News

Network hardware

January 31, 2006 31 Jan'06
Software defined radio system holds out the hope of full wireless interoperability

Emerging technology will enable mobiles to access different frequencies
January 31, 2006 31 Jan'06
IBM building collaboration into desktops through Lotus strategy

IBM is developing tools to cater for the emerging ways of working and sharing information evidenced by the popularity of internet-based applications such as Skype, instant messaging and online portals.
January 31, 2006 31 Jan'06
Lan-speed mobile technology to be showcased at 3GSM conference

Broadband-speed mobile technology will be showcased at this year's 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona in the second week of February.
January 30, 2006 30 Jan'06
BT VoIP service hit by outage

Thousands of BT’s broadband voice over IP subscribers were cut off from the service last week.

January 25, 2006 25 Jan'06
Cisco combats router glitches

Networking specialist Cisco has had to patch a series of security vulnerabilities affecting its routers and Call Manager software, some of which could be used to launch a denial-of-service (DoS) attack against the products.
January 24, 2006 24 Jan'06
Symbian mobiles targeted by three Trojans

Three new malicious Trojans aimed at mobile phones running the Symbian operating system have been released into the wild.
January 24, 2006 24 Jan'06
Wal-Mart tests RFID data integration system

Retailer Wal-Mart is testing a system to integrate data taken from radio frequency identification tags with automated electronic data interchange information.
January 24, 2006 24 Jan'06
Doubts over returns hinder RFID take-up

Few Western European manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and logistics companies piloted or were planning to pilot radio frequency identification technology in 2005.
January 24, 2006 24 Jan'06
First draft for 802.11n due to be approved

The IEEE standards committee is expected to adopt a first draft of the 802.11n specification this week. The 802.11n specification is designed to improve the bandwidth of wireless networks, supporting at least 100mbps, according to the IEEE.
January 20, 2006 20 Jan'06
Fast Wi-Fi speeds on the way

Much higher Wi-Fi speeds are on the way, following a decision by the IEEE standards body to approve the 802.11n standard.

January 19, 2006 19 Jan'06
Potential WiMax users left waiting

The certification of the first official WiMax long-range wireless broadband has been delayed.
January 19, 2006 19 Jan'06
RFID growing fast

A report by analyst Regan, Jacob and Sydney says 2006 will be the year when radio frequency identification (RFID) crosses the chasm into mainstream maturity.
January 19, 2006 19 Jan'06
Cisco fixes VoIP security problem

Cisco has fixed two security flaws in one of its main voice over IP products, which could allow attackers to crash company networks or take over systems.
January 18, 2006 18 Jan'06
Wal-Mart advances its RFID system

Wal-Mart Stores is testing a system to integrate data taken from radio frequency identification (RFID) tags with automated electronic data interchange (EDI) information.
January 17, 2006 17 Jan'06
RFID tagging used to fight back against counterfeit drug problem

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly using radio frequency identification tags to control prescription distribution, a meeting of the BCS South Wales branch heard earlier this month.
January 17, 2006 17 Jan'06
Western Europe sees gradual RFID take-up

Western European companies are still at the early stages of implementing radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, but the take-up is gradually going up.
January 12, 2006 12 Jan'06
Hackers target IM products

Many experts in the field of extended communications agree that in 2005 there was a tipping point for recognition by enterprises of the usefulness of instant messaging (IM) products.
January 10, 2006 10 Jan'06
MPs blast parliament's IT

The House of Commons Administration Committee has slammed the IT facilities available to new MPs and called on Westminster to consider making a secure wireless Lan available.
January 10, 2006 10 Jan'06
Virgin Mobile customers knocked out by US outage

Thousands of mobile phone customers in the US, including users of the Virgin Mobile service, were cut off after fibre cables went down yesterday.
January 09, 2006 09 Jan'06
Microsoft tests Live Messenger service

Microsoft has started beta testing its Windows Live Messenger service, which includes features such as voice over IP.
January 09, 2006 09 Jan'06
Bodies link to reduce net frequency clashes

