Apposite Technologies announced the Linktropy 4500 link emulator. The 4500 can simulate terrestrial, wireless, Internet, satellite, or private network links in a lab environment, making testing and troubleshooting of networks easier. The Linktropy 4500 simulates bandwidth, delay, bit errors, and other link characteristics independently in both directions at speeds up to 155Mbps.
www.apposite-tech.com/news-121205.html

The F5 Enterprise Manager 500 is a new appliance that can maintain and manage F5 Networks’ BIG-IP 9 Application Delivery Networking devices. The F5EM500 offers a central management point for SSL certificate management, backup/restore, and software. It also facilitates device inventory and control. Based on F5’s TMOS platform, the new appliance provides a secure iControl link to each managed BIG-IP device.
www.f5.com/communication/press/2005/release121205b.html

Network Instruments has revamped its optical nTAP line of network management devices. Starting at just $295, the new TAPs use compact LC connectors, so each unit can support up to three channels. Network Instruments says that one 1U rack panel can now support up to nine full-duplex links of varying media types. Optical nTAPs come in configurations such as gigabit single mode, gigabit multimode, and 10Gb multimode.
www.networktaps.com/news/optical_pr.html

Security

AEP Networks unveiled key enhancements to its flagship AEP Netilla Security Platform SSL VPN. The new features include device identification—the ability to authenticate remote PCs with a “digital fingerprint” identifier before allowing them to connect to an enterprise network—seamless support for Citrix or Windows Terminal Services-based environments, and enhanced file services.
www.aepnetworks.com/news/press_archive/release_12092005_2.htm

NFR Security announced 10Gbps intrusion prevention sensors for the protection of enterprise-class, mission-critical networks. The new ES5000 sensor joins three previously announced Enterprise Series Smart Sensors, each with multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports to meet the multinetwork requirements of today’s enterprises.
www.nfr.com/news/detail.php?id=390

Storage Networking

Emulex released the FibreSpy Embedded Storage Switch family. FibreSpy 850 and FibreSpy 870 are 4Gbps devices that support root switch and fully switched architectures. They support older InSpeed Embedded Storage Switches and in-band SES (SCSI Enclosure Servcies) management. They don’t require out-of-band management networks, and users can mix them with 2GBps switches. The 850 an 870 are RoHS-5 and WEEE compliant.
www.emulex.com/press/2005/1212-01.html

Switch

Dataprobe has announced additions to its T-APS family for automatic protection switching within multiple-circuit sites. Dataprobe’s new system can protect as many as 15 T-1 or E-1 circuits through automatic failover switching. Companies can manage the system’s operation through SNMP, Telnet, or a serial interface. T-APS-R performs automatic protection switching through alternate links for up to 15 phone or data systems with T-1 or E-1 lines. T-APS-R has status LEDs, configurable alarm thresholds, and switching-activation thresholds. It can be configured from the front panel or through its RS-232 port. The T-APS-R-15 rack-mountable chassis with a control card costs $1,175, and the T-APS-R rack-mounted card starts at $895.

The FES X424-POE from Foundry Networks is better described by its longer name: the FastIron Edge X-Series 424-Power Over Ethernet Switch. It features 24 ports of 10/100/1000Mbps connectivity with IEEE 802.3af PoE support; four of the ports are also compatible with SFP (small-form pluggable) optics. There's even an optional 1- or 2-port 10Gb Ethernet module with XFP 10 optics support. Prices start at $6,995.
www.foundrynet.com/about/newsevents/releases/pr12_13_05.html



END NODES

Email Appliance

Fortinet announced the FortiMail-2000, which is a secure messaging appliance designed for large enterprises and organizations. The FortiMail systems work with the mail server and reside at the perimeter of the network to block spam, detect and prevent the spread of viruses and spyware, and improve network performance. Fortinet also launched the FortiMail 2.2 firmware update, which is available to all current FortiMail system customers. The new firmware improves spam detection and comes with new regulatory compliance features, such as archiving, quarantining, and reporting functions.
www.fortinet.com/news/pr/2005/pr121305.html

KVM

ATEN announced three new models of its Slideaway LCD KVM series of rack-mountable devices. The CL-1208 and CL-1216 feature eight and 16 ports, respectively. The units also come with 15-inch or 17-inch LCD monitors, a keyboard, and touchpad. The keyboard features push buttons for selecting the computer you’d like to use. Customers with existing KVM units can use ATEN’s CL-1200 Slideaway LCD Console.
www.aten.com/data/newsfiles/2005/20051213_2_console_lcd_kvm_solution_provides.htm

Mobile

DAP Technologies has introduced MS (MICROFLEX Solutions) Security, a CE3240 handheld computer with a built-in scanner that reads smartcards and barcodes and scans fingerprints. With MS Security, companies can secure remote locations by requiring employees to verify their identities with fingerprint scans or with a scan of their smartcards or employee badges. The device weighs only 1 pound and is FIPS 201-compliant. It has a 400MHz Intel XScale PXA255 processor, 128MB of NAND flash memory and 64MB of RAM, a high-brightness TFT QVGA screen, and a 22-key keypad for PIN entry. MS Security meets MIL STD 810F standards and is designed for protection from drops, vibrations, temperature variations, dust, and exposure to water.

