Custom Search
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What Is a Server?
server [a Webopedia definition]
(ser4ver) (n.) A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A database server is a computer system that processes database queries.
Servers are often dedicated, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks. On multiprocessing operating systems, however, a single computer can execute several programs at once. A server in this case could refer to the program that is managing resources rather than the entire computer.
If you're not familiar with the functions of a server, but have heard the term in passing, you may think of a server as some mystical computer beast that performs amazing tasks and generally is a hands-off system. Before we delve into the inner-workings of a server, let's start by dispelling that "mystical" thing. From a hardware perspective, a server is simply a computer on your network that is configured to share its resources or run applications for the other computers on the network. You may have a server in place to handle file or database sharing between all users on your network, or have a server configured to allow all users to share a printer, rather than having a printer hooked up to each individual computer in your organization.
What makes the term server doubly confusing is that it can refer to both hardware and software. That is, it can be used to describe a specific software package running on a computer or the computer on which that software is running. The type of server and the software you would use depends on the type of network. LANs and WANs for example are going to use file and print servers while the Internet would use Web servers. In this article we provide an overview on some of the more common types of servers such as application servers, database servers, mail servers, and Web servers.
(ser4ver) (n.) A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server. A print server is a computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic. A database server is a computer system that processes database queries.
Servers are often dedicated, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks. On multiprocessing operating systems, however, a single computer can execute several programs at once. A server in this case could refer to the program that is managing resources rather than the entire computer.
If you're not familiar with the functions of a server, but have heard the term in passing, you may think of a server as some mystical computer beast that performs amazing tasks and generally is a hands-off system. Before we delve into the inner-workings of a server, let's start by dispelling that "mystical" thing. From a hardware perspective, a server is simply a computer on your network that is configured to share its resources or run applications for the other computers on the network. You may have a server in place to handle file or database sharing between all users on your network, or have a server configured to allow all users to share a printer, rather than having a printer hooked up to each individual computer in your organization.
What makes the term server doubly confusing is that it can refer to both hardware and software. That is, it can be used to describe a specific software package running on a computer or the computer on which that software is running. The type of server and the software you would use depends on the type of network. LANs and WANs for example are going to use file and print servers while the Internet would use Web servers. In this article we provide an overview on some of the more common types of servers such as application servers, database servers, mail servers, and Web servers.
Application Server
Also called an appserver. A program that handles all application operations between users and an organization's backend business applications or databases. Application servers are typically used for complex transaction-based applications. To support high-end needs, an application server has to have built-in redundancy, monitors for high-availability, high-performance distributed application services and support for complex database access.
Print Server
Print servers are set up on a network to route print requests from other computer workstations on the network. The server handles the print file request and sends the file to the requested printer where it is spooled. A print server allows multiple users on a network to share the print
Database Server
A database server is an application that is based on the client/server architecture model. The application is divided into two parts: a front-end running on a workstation (where users collect and display the database information) and the
Mail Server
Almost as ubiquitous and crucial as Web servers, mail servers move and store mail over corporate networks (via LANs and WANs) and across the Internet. Today, most people think of mail servers in terms of the Internet. Mail servers
Web Server
At its core, a Web server serves static content to a Web browser by loading a file from a disk and serving it across the network to a user's Web browser. This entire exchange is mediated by the browser and server talking to each other using HTTP. Any computer can be turned into a Web server by installing server software and connecting the machine to the Internet. There are many Web server software applications, including public domain software from NCSA and Apache, and commercial packages from Microsoft, Netscape and others.
FTP Server
An FTP server is a software application running the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the protocol for exchanging files over the Internet. FTP works in the same way as HTTP for transferring Web pages from a server to a user's browser and SMTP for transferring electronic mail across the Internet in that, like these technologies, FTP uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols to enable data transfer. FTP is most commonly used to download a file from a server
Proxy Server
A server that sits between a client application, such as a Web browser, and a real server. It intercepts all requests to the real server to see if it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request to the real server. Proxy servers have two main purposes. Proxy servers can dramatically improve performance for groups of users. This is because it saves the results of all requests for a certain amount of time. proxy servers also Filter Requests to block or disallow specific types of outgoing or incoming requests to the server.
Different Servers for Different Jobs
The type of system you would choose for a server depends mainly on its application within your organization; how much data it will be responsible for storing and retrieving, the number of user requests that you expect will be sent to the server, and how many clients will be accessing the server are all things you will need to consider before choosing a server architecture and software package.
A server is not just one piece of equipment that has the capability to perform a specific task. From a basic file/print server, you could be looking at something as common as a Dell PC with 512MB of memory running Windows or Linux and configured to queue network printing. An example of midrange server, used for more intensive database storage and retrieval functions is HP's 900 midrange server with 32 PCI slots and 256GB of memory to handle the extra workload.
As you can see from this introduction to the many types and configurations of servers, the term is probably one of the most ambiguous tech terms you'll ever come across.
A server is not just one piece of equipment that has the capability to perform a specific task. From a basic file/print server, you could be looking at something as common as a Dell PC with 512MB of memory running Windows or Linux and configured to queue network printing. An example of midrange server, used for more intensive database storage and retrieval functions is HP's 900 midrange server with 32 PCI slots and 256GB of memory to handle the extra workload.
As you can see from this introduction to the many types and configurations of servers, the term is probably one of the most ambiguous tech terms you'll ever come across.
About SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) designed to run on platforms ranging from laptops to large multiprocessor servers. SQL Server is commonly used as the backend system for websites and corporate CRMs and can support thousands of concurrent users.
SQL Server comes with a number of tools to help you with your database administration and programming tasks.
SQL Server is much more robust and scalable than a desktop database management system such as Microsoft Access. Anyone who has ever tried using Access as a backend to a website will probably be familiar with the errors that were generated when too many users tried to access the database!
Although SQL Server can also be run as a desktop database system, it is most commonly used as a server database system.
Server Database Systems
Server based database systems are designed to run on a central server, so that multiple users can access the same data simultaneously. The users normally access the database through an application.
For example, a website could store all its content in a database. Whenever a visitor views an article, they are retrieving data from the database. As you know, websites aren't normally limited to just one user. So, at any given moment, a website could be serving up hundreds, or even thousands of articles to its website visitors. At the same time, other users could be updating their personal profile in the members' area, or subscribing to a newsletter, or anything else that website users do.
Generally, it's the application that provides the functionality to these visitors. It is the database that stores the data and makes it available. Having said this, SQL Server does include some useful features that can assist the application in providing its functionality.
SQL Server comes with a number of tools to help you with your database administration and programming tasks.
SQL Server is much more robust and scalable than a desktop database management system such as Microsoft Access. Anyone who has ever tried using Access as a backend to a website will probably be familiar with the errors that were generated when too many users tried to access the database!
Although SQL Server can also be run as a desktop database system, it is most commonly used as a server database system.
Server Database Systems
Server based database systems are designed to run on a central server, so that multiple users can access the same data simultaneously. The users normally access the database through an application.
For example, a website could store all its content in a database. Whenever a visitor views an article, they are retrieving data from the database. As you know, websites aren't normally limited to just one user. So, at any given moment, a website could be serving up hundreds, or even thousands of articles to its website visitors. At the same time, other users could be updating their personal profile in the members' area, or subscribing to a newsletter, or anything else that website users do.
Generally, it's the application that provides the functionality to these visitors. It is the database that stores the data and makes it available. Having said this, SQL Server does include some useful features that can assist the application in providing its functionality.
SQL Server - SQL Query Analyzer
The SQL Query Analyzer is the main interface for running SQL queries against your database. You can use the SQL Query Analyzer to create and run adhoc scripts, or you can create SQL scripts and save them for later use.