Wireless networking trade groups are joining forces to improve data networking speeds and reduce interference between technologies.
January 09, 2006 09 Jan'06
Wi-Fi phone offers IP calls via hotspots

Vonage has launched a Wi-Fi phone that subscribers to its voice over IP service can use to make phone calls using public wireless hotspots.
January 09, 2006 09 Jan'06
Pfizer to use RFID to beat counterfeiters

Pfizer is to start using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags on its US shipments of Viagra to help tackle counterfeiters of the male sexual performance drug.
January 05, 2006 05 Jan'06
Symantec moves into IM

In what may be an interesting trend for the year, leading security firm Symantec has signed a definitive agreement to acquire IMlogic, a market leader in enterprise software for instant messaging (IM).
January 05, 2006 05 Jan'06
US begins major RFID passport trial

As the debate rumbles on around the use of smartcards and advanced biometrics as a means of establishing identity within organisations, the US government is making strides to take such technologies into the public domain.
January 05, 2006 05 Jan'06
Skype launches Wi-Fi VoIP phone

Skype and Netgear are the latest firms to offer a Wi-Fi phone that works on voice over IP networks.
January 04, 2006 04 Jan'06
Symantec enters instant messaging security market by acquisition

Security software company Symantec is targeting the instant messaging security market by acquiring leading player IMlogic.
January 03, 2006 03 Jan'06
New Wi-Fi hotspots to support four million users

Wi-Fi operator The Cloud is creating widespread wireless hotspots in a clutch of UK towns and cities.
December 13, 2005 13 Dec'05
Research firm's IP phones go wireless

The British Market Research Bureau, part of the Millward Brown Group, will this month extend its IP telephony system to support wireless telephony.
December 13, 2005 13 Dec'05
Use of Wi-Fi up but concerns over hotspot cost and security remain

Sales of Wi-Fi-enabled devices have increased 64% this year and will exceed 120 million units before the year is out, according to research firm In-Stat. But analysts said many organisations are still wary of the technology.
December 13, 2005 13 Dec'05
Wireless groups work together to improve performance

Several wireless networking trade groups are joining forces to improve data networking speeds and reduce interference between their technologies.
December 13, 2005 13 Dec'05
Vonage launches Wi-Fi phone

Vonage is this week launching a Wi-Fi phone that subscribers to its voice over IP service can use to make phone calls using wireless hot spots in public spaces.
December 12, 2005 12 Dec'05
Stock exchange offers web service for SMEs

The London Stock Exchange has developed a hosted web service to give firms with a small market capitalisation and those listed on the alternative investment market a cost-effective online investor relations presence.
December 12, 2005 12 Dec'05
Triple Eight takes a lead in the race for simpler networks

Triple Eight Race Engineering has deployed what is believed to be the first "pair-based design" network infrastructure in the UK at its new VXR Performance Centre, due to open in 2006.
December 12, 2005 12 Dec'05
Panasonic dumps GSM for 3G Linux

Panasonic is ending development of GSM mobile phones and will concentrate instead on 3G Linux-based phones, which are already popular in Asia.
December 07, 2005 07 Dec'05
UCLH phone system now on mend

University College London Hospitals (UCLH) Trust has teamed up with Telewest Business for an advanced communications infrastructure to efficiently handle incoming calls from the public.
December 05, 2005 05 Dec'05
Improved VoIP is no fluke with Visual Networks takeover

Fluke Electronics is buying Visual Networks for £45m, partly to offer companies a voice over IP (VoIP) network testing product.
December 02, 2005 02 Dec'05
Anglian Water adopts VoIP in £25m deal

Anglian Water has awarded Siemens Communications a five-year £25m outsourcing contract to manage its communications network and introduce Voice over IP services.
November 30, 2005 30 Nov'05
Hardware failure takes down 120,000 Websites

Broken hardware in Network Solutions’ domain name system led to 120,000 websites being down for over an hour earlier this week.
November 28, 2005 28 Nov'05
Pioneering projects all part of university's £10m VoIP deal

The University of Salford has signed a 20-year deal with ntl Business to deploy an IP telephony system and a wide area network linking more than 30 university buildings at speeds of 1Gbyte a second and above.
November 28, 2005 28 Nov'05
Broadband boost as BT cuts local charge

