Björn Christiansen, Minicom's Strategic Alliance Manager for DACH, will talk about "Today's remote access technology for data center infrastructure management" at CeBIT. The presentation will cover the following points, among others: the importance of remote access technology in today's IT world, what kind of remote access makes sense, and some examples that illustrate the practical application of remote access technology.
The presentation will take place at Hall 12 as part of the Exhibition Program "Professional Data Center @ CeBIT" in Hannover, Germany on March 2nd, 2010 at 12.00 pm (GMT). Check it out!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Minicom Appoints David White VP Sales North America
Minicom has appointed David White as Vice President of Sales for North America. In his new role, White will be in charge of all sales of Minicom's branded products.
"Having David on board adds great power to our sales leadership," said Eli Sasson, CEO of Minicom. "His rich, relevant experience in data center remote access and efficiency will help us satisfy the increasingly complex needs of our customers. Our business partners will benefit from David's proven ability to expand the sales channels through strong partnerships built on loyal and trustworthy relationships."
"I am excited to be a part of Minicom, and to promote our data center remote access and management products," said David White. "Even when competing with Minicom in the past, I appreciated their customer focus and solid product reputation. Specifically, I am excited about the Data Center Alliance, initiated by Minicom in December, as it brings real value to both customers and vendors in the Data Center management space. The DCA is the right way to ensure reduced costs while improving capability of the products our customers are already buying."
A sales expert, White has spent many years involved in sales and marketing for technology companies. Prior to joining Minicom, White was Vice President of Sales for North America at Avocent, where he drove sales to IT decision makers in the data center. Before Avocent, White served as Vice President of Sales for North America and APAC at Cyclades, spearheading their sales efforts and delivering consistent growth of market share.
"Having David on board adds great power to our sales leadership," said Eli Sasson, CEO of Minicom. "His rich, relevant experience in data center remote access and efficiency will help us satisfy the increasingly complex needs of our customers. Our business partners will benefit from David's proven ability to expand the sales channels through strong partnerships built on loyal and trustworthy relationships."
"I am excited to be a part of Minicom, and to promote our data center remote access and management products," said David White. "Even when competing with Minicom in the past, I appreciated their customer focus and solid product reputation. Specifically, I am excited about the Data Center Alliance, initiated by Minicom in December, as it brings real value to both customers and vendors in the Data Center management space. The DCA is the right way to ensure reduced costs while improving capability of the products our customers are already buying."
A sales expert, White has spent many years involved in sales and marketing for technology companies. Prior to joining Minicom, White was Vice President of Sales for North America at Avocent, where he drove sales to IT decision makers in the data center. Before Avocent, White served as Vice President of Sales for North America and APAC at Cyclades, spearheading their sales efforts and delivering consistent growth of market share.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Electrorack Enclosure Products Joins Data Center Alliance
Minicom Advanced Systems announced that Electrorack Enclosure Products, which designs, manufactures and delivers quality, market-leading enclosure solutions, has joined the Data Center Alliance (DCA). The Data Center Alliance, formed with Minicom, Wright Line, ServerTechnology, Uptime Devices, and Digi International fills the information gap in the marketplace by providing a centralized, comprehensive source for building successful IT infrastructures.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to join the Data Center Alliance,” said Todd Schneider, Electrorack’s Director of Marketing. “Today’s data centers are facing critical issues, and are looking to enclosure and infrastructure partners to bring practical, green solutions that help them address heat, space, and power. We look forward to collaborating with our fellow members of the DCA on best-in-class practices.”
To learn more about the Data Center Alliance, visit www.minicom.com/dca-partners.htm.