SQL Server - Views
In SQL Server, a view is a pre-written query that is stored on the database. A view consists of a SELECT statement, and when you run the view, you see the results of it like you would when opening a table. Some people like to think of a view as a virtual table. This is because a view can pull together data from multiple tables, as well as aggregate data, and present it as though it is a single table.
Benefits of Views
A view can be useful when there are multiple users with different levels of access, who all need to see portions of the data in the database (but not necessarily all of the data). Views can do the following:
Restrict access to specific rows in a table
Restrict access to specific columns in a table
Join columns from multiple tables and present them as though they are part of a single table
Present aggregate information (such as the results of the COUNT function)
Benefits of Views
A view can be useful when there are multiple users with different levels of access, who all need to see portions of the data in the database (but not necessarily all of the data). Views can do the following:
Restrict access to specific rows in a table
Restrict access to specific columns in a table
Join columns from multiple tables and present them as though they are part of a single table
Present aggregate information (such as the results of the COUNT function)
SQL Server - Stored Procedures
Stored procedures are a powerful part of SQL Server. They can assist programmers and administrators greatly in working with the database configuration and its data.
A stored procedure is a precompiled group of Transact-SQL statements, and is saved to the database (under the "Stored Procedures" node). Programmers and administrators can execute stored procedures either from the Query Analyzer or from within an application as required.
Transact-SQL, which is based on SQL (Structured Query Language), is the programming language used to interface between applications and their databases. Transact-SQL is a relatively easy language to learn and I highly recommend becoming familiar with it.
A stored procedure is a precompiled group of Transact-SQL statements, and is saved to the database (under the "Stored Procedures" node). Programmers and administrators can execute stored procedures either from the Query Analyzer or from within an application as required.
Transact-SQL, which is based on SQL (Structured Query Language), is the programming language used to interface between applications and their databases. Transact-SQL is a relatively easy language to learn and I highly recommend becoming familiar with it.
Remote Servers
The Remote Servers option allows you to execute a stored procedure on another instance of SQL Server without establishing another connection. The Remote Servers option is only provided for backwards compatibility. If you need to execute stored procedures against a remote server, use a linked server.
Linked Servers
The Linked Servers option allows you to connect to another instance of SQL Server running on a different machine, perhaps remotely in a different city/country. This can be useful if you need to perform distributed queries (query a remote database). Setting up a linked server is quite straight forward in Enterprise Manager, all you need is details of the remote server, and the database that you need to query.
Server Roles
Server roles are available for various database administration tasks. Not everyone should be assigned to a server role. In fact, only advanced users such as database administrators should be assigned a server role.
Here are the server roles defined in SQL Server during setup:
Server Role Description
sysadmin Can perform any task in SQL Server.
serveradmin Can set server-wide configuration options, can shut down the server.
setupadmin Can manage linked servers and startup procedures.
securityadmin Can manage logins and database permissions, read logs, change passwords.
processadmin Can manage processes running in SQL Server.
dbcreator Can create, alter, and drop databases.
diskadmin Can manage disk files.
bulkadmin Can execute BULK INSERT statements.
As you can see, some of these roles allow very specific tasks to be performed. If you don't have many technical users, it's likely that you'll only use one or two of these roles (including sysadmin).
Here are the server roles defined in SQL Server during setup:
Server Role Description
sysadmin Can perform any task in SQL Server.
serveradmin Can set server-wide configuration options, can shut down the server.
setupadmin Can manage linked servers and startup procedures.
securityadmin Can manage logins and database permissions, read logs, change passwords.
processadmin Can manage processes running in SQL Server.
dbcreator Can create, alter, and drop databases.
diskadmin Can manage disk files.
bulkadmin Can execute BULK INSERT statements.
As you can see, some of these roles allow very specific tasks to be performed. If you don't have many technical users, it's likely that you'll only use one or two of these roles (including sysadmin).
Logins
SQL Server allows you to configure users and roles for anyone who needs to access SQL Server or any of its databases and their objects. Typically, you will have a database administrator who has access to everything. Then you will have users with varying levels of access, depending on the tasks they're allowed to perform.
Doing this can prevent inexperienced users from wreaking havoc on your database environment. Imagine if one morning you came to work, only to find that someone had accidentally deleted your main database!
In Enterprise Manager, you can use SQL Server Security section to restrict the tasks that each user can perform. If you have many users, you can assign them a role. Roles enable you to assign the same access rights across many users. Instead of assigning permissions against an individual user (or 'login'), you assign them against a role. You can then add users/logins into that role.
More about logins in later.
Doing this can prevent inexperienced users from wreaking havoc on your database environment. Imagine if one morning you came to work, only to find that someone had accidentally deleted your main database!
In Enterprise Manager, you can use SQL Server Security section to restrict the tasks that each user can perform. If you have many users, you can assign them a role. Roles enable you to assign the same access rights across many users. Instead of assigning permissions against an individual user (or 'login'), you assign them against a role. You can then add users/logins into that role.
More about logins in later.
SQL Server Security
SQL Server has a number of security features that assist database administrators in maintaining their database in a secure way. You can see the areas of security by expanding the "Security" folder within Enterprise Manager.
SQL Server - DTS
You may occasionally find yourself in the situation where you need to transfer a lot of data into your SQL Server database from another database or spreadsheet. Or, perhaps you need to export data from your database into another database or spreadsheet. In SQL Server, DTS makes this an easy task.
DTS (Data Transformation Services) is a set of graphical tools that allows you to transfer data between disparate sources into one or more destinations.
DTS Tools
SQL Server DTS includes the following tools, which enable you to create, schedule, and execute DTS packages.
Tool Description
DTS Import/Export Wizard Enables you to transfer data to and from a SQL Server database.
DTS Designer Enables you to build complex DTS packages containing workflow and event-driven logic. The DTS Designer can also be used to modify packages created with the DTS Import/Export Wizard.
DTS Run utility Allows you to schedule and run a DTS package.
dtsrun utility Allows you to run DTS packages from the command prompt and schedule them using batch files.
DTS Query Designer A graphical user interface that allows you to build SQL queries.
DTS (Data Transformation Services) is a set of graphical tools that allows you to transfer data between disparate sources into one or more destinations.
DTS Tools
SQL Server DTS includes the following tools, which enable you to create, schedule, and execute DTS packages.
Tool Description
DTS Import/Export Wizard Enables you to transfer data to and from a SQL Server database.
DTS Designer Enables you to build complex DTS packages containing workflow and event-driven logic. The DTS Designer can also be used to modify packages created with the DTS Import/Export Wizard.
DTS Run utility Allows you to schedule and run a DTS package.
dtsrun utility Allows you to run DTS packages from the command prompt and schedule them using batch files.
DTS Query Designer A graphical user interface that allows you to build SQL queries.
SQL Server Service Manager
SQL Server Service Manager is used to start, stop, and pause the various components on SQL Server. These components run as Windows services.
The following services can be stopped/started/paused via the SQL Service Manager:
Service Description
SQL Server service Implements the SQL Server database engine. There is one SQL Server service for each instance of SQL Server running on the computer.
SQL Server Agent service Implements the agent that runs SQL Agent jobs and alerts. There's one SQL Agent service for each instance of SQL Server running on the computer.
Microsoft Search service Implements the full-text search engine. There is only one full-text search engine regardless of how many instances of SQL Server are running on the computer.
MSDTC service Manages distributed transactions. There is only one MSDTC service regardless of how many instances of SQL Server are running on the computer.
MSSQLServerOlAPService service Implements the SQL Server Analysis Services. There is only one MSSQLServerOlAPService service regardless of how many instances of SQL Server are running on the computer.