BT is reducing by 40% the charge it levies on competitors that want to use part of its infrastructure to provide broadband services to new customers. The move should lead to cheaper services for users.
November 28, 2005 28 Nov'05
The next version of IP is making slow progress

The internet is a great place for history. For example, search for "IETF RFC 791" and you will find the original specification document for version 4 of Internet Protocol, as edited by John Postel, who shepherded the internet through its formative ...
November 28, 2005 28 Nov'05
Step 6: Configuring wireless clients

With wireless networks proliferating it is a good idea to understand what it takes to build a VPN for a wireless gateway. Contributor and Microsoft MVP Brien Posey details the necessary steps in this step-by-step guide.
November 28, 2005 28 Nov'05
MEPs propose one-year data retention for police

The European Parliament's civil liberties committee has tabled a series of compromise proposals for the retention of communications data to fight terrorism and other serious crime.
November 28, 2005 28 Nov'05
Global news agency adds secure instant messaging to link to MSN and AOL

Reuters, the global information firm, has launched a professional instant messaging service that will connect the financial community to the mainstream messaging services MSN Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger for the first time.
November 24, 2005 24 Nov'05
The French come up with freeware ‘Skype-killer’

A French software firm has come up with a ‘Skype-killer’ to deliver ’total eradication’ of Skype throughout an entire network amid corporate concerns that using Skype creates security holes.
November 24, 2005 24 Nov'05
Salford signs £10m, 20-year VoIP

The University of Salford has signed a 20-year deal with ntl Business to deploy an IP telephony solution and a Wide Area Network that links over 30 university buildings at speeds of 1GB and above.
November 21, 2005 21 Nov'05
Wireless security: Public Wi-Fi could open security holes

A Michigan county is working to give everyone within its borders wireless Internet access. But when it comes to security, users are on their own.
November 20, 2005 20 Nov'05
Wireless security crucial to railway safety

A transportation firm uses wireless technology to keep the trains running on time. But securing mobile devices isn't easy when they're spread across the globe.
November 17, 2005 17 Nov'05
Broadband users to get cheaper connections as BT cuts charges

BT is reducing by 40%, the charge it levies on competitors who want to use part of its infrastructure to offer alternative broadband services to new customers.
November 16, 2005 16 Nov'05
Wireless security: Companies deal with software updates

A health care provider found it could use wireless technology to dramatically boost patient care. But first it had to figure out how to deploy security updates over a wireless network.
November 16, 2005 16 Nov'05
Cisco enters municipal Wi-Fi market

Cisco is trying to carve out a piece of the growing wireless municipal broadband market by launching a new range of wireless “mesh” network products.
November 16, 2005 16 Nov'05
US wins battle to retain control of internet

The US is to keep control of the internet after demands from other nations that it should share control came to nothing ahead of this week’s World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis.
November 14, 2005 14 Nov'05
Ofcom brings down cost of RFID

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has set aside free spectrum to allow users to introduce cheaper and more flexible radio frequency identification tagging.
November 14, 2005 14 Nov'05
Cisco alerts users to security flaw affecting large Wi-Fi networks

Users have been warned of a security flaw in Cisco wireless local area network controllers that could allow attackers to send malicious traffic on secured Wi-Fi networks.
November 14, 2005 14 Nov'05
WHSmith News cuts storage costs by 50% with three-tier EMC systems architecture

WHSmith News, the newspaper and magazine wholesaler and distributor, has reduced storage costs by 50% and cut backup time from 13 to six hours by deploying a storage infrastructure based on EMC's technology.
November 11, 2005 11 Nov'05
Cisco and Microsoft join forces to make VoIP easier to deploy

Microsoft and Cisco Systems have joined forces to make it easier for firms to adopt voice over IP (VoIP) systems.
November 10, 2005 10 Nov'05
Ofcom enables cheaper and flexible RFID

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has set aside free spectrum to allow users to introduce cheaper and more flexible radio frequency identification (RFID) tagging.
November 07, 2005 07 Nov'05
Sun plans RFID system to track non-networked technology assets