Point Of Sale

VeriFone Holdings announced the completion of electronic payment systems with SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). When employed, SNMP allows POS (point of sale) systems to be controlled from a central location and integrated with network management systems. This product can be used to map network performance, error rates, and availability. Customers can also use SNMP to perform preventive actions from a remote location and monitor data in real time for backup analysis. VeriFone equipped versions of its VX products with SNMP and these are available to select customers, but SNMP will be available worldwide by Spring 2006.
www.verifone.com/news/releases/release.cfm?contentType=newsReleases&contentId=122824

Server

NetScout Systems released a new performance management server, nGenius Performance Manager Standby Server. It’s targeting the server software at redundant data centers and other backup IT centers and businesses that want to have an onsite backup server. The server houses a replicated copy of the primary server’s performance information, which lets it quickly assume the role of primary server during emergencies. It receives updated information from the primary server regularly so that it is up-to-date in the event of a primary server failure. Customers can buy the server preloaded on Red Hat or Windows appliances or can buy the software for Solaris or Windows servers. NGenius Performance Manager Standby Server starts at $25,000.
www.netscout.com/company/pressreleases.asp

Storage

Quantum’s new SuperLoader 3 autoloader with a DLT-V4 tape drive and DLTSage features is available. Targeted toward small and medium-sized businesses with estimated street prices starting at $2,499, the SuperLoader 3 offers a compressed capacity of up to 2.5TB with optional cartridge slots. The autoloader is also available with other DLT and LTO tape drives.
www.quantum.com/AboutUs/PressReleases/index.aspx?FullStory=0




SOFTWARE

Application Development

AdventNet released a free-for-development version of an EMS/NMS (Element/Network Management Applications) framework with its Web NMS Express Edition. Technical support and runtime deployment licenses can be purchased. The Express Edition comes bundled with the Struts-based Web client and supports FCPS functionality. The Struts framework facilitates faster development and deployment of EMS/NMS.
www.adventnet.com/news/webnms-free-edition.html

Business Productivity

HighJump’s new Supply Chain Advantage 8.0 is a suite of business applications to help manage productivity, supply chain resources, and other business assets. The suite includes warehouse management software that helps you keep your inventory lean. The warehouse module includes support for Vocollect’s Voice-Directed Distribution. The automated voice system is configurable for specific warehouses, specific warehouse areas, or even individual employees. HighJump’s Manufacturing Advantage helps businesses manage the manufacturing floor. The software’s scheduling workbench lets managers schedule design and manufacturing time for products and maintain quality control checks throughout the process. Finally, Yard Advantage lets you track shipping assets in the yard. The software includes real-time trailer tracking and the ability to drag-and-drop yard assets in a virtual yard. All aspects of the software are integrated together and bound by a new common Web interface.
home.businesswire.com/portal/site/3m/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&newsId
=20051212005564&ndmHsc=v2*A1104584400000*B1135037775000
*C4102491599000*DgroupByDate*J2*N1000940&newsLang
=en&beanID=75290669&viewID=news_view

WebDrive 7.0 was released from South River Technologies. The software allows users to read, write, and access data on a Web server just as if the data resided locally. A new streaming feature lets you stream audio and video files from remote servers automatically. A new synchronization feature also allows users to work on files offline and then synchronize files when reconnected. Synchronizations can even be scheduled on a regular basis. A new file transfer manager also lets you make regular backups to the Web server.
www.southrivertech.com/press/pr051213.pdf

Messaging & Groupware

Advantage International released Add2Exchange For Tasks, which is a server-based Outlook Add-in. The program automatically synchronizes public and private Outlook task folders. It supports many PDAs and smartphones, as well as BlackBerrys. It also supports Outlook Web Access. The software supports four-way task replication and eight-way edit synchronization. Advantage also combined Add2Exhange For Tasks with its Outlook calendar and contact synchronization modules in its Add2Exchange Enterprise Sync Suite. The suite synchronizes all server-side Exchange folders. Users can download 20-day trials of the modules from the Web site.
www.diditbetter.com/Company/press_files/Sync%20Software%20Allows%
20Groups%20to%20Collaborate%20with%20Outlook%20Tasks.pdf