The following services can be stopped/started/paused via the SQL Service Manager:
Service Description
SQL Server service Implements the SQL Server database engine. There is one SQL Server service for each instance of SQL Server running on the computer.
SQL Server Agent service Implements the agent that runs SQL Agent jobs and alerts. There's one SQL Agent service for each instance of SQL Server running on the computer.
Microsoft Search service Implements the full-text search engine. There is only one full-text search engine regardless of how many instances of SQL Server are running on the computer.
MSDTC service Manages distributed transactions. There is only one MSDTC service regardless of how many instances of SQL Server are running on the computer.
MSSQLServerOlAPService service Implements the SQL Server Analysis Services. There is only one MSSQLServerOlAPService service regardless of how many instances of SQL Server are running on the computer.
SQL Profiler
SQL Profiler is a handy tool that enables you to monitor events within your SQL Server (or more specifically, a SQL Server instance). For example, you could use SQL Profiler to check the performance of a stored procedure. You could also use SQL Profiler to troubleshoot a problem that's occuring in your production environment.
When using SQL Profiler, you can save the output to a "trace file" so that you can later analyze the events that occured during your trace.
When using SQL Profiler, you can save the output to a "trace file" so that you can later analyze the events that occured during your trace.
SQL Server Tutorial
SQL Server Summary
SQL Server is a powerful application, and this tutorial has provided an overview of the main concepts involved in administering SQL Server.
To recap briefly, we've:
created databases
created database tables
inserted data into those tables
used the Query Analyzer to run a query
created a login account
created and executed a DTS package
executed that same DTS package via a scheduled job
and more
What Next?
The most logical next step from learning SQL Server is to learn SQL itself (if you haven't already done this that is). SQL stands for Structured Query Language and enables you to perform database related tasks programatically. Most of the tasks in this tutorial can be done programatically using SQL.
Probably the most common use for SQL is to work with the data in the database. For example, to insert data, select data, update data, or to delete data. Any database driven website will have many SQL statements doing this stuff.
SQL Server is a powerful application, and this tutorial has provided an overview of the main concepts involved in administering SQL Server.
To recap briefly, we've:
created databases
created database tables
inserted data into those tables
used the Query Analyzer to run a query
created a login account
created and executed a DTS package
executed that same DTS package via a scheduled job
and more
What Next?
The most logical next step from learning SQL Server is to learn SQL itself (if you haven't already done this that is). SQL stands for Structured Query Language and enables you to perform database related tasks programatically. Most of the tasks in this tutorial can be done programatically using SQL.
Probably the most common use for SQL is to work with the data in the database. For example, to insert data, select data, update data, or to delete data. Any database driven website will have many SQL statements doing this stuff.
Friday, August 29, 2008
IntelliSecurity Managed Security Solutions:
Hosting critical applications in a hardened data center ensures protection from fire, water, theft and other physical threats. But for network threats - like malicious traffic that bypasses your firewall or vulnerabilities due to configuration issues or lack of attention - you need to do more.
IntelliSecurity Managed Security provides multiple lines of defense, or "defense in depth." Defense in depth consists of different types of protection deployed at multiple layers: perimeter, network, host, application, and data. This comprehensive strategy ensures the integrity of your network by building a series of barriers - each designed to detect, prevent and defend against specific threats.
IntelliSecurity empowers you to keep pace with today's complex security threats - and offers network-critical businesses concerned about maintaining the integrity of their data and achieving regulatory compliance require a comprehensive security program that includes:
24x7x365 Management and Monitoring of Security Devices by Certified Security Experts
Real-Time Security Intelligence that Enables Proactive, Preemptive Security Posturing
A Learning Environment with Global Visibility Across a Variety of Security Platforms
A Constantly Evolving Array of Technologies and Technical Disciplines
Detect, Prevent and Defend with IntelliSecurity Managed Services
Verio's IntelliSecurity is a comprehensive suite of managed network security services that minimize risks at a fraction of the cost of doing it in-house. The IntelliSecurity Managed Services portfolio includes:
Managed Firewall
A full array of monitoring, analysis and tracking solutions are available.
Managed Intrusion Prevention
Intrusion detection and prevention that identifies suspicious activity, notifies the appropriate parties, and takes proactive steps to mitigate the threat.
Managed Access Control Access control to filter incoming traffic to servers.
Anti-virus Optional anti-virus support with select IntelliSecurity service packages minimize the risk posed by malicious code within the data stream.
Anti-spam Optional anti-spam capabilities with select IntelliSecurity service packages assist customers with a hosted email server that identifies and deletes unwanted messages.
Content Filtering Optional content filtering support that monitors and prevents web surfing to dangerous or inappropriate sites.
Multi-Vendor Support A scalable, vendor-neutral platform featuring network security leaders like ISS, Nokia Check Point and NetScreen.
IntelliSecurity Customer Portal An interactive security portal for viewing device status, checking logs and interacting with security analysts.
Service Level Agreement Aggressive, performance-based SLAs that govern system monitoring, application/content updates and change management.
Professional Security Services Network Penetration Testing, Information Security Assessment, Emergency Response Service, and Vulnerability Management.
Why Managed Security Services from Verio?
Deep Hosting and Managed Services Experience As a global provider of Internet technology and web hosting services, thousands of customers trust us to manage their mission-critical applications within NTTA data centers. Now we're extending our network security expertise to you.
Unparalleled Security Competence Our security technicians are highly trained experts who have hands-on experience with the latest threats and vulnerabilities across a variety of clients and platforms. The result? Unprecedented technology and security experience leveraged for your business - without the expense and challenge of recruiting, managing and retaining a world-class IT security organization.
Risk-Sharing Across Customer Base As an "always-on" global security provider, we have advance warning of new vulnerabilities and early access to information on countermeasures. We preempt security threats for many of our customers before they become a problem.
Business Continuity IntelliSecurity Managed Security Service extends the physical security of our data centers into the network. Security analysts based in our security operations center (SOC) manage and monitor your network traffic 24x7x365, and can restore full services in less than an hour.
Reliability of a Financially Strong Technological Leader Verio is a global force. We provide a level of stability and technological leadership unsurpassed in the world today. We are strongly positioned to provide the IT solutions your business needs well into the future. You can count on us to be there when you need us. We're here today. We'll be here tomorrow. Two key facets of our delivery model enable us to ensure that IntelliSecurity Managed Services is a cost-effective solution for your business:
Economies of Scale By centralizing security experts, security event monitoring, threat analysis and response in our security operations centers, we spread our investment across all clients.
ScalabilityThrough support for a variety of hardware and software platforms, we can "right-size" a security solution that provides 24x7x365 protection at a level and price-point that fits your organization's specific security needs. Our managed security solution scales as your business requirements change.
IntelliSecurity Managed Services Packages: Defense In Depth...
Verio's IntelliSecurity Managed Services offers a full range of service packages to fully empower your defense in depth strategy!
Layer
Configuration
Perimeter
Firewall
IntelliSecurity Check Point Level I, II, IIA, III, IIIA, IV, & IVA
IntelliSecurity NetScreen Level I & II
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Network
DMZ
IntelliSecurity Check Point Level I, II, III, IIIA, IV & IVA
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Host
IDS/IPS
IntelliSecurity Intrusion Prevention I, II & III
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
IntelliSecurity Server Sensor
IntelliSecurity Desktop
Anti-Virus
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Application
Anti-Spam
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Content Filtering
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Data
ACL
IntelliSecurity SecureEntrance
To learn more about putting Verio's IntelliSecurity Managed Services to work for you, contact one of our collaboration consultants at 800-269-3300.
