN encryption key) doesn't get past the firewall. I don't have to worry about port 22 on my server....or any other port.
As people and businesses become more dependent on their data connections for daily life, you'll start to see class-action lawsuits when providers start monkeying around.
Power companies, and standard tel-cos have stringent government standards they must meet for service disclosure and mandatory minimum repair response times. Look for those laws to apply to broadband ISPs in the future.
Workgroup Manager uses a lot of terminology that is completely lost on me, and I am not managing any users, really.
You've just missed the boat. User management is the biggest reason to buy an OS X server.
Lots of companies run mixed environments. Here at the school we run Windows, Linux, and OS X. Having our windows domain controllers replicate user lists to OS X servers is a huge deal. Who wants to add 50 new users to three separate systems?
Slashdot Mirror
Gee, how would this work at my house? I've got my access point locked down via WPA and PEAP authentication. Is motorola going to include an 802.1x client for every type of wireless security? WPA? WEP? PEAP? LEAP? EAP-TLS?
Until the next 802.whatever standard is ratified, this is going to be a kludge...
-ted
That's not the issue. If our corporate key gets compromised, MS has the ability to lock out our "legit" copies from windows update.
Microsoft hasn't up to this point, but the fact remains they could.
We don't like that idea.
-ted
My company decided that windows 2000 was the last Microsoft operating system we would use unless Microsoft removed activation from its products. Sure, we use open-license corporate edition software, but the risk of being locked out of updates is too great to consider windows XP. Our machines will easily last us 3-4 years. If Microsoft still persists on using product activation at that time, we will probably move to Mac OS X (we'll need new hardware anyway) or Linux.
We are actively evaluating both products. In 3-4 years, those products will be even better than they are today. Microsoft needs to start realizing that they aren't the only game in town anylonger.
-ted
Elbonia.
-ted
I interact with lots of IT managers who are testing Opteron to replace many SUN products. The managers i've talked to still hesitate to go full-bore on opteron. Many are waiting for Intel's Nocona CPU (Xeon with 64-bit extensions). There seems to be this belief that Intel has better experience in the enterprise with CPUs and chipsets.
AMDs run with opteron (and athlon 64) may end when Intel releases their 64-bit chips (assuming they don't suck).
-ted
I BOUGHT a copy of RH 9 so I could run my filtering proxy server on it Dan's Guardian.
Since RH is EOLing RH9, (and their enterprise stuff is EXPENSIVE), I decided to go with Fedora Linux. Dan's Guardian installs and runs great with minimal fuss.
Good job redhat! I was a paying customer...I guess i'm not any longer. I wonder how many others they lost?
-ted
If SUN really cares about re-inventing itself, it should start buying back its outstanding shares. There are about 3 billion shares outstanding and at $4.00/share, they wouldn't have enough cash to buy all of them...but they could start now. Hell, they could produce a couple really bad quarters, drive the stock price down to $1.00 and buy all the shares with half of their cash reserve.
After that SUN could focus on new technologies without the stockholder pressure.
-ted
GWB finding "nucular" weapons in Baghdad.
-ted
Wouldn't exactly make me want to go to work....
-ted
It wasn't a major election....just school board members and three school budget questions.
Still it was nice to push a few buttons instead of flipping levers in a 1950's era machine. Maybe we are finally slowly experiencing the modernization of some of our oldest institutions.
Next, we ditch the electoral college.
One can hope.
-ted
the person responsible for the breach has been sacked.
The person who hired the person responsible has been sacked.
The researcher who gave the candy bar in exchange for the password who was hired by the person who hired the person responsible for the security breach has also been sacked.
Thank you,
-ted
People "satisfied" with dial-up have no idea that other services are available over broadband that can actually SAVE them money.
By that, I mean VOIP.
Voice Over Internet Protocol is the next "big thing" when it comes to broadband.
My cable modem + Vonage VOIP service is cheap. No dial-up ISP and no copper phone line means i'm actually SAVING money each month.
It's only a matter of time (and bandwidth) until everything comes over your IP connection - TV, voice, and data.
-ted
Before I get started: I like Linux. I use it everyday. I like it even more because it makes Microsoft look over their shoulder.
That said, sound support in linux sucks....but it's not always "Linux's fault". My 5 year old IBM 600E Thinkpad has an unsupported sound card. I DO NOT have the option of "getting a sound card that doesn't suck" as some have suggested.
I use the laptop with Linux, but every time I realize that my sound card doesn't work it makes me shake my head and think: "Maybe Microsoft will have something to worry about in 5 years....."