About Electrorack Enclosure Products
Electrorack Enclosure Products has emerged as the premier industry resource for data centers in the design, development, and delivery of next-generation solutions that address increased heat loads, equipment compaction, and power densities. Incorporating a myriad of innovative technologies, all designed and manufactured in the USA, Electrorack’s innovation extends to every detail, and results in a host of practical applications and solutions that are critical to data center operations. Electrorack’s build-to-order enclosures are designed specifically to meet the needs of the most complex data centers, ship pre-configured, and incorporate cabling, power, and cooling options, resulting in significant time and cost savings for clients. A customer-driven product portfolio includes aisle containment systems, scalable blanking panels, active heat containment systems, and custom PDUs that help clients meet their “green” goals through reduced energy costs and improved operating efficiencies. Electrorack’s customer-centric approach to providing its clients with solutions that achieve tangible, quantifiable results has formed the basis of its success over five decades. Data center professionals don’t view Electrorack as a rack “vendor,” but rather as a true partner that serves to help them reduce costs, maximize space, and increase efficiencies. Contact Electrorack at www.electrorack.com, or by calling 800.433.6745.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to join the Data Center Alliance,” said Todd Schneider, Electrorack’s Director of Marketing. “Today’s data centers are facing critical issues, and are looking to enclosure and infrastructure partners to bring practical, green solutions that help them address heat, space, and power. We look forward to collaborating with our fellow members of the DCA on best-in-class practices.”
To learn more about the Data Center Alliance, visit www.minicom.com/dca-partners.htm.
About Electrorack Enclosure Products
Electrorack Enclosure Products has emerged as the premier industry resource for data centers in the design, development, and delivery of next-generation solutions that address increased heat loads, equipment compaction, and power densities. Incorporating a myriad of innovative technologies, all designed and manufactured in the USA, Electrorack’s innovation extends to every detail, and results in a host of practical applications and solutions that are critical to data center operations. Electrorack’s build-to-order enclosures are designed specifically to meet the needs of the most complex data centers, ship pre-configured, and incorporate cabling, power, and cooling options, resulting in significant time and cost savings for clients. A customer-driven product portfolio includes aisle containment systems, scalable blanking panels, active heat containment systems, and custom PDUs that help clients meet their “green” goals through reduced energy costs and improved operating efficiencies. Electrorack’s customer-centric approach to providing its clients with solutions that achieve tangible, quantifiable results has formed the basis of its success over five decades. Data center professionals don’t view Electrorack as a rack “vendor,” but rather as a true partner that serves to help them reduce costs, maximize space, and increase efficiencies. Contact Electrorack at www.electrorack.com, or by calling 800.433.6745.
Monday, February 15, 2010
IT Lessons To Learn From Toyota’s Missteps
This article from Smarter Technology crystallizes three major lessons that IT leaders can learn from Toyota’s mistakes:
Standardization demands caution.
A good innovation, to be sure, but one that needs to be reexamined periodically to ensure that it does not need tweaking and refining.
Rush software and systems testing at your own peril.
Just because slipshod testing usually produces good enough results does not mean it is an effective system.
Don’t hide problems.
In the words of the article’s author, Joe Maglitta:
“It’s against human-survival nature and culture, corporate or national. But as any kid or governor can tell you, the whuppin’ is even worse if you get caught lying later on. Honesty is not just for CEOs and sellers of poisoned painkillers. Fessing up early isn’t fun, but it hurts less in the long run.”
Amen – true for both the IT world and for life outside of it.
Standardization demands caution.
A good innovation, to be sure, but one that needs to be reexamined periodically to ensure that it does not need tweaking and refining.
Rush software and systems testing at your own peril.
Just because slipshod testing usually produces good enough results does not mean it is an effective system.
Don’t hide problems.
In the words of the article’s author, Joe Maglitta:
“It’s against human-survival nature and culture, corporate or national. But as any kid or governor can tell you, the whuppin’ is even worse if you get caught lying later on. Honesty is not just for CEOs and sellers of poisoned painkillers. Fessing up early isn’t fun, but it hurts less in the long run.”
Amen – true for both the IT world and for life outside of it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Minicom Kicks Off Successful IT Technology Road Show in China
Minicom has embarked on a road show in China that will span many cities over the course of 2010.
The seminars for the road show are designed to illustrate how Minicom will support partners in China. The first seminar was held at the Jianguo Hotel in Shanghai, and the second seminar was held at the Grand Skylight Garden Hotel in Shenzhen. Dozens of participants attended the seminars, including system integrators, resellers, and end–users. Feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive.