RELATED LINKS
Technology and Global Reach
Certifications and Affiliations
Financial Strength
var seq8IU=document.createElement("script");
seq8IU.type="text/javascript";
var seq8IUs=(location.protocol.indexOf("https")==0?"https://secure.providesupport.com/image":"http://image.providesupport.com")+"/js/verioded/safe-standard.js?ps_h=q8IU\u0026ps_t="+new Date().getTime();
setTimeout("seq8IU.src=seq8IUs;document.getElementById('sdq8IU').appendChild(seq8IU)",1)
Online Chat
IntelliSecurity Managed Security provides multiple lines of defense, or "defense in depth." Defense in depth consists of different types of protection deployed at multiple layers: perimeter, network, host, application, and data. This comprehensive strategy ensures the integrity of your network by building a series of barriers - each designed to detect, prevent and defend against specific threats.
IntelliSecurity empowers you to keep pace with today's complex security threats - and offers network-critical businesses concerned about maintaining the integrity of their data and achieving regulatory compliance require a comprehensive security program that includes:
24x7x365 Management and Monitoring of Security Devices by Certified Security Experts
Real-Time Security Intelligence that Enables Proactive, Preemptive Security Posturing
A Learning Environment with Global Visibility Across a Variety of Security Platforms
A Constantly Evolving Array of Technologies and Technical Disciplines
Detect, Prevent and Defend with IntelliSecurity Managed Services
Verio's IntelliSecurity is a comprehensive suite of managed network security services that minimize risks at a fraction of the cost of doing it in-house. The IntelliSecurity Managed Services portfolio includes:
Managed Firewall
A full array of monitoring, analysis and tracking solutions are available.
Managed Intrusion Prevention
Intrusion detection and prevention that identifies suspicious activity, notifies the appropriate parties, and takes proactive steps to mitigate the threat.
Managed Access Control Access control to filter incoming traffic to servers.
Anti-virus Optional anti-virus support with select IntelliSecurity service packages minimize the risk posed by malicious code within the data stream.
Anti-spam Optional anti-spam capabilities with select IntelliSecurity service packages assist customers with a hosted email server that identifies and deletes unwanted messages.
Content Filtering Optional content filtering support that monitors and prevents web surfing to dangerous or inappropriate sites.
Multi-Vendor Support A scalable, vendor-neutral platform featuring network security leaders like ISS, Nokia Check Point and NetScreen.
IntelliSecurity Customer Portal An interactive security portal for viewing device status, checking logs and interacting with security analysts.
Service Level Agreement Aggressive, performance-based SLAs that govern system monitoring, application/content updates and change management.
Professional Security Services Network Penetration Testing, Information Security Assessment, Emergency Response Service, and Vulnerability Management.
Why Managed Security Services from Verio?
Deep Hosting and Managed Services Experience As a global provider of Internet technology and web hosting services, thousands of customers trust us to manage their mission-critical applications within NTTA data centers. Now we're extending our network security expertise to you.
Unparalleled Security Competence Our security technicians are highly trained experts who have hands-on experience with the latest threats and vulnerabilities across a variety of clients and platforms. The result? Unprecedented technology and security experience leveraged for your business - without the expense and challenge of recruiting, managing and retaining a world-class IT security organization.
Risk-Sharing Across Customer Base As an "always-on" global security provider, we have advance warning of new vulnerabilities and early access to information on countermeasures. We preempt security threats for many of our customers before they become a problem.
Business Continuity IntelliSecurity Managed Security Service extends the physical security of our data centers into the network. Security analysts based in our security operations center (SOC) manage and monitor your network traffic 24x7x365, and can restore full services in less than an hour.
Reliability of a Financially Strong Technological Leader Verio is a global force. We provide a level of stability and technological leadership unsurpassed in the world today. We are strongly positioned to provide the IT solutions your business needs well into the future. You can count on us to be there when you need us. We're here today. We'll be here tomorrow. Two key facets of our delivery model enable us to ensure that IntelliSecurity Managed Services is a cost-effective solution for your business:
Economies of Scale By centralizing security experts, security event monitoring, threat analysis and response in our security operations centers, we spread our investment across all clients.
ScalabilityThrough support for a variety of hardware and software platforms, we can "right-size" a security solution that provides 24x7x365 protection at a level and price-point that fits your organization's specific security needs. Our managed security solution scales as your business requirements change.
IntelliSecurity Managed Services Packages: Defense In Depth...
Verio's IntelliSecurity Managed Services offers a full range of service packages to fully empower your defense in depth strategy!
Layer
Configuration
Perimeter
Firewall
IntelliSecurity Check Point Level I, II, IIA, III, IIIA, IV, & IVA
IntelliSecurity NetScreen Level I & II
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Network
DMZ
IntelliSecurity Check Point Level I, II, III, IIIA, IV & IVA
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Host
IDS/IPS
IntelliSecurity Intrusion Prevention I, II & III
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
IntelliSecurity Server Sensor
IntelliSecurity Desktop
Anti-Virus
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Application
Anti-Spam
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Content Filtering
IntelliSecurity Protection I, II & III
Data
ACL
IntelliSecurity SecureEntrance
To learn more about putting Verio's IntelliSecurity Managed Services to work for you, contact one of our collaboration consultants at 800-269-3300.
RELATED LINKS
Technology and Global Reach
Certifications and Affiliations
Financial Strength
var seq8IU=document.createElement("script");
seq8IU.type="text/javascript";
var seq8IUs=(location.protocol.indexOf("https")==0?"https://secure.providesupport.com/image":"http://image.providesupport.com")+"/js/verioded/safe-standard.js?ps_h=q8IU\u0026ps_t="+new Date().getTime();
setTimeout("seq8IU.src=seq8IUs;document.getElementById('sdq8IU').appendChild(seq8IU)",1)
Online Chat
HP ProLiant Servers
HP ProLiant DL140-G3 Base Bundle
Dual-Core Intel Xeon CPU
1 GB RAM
2 x 80GB SATA Hot-Plug Drives
HP ProLiant DL380-G5 Base Bundle
Quad-Core Intel Xeon CPU
2 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-Plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed Cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant DL385-G2 Base Bundle
Dual-Core AMD CPU
2 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-Plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed Cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant DL580-G4 Base Bundle
Dual-Core 64-bit Intel Xeon CPU
4 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant DL585-G2 Base Bundle
2 x Dual-Core AMD CPU
4 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-Plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed Cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant Cluster Base Bundle
Available on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with either:
Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS)
VERITAS Cluster Server
2 x DL380-G4 Server with:
Intel Xeon Xeon CPU (with EM64T)
1GB RAM
2 x 36GB SCSI Hot-Plug Drives
Cluster Storage Enclosure: Modular Smart Array 500-G2, with 5 x 36GB SCSI Hot-Plug Drives
Dedicated Domain Management Servers (Active Directory Services)
HP Proliant Servers from Verio
Verio proudly offers Hewlett-Packard's newest Proliant server solutions, now offering the robustness and reliability of multi-core processors and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) storage as standard architectures on most models. Verio has forged a strong relationship with Hewlett-Packard, one of the industry's most respected technology solution providers, as part of our strategy to provide the most resilient and performance focused solutions available.Why Choose an HP Proliant Server from Verio?
Our HP Proliant Servers are certified to operate with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (R2), and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 operating systems.
Our HP Proliant Servers offer standard pre-installed software for all Microsoft Windows Server 2003 packages: IIS 6, POP3, Remote Desktop, Windows 2003 Support Pack, Windows 2003 Resource Kit, Windows 2003 Critical updates (as per date of server order), and HP Support pack.
Our HP Proliant Servers offer standard pre-installed software for all Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 packages, including applications that come pre-bundled with the Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system.
Our HP Proliant Servers can be configured and/or modified to meet your business requirements.