Aventail launched its Secure Collaboration device for protected and remote Web collaboration. The application works with Aventail’s SSL VPN system and adds features such as Webconferencing, instant messaging, remote helpdesk, and secure VoIP chat. The 1U rack-mountable unit supports a maximum of 500 users. The add-on will be available starting early next year and cost $4,995 for 10 concurrent users.
www.aventail.com/news/press/2005/12_12_05.asp

Microsoft announced that a select group of testers are evaluating Exchange “12” Beta 1. The new version of Exchange will run on 64-bit servers and will include improved access to email, voicemail, and faxes. Voicemail and faxes are delivered to a user’s inbox, where she can access them along with email. Users can access messages via Outlook, Outlook Web Access, or with a smartphone or standard mobile phone. Administrators can install only the Exchange components they want on different servers. Support for Microsoft’s next-generation Monad shell lets administrators automate routine procedures, and new support for automatic client detection and configuration makes it easier than ever to configure Outlook. Security features include integrated antispam protection and can automatically update spam filters, block lists, and reputation server information. Administrators can also block specific types of email attachments based on file extensions.
www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/dec05/12-14Exchange12BetaPR.mspx

Network & Systems Management

AlterPoint and Entuity announced a partnership that will give customers integrated real-time and historical insight into a network’s configuration and performance. The integrated product helps enterprises solve problems at the cause rather than manually sifting through the symptoms provided by traditional fault and performance management systems. By combining AlterPoint’s DeviceAuthority and Entuity’s EYE, companies and service providers can proactively monitor, manage, and enforce compliance, security, change, and inventory to maximize IT performance while reducing cost and risk.
www.alterpoint.com/news/includes/entuity.pdf

Cisco announced Cisco NAPA (Network Application Performance Analysis), which includes tools for managing network resources and monitoring application performance. Cisco NAPA is one of Cisco’s SONA (Service Oriented Network Architecture) products. Cisco NAPA can help system administrators determine ahead of time what effect new applications may have on the company’s infrastructure. It can also identify and suggest corrections for system, application, and network configurations. Most of Cisco NAPA’s products and services are available now, but additional Cisco NAPA tools will roll out by March 2006.

Citrix introduced Citrix Access Suite 4.2, which comes with Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 and Citrix Password Manager 4.2, as well as the SSL VPN appliance, Citrix Access Gateway 4.2. Citrix Access Suite 4.2 supports 64-bit application virtualization in Presentation Server. Citrix Access Gateway 4.2 includes Advanced Access Control for permissions and access management. Three times as many users can now access virtual applications with the latest version of the software.
www.citrix.com/English/NE/news/news.asp?newsID=22923

InstallAware Software released InstallAware 5 for Windows Installer. With this software, users can build and repackage installations on Windows, .NET, IIS, and SQL Server platforms. One of the advantages of InstallAware 5 over other Windows Installer authoring tools is its compression feature, which can compress some packages to half the size of the competition. Additionally, InstallAware 5 offers partial Web deployment. With partial Web deployment, bulky setup features and rarely used features can be stored on Web media blocks, while the main setup remains fully functional. InstallAware 5 also improves the setup authoring process, providing a Windows Installer IDE with two-way integrated Visual/Code views.
www.installaware.com/ia5.doc

MTI Technology is now offering Restore-Illuminator, an enterprise application recovery management solution from Illuminator. Restore-Illuminator actively audits an organization's applications and servers, detecting recovery issues before they occur. In addition, MTI has integrated Restore-Illuminator into its MTI Insight professional service offerings, further enhancing this subscription-based service that enables clients to gain in-depth knowledge of their storage environment on an ongoing basis.
www.mti.com/co/ne.asp

Netcordia released new features for NetMRI, a network diagnostic tool for enterprises. NetMRI now offers on-demand configuration policy analysis and supports Juniper and Cisco configuration collection and analysis. Support for Cisco's PIX firewall has been added. Version 1.5 provides departmental or other device group SLA reporting, accelerating response time to issues affecting high-profile end user organizations across the network.

NetQoS released the NetQoS Performance Center, available free with the purchase of NetQoS SuperAgent, NetQoS ReporterAnalyzer, or NetQoS NetVoyant. The NetQoS Performance Center is a centralized, Web-based console that helps organizations understand the impact of change on networks, reduce costs associated with infrastructure upgrades, and pinpoint the cause of problems. The NetQoS Performance Center version 1.1 incorporates the full functionality of the NetVoyant device performance monitoring product NetQoS acquired from RedPoint Network Systems. The Performance Center includes the NetQoS SuperAgent for end-to-end performance monitoring and NetQoS ReporterAnalyzer for Cisco IOS NetFlow and NAM (network analysis module) traffic reporting and analysis.
www.netqos.com/newsroom/press_releases/2005/12-13-05a.html

Tsarfin Computing released the latest version of its network diagnostic software, NetInfo 5.7. The software offers 15 diagnostic tools, including Local Info, Ping And Trace, Finger, and Quote. Local Info displays information about Windows sockets and local hosts. Ping and Trace lists gateways between your computer and other devices and determines device connectivity statuses. Finger reveals information about network host users. Quote pulls quotations from remote Quote servers. The software also includes Connections, which displays information about a user’s TCP/IP connections; Lookup, which reveals IP addresses; and Daytime, which reports the time from other network hosts. NetInfo 5.7 is available for $29.95 and supports Win9X/Me/NT/2000/XP and Windows Server 2003.

