CA integrates desktop, server management tools
CA Inc. has unveiled the CA Desktop and Server Management family, which integrates three existing tools that offer software delivery, remote control and asset management functions. At the same time, CA is bringing out two new tools that can be included in the integrated offering: the CA Desktop Management Suite for Windows, which manages PCs throughout their lifecycle, and Unicenter Patch Management, which manages the desktop and server software-patch function. Each of the tools in the integrated system, including the new offerings — Unicenter Asset Management, Unicenter Software Delivery and Unicenter Remote Control — continue to be available separately.
Availability: Available now URL: www.ca.com
SOA integrated into new pVelocity release
Toronto-based software developer pVelocity Inc. has released Version 7.4 of its pVelocity suite. Designed around profit optimization, the software helps manufacturers get more value from their ERP, MRP or legacy financial systems by helping users take their data and analyze, model and execute changes to their product mix, customer mix and pricing. The update is built on Java J2EE technology and the pV Explorer user Interface uses Microsoft’s .Net technology, which the company said allows Web-based access to the application. The update is also designed around a service-oriented architecture concept with a new three-tiered layout, allowing better scalability across different-sized enterprises. The company said 7.4 moves it closer to SAP NetWeaver certification, which is expected by the end of the quarter.
Availability: Available now URL: www.pvelocity.com
Sierra Wireless goes EV-DO
Vancouver’s Sierra Wireless has introduced its product line for EV-DO Revision A networks. The AirCard 595 wireless wide area network card and the MC5725 PCI Express Mini Card embedded module are designed to take advantage of the increased speed and functionality offered by next-generation EV-DO networks. The company said its AirCard 595, a Type II PC card, will also be fully compatible with current EV-DO networks, as well as CDMA 1X networks. Designed to provide an integrated EV-DO Revision A connection for AirCard Enabled notebook computers and other mobile computing devices, the MC5725 will also be backward compatible to current EV-DO and CDMA 1X networks.
Availability: Early models are available for testing and integration purposes, scheduled for commercial shipment in the third quarter of 2006. URL: www.sierrawireless.com
Gateway launches skinny notebooks for business users
Gateway Inc. has launched two lightweight notebooks, including its first ultra portable computer since 2002. The latest products are the M255-E lightweight performance notebook and the E-100M ultra portable notebook. The M255-E is a 5.2-pound notebook with 14-inch wide screen, Intel Centrino Mobile architecture with Core Duo processor and modular bays that allow users to swap their choice of a DVD drive, extra hard disk drive, extra battery or a lightweight placeholder. The E100-M is a 3.2-pound notebook with a 12-inch wide screen display, a Centrino with Core Solo processor and integrated 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi. The downside to its sub-1-inch thickness is that users must connect an external drive to the USB port to view DVDs.
Availability: Available now Pricing: Both start at US$1,399 URL: www.gateway.com
Tiny 6GB Passport Drive fits in pocket
Hard disk manufacturer Western Digital has debuted its USB 2.0 WD Passport Pocket Drive. Measuring as small as a matchbox, the Passport Pocket Drive stores up to 6GB of data. The drive connects to a Mac or PC using a rotating flip-out USB 2.0 connector, and draws power directly from the USB interface. The chassis measures 0.37 x 2.41 x 1.8 inches — inside is a one-inch Western Digital-made hard drive. An activity light shows you when the drive is connected; the light flashes when data is being transferred. Western Digital also includes a rubberized sleeve to protect the drive when you’re transporting it.
Availability: Available now Pricing: US$129 URL: www.westerndigital.com
Logicool rolls out G-5S laser mouse
Logicool’s latest laser mouse, the G-5S, is an updated, limited-edition version of the G5. The sensitive little critter (2,000 dpi) is Windows-only and weighs a fairly hefty 150g. Logicool is the Japanese brand name for peripheral manufacturer Logitech Group, and the G-5S is currently only available in the Japanese market.
Availability: Available now Pricing: US$60 URL: www.logitech.com
Alcatel release targets smaller service providers
Alcatel has released its Alcatel 7710 Service Router, an optimized service routing platform with a throughput of 12Gbps. The company said that with a compact form factor, a variety of lower-speed interfaces, and purpose-built high availability, the product is targeted at mobile operators, service providers with smaller points of presence and emerging markets. The 7710 SR incorporates all the strengths of the company’s 7750 SR portfolio, which the company said includes high availability, service richness and Quality of Service features.