To learn more about putting Verio Managed Hosting solutions to work for you, contact one of our collaboration consultants at 800-269-3300.
RELATED LINKS
Technology and Global Reach
Certifications and Affiliations
Financial Strength
var seq8IU=document.createElement("script");
seq8IU.type="text/javascript";
var seq8IUs=(location.protocol.indexOf("https")==0?"https://secure.providesupport.com/image":"http://image.providesupport.com")+"/js/verioded/safe-standard.js?ps_h=q8IU\u0026ps_t="+new Date().getTime();
setTimeout("seq8IU.src=seq8IUs;document.getElementById('sdq8IU').appendChild(seq8IU)",1)
Online Chat
Dual-Core Intel Xeon CPU
1 GB RAM
2 x 80GB SATA Hot-Plug Drives
HP ProLiant DL380-G5 Base Bundle
Quad-Core Intel Xeon CPU
2 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-Plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed Cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant DL385-G2 Base Bundle
Dual-Core AMD CPU
2 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-Plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed Cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant DL580-G4 Base Bundle
Dual-Core 64-bit Intel Xeon CPU
4 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant DL585-G2 Base Bundle
2 x Dual-Core AMD CPU
4 GB Memory
2 x 36GB (3G) SAS Hot-Plug Drives
RAID Controller with Battery-backed Cache (BBWC)
Redundant Power Supplies
HP ProLiant Cluster Base Bundle
Available on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 with either:
Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS)
VERITAS Cluster Server
2 x DL380-G4 Server with:
Intel Xeon Xeon CPU (with EM64T)
1GB RAM
2 x 36GB SCSI Hot-Plug Drives
Cluster Storage Enclosure: Modular Smart Array 500-G2, with 5 x 36GB SCSI Hot-Plug Drives
Dedicated Domain Management Servers (Active Directory Services)
HP Proliant Servers from Verio
Verio proudly offers Hewlett-Packard's newest Proliant server solutions, now offering the robustness and reliability of multi-core processors and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) storage as standard architectures on most models. Verio has forged a strong relationship with Hewlett-Packard, one of the industry's most respected technology solution providers, as part of our strategy to provide the most resilient and performance focused solutions available.Why Choose an HP Proliant Server from Verio?
Our HP Proliant Servers are certified to operate with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (R2), and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 operating systems.
Our HP Proliant Servers offer standard pre-installed software for all Microsoft Windows Server 2003 packages: IIS 6, POP3, Remote Desktop, Windows 2003 Support Pack, Windows 2003 Resource Kit, Windows 2003 Critical updates (as per date of server order), and HP Support pack.
Our HP Proliant Servers offer standard pre-installed software for all Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4.0 packages, including applications that come pre-bundled with the Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system.
Our HP Proliant Servers can be configured and/or modified to meet your business requirements.
To learn more about putting Verio Managed Hosting solutions to work for you, contact one of our collaboration consultants at 800-269-3300.
RELATED LINKS
Technology and Global Reach
Certifications and Affiliations
Financial Strength
var seq8IU=document.createElement("script");
seq8IU.type="text/javascript";
var seq8IUs=(location.protocol.indexOf("https")==0?"https://secure.providesupport.com/image":"http://image.providesupport.com")+"/js/verioded/safe-standard.js?ps_h=q8IU\u0026ps_t="+new Date().getTime();
setTimeout("seq8IU.src=seq8IUs;document.getElementById('sdq8IU').appendChild(seq8IU)",1)
Online Chat
Sun Servers
Verio is excited to offer Sun Microsystems' newest CoolThreads and UltraSPARC server solutions, now offering the robustness and reliability of multi-core processors and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) storage as standard architectures on most models. Verio and Sun have benefited from a long term relationship as partners in the IT outsourcing market and are working together to deliver a variety of technology and service management solutions to help our customers meet their IT business needs.
Why Choose a Sun Server from Verio?
Sun servers from Verio are certified to operate with Solaris 10, one of the computing industry’s most tested and feature-rich operating systems.
Sun servers offer standard pre-installed software and come with mirrored boot drives for the ultimate in resiliency and performance.
Sun servers can be configured and/or modified to meet your business requirements.
Sample Pre-configured Sun Server Packages:Here are just a few of our options; each can be modified to meet your specific requirements.
Sun V245 Base Bundle
1.5 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPU
1 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Redundant Power Supplies
Solaris 10
Sun T1000 Base Bundle - NEW !!!
1 x 6-core 1.0 GHz/3-MB UltraSPARC T1 CPU
2 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Solaris 10
Sun V245 Cluster Base Bundle
2 x Sun Fire V245 servers
1 x 1.5 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPUs
1 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Solaris 10
VERITAS Foundation Enterprise HA for Oracle
Cluster Storage: 2 x Sun StorEdge 3320 SCSI Arrays: each with 5 x 146 GB SCSI Drives & dual Ultra320 SCSI RAID controllers
Sun V445 Base Bundle
2 x 1.6 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPU
4 GB Memory
4 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Redundant Power Supplies
Solaris 10
Sun T2000 Base Bundle - NEW !!!
1 x 8-core 1.0 GHz/3-MB UltraSPARC T1 CPU
8 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Redundant Power Supplies
Solaris 10
Sun V445 Cluster Base Bundle
2 x Sun Fire V445 servers
2 x 1.6 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPUs
4 GB Memory
4 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Solaris 10
VERITAS Foundation Enterprise HA for Oracle
Cluster Storage: 2 x Sun StorEdge 3320 SCSI Arrays: each with 5 x 146 GB SCSI Drives & dual Ultra320 SCSI RAID controllers
Why Choose a Sun Server from Verio?
Sun servers from Verio are certified to operate with Solaris 10, one of the computing industry’s most tested and feature-rich operating systems.
Sun servers offer standard pre-installed software and come with mirrored boot drives for the ultimate in resiliency and performance.
Sun servers can be configured and/or modified to meet your business requirements.
Sample Pre-configured Sun Server Packages:Here are just a few of our options; each can be modified to meet your specific requirements.
Sun V245 Base Bundle
1.5 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPU
1 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Redundant Power Supplies
Solaris 10
Sun T1000 Base Bundle - NEW !!!
1 x 6-core 1.0 GHz/3-MB UltraSPARC T1 CPU
2 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Solaris 10
Sun V245 Cluster Base Bundle
2 x Sun Fire V245 servers
1 x 1.5 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPUs
1 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Solaris 10
VERITAS Foundation Enterprise HA for Oracle
Cluster Storage: 2 x Sun StorEdge 3320 SCSI Arrays: each with 5 x 146 GB SCSI Drives & dual Ultra320 SCSI RAID controllers
Sun V445 Base Bundle
2 x 1.6 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPU
4 GB Memory
4 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Redundant Power Supplies
Solaris 10
Sun T2000 Base Bundle - NEW !!!
1 x 8-core 1.0 GHz/3-MB UltraSPARC T1 CPU
8 GB Memory
2 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Redundant Power Supplies
Solaris 10
Sun V445 Cluster Base Bundle
2 x Sun Fire V445 servers
2 x 1.6 GHz UltraSPARC IIIi CPUs
4 GB Memory
4 x 73 GB SAS Hot-Plug Drives
Hardware RAID Controller
Solaris 10
VERITAS Foundation Enterprise HA for Oracle
Cluster Storage: 2 x Sun StorEdge 3320 SCSI Arrays: each with 5 x 146 GB SCSI Drives & dual Ultra320 SCSI RAID controllers
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
E-Book Readers and the Single-Device Paradox
There is no doubt that all media is going digital. And while I think it will remain possible quite far into the future to curl up by the fire with a good book, it will be much more likely that it will be some form of electronic book reader that will be keeping you warm instead. If you've not seen these, think of them as .mp3 players for words and illustrations, and many can also play those .mp3s. A few examples of products available now include the Sony Reader Digital Book, Amazon's Kindle, and Hanlin's eReader. These mobile devices are optimized for this function, and, despite US$300+ unit prices, can be quite economical in operation. They tend to be much larger than PDAs (hardly pocket-sized) and have excellent screens that are visible even in bright sunlight. E-books are cheaper than paper books, arguably more convenient to use, and just think of the savings in trees and shelf space. The Kindle will even deliver e-books (and some blogs, newspapers and magazines, as well as Wikipedia) to you via Sprint's EV-DO wireless network. It's not the Web, but how cool is that?