Sun is planning a radio frequency identification system that will combine the abilities of its existing IT asset management platforms with RFID to track IT equipment that is not connected to a network. The system can be applied to tracking other ...
November 03, 2005 03 Nov'05
Cisco patches Wi-Fi hole

Cisco has closed a security flaw in its wireless Lan controllers could let attackers send malicious traffic to secured Wi-Fi networks.
November 03, 2005 03 Nov'05
Microsoft buys VoIP firm

Microsoft is to acquire Swiss voice over IP company Media-streams.com to help boost its unified communications platform, Microsoft Office Live Communications Server.
November 01, 2005 01 Nov'05
Gartner and German government give VoIP warnings

Gartner is advising business users to steer clear of IP-based voice services based on proprietary protocols.
November 01, 2005 01 Nov'05
Voice over IP services face security backlash

It was certain to happen sometime. Voice over IP leader Skype’s admission of critical flaws in its software has provoked a minor storm over the security of VoIP in general; users who want to save money through deploying VoIP services could find ...
October 31, 2005 31 Oct'05
News in brief

Short takes from this week's news
October 31, 2005 31 Oct'05
Dorset rolls out broadband links

Dorset County Council is implementing a broadband network to connect 343 sites in the county.
October 28, 2005 28 Oct'05
German body lists dangers of VoIP

Germany's Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (BSI) has warned businesses of almost 20 threats when using voice over IP systems.
October 27, 2005 27 Oct'05
Sun plans pervasive RFID

Sun is planning a radio frequency identification (RFID) system that will combine the abilities of its existing IT asset management platforms with RFID to track non-networked items such as hospital equipment and office furniture.
October 27, 2005 27 Oct'05
Avid claims storage revolution

In a move that it calls a “changing of the rules” in storage, Avid has unveiled its next-generation shared storage solution, Unity ISIS
October 26, 2005 26 Oct'05
Chatham Grammar solves data storage issues with low-cost San

Chatham Grammar School for Boys has implemented a low-cost storage area network to cope with the growing volume of data being created by pupils' course work.
October 26, 2005 26 Oct'05
Skype fixes security flaws

Skype has updated its voice over IP software to fix two security flaws, one of which allows a remote attacker to take over a user’s PC.
October 24, 2005 24 Oct'05
Waiting for the WiMax wireless revolution

WiMax promises to reduce costs and extend the range of mobile internet access. But with many obstacles still to overcome, it will not be viable for business just yet .
October 24, 2005 24 Oct'05
Users look for better IT from logistics suppliers

Users of third-party logistics companies are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with some of their providers' IT capabilities, according to a global study of 1,100 companies.
October 24, 2005 24 Oct'05
Market in RFID technology set to expand

The world market in radio frequency identification (RFID) technology for retail generated revenues of more than $400m (£2,265m) last year and are expected to increase to more than 10 times that figure by 2011, new research has revealed.
October 20, 2005 20 Oct'05
Macromedia completes Mobile Innovation acquisition

Macromedia has completed the acquisition of Mobile Innovation, which designs user interfaces for handheld devices, to create a mobile consulting arm for the company.
October 18, 2005 18 Oct'05
Firms must defend against ISP clashes, warns Gartner

The recent dispute between Level 3 Communications and Cogent Communications demonstrates why firms should use more than one ISP, says analyst Gartner.
October 17, 2005 17 Oct'05
Cost main reason for slow adoption of internet telephony

The take up of IP communications among large European firms is sluggish, with many companies put off by the costs, according to a report published by Forrester Research last week.
October 17, 2005 17 Oct'05
Standard aims to boost voice over IP quality

A specification that should improve the quality of voice and video data on wireless local area networks has received approval from the IEEE.
October 17, 2005 17 Oct'05
Wireless guest access gets security boost

An access control product from Bluesocket makes it easier for network admins to provide secure and differentiated guest access to wireless networks and manage traffic flow.
October 17, 2005 17 Oct'05
Consortium wants standard for high-speed wireless Lans

