Power on or off a computer from anywhere

The Imcom Internet Power Stone (IPS) provides various methods of initiating an AC power reset to meet any requirement for complete in and out-of-band network control.

1. By Telephone: The basic reboot function involves an incoming POTS line and a connected AC device. An incoming call will trigger an auto reboot, based on user-defined number of rings.
   



2. By Heartbeat: The IPS can work with heartbeat software that will automatically reboot a computer when a problem occurs.
   



3. By Web-browser: The IPS can be controlled by a master control unit that is IP addressable accessible via the internet. Password protection and power status feedback are available.

If you Collaborate you need to Groove

Microsoft has greatly enhanced their collaboration solutions with the acquisition of Groove. Now there is a tool for real-time long-distance ad-hoc collaboration. Its fast, its secure, and you can productively collaborate on almost any kind of project. Once you have finished Grooving and you have created a masterpiece, you can save it right into SharePoint for long term collarborative use.

You can try out Groove for free, so why not give it a whirl.

VMWare Enables Server Consolidation and Cost Containment

Many organizations today are finding that server virtualization is an important tool in reducing current hardware costs and containing future hardware costs.

The common practice of dedicating a single server to each x86 application and sizing it for peak loads has led to severe underutilization of server assets in most data centers. Servers typically run at 5-15% CPU utilization, but business process and technology limitations make it difficult to improve on those figures.

VMWare is the market leading software solution which enables companies to realize reduced hardware costs and efficiencies through server virtualization. VMWare is in use by 99 out of the top Fortune 100 companies. VMWare makes it possible to create a server as a virtual hardware-independent `machine` which can share a physical server with other virtual machines. This has several important benefits:

• Dramatic reduction in server costs. Customers report savings of anywhere between 30% and 70%
• Significantly improved managability. Fewer servers to manage mean less complexity
• Boost in Server Utilization. Instead of 5% to 15%, 80% utilization is now possible.
• Increased IT Efficiency. Common administrative tasks, such as hardware provisioning, are simplified.
• Greater responsiveness and Ability to Respond to Future Growth. Because servers are now virtual, it`s easier to respond to requests for new servers, to monitor growth and to plan capaicity increments more effectively.

Companies are discovering that they can achieve consolidation ratios ranging from a modest 4:1 all the way to 30:1 (e.g Qualcomm). In Canada, Société de Transport de Montréal achieved a consolidation ratio of 15:1, as documented in an August 2006 article in Computing Canada. This is just one of many companies which have realized success. Visit the VMWare site to browse Success Stories in Server Consolidation.

VMWare is not just for large enterprises. If you have as few as 5 to 10 servers, you can realize benefits.

Download VMWare`s Server Consolidation brief from their web site for more information.

For more information on VMWare, contact John Mason, VMWare Sales Professional, at 416-256-3096 ext 1002.

Symantec Backup Exec Version 11d Offers Major Enhancements

Version 11.d of Symantec Backup Exec offers Granular Recovery Technology for Exchange, Sharepoint and the Active Directory, thereby eliminating the need for lengthy duplicate backups.

For example, instead of taking a full Database Backup and a full Mailbox backup plus incremental backups on each with Exchange, you can simply take a Full Data Base Backup and Continuous Protecion backups of the transaction logs for email. When you want to recover, you go into a GUI window and point to what you want to recover. This appears to save a lot of computer time and email administrator time.

Free security Service With WatchGuard

With WatchGuard's Unified Threat Management and security solutions, you'll have comprehensive, Zero Day protection from multiple threats in a single, easy-to-use solution. Their award-winning firewall and VPN appliances combine security, performance, and value for your growing network. And our intuitive centralized management provides powerful, granular controls for expert users, as well as indispensable ease of use for all.

From November 8 through December 31, 2006, purchase and activate a Firebox® X e-Series firewall appliance and receive a free one-year subscription to the security service of your choice! Each WatchGuard® security service is integrated with the Firebox X to provide an unbeatable combination of security capabilities – no additional hardware or software required. The free services include:

Gateway AV/IPS
spamBlocker
WebBlocker

Other Watchguard Promotions
Trade up Your Firebox® for a Faster Firewall
Available WorldwideFirebox® owners can have faster firewall/VPN and integrated intrusion prevention functionality at a great price! Receive a rebate today when you trade up a Firebox® appliance and buy a new Firebox® X Core™ or Firebox® Peak™ firewall.
Trade In Competing Appliances for Better Security Solutions
Available WorldwideUpgrade your existing firewall/VPN appliance with a new WatchGuard appliance! Now end users with a competitive firewall/VPN appliance can get an instant rebate when they purchase a new Firebox X Core or Firebox X Peak from a WatchGuard Authorized Reseller.
Save with SchoolMate™
Available WorldwideQualifying government and education institutions can earn an additional discount with WatchGuard's SchoolMate discount program!

Two Free Access Points with D-Link Wireless Switch

D-Link is a manufacturer that offers great networking products with excellent support. Their support is local and competant. This gives us the confidence to recommend their products.

Until the end of 2006 Ashlin and Dlink are offering two free DualBand 802.11a/g access points (DWL-8220AP) for free with every DWS-1008 8 port PoE (Power over Ethernet) wireless switch. No need to run power to your access point, PoE takes care of that. This is a simple Enterprise class wireless solution.

• Powered by Trapeze Networks™ Mobility System
• Provides Central Management for WLAN Infrastructure
• Automatically Configures All Attached DWL-8220APs

Kyocera Ecosys FS-C5025N - Colour printer that is not hard on the environment

Kyocera's Ecosys models offer the greenest printing solutions because consumables are not discarded into the garbage. Their toner containers recycle in the blue bin, and their other consumables are guaranteed to last a long time. In the case of this printer the consumables are guaranteed for 200,000 prints. This guarantee is unique in the market as they are not prorated. If the consumables last less than the guarantee, they are replaced free of charge by Kyocera. Lowest TCO (total cost of ownership).

This printer features

• up to 22 pages per minute in colour
• network interface standard
• Smallest footprint in its class
• up to 2100 sheets of input, optional duplex and envelope feeder
• 128mb ram expandable to 640mb
• 85,000 page duty cycle per month

List price $2,150 - Cite this blog and get a 15% discount until Nov 30th 2006 from Ashlin Computer Corporation

Defend Against Image Spam

PineApp appliances now protect against Image-based spam which has been the bain of spam filters until now. In addition PineApp has also added the availability of IP-Reputation filtering by Commtouch.