“The plans that Minicom outlined for partnership were very exciting and very concrete, with real substance that promises to produce results. We can’t wait to start working together!” said Weiming Pan, General Manager, RunSun Computer & Network System Co., Ltd.
“Minicom’s grasp of the Chinese market and their range of solutions is a compelling package. All the elements for success are there, and we want to be a part of that!” said Laben Yang, Sales Director South China, iSoftStone Information Service Corporation.
“The enthusiasm at the seminars confirmed our feeling that the time is right for long term partnerships in the Chinese market. Minicom’s KVM and KVM IT solutions are a perfect fit with demand in China, and we are looking forward to delivering value and margins for our partners,” said Kingsun Kwok, Country Manager, Minicom.
A seminar in Beijing is scheduled to take place after Spring Festival, with more cities to follow. To learn more about future seminars or Minicom China, visit http://www.minicom.com/.
The seminars for the road show are designed to illustrate how Minicom will support partners in China. The first seminar was held at the Jianguo Hotel in Shanghai, and the second seminar was held at the Grand Skylight Garden Hotel in Shenzhen. Dozens of participants attended the seminars, including system integrators, resellers, and end–users. Feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive.
“The plans that Minicom outlined for partnership were very exciting and very concrete, with real substance that promises to produce results. We can’t wait to start working together!” said Weiming Pan, General Manager, RunSun Computer & Network System Co., Ltd.
“Minicom’s grasp of the Chinese market and their range of solutions is a compelling package. All the elements for success are there, and we want to be a part of that!” said Laben Yang, Sales Director South China, iSoftStone Information Service Corporation.
“The enthusiasm at the seminars confirmed our feeling that the time is right for long term partnerships in the Chinese market. Minicom’s KVM and KVM IT solutions are a perfect fit with demand in China, and we are looking forward to delivering value and margins for our partners,” said Kingsun Kwok, Country Manager, Minicom.
A seminar in Beijing is scheduled to take place after Spring Festival, with more cities to follow. To learn more about future seminars or Minicom China, visit http://www.minicom.com/.
Excitement Over Facebook’s New Data Center Tarnished with Coal Dust
Responses range from measured surprise to righteous indignation - after much fanfare about the opening of Facebook’s new Prineville, Oregon data center, the fact that they are using coal has been a cause for comment.
Is Facebook’s use of coal an unexpected, problematic development, or should they use whatever energy source makes the most financial sense for their needs?
Is Facebook’s use of coal an unexpected, problematic development, or should they use whatever energy source makes the most financial sense for their needs?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Video: Funny Take on How KVM Remote Control Saves the Day
Always nice when there is a convergence of IT and humor – check out this really funny video which illustrates how KVM remote control can go below the BIOS level and get rid of the blue screen of death. Worth watching till the end, great line in the last minute that will make you laugh.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Noisy Data Center? Try Remote Management
Can’t hear yourself think in the data center? Those whirring fans can be more than just an annoyance – they are potentially damaging, with the ability to cause permanent hearing loss.
This article on Processor.com makes concrete suggestions for how to tune out the problem:
“If noise is still an issue for enterprise employees, even more radical action may be needed, Deaderick [Tom Deaderick, director of OnePartner Advanced Technology and Applications Center] says. Consider letting employees work remotely or at home some days of the week. This is also an option for employees who work inside especially loud server rooms. ‘No one complains about the noise in a server room when they are using remote management tools from an office five miles away,’ he says.”
If you decide to go this route, check out Minicom’s remote management tools.
This article on Processor.com makes concrete suggestions for how to tune out the problem:
“If noise is still an issue for enterprise employees, even more radical action may be needed, Deaderick [Tom Deaderick, director of OnePartner Advanced Technology and Applications Center] says. Consider letting employees work remotely or at home some days of the week. This is also an option for employees who work inside especially loud server rooms. ‘No one complains about the noise in a server room when they are using remote management tools from an office five miles away,’ he says.”
If you decide to go this route, check out Minicom’s remote management tools.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Data Centers Go Mainstream
Gone are the days when data centers conjured up images of big scary machines in some isolated area. Data centers are enjoying a renaissance in popular culture, with an updated, hip image, and they are cropping up in some surprising places.