The Enhanced Wireless Consortium (EWC) has published its draft specification, designed to quickly bring to market higher-speed wireless Lans.
October 14, 2005 14 Oct'05
Ericsson and Nokia promote new mobile frequency band

Ericsson and Nokia are promoting the use of a new digital mobile frequency band to make sure operators can reach all mobile users.
October 13, 2005 13 Oct'05
Instant messaging headache for IT

Analyst firm Osterman Research has suggested that organisations are increasingly worried about the potential security threat of instant messaging
October 13, 2005 13 Oct'05
Orange Customer Fact Sheet: Taylor Woodrow

Taylor Woodrow is a leading developer of sustainable communities of high quality homes, employing over 7,000 people worldwide. .
October 12, 2005 12 Oct'05
Quiz: What's your infosec IQ?

We've collected our toughest questions to see how well you stand up to a challenge. Put your knowledge to the test and let us know how you do.
October 12, 2005 12 Oct'05
BEA acquires RFID specialist

BEA Systems has acquired radio frequency identification (RFID) middleware solutions company ConnecTerra for an undisclosed sum.
October 10, 2005 10 Oct'05
Updated network configuration standard on way

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is about to ratify a new standard to help reduce the amount of misconfigured network equipment.
October 10, 2005 10 Oct'05
Wi-Fi standards battle hots up

Leading Wi-Fi chip manufacturers are to introduce a new transmission technology in an attempt to force through a faster solution via the standards process.
October 07, 2005 07 Oct'05
Hackers take VoIP by the throat

Hackers take VoIP by the throat
October 07, 2005 07 Oct'05
Getting the blues from Bluetooth

It seems as if security goes in one ear and out of the other when supposedly 'security- aware' office workers leave their buildings and turn on their mobiles and PDAs.
October 06, 2005 06 Oct'05
WiFi voice and video quality standard wins approval

A specification that should improve the quality of voice and video on wireless Lans has received approval from the IEEE standards body.
October 06, 2005 06 Oct'05
Maspro extends WiFi range to rival WiMax

A Japanese manufacturer of wireless communications equipment has developed a transmission system for 802.11-based WiFi networks that rivals the new long-range WiMax technology.
October 03, 2005 03 Oct'05
VoIP tops IT agenda for Herefordshire

Herefordshire County Council aims to be the first local authority to introduce a county-wide voice over IP system.
October 03, 2005 03 Oct'05
News in brief

Short takes from this week's news
October 03, 2005 03 Oct'05
Windows helps Reckitt clean up its IT

Household goods manufacturer Reckitt Benckiser, which makes cleaning products such as Dettol, Harpic and Finish, has claimed significant efficiencies by simplifying its IT infrastructure.
October 03, 2005 03 Oct'05
Meadowhall takes control of wireless airspace

Meadowhall shopping centre in Sheffield has enlisted wireless specialist Red-M to develop a wireless data operating policy to control the access and management of its airspace.
October 03, 2005 03 Oct'05
Zultys launches push-to-talk WiFi phone

Zultys Technologies will launch a new wireless voice over IP (VoIP) phone next month that supports instant messaging, push-to-talk conferencing with multiple users, and end-to-end encryption.
September 30, 2005 30 Sep'05
Siemens buys Garderos for wireless integration platform

Siemens has strengthened its wireless broadband offering to operators with the takeover of Garderos for an undisclosed sum.
September 30, 2005 30 Sep'05
IT clean-up streamlines business at Reckitt Benckiser

Household goods maker Reckitt Benckiser has claimed significant efficiencies from simplifying its IT infrastructure.
September 28, 2005 28 Sep'05
Dixons offers a year of free broadband voice calls

Dixons has launched a new voice over broadband service that allows free calls to any UK landline for the first 12 months.
September 27, 2005 27 Sep'05
Product Roundup: VoIP and DP for SMBs

Here's a collection of this week's product and service announcements about VoIP and DP for small and midsized companies.
September 26, 2005 26 Sep'05
PDAs and mobiles left open to 'Bluesnarfing'

Businesses are at risk of losing confidential data to hackers asoffice workers leave their Bluetooth-enabled PDAs and mobile phones unsecured.