While i'm ranting...how about better wireless network card support? I've got a bunch of spiffy new 802.11 A/B/G cards and none of them work in Linux. I have to resort to my 3 year old Cisco 350 series card to connect on my laptop.
Here's a better illustration of the problem:
Go to compUSA and try to find a scanner that DOESN'T work in windows. You probably won't be able to find one.
-ted
I had AT&T wireless 5 years ago in college and they were no better then. Bad coverage areas, customer service people without a clue, and screwed up billing.
Say what you like about Verizon's CDMA technology. There is more to a phone company than the technology they choose. If the company can provide robust coverage, provide wireless broadband, and treat me right - they will succeed.
As for the CDMA detractors: Try getting 500k/sec. on ANY GSM system now....Verizon's testing it in DC and NY and will soon roll out nationwide.
AT&T wireless didn't fall apart because of their technology choices...they fell apart because they treated their customers badly.
-ted
Back in the old EE days in college we tried to set up some wind powered electrical generators. The EPA wanted us to do an environmental impact study before granting us a permit.
If a well funded college could not afford it, I doubt an average joe can.
Good luck though. It seems like an interesting project.
-ted
Supermicro makes super server barebone systems that are very nice. I've got a bunch here at home and at work.
Check it out here.
Building your own 1u box is a pain. Just try to find motherboards, power supplies and 1u cases that all work together. You'll find it is not easy. Intel makes some boards and cases that go well together, but they are pricey. A super server from supermicro includes:
Case (1u, 2u, 3u,....and up)
Power Supply (no reliablity problems so far)
Floppy and CD-rom/DVD drives
and
Motherboard that fits the case correctly.
All you need to do is add CPU(s), memory and hard drives. This way you can choose how much "horsepower" you need with out all the system integration hassles.
Good luck.
-ted
A military guy I know watched an entire building's communication system go up in smoke when some incompetent radar operator switched on an Aegis Combat System radar array while the ship was docked.
That must have been pretty funny/spooky.
-ted
I'm a network admin and i'm platform agnostic. We use all types here; my job is to make them work.
So you image 14000 windows computers and you forget to install an application. Using group profiles you can remotely deploy that application the next time your users login.
Company bookmarks change? No problem, just use group profiles to update everyone's favorites next time they login.
Security patch update? Easy, after you've lab tested the patch, go to your Software Update Services machine and automatically deploy the update to all your client machines.
Love or hate MS. They have done a very good job integrating the server products to the desktop products. It helps administrators do their job without making a visit to every workstation, or writing and debugging pages of scripts.
I like OS X and Linux, and I use them every day, but MS seems to do a better job of centralized administration and deployment.
-ted
Are you connected to a managed switch? I noticed this phenomenon (with fast booting computers) on networks that have spanning tree enabled on managed switches. Some managed switches have a "fast mode" to prevent this from happening. If your network archetecture doesn't require spanning tree, disable it and your DHCP requests will be answered much faster.
-ted
I remember reading about project "Yamhill" since early 2002. Intel has been developing their x86-64 chip since then. Obviously Intel has been waiting to see how OS vendors and the market would accept an x86-64 chip.
They also didn't want to prematurely flush Itanic.
When the shit hits the Itanic fan, Intel execs shouldn't be the only ones getting reamed for this huge blunder....HP execs should also share the blame.
-ted
PHB: I need you to make this so simple my mother could use it.
Alice: It's already so simple a squirel could use it. How much dumber is your mother?
-ted
I didn't mean to imply that a VPN is the ONLY security measure we employ. All resources on our network are password protected. Access is based on user authentication - no one person has access to everything. VPNs merely solve (for us) the problem "port knocking" intends to solve; network access at the port level.
-ted
I already have a solution for this scenario. It's called a VPN. Anyone who doesn't know the "secret handshake" (VPN encryption key) doesn't get past the firewall. I don't have to worry about port 22 on my server....or any other port.
-ted
Class Action Lawsuit
As people and businesses become more dependent on their data connections for daily life, you'll start to see class-action lawsuits when providers start monkeying around.
Power companies, and standard tel-cos have stringent government standards they must meet for service disclosure and mandatory minimum repair response times. Look for those laws to apply to broadband ISPs in the future.
-ted
Workgroup Manager uses a lot of terminology that is completely lost on me, and I am not managing any users, really.
You've just missed the boat. User management is the biggest reason to buy an OS X server.
Lots of companies run mixed environments. Here at the school we run Windows, Linux, and OS X. Having our windows domain controllers replicate user lists to OS X servers is a huge deal. Who wants to add 50 new users to three separate systems?
-ted