Taking the kids to Disney World? Make sure to hit IBM’s SmarterPlanet exhibit, which shows the practical application of the way computers affect and enhance daily life. According to the article on Data Center Knowledge:
“The exhibit is the latest sign data center technology is gaining a higher profile, slowly shedding the anonymity of the back-office server room or remote data center in a secure, undisclosed location. As the Internet becomes a more integral part of everyday life and the American economy, the back-end is moving out front.”
How about the fact that Facebook’s building of a data center (full story here) is considered newsworthy? If Facebook does not personify pop culture today, what does? Reassuring to know that your social network will now be managed by the company itself, and relax – Facebook plans on implementing lots of energy saving measure, so you can "friend" without guilt.
Taking the kids to Disney World? Make sure to hit IBM’s SmarterPlanet exhibit, which shows the practical application of the way computers affect and enhance daily life. According to the article on Data Center Knowledge:
“The exhibit is the latest sign data center technology is gaining a higher profile, slowly shedding the anonymity of the back-office server room or remote data center in a secure, undisclosed location. As the Internet becomes a more integral part of everyday life and the American economy, the back-end is moving out front.”
How about the fact that Facebook’s building of a data center (full story here) is considered newsworthy? If Facebook does not personify pop culture today, what does? Reassuring to know that your social network will now be managed by the company itself, and relax – Facebook plans on implementing lots of energy saving measure, so you can "friend" without guilt.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Four IT Pitfalls to Avoid This Year
According to Netcordia (full article here), here are the potential problem areas that await IT managers this coming year:
Unstable network infrastructure will be the undoing of ambitious virtualization projects.
Outages and more outages – at least five big ones in the next 6 months
Non compliance will lead to firings and fees as it is enforced more strictly
An increase in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity will result is a heavier burden on IT departments
“With the potential for network errors to wreak havoc in 2010, network managers will play a crucial role to navigate these potential pitfalls,” said Don Pyle, Netcordia’s CEO. “Based on what’s at stake, here are two more predictions: network managers’ work week will increase 20% – a full day – and ultimately, the network management role will finally get the respect it deserves.”
The specificity of these claims lend them a convincing ring. Time will tell definitively if these predictions will come to pass. Are you doing anything today to avoid the headaches described here?
Unstable network infrastructure will be the undoing of ambitious virtualization projects.
Outages and more outages – at least five big ones in the next 6 months
Non compliance will lead to firings and fees as it is enforced more strictly
An increase in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity will result is a heavier burden on IT departments
“With the potential for network errors to wreak havoc in 2010, network managers will play a crucial role to navigate these potential pitfalls,” said Don Pyle, Netcordia’s CEO. “Based on what’s at stake, here are two more predictions: network managers’ work week will increase 20% – a full day – and ultimately, the network management role will finally get the respect it deserves.”
The specificity of these claims lend them a convincing ring. Time will tell definitively if these predictions will come to pass. Are you doing anything today to avoid the headaches described here?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Browser Mayhem: Exploring Your Options?
Ouch! Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is suffering from severe damage to its image, as both the French and German governments have recommended that people abandon the browser due to security breaches, according to the Wall Street Journal blog.
Does jumping ship at this point make sense? There is no clear consensus, as some express reservations about whether IE is actually any more vulnerable than other browsers.
The article states:
“Generally speaking, a browser switch is going to be a lot easier for an individual than it will be for corporate users, where IT policies often dictate which browser people use on their computers.
Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant and security firm Sophos, said in a blog post Monday that companies may cause ‘more problems than it’s worth by summarily switching browsers’ because of the potential for employee confusion and Web site compatibility problems caused by the new software.
‘My advice is to only switch from Internet Explorer if you really know what you are doing with the browser you’re swapping to,’ Mr. Cluley said. ‘Otherwise it might be a case of ‘better the devil you know.’ “
Are you advocating a switch from Internet Explorer in your organization?