UniPress Software released FootPrints LANsurveyor 9.5, the latest version of the popular add-on module. LANsurveyor lets an enterprise’s IT support pinpoint the physical location of network problems and obtain the necessary configuration information to fix the issue. The latest version of this module supports PC and Mac environments and includes a central database to quickly support groups and run FootPrints asset reports. Other features include improved Microsoft Office Visio exports, new discovery methods, and enhanced network diagrams. Pricing for the FootPrints LANsurveyor 9.5 starts at $3,300 for a license for 300 clients.
www.unipress.com/pr/121405pr.html

Security

Beta Systems introduced an enhanced SAM Identity Management Suite for managing the identities and access rights of large businesses and organizations. Following the acquisition of a single sign-on technology from OKIOK, Beta Systems plans to offer the software as a part of its SAM Identity Management Suite and as a separate module called SAM Enterprise Single Sign-On.
www.betasystems.com/e_beta.nsf/(Docs)/0300000224

Bluesocket announced a list of enhancements for its BlueSecure product family. BlueSecure 5.1 adds a number of new features to address current security issues relating to VoIP. The new version of BlueSecure features DynamicRF. This is added intelligence built in to BlueSecure Controllers to let the BlueSecure Access Point automatically adjust its properties to provide optimal Wi-Fi performance. DynamicRF also adds client load balancing and 802.11i fast roaming. V5.1 also has RF IDS (Intrusion Detection System), a built-in component that checks for malicious WLAN attacks. BlueSecure v5.1 is a product family designed for businesses of all sizes that employ a Wi-Fi network.
www.bluesocket.com/news/prItem.csp?id=223

Entrust released the latest version of its IdentityGuard 8.0, which is a risk-based mutual authentication software platform. IdentityGuard 8.0 lets customers tailor their approach to security and network access. Depending on the sensitivity of the access request, network administrators can enforce multiple levels of authentication to make sure the right users can easily get where they need to go while blocking anyone else without the proper access rights.
www.entrust.com/news/2005/6126_6358.htm

Symantec describes its new Critical System Protection 5.0 as a proactive, behavior-based intrusion prevention product. The enterprise software offers zero day protection against attacks for servers and clients running Windows, Unix, or Linux. It also provides auditing and reporting capabilities, central management of heterogeneous environments, and compliance enforcement.
www.symantec.com/about/news/release/article.jsp?prid=20051212_01

Telephony

TalkSwitch released the latest version of its TalkSwitch software. TalkSwitch 3.22 makes TalkSwitch 48-CVA telephones compatible with BroadVoice’s VoIP calling plans. The updated software also lets users better manage and configure the phones over IP. Customers can download the latest version of the software for free. TalkSwitch targets its software and equipment at small and multilocation businesses.
www.talkswitch.com/press/releases/2005_12_7.html

Tenable Network Security released Nessus 3.0, a vulnerability scanner for the FreeBSD and Linux platforms designed for use by government agencies and business enterprises. Users can access a number of training options and commercial support from Tenable Network Security. The new system scanner features access to over 9,000 vulnerability checks and updates. Its scan engine can work up to five times faster than previous versions when scanning Windows networks. Also, Nessus 3.0 offers support for CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System), and Tenable provides a Direct Feed subscription service so that Nessus 3.0 users can access new vulnerability checks.
www.tenablesecurity.com/news/pr37.shtml



SERVICES

Video

A new partnership between Avaya and Polycom allows businesses to combine video and IP telephony over a single network, making it easier to connect to video conferences. Avaya Desktop Video Edition 2.0 combines Polycom’s PVX desktop video technology with Avaya’s IP Softphone software and allows notebook users to play videoconference calls from anywhere. The software includes all the regular voice features users expect, including hold, transfer, and mute. The software also makes it easier to access Microsoft Outlook and instant messaging software. Meanwhile, Avaya’s IP Video Telephony Solution works with Polycom’s VSX family of videoconferencing devices. Avaya’s Communication Manager lets VSX users register and authenticate for video conferences, and Communications Manager now has native Polycom MGC support. MGC allows users to connect from anywhere using a wide variety of networking technology.
www.polycom.com/investor_relations/0,1434,pw-180-13573,FF.html