Despite all that, however, I'm not going to conclude here that there's an e-book reader in your future. In fact, I think it's unlikely that the e-book reader, at least as presently conceived, will ever be very successful at all. And this reason for this is our old friend the single-device paradox. Most people just aren't going to carry yet another device. They most certainly do want to read books and other publications, but they want that function on the handset they have to carry anyway. Another thing to lug, power, and manage? It's not going to happen very often. I'm still dealing with the three to four mobile devices I usually travel with - way too much already, and this set doesn't include a camera (other than the one in the phone, which isn't too good), an .mp3 player, a movie player, or an e-book reader.
And thus it remains fair to continue to ask if we can ever really build a single plastic pal who's fun to be with, a mobile personal communicator that really can do it all. The example of Star Trek comes to mind here. You may recall they had the tiny communicator badge for voice, and the handheld tricorder for data - two separate mobile devices aimed at different missions. Well, if they haven't solved the single-device paradox 400 years from now, what chance do we have? But that doesn't mean we can or will go crazy with lots of purpose-built point solutions. So while I will concede that there will be some successful e-book readers, largely resident with, somewhat paradoxically, the stay-at-home, only-very-locally-mobile types, most of us will expect and require this functionality on the personal communicator handset of our choice. The naturally device-independent interface between e-media and the player/viewer/whatever device demands such a solution.
Despite all that, however, I'm not going to conclude here that there's an e-book reader in your future. In fact, I think it's unlikely that the e-book reader, at least as presently conceived, will ever be very successful at all. And this reason for this is our old friend the single-device paradox. Most people just aren't going to carry yet another device. They most certainly do want to read books and other publications, but they want that function on the handset they have to carry anyway. Another thing to lug, power, and manage? It's not going to happen very often. I'm still dealing with the three to four mobile devices I usually travel with - way too much already, and this set doesn't include a camera (other than the one in the phone, which isn't too good), an .mp3 player, a movie player, or an e-book reader.
And thus it remains fair to continue to ask if we can ever really build a single plastic pal who's fun to be with, a mobile personal communicator that really can do it all. The example of Star Trek comes to mind here. You may recall they had the tiny communicator badge for voice, and the handheld tricorder for data - two separate mobile devices aimed at different missions. Well, if they haven't solved the single-device paradox 400 years from now, what chance do we have? But that doesn't mean we can or will go crazy with lots of purpose-built point solutions. So while I will concede that there will be some successful e-book readers, largely resident with, somewhat paradoxically, the stay-at-home, only-very-locally-mobile types, most of us will expect and require this functionality on the personal communicator handset of our choice. The naturally device-independent interface between e-media and the player/viewer/whatever device demands such a solution.
Population Density Dictates Broadband Service Quality
We have discovered a direct mathematical correlation between population density and broadband access quality. We both recently spent time in the wilds of Montana and Maine, and noticed that local broadband speeds were noticeably slower than on our home turfs in Massachusetts and Virginia. As it turns out, moving from the 3rd and 14th most densely populated states in the union to those ranked 48th and 38th explained the difference.
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) just released their second annual survey of US consumer broadband access performance. The survey is a byproduct of the Speed Matters website where you can test your Internet connection's upload and download speeds, and CWA records test results by zip code. This is a valuable service and a welcome addition to the general knowledge base about the Internet. You can find the report here.
The news headline takeaway from the CWA and similar studies is that the US lags ominously behind the rest of the industrial nations in providing adequate Internet access to its citizens. Our takeaway is different—densely populated states stack up relatively well against the rest of the world, while sparsely populated states are like third world countries.
Mathematical Relationship between Population Density and Broadband Quality: The CWA report provides median upload and download speeds for all 50 states and we found that state speed rankings follow population density rankings almost exactly. In fact we were able to derive the following simple formulas to predict access speed:
Upstream Bandwidth (Kbps) = 335 + Population Density (people per square mile)
Downstream Bandwidth (Kbps) = 4.7 x Upstream Bandwidth
So you can see that bandwidth is directly related to population density. Yes, there are some exceptions like Connecticut that should be twice as fast given its population density. But overall the formula has an error of +/- 20%.
It doesn't take much to figure out what is at the heart of this relationship—economics. Wiring a region for fast broadband Internet access requires a huge investment, and an enviable return on that investment is easier when buyers are packed cheek to jowl than when they are a day's ride apart as in Montana and Maine.
If you plug the population densities of industrial nations like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Singapore and most of Europe into our formula, you get access speeds four to 40 times that of the US. If we are right that population density drives Internet access economics, then the US will always trail about three-quarters of the world's countries unless we take legislative action.
The "leading" countries are often cited as beating the US in the bandwidth race due to their "national Internet policy". Although policies may have helped, we postulate that their population densities are a bigger factor—so we shouldn't just copy another nation's policy. A national US bandwidth policy must be unique because our rural characteristics are unique.
But we've been down this path before with rural electric and telephone service build-outs. Addressing the economic imbalance underlying Internet service quality discrepancies will require something akin to the rural electrification and universal telecommunications access programs that lit up and connected
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) just released their second annual survey of US consumer broadband access performance. The survey is a byproduct of the Speed Matters website where you can test your Internet connection's upload and download speeds, and CWA records test results by zip code. This is a valuable service and a welcome addition to the general knowledge base about the Internet. You can find the report here.
The news headline takeaway from the CWA and similar studies is that the US lags ominously behind the rest of the industrial nations in providing adequate Internet access to its citizens. Our takeaway is different—densely populated states stack up relatively well against the rest of the world, while sparsely populated states are like third world countries.
Mathematical Relationship between Population Density and Broadband Quality: The CWA report provides median upload and download speeds for all 50 states and we found that state speed rankings follow population density rankings almost exactly. In fact we were able to derive the following simple formulas to predict access speed:
Upstream Bandwidth (Kbps) = 335 + Population Density (people per square mile)
Downstream Bandwidth (Kbps) = 4.7 x Upstream Bandwidth
So you can see that bandwidth is directly related to population density. Yes, there are some exceptions like Connecticut that should be twice as fast given its population density. But overall the formula has an error of +/- 20%.
It doesn't take much to figure out what is at the heart of this relationship—economics. Wiring a region for fast broadband Internet access requires a huge investment, and an enviable return on that investment is easier when buyers are packed cheek to jowl than when they are a day's ride apart as in Montana and Maine.
If you plug the population densities of industrial nations like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Israel, Singapore and most of Europe into our formula, you get access speeds four to 40 times that of the US. If we are right that population density drives Internet access economics, then the US will always trail about three-quarters of the world's countries unless we take legislative action.
The "leading" countries are often cited as beating the US in the bandwidth race due to their "national Internet policy". Although policies may have helped, we postulate that their population densities are a bigger factor—so we shouldn't just copy another nation's policy. A national US bandwidth policy must be unique because our rural characteristics are unique.
But we've been down this path before with rural electric and telephone service build-outs. Addressing the economic imbalance underlying Internet service quality discrepancies will require something akin to the rural electrification and universal telecommunications access programs that lit up and connected
Upgrading to SQL Server 2008 – a pleasant surprise!