Does jumping ship at this point make sense? There is no clear consensus, as some express reservations about whether IE is actually any more vulnerable than other browsers.
The article states:
“Generally speaking, a browser switch is going to be a lot easier for an individual than it will be for corporate users, where IT policies often dictate which browser people use on their computers.
Graham Cluley, a senior technology consultant and security firm Sophos, said in a blog post Monday that companies may cause ‘more problems than it’s worth by summarily switching browsers’ because of the potential for employee confusion and Web site compatibility problems caused by the new software.
‘My advice is to only switch from Internet Explorer if you really know what you are doing with the browser you’re swapping to,’ Mr. Cluley said. ‘Otherwise it might be a case of ‘better the devil you know.’ “
Are you advocating a switch from Internet Explorer in your organization?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Minicom and SharkRack Partnership Announced
With SharkRack as a reseller, Minicom expands its presence in the US IT market
We are pround to announce a partnership with SharkRack, a premier provider of infrastructure solutions for data centers and network rooms. SharkRack chose Minicom as their KVM vendor because of their advanced IP KVM and KVM over CAT5 product lines, which include remote access management solutions, KVM switches, LCD drawers with integrated KVM switches, and KVM IP gateways.
“SharkRack’s proven track record of recognizing and responding to the changing needs of data centers makes them an exciting company to have as a partner,” said David Zucker, Director of Business Development at Minicom. “The flexibility and creativity that SharkRack offers its customers is a perfect fit with Minicom’s real needs™ approach, which advocates a customer-centric philosophy. Opening a direct relationship with SharkRack gives our customers better visibility to our industry leading solutions, and we feel confident this partnership will prove to be mutually beneficial.”
"Minicom's breadth of products, advanced technologies and commitment to creating customer focused solutions were the main criteria for why we chose to partner with Minicom,” stated Seth Schalet, president of SharkRack. “Minicom offers easily upgradeable platforms that provide our customers with a long-term solution for supporting their LCD and KVM product needs that is consistent with SharkRack's vision of bundled and standalone intelligent infrastructure solutions."
Join SharkRack and Minicom for "A Look Into Remote Access and Control Solutions" on February 3rd, 2010, from 10AM until 2PM, in Newark, California. In addition to a discussion of how remote access is evolving and can add value to organizations, there will be a drawing for a $200 American Express gift card. Sign up here: http://event.pingg.com/remoteaccessevent!
To learn more about Minicom, visit http://www.minicom.com/. To learn more about SharkRack, visit http://www.sharkrack.com/.
About SharkRack
SharkRack is a premier provider of infrastructure solutions for data centers and network rooms. We provide products and engineering services to improve the cost-effectiveness, availability and viability of mission-critical data and networking systems. For almost a decade, leading organizations in a variety of fields—from telecommunications to financial services to government and military—have trusted SharkRack for advanced data center solutions.
SharkRack's history of innovation includes pioneering multi-vendor rack-mounting systems. Today, we are leading the industry in addressing a new set of challenges—in cooling, space, management, and security, and other areas—through an approach that views the data center as a single, interdependent system. Our sharp focus on the problems facing modern data center workers and managers allows SharkRack to give customers the independent attention and flexible service required to solve unique technical and business problems.
Video: Manage Your Data Center From Your iPhone
OK very cool - The virtual I/O vendor Xsigo recently introduced an iPhone application which enables you to remotely alter an existing implementation, billed as a data center in the palm of your hand (video and more info here).
The glaring omission of any mention of security is a bit worrying. Should potential breaches be a concern?
The glaring omission of any mention of security is a bit worrying. Should potential breaches be a concern?
Monday, January 18, 2010
Obama’s Plan to Update IT in the Government Sector
That there is a lag between technological advances and government adoption is old news. What is different now is that Obama is willing to listen and to make changes, inspiring hope that there will be significant strides in IT for government (full article here). According to the article:
“Modernizing the federal IT infrastructure and learning from the best practices used in the private sector has been a common refrain of prior administrations, but this time federal officials say it will be different -- the problem is getting the direct attention of the president. And, they add, government IT projects are becoming more visible to the public via efforts like the federal IT dashboard that tracks projects.”
