Phil Hochmuth

Instead of buying its way into the XML market, Cisco has hired Taf Anthias, a 32-year IBM veteran and former head of its MQ messaging group, to lead the internal development of XML and message-based switching technology. Anthias serves as vice-president of Cisco

NetScaler recently upgraded its traffic acceleration device to further speed application response times and reduce WAN bandwidth consumption.

With a multi-product launch last month, Cisco attempted to address two growing areas of concern for network architects: managing the expected explosion of XML and RFID traffic.

Cisco Systems last month introduced a security appliance that rolls multiple services into a single box. The aim is to make it easier for businesses to secure network borders.

Extreme Networks Inc. recently launched a LAN edge switch designed to simplify deployments of wireless LAN access points and IP phones, using an emerging standard protocol for device discovery.

Foundry Networks Inc. this week launched a router and switch products aimed at the core and edge of carrier metropolitan area networks. The NetIron Internet and Metro Router (IMR) 640 is targeted at the networks of service providers interested in providing MPLS VPN services over metropolitan arena networks based on Ethernet technology. Foundry also introduced its NetIron 2404, for aggregating Ethernet services and MPLS VPN traffic at the MAN edge. Foundry is also targeting the switch platforms at very large enterprises and university customers interested in building metro area backbones with carrier switching capabilities.

From an IP PBX that fits in a briefcase to peer-to-peer, equipment-less IP phone systems, some vendors, including one Canadian provider, are taking unique approaches to small-business voice-over-IP (VoIP).

The use of new wireless technologies is helping manufacturing companies do things they never could before. Large manufacturing facilities are using IT and shop floor integration to access valuable, real-time data on work processes. As Phil Hochmuth writes, companies such as GM have effectively deployed sensor networks that monitor processes and wirelessly transmit crucial data to technicians