In my previous post, I was a bit critical of the latest version of the Upgrade Advisor. Well, after going through that painful process, I proceeded onto my upgrade from SQL Server 2005 to 2008 using the "in-place" method. I was pleasantly surprised how smooth the transition was. And everything seemed to work after the upgrade. Awesome! I knew Katmai would deliver...
There are a couple choices when upgrading: Migration vs In-place Upgrade. The migration path allows you to install a fresh instance of the latest release and then to copy databases over from the legacy instances to the new instance. The Copy Database Wizard is the easiest method to use. However, Detach/Attach and Backup/Restore work just as well. The Wizard, however, wins my vote because it prompts you to also copy Server level objects such as Logins which would have to be done manually using the other methods. Migration is attractive if you want to start with brand new hardware and a brand new configuration. The downside is that the clients will need to be updated to point to the new server after the transition. If things go wrong you can always revert to the old installation. The in-place upgrade may be attractive where the same hardware will be used and the upgrade is required on all databases at the same time. If the upgrade is judged to be low risk, then an in-place upgrade may be chosen. In the case of upgrading SQL Server 2005 to 2008, the new release is evolutionary not revolutionary, using the same architecture so an in-place upgrade may be a common choice. Just make sure you have a good backup of the server in case things go wrong! If you are upgrading from SQL Server 2000, you may choose to purchase new hardware and go the migration route because of the significant differences. As always, it depends on your situation.
I chose to perform an in-place upgrade on my server after reviewing the output from the Upgrade Advisor. Not many serious issues except some of the deprecated features which I can take care of later. I ran the upgrade using the install program against my SQL Server 2005 SP2 instance. I had to make sure my Windows Server 2003 was up to SP2 also before proceeding as the install checks for that. It also installs the .NET Framework 3.5 as a prerequisite. The upgrade took around 30 minutes and required a reboot. I tested SQL Server Management Studio against my databases and all looked good. I used Excel 2007 to access one of my upgraded cubes using Analysis Services and that worked too. I launched Reporting Services and my existing reports continued to work as designed. Business Intelligence Development Studio launched Visual Studio 2008 and I was able to open my Report Project successfully (after a minor conversion process - still worth making a backup, just in case). I modified some existing RDL's using the slick new Report Designer (which has been improved immensely over the early CTPs). I even updated one of my reports to include the new Dundas feature of dynamic scalebreaks and it worked like a charm. Very cool.
My confidence has been restored in Microsoft technology! I am now excited again to be teaching SQL Server 2008 to our early adopter clients. What a difference a day makes!
Cheers Brian
There are a couple choices when upgrading: Migration vs In-place Upgrade. The migration path allows you to install a fresh instance of the latest release and then to copy databases over from the legacy instances to the new instance. The Copy Database Wizard is the easiest method to use. However, Detach/Attach and Backup/Restore work just as well. The Wizard, however, wins my vote because it prompts you to also copy Server level objects such as Logins which would have to be done manually using the other methods. Migration is attractive if you want to start with brand new hardware and a brand new configuration. The downside is that the clients will need to be updated to point to the new server after the transition. If things go wrong you can always revert to the old installation. The in-place upgrade may be attractive where the same hardware will be used and the upgrade is required on all databases at the same time. If the upgrade is judged to be low risk, then an in-place upgrade may be chosen. In the case of upgrading SQL Server 2005 to 2008, the new release is evolutionary not revolutionary, using the same architecture so an in-place upgrade may be a common choice. Just make sure you have a good backup of the server in case things go wrong! If you are upgrading from SQL Server 2000, you may choose to purchase new hardware and go the migration route because of the significant differences. As always, it depends on your situation.
I chose to perform an in-place upgrade on my server after reviewing the output from the Upgrade Advisor. Not many serious issues except some of the deprecated features which I can take care of later. I ran the upgrade using the install program against my SQL Server 2005 SP2 instance. I had to make sure my Windows Server 2003 was up to SP2 also before proceeding as the install checks for that. It also installs the .NET Framework 3.5 as a prerequisite. The upgrade took around 30 minutes and required a reboot. I tested SQL Server Management Studio against my databases and all looked good. I used Excel 2007 to access one of my upgraded cubes using Analysis Services and that worked too. I launched Reporting Services and my existing reports continued to work as designed. Business Intelligence Development Studio launched Visual Studio 2008 and I was able to open my Report Project successfully (after a minor conversion process - still worth making a backup, just in case). I modified some existing RDL's using the slick new Report Designer (which has been improved immensely over the early CTPs). I even updated one of my reports to include the new Dundas feature of dynamic scalebreaks and it worked like a charm. Very cool.
My confidence has been restored in Microsoft technology! I am now excited again to be teaching SQL Server 2008 to our early adopter clients. What a difference a day makes!
Cheers Brian
Asterisk
While Asterisk IP PBX software can be a boon for cash-strapped businesses that need phone upgrades, the free, open source platform has also spawned a host of for-profit vendors that charge for Asterisk professional services, peripherals and software extensions and still manage to undercut the prices charged by more established IP PBX vendors.
Digium, the business founded by Asterisk creator Mark Spencer to capitalize on his PBX, says it plans later this year to release a new version that will support much larger deployments. New Jersey-based service provider VoicePulse plans a hosted PBX service based on Asterisk deployed on virtual servers.
Don't Miss!New! Watch this Network World Webcast - The Geek Speaks: Mastering Network Monitoring in the SMB
With successful partnerships already under its belt, the company promises to broaden its influence this year as 3Com makes Asterisk available on a blade for its multifunction branch-office routers. This is in addition to the relabeled commercial Asterisk appliance made by Digium for 3Com small-business customers.
In Japan, NTT Software, a subsidiary of the country’s biggest phone company, is preparing PBX appliances of its own that are based on Asterisk.
Related Content
Burning questions about Asterisk
Digium’s AsteriskNow provides solid IP PBX base
Going it alone with Asterisk requires some effort
Digium buys Switchvox
Blog: Surprise to Cisco? Asterisk wins InfoWorld's 2008 Best IP PBX awardBLOG
Blog: Cisco vs. Asterisk via FonalityBLOG
Blog: Cisco's a bad bet for phone systems, says Dell VoIP partner FonalityBLOG
Skype won't say if it decrypts VoIP calls for law enforcement
The mandate for SIP to be interoperableBLOG
IPhone gets 802.1x authenticationView all related articles
On a smaller scale, a growing group of start-ups lies at the heart of an Asterisk-based business community that has sprung up to exploit the basic platform. For instance, vendors Escaux and Fonality, to name a few, sell full-blown custom Asterisk PBXs. Critical Links’ Edgebox surrounds Asterisk with a router, Wi-Fi access point, NAC and other security to fashion a branch-office-in-a-box device.
Even an Asterisk online superstore called The VoIP Connection has sprung up to sell Asterisk appliances as well as phones, headsets, gateways and other add-ons needed
Digium, the business founded by Asterisk creator Mark Spencer to capitalize on his PBX, says it plans later this year to release a new version that will support much larger deployments. New Jersey-based service provider VoicePulse plans a hosted PBX service based on Asterisk deployed on virtual servers.
Don't Miss!New! Watch this Network World Webcast - The Geek Speaks: Mastering Network Monitoring in the SMB
With successful partnerships already under its belt, the company promises to broaden its influence this year as 3Com makes Asterisk available on a blade for its multifunction branch-office routers. This is in addition to the relabeled commercial Asterisk appliance made by Digium for 3Com small-business customers.
In Japan, NTT Software, a subsidiary of the country’s biggest phone company, is preparing PBX appliances of its own that are based on Asterisk.