The short list of those included in a meeting at the White House to help Obama with ideas for how to update federal IT systems include:
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft
Shantanu Narayen, president and chief executive officer of Adobe Systems Inc.
Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist
Chris R. Hughes, co-founder of Facebook
Ronald Sargent, CEO of Staples Inc.
Having Vivek Kundra as the first federal CIO also sends a strong message that this administration is serious about closing the technology gap between the public and private sectors. Obama’s image of the children of federal employees having better technology in their backpacks than their parents have at work is a striking one, underlining the urgent need implementation of updated technology for federal offices.
Will Obama follow through? Will the next few years bring substantive changes in the world of federal IT?
“Modernizing the federal IT infrastructure and learning from the best practices used in the private sector has been a common refrain of prior administrations, but this time federal officials say it will be different -- the problem is getting the direct attention of the president. And, they add, government IT projects are becoming more visible to the public via efforts like the federal IT dashboard that tracks projects.”
The short list of those included in a meeting at the White House to help Obama with ideas for how to update federal IT systems include:
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft
Shantanu Narayen, president and chief executive officer of Adobe Systems Inc.
Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist
Chris R. Hughes, co-founder of Facebook
Ronald Sargent, CEO of Staples Inc.
Having Vivek Kundra as the first federal CIO also sends a strong message that this administration is serious about closing the technology gap between the public and private sectors. Obama’s image of the children of federal employees having better technology in their backpacks than their parents have at work is a striking one, underlining the urgent need implementation of updated technology for federal offices.
Will Obama follow through? Will the next few years bring substantive changes in the world of federal IT?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Battle of the Bulge for British IT Professionals
From DatacenterDynamics:
“…a survey of British workers by Fat Free Fitness recently found that IT workers were the most inactive and had the poorest diet of all UK workers. Elizabeth Sparrow, President, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: ‘It is a concern that the IT profession has been deemed to be the unhealthiest in the UK according to recent research. Fewer than 19 per cent are getting the recommended amount of physical activity and only 14 percent are eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. With the start of the New Year and this new resource which offers and signposts expert advice, there has never been a better time to make a New Year’s resolution to change your diet and lifestyle habits.’ ”
Hmmm…do American IT workers have an equally grim reputation in terms of fitness? The shortlist of America’s least healthy professions always seems to focus on truck drivers and other sedentary jobs. Take a look around your next conference – should we be cutting back on the tea parties like our friends across the pond, or are our six packs tight as blade servers?
“…a survey of British workers by Fat Free Fitness recently found that IT workers were the most inactive and had the poorest diet of all UK workers. Elizabeth Sparrow, President, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT said: ‘It is a concern that the IT profession has been deemed to be the unhealthiest in the UK according to recent research. Fewer than 19 per cent are getting the recommended amount of physical activity and only 14 percent are eating the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. With the start of the New Year and this new resource which offers and signposts expert advice, there has never been a better time to make a New Year’s resolution to change your diet and lifestyle habits.’ ”
Hmmm…do American IT workers have an equally grim reputation in terms of fitness? The shortlist of America’s least healthy professions always seems to focus on truck drivers and other sedentary jobs. Take a look around your next conference – should we be cutting back on the tea parties like our friends across the pond, or are our six packs tight as blade servers?
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Data Center in 2010
It’s still early enough in the year to get those last minute predictions in. What to Expect in 2010, by Mission Critical’s Kevin Heslin, covers the gamut in terms of what is coming up this year in the data center space. While most of his predictions are safe bets, there are a few riskier propositions that will be fun to follow. Have to respect someone who is not scared to put it out there, especially knowing the potential risk of public ridicule at the end of the year in the event of serious error. Funky choice going with nine predictions instead of the oh-so- expected ten…
What made the list?
1. More government involvement in the data center space (think this prediction is already coming true – see Uncle Sam Distributing Energy Goodies)
2. End users will try new ways to beat high energy bills, to ensure compliance, and to simplify their data centers. See how this trend is playing out in Taking Control of Your Data Center: New Approaches to Reduce Energy and Improve Efficiency.