Availability: Available now URL: www.alcatel.com
Symantec unveils remote data backup software
Symantec Corp. has released a data backup product that the company claims avoids the risks associated with tape backup systems. The software, called the NetBackup PureDisk Remote Office Edition 6.0, is aimed at enterprise-level customers, particularly those in remote offices, the company said. PureDisk is derived from Symantec’s acquisition of DataCenter Technologies Inc., based in Belgium, in April 2005. PureDisk is administered through a Web interface that allows for different rules to be set for different users. Symantec’s software transfers data encoded with 256-bit encryption over the Internet to disk storage at another locale. The software also has replication features to send backed-up data to another central data centre for consolidation. Pricing is based on the volume of backed-up data, which is compressed by PureDisk.
Availability: Available now Pricing: US$16,000 per TB for single instance storage after checking for data redundancy URL: www.symantec.com
EMC ramps up storage for SMBs
EMC Corp. has rolled out storage arrays for small and medium-size businesses that double the capacity of previous models and add new tools to ease installation. EMC entered the SMB space two years ago with the launch of its Clariion AX100 and AX100i storage arrays. The AX150 and AX150i are the next iterations of those models. The 2U rack-mountable systems can hold up to 12 250GB or 500GB Serial ATA drives and can scale to 6 terabytes of capacity, doubling the capacity of the previous models. Minimum capacity required is 750GB. Performance boosts come from the array’s new Serial ATA-II 3Gbps disk interface. The previous models use the Serial ATA 1.5Gbps interface. The AX150 supports storage area network or direct-attached connections as well as Windows, Linux, NetWare, Solaris and VMware, while the AX150i has an iSCSI interface and supports Windows or Linux.
Availability: Available now Pricing: Starts at US$5,600 URL: www.emc.com
Tacit software squishes TCP/IP data
Uploading a document over a WAN could require less than 10 per cent of the current transmission time with new software from Tacit Networks Inc. Version 3.0 of the company’s shared software adds WAN Optimization to speed up TCP/IP, which the company noted was not designed for a WAN. The software uses three methods to boost transmission speeds: acceleration, reduction and compression. The software accelerates TCP/IP by buffering data and using local acknowledgements at the branch office. The reduction feature means that if data is sent twice, a 21-byte reference to the original data stream is used the second time instead of the data stream itself, which could be 4K or more.
Availability: Available now URL: www.tacitnetworks.com
Pricing: Free upgrade for existing users, branch-office appliance costs around US$7,500, depending on the number of users and the size of the cache
Dell rolls out new business notebooks
Dell Inc. has rolled out new notebook computers that are based on Intel Corp.’s Core Duo processors and add new wireless connectivity and security features. On the wireless side, the new notebooks — the Dell Latitude D620 and D820 — add optional built-in connectivity to wireless broadband technology. Although connectivity to 3G high-speed networks is still limited or not available in many cities, the laptops support EV-DO and HSDPA. The notebooks, which also have built-in 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, add a new feature called the “Wi-Fi Catcher” that helps users detect available Wi-Fi hotspots without booting up their machines. On the security side, Dell added an optional biometric fingerprint reader for businesses looking for an additional tool to protect their data.
Availability: Available now Pricing: D620 starts at $1,479, D820 starts at $1,639
URL: www.dell.ca
Viola offers VoIP management down to the desktop
Viola Networks has launched a software package for managing an enterprise VoIP network with tools that test and monitor IP phone connections and report on problem areas. NetAlly Lifecycle Manager software is intended to help IT professionals avoid setbacks and delays in a VoIP rollout by exposing problem areas in a LAN or WAN before VoIP calls are brought onto the network, according to the vendor. After an IP telephony deployment goes live, the software acts as a monitoring and reporting tool to measure VoIP performance. The software can generate reports on trends in network bandwidth usage for VoIP and issue alerts if call quality decreases. The software also interoperates with management applications for Cisco CallManager and Mitel Enterprise Manager.
Availability: Available now Pricing: Starts at US$25,000
URL: www.violanetworks.com 061513