Related Content
Burning questions about Asterisk
Digium’s AsteriskNow provides solid IP PBX base
Going it alone with Asterisk requires some effort
Digium buys Switchvox
Blog: Surprise to Cisco? Asterisk wins InfoWorld's 2008 Best IP PBX awardBLOG
Blog: Cisco vs. Asterisk via FonalityBLOG
Blog: Cisco's a bad bet for phone systems, says Dell VoIP partner FonalityBLOG
Skype won't say if it decrypts VoIP calls for law enforcement
The mandate for SIP to be interoperableBLOG
IPhone gets 802.1x authenticationView all related articles
On a smaller scale, a growing group of start-ups lies at the heart of an Asterisk-based business community that has sprung up to exploit the basic platform. For instance, vendors Escaux and Fonality, to name a few, sell full-blown custom Asterisk PBXs. Critical Links’ Edgebox surrounds Asterisk with a router, Wi-Fi access point, NAC and other security to fashion a branch-office-in-a-box device.
Even an Asterisk online superstore called The VoIP Connection has sprung up to sell Asterisk appliances as well as phones, headsets, gateways and other add-ons needed
INTRODUCTION
Social Web
Email Feedback -->
Close
Digg
Slashdot
Fark
Stumble
Reddit
MIXX
del.icio.us
Newsvine
Technorati
Facebook
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Recipient(s) Email Address:
(Comma separation for multiple addresses)
Your Message:
Asterisk is no longer just a PBX footnote
The open source PBX software is at the center of an alternative telephony market
By Tim Greene , Network World , 01/24/2008
Share/Email
4 Comments
Print
While Asterisk IP PBX software can be a boon for cash-strapped businesses that need phone upgrades, the free, open source platform has also spawned a host of for-profit vendors that charge for Asterisk professional services, peripherals and software extensions and still manage to undercut the prices charged by more established IP PBX vendors.
Digium, the business founded by Asterisk creator Mark Spencer to capitalize on his PBX, says it plans later this year to release a new version that will support much larger deployments. New Jersey-based service provider VoicePulse plans a hosted PBX service based on Asterisk deployed on virtual servers.
Don't Miss!New! Watch this Network World Webcast - The Geek Speaks: Mastering Network Monitoring in the SMB
With successful partnerships already under its belt, the company promises to broaden its influence this year as 3Com makes Asterisk available on a blade for its multifunction branch-office routers. This is in addition to the relabeled commercial Asterisk appliance made by Digium for 3Com small-business customers.
In Japan, NTT Software, a subsidiary of the country’s biggest phone company, is preparing PBX appliances of its own that are based on Asterisk.
Related Content
Burning questions about Asterisk
Digium’s AsteriskNow provides solid IP PBX base
Going it alone with Asterisk requires some effort
Digium buys Switchvox
Blog: Surprise to Cisco? Asterisk wins InfoWorld's 2008 Best IP PBX awardBLOG
Blog: Cisco vs. Asterisk via FonalityBLOG
Blog: Cisco's a bad bet for phone systems, says Dell VoIP partner FonalityBLOG
Skype won't say if it decrypts VoIP calls for law enforcement
The mandate for SIP to be interoperableBLOG
IPhone gets 802.1x authenticationView all related articles
On a smaller scale, a growing group of start-ups lies at the heart of an Asterisk-based business community that has sprung up to exploit the basic platform. For instance, vendors Escaux and Fonality, to name a few, sell full-blown custom Asterisk PBXs. Critical Links’ Edgebox surrounds Asterisk with a router, Wi-Fi access point, NAC and other security to fashion a branch-office-in-a-box device.
Even an Asterisk online superstore called The VoIP Connection has sprung up to sell Asterisk appliances as well as phones, headsets, gateways and other add-ons needed to set up Asterisk networks.
It may not be right for every business, particularly the largest, but some vendors claim their Asterisk-based gear and services can cost one-tenth as much as equipment sold by major vendors such as Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, NEC and Siemens. (Learn more about IP PBX products from our IP PBX Buyer's Guide.)
Would you ever consider an open source IP PBX?
Yes in the future.We already do, thanks.No not ever.
> View ResultsPollDaddy.com
Despite its impressive array of partners, Asterisk is still a minor player in the PBX world, says Matthias Machowinski, an analyst for Infonetics Research.
In research his firm did a year ago in which 240 businesses were interviewed, just two said they used Asterisk-based gear, he says. “I would think it’s a small part of the market,” he says.
Email Feedback -->
Close
Digg
Slashdot
Fark
Stumble
MIXX
del.icio.us
Newsvine
Technorati
Your Name:
Your Email Address:
Recipient(s) Email Address:
(Comma separation for multiple addresses)
Your Message:
Asterisk is no longer just a PBX footnote
The open source PBX software is at the center of an alternative telephony market
By Tim Greene , Network World , 01/24/2008
Share/Email
4 Comments
While Asterisk IP PBX software can be a boon for cash-strapped businesses that need phone upgrades, the free, open source platform has also spawned a host of for-profit vendors that charge for Asterisk professional services, peripherals and software extensions and still manage to undercut the prices charged by more established IP PBX vendors.
Digium, the business founded by Asterisk creator Mark Spencer to capitalize on his PBX, says it plans later this year to release a new version that will support much larger deployments. New Jersey-based service provider VoicePulse plans a hosted PBX service based on Asterisk deployed on virtual servers.
Don't Miss!New! Watch this Network World Webcast - The Geek Speaks: Mastering Network Monitoring in the SMB
With successful partnerships already under its belt, the company promises to broaden its influence this year as 3Com makes Asterisk available on a blade for its multifunction branch-office routers. This is in addition to the relabeled commercial Asterisk appliance made by Digium for 3Com small-business customers.
In Japan, NTT Software, a subsidiary of the country’s biggest phone company, is preparing PBX appliances of its own that are based on Asterisk.
Related Content
Burning questions about Asterisk
Digium’s AsteriskNow provides solid IP PBX base
Going it alone with Asterisk requires some effort
Digium buys Switchvox
Blog: Surprise to Cisco? Asterisk wins InfoWorld's 2008 Best IP PBX awardBLOG
Blog: Cisco vs. Asterisk via FonalityBLOG
Blog: Cisco's a bad bet for phone systems, says Dell VoIP partner FonalityBLOG
Skype won't say if it decrypts VoIP calls for law enforcement
The mandate for SIP to be interoperableBLOG
IPhone gets 802.1x authenticationView all related articles
On a smaller scale, a growing group of start-ups lies at the heart of an Asterisk-based business community that has sprung up to exploit the basic platform. For instance, vendors Escaux and Fonality, to name a few, sell full-blown custom Asterisk PBXs. Critical Links’ Edgebox surrounds Asterisk with a router, Wi-Fi access point, NAC and other security to fashion a branch-office-in-a-box device.
Even an Asterisk online superstore called The VoIP Connection has sprung up to sell Asterisk appliances as well as phones, headsets, gateways and other add-ons needed to set up Asterisk networks.
It may not be right for every business, particularly the largest, but some vendors claim their Asterisk-based gear and services can cost one-tenth as much as equipment sold by major vendors such as Avaya, Cisco, Nortel, NEC and Siemens. (Learn more about IP PBX products from our IP PBX Buyer's Guide.)
Would you ever consider an open source IP PBX?
Yes in the future.We already do, thanks.No not ever.
> View ResultsPollDaddy.com
Despite its impressive array of partners, Asterisk is still a minor player in the PBX world, says Matthias Machowinski, an analyst for Infonetics Research.
In research his firm did a year ago in which 240 businesses were interviewed, just two said they used Asterisk-based gear, he says. “I would think it’s a small part of the market,” he says.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)