3. The role of water will gain new prominence in the data center world.
4. Because IT and facilities personnel just cannot get along, enterprise problems like poor designs, security breaches and network issues will rear their ugly heads.
5. Outages and more outages. Smart Grid anyone?
6. Data center specific LEED certification
7. The proliferation of infrastructure products
8. Increased popularity of performance-based testing for data center systems
9. PUE will be a thing of the past, replaced by a more comprehensive metric
On a more general note, Reuters addressed the issue of how current expectations match up to the rate of technological advancements (full article here). Interestingly, despite all the technological advances recent years have seen, those pesky 18 to 30 year old boys/men want more toys more quickly.
Some people find technology is moving too quickly – this video from SNL’s Seth Myers takes a wry look at the downside of technological advances.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
The Importance of Remote Centralized Access for IT Infrastructures
Could not have said it better myself:
“If you need to manage data centers and branch offices anytime from anywhere, there is an answer. A centralized management approach with out-of-band capability can increase data center control, allow you to do more with less, and provide remote access from anywhere in the world.
Today’s support-minded network administrators need around the clock access to servers 365 days a year – both at the rack and in remote locations. Fortunately, with centralized management (including both in-band and out-of-band connectivity), your data center has never been so close.”
(Excerpt of an article from Fix Laptop Problems – full article here)
In today’s IT world, 24/7 access is a requirement. Make sure you are meeting expectations. Minicom happens to have remote centralized management solutions designed to increase IT efficiency, to save on IT costs, and to simplify the daily workload of the IT staff.
“If you need to manage data centers and branch offices anytime from anywhere, there is an answer. A centralized management approach with out-of-band capability can increase data center control, allow you to do more with less, and provide remote access from anywhere in the world.
Today’s support-minded network administrators need around the clock access to servers 365 days a year – both at the rack and in remote locations. Fortunately, with centralized management (including both in-band and out-of-band connectivity), your data center has never been so close.”
(Excerpt of an article from Fix Laptop Problems – full article here)
In today’s IT world, 24/7 access is a requirement. Make sure you are meeting expectations. Minicom happens to have remote centralized management solutions designed to increase IT efficiency, to save on IT costs, and to simplify the daily workload of the IT staff.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Goodbye to 2009, From an IT Perspective
Just when you thought 2009 was so over…a last lingering look at memorable IT moments that can inform decisions and directions in 2010:
These top five IT leadership blogs of 2009 span the range from entertaining (20 cynical project management tips) to advice (10 great ideas from five great bosses) – no wonder they made the list.
The Top 15 Tech Events of the Decade will make you smile with recognition at trends past and present. Despite the proliferation of social media, “unfriend” is 2009’s word of the year. Remember the terror that accompanied the deadly phrase “Y2K?” Read them all and see if you agree that these are the top 15.
Even the New York Times got into the act, with an article about how to make science and technology “cooler” so that promising students will be drawn to the field. C’mon, won’t you miss those bottleneck glasses and shirts buttoned all the way to the collar? How will we recognize the computer geeks if they walk among us in disguise?
Everybody enjoys watching someone else admit they were wrong. Enjoy a recap of 2009's most notable IT apologies, which includes a critique of the quality of the apologies. For example: using Twitter to apologize for an application which offered guys advice how to pick up women? Really? Pepsi’s half hearted mea culpa only earned a rating of one, while Google’s apology for its Gmail outage garnered a respectable 8.5.
These top five IT leadership blogs of 2009 span the range from entertaining (20 cynical project management tips) to advice (10 great ideas from five great bosses) – no wonder they made the list.
The Top 15 Tech Events of the Decade will make you smile with recognition at trends past and present. Despite the proliferation of social media, “unfriend” is 2009’s word of the year. Remember the terror that accompanied the deadly phrase “Y2K?” Read them all and see if you agree that these are the top 15.
Even the New York Times got into the act, with an article about how to make science and technology “cooler” so that promising students will be drawn to the field. C’mon, won’t you miss those bottleneck glasses and shirts buttoned all the way to the collar? How will we recognize the computer geeks if they walk among us in disguise?
Everybody enjoys watching someone else admit they were wrong. Enjoy a recap of 2009's most notable IT apologies, which includes a critique of the quality of the apologies. For example: using Twitter to apologize for an application which offered guys advice how to pick up women? Really? Pepsi’s half hearted mea culpa only earned a rating of one, while Google’s apology for its Gmail outage garnered a respectable 8.5.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
KVM Switches for SMBs: A Buyer’s Guide
Thanks to Paul Mah at IT Business Edge, who eloquently explains what to look for when investing in a KVM switch.
What criteria made the list?
1.You should decide whether you want an IP KVM switch or not.
Advantage: The freedom to work from anywhere.
Possible deterrents: Increased potential for security breach; higher price.
2. You should determine your ideal number of concurrent users.
Paul Mah posits:
“However, I would advocate support for at least one remote and one concurrent local user in instances where more than a dozen servers are connected via a KVM.”
This is a logical recommendation, given the number of servers being accessed. Minicom’s Smart 232 IP, for example, enables one local and two remote users access and control of up to 32 servers, as well as the capability for two remote users to operate serial sessions for controlling serial devices such as routers, managed network switches or PDUs.
3. Do you want CAT 5 cabling, which reduce cable clutter and are relatively inexpensive, or shorter, pricier cables (Duh!)?
4. If you are thinking about expanding the number of servers your SMB has, make sure you get a KVM switch which supports cascading. The author points out, “Note that the connectors for these KVMs are typically proprietary and support cascading only with the same models or devices within the same product family.”
Still have questions? Check out our KVM library or contact us.
What criteria made the list?
1.You should decide whether you want an IP KVM switch or not.
Advantage: The freedom to work from anywhere.
Possible deterrents: Increased potential for security breach; higher price.
2. You should determine your ideal number of concurrent users.
Paul Mah posits:
“However, I would advocate support for at least one remote and one concurrent local user in instances where more than a dozen servers are connected via a KVM.”
This is a logical recommendation, given the number of servers being accessed. Minicom’s Smart 232 IP, for example, enables one local and two remote users access and control of up to 32 servers, as well as the capability for two remote users to operate serial sessions for controlling serial devices such as routers, managed network switches or PDUs.
3. Do you want CAT 5 cabling, which reduce cable clutter and are relatively inexpensive, or shorter, pricier cables (Duh!)?
4. If you are thinking about expanding the number of servers your SMB has, make sure you get a KVM switch which supports cascading. The author points out, “Note that the connectors for these KVMs are typically proprietary and support cascading only with the same models or devices within the same product family.”
Still have questions? Check out our KVM library or contact us.
Monday, December 28, 2009
The Year That Will Be: Data Centers in 2010
It’s always fun to see what industry experts are willing to commit to in print about the upcoming year, and then see what does and does not come to fruition. Matt Stansberry, on SearchDataCenter.com, puts it out there with “The top data center 2010 trends.” Mostly the usual suspects (dip into the cloud, keep a close on energy use), but some new trends as well, such as a direct correlation between the rise in popularity of hot-aisle/cold-aisle containment and the death of the raised floor.
There has also been a recent spate of “How-to” advice for 2010.
Take a look at the slideshow Seven Ways to Make Your Security Budget Pay Off in 2010. Nice visual presentation which reinforces the messages on the slides.
Slide 4 talks about single-sign on as an important security measure – read about how Minicom has implemented single-sign on in our remote access management products with great results.
Who could not use some direction about How to Improve Your IT Planning in 2010? Despite the vagueness of the title, this CIO.com article offers practical and specific suggestions.
There has also been a recent spate of “How-to” advice for 2010.
Take a look at the slideshow Seven Ways to Make Your Security Budget Pay Off in 2010. Nice visual presentation which reinforces the messages on the slides.
Slide 4 talks about single-sign on as an important security measure – read about how Minicom has implemented single-sign on in our remote access management products with great results.
Who could not use some direction about How to Improve Your IT Planning in 2010? Despite the vagueness of the title, this CIO.com article offers practical and specific suggestions.
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