AimStarBiz.com

What Is Networking?

What Is Networking?

The advantages of networking computers together are pretty obvious:

Users can save their important files and documents on a file server, which is more secure than storing them on their workstations because a file server can be backed up in a single operation.

Users can share a network printer, which costs much less than having a locally attached printer for each user’s computer.

Users can share groupware applications running on application servers, which enables users to share documents, send messages, and collaborate directly.

The job of administering and securing a company’s computer resources is simplified since they are concentrated on a few centralized servers.

This definition of networking focuses on the basic goals of networking computers: increased manageability, security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness over non-networked systems. We could also focus on the different types of networks:

Local area networks (LANs), which can range from a few desktop workstations in a small office/home office (SOHO) to several thousand workstations and dozens of servers deployed throughout dozens of buildings on a university campus or in an industrial park

Wide area networks (WANs), which might be a company’s head office linked to a few branch offices or an enterprise spanning several continents with hundreds of offices and subsidiaries

The Internet, the world’s largest network and the “network of networks”

We could also focus on the networking architectures in which these types of networks can be implemented:

Peer-to-peer networking, which might be implemented in a workgroup consisting of computers running Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows 2000 Professional

Server-based networking, which might be based on the domain model of Microsoft Windows NT, the domain trees and forests of Active Directory in Windows 2000, or another architecture such as Novell Directory Services (NDS) for Novell NetWare

Terminal-based networking, which might be the traditional host-based mainframe environment; the UNIX X Windows environment; the terminal services of Windows NT 4, Server Enterprise Edition; Windows 2000 Advanced Server; or Citrix MetaFrame

Or we could look at the networking technologies used to implement each networking architecture:

LAN technologies such as Ethernet, ARCNET, Token Ring, Banyan Vines, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)

WAN technologies such as Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), T1 leased lines, X.25, frame relay, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Wireless communication technologies, including cellular systems such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Personal Communications Services (PCS), and infrared systems based on the standards developed by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)

We could also consider the hardware devices that are used to implement these technologies:

LAN devices such as repeaters, concentrators, bridges, hubs, switches, routers, and Multistation Access Units (MAUs)

WAN devices such as modems, ISDN terminal adapters, Channel Service Units (CSUs), Data Service Units (DSUs), packet assembler/disassemblers (PADs), frame relay access devices (FRADs), multiplexers (MUXes), and inverse multiplexers (IMUXes)

Equipment for organizing, protecting, and troubleshooting LAN and WAN hardware, such as racks, cabinets, surge protectors, line conditioners, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS’s), KVM switches, and cable testers

Cabling technologies such as coaxial cabling, twinax cabling, twisted-pair cabling, fiber-optic cabling, and associated equipment such as connectors, patch panels, wall plates, and splitters

Unguided media technologies such as infrared communication, wireless cellular networking, and satellite networking, and their associated hardware

Data storage technologies such as RAID, network-attached storage (NAS), and storage area networks (SANs), and the technologies used to connect them, such as Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and Fibre Channel

Technologies for securely interfacing private corporate networks with unsecured public ones, such as firewalls, proxy servers, and packet-filtering routers

Technologies for increasing availability and reliability of access to network resources, such as clustering, caching, load balancing, and fault-tolerant technologies

Network management technologies such as the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Remote Network Monitoring (RMON).

On a more general level, networking also involves the standards and protocols that underlie the technologies and hardware mentioned, including the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) networking model of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO); the X-series, V-series, and G-series standards of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Project 802 of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); the Requests for Comments (RFCs) of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF); and others from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the ATM Forum, and the Gigabit Ethernet Alliance.

Other standards and protocols include the following:

LAN protocols such as NetBEUI, IPX/SPX, TCP/IP, and AppleTalk

WAN protocols such as Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP), Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), and Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)

Protocols developed within mainframe computing environments, such as Systems Network Architecture (SNA), Advanced Program-to-Program Communications (APPC), Synchronous Data Link Control (SDLC), and High-level Data Link Control (HDLC)

Routing protocols such as the Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) Protocol, and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

Internet protocols such as the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP), and the Domain Name System (DNS)

Electronic messaging protocols such as X.400, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), and Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3)

Directory protocols such as X.500 and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

Security protocols such as Password Authentication Protocol (PAP), Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP), X.509 digital certificates, Kerberos v5, and the various PKCS standards

Serial interface standards such as RS-232, RS-422/423, RS-485, V.35, and X.21

We could dig still deeper into the technologies and talk about the fundamental engineering concepts that underlie networking services and technologies, including

Impedance, attenuation, shielding, near-end crosstalk (NEXT), and other characteristics of cabling systems

Signals and how they can be multiplexed using time-division, frequency-division, statistical, and other multiplexing techniques

Bandwidth, throughput, latency, jabber, jitter, backbone, handshaking, hop, dead spots, dark fiber, and late collisions

Balanced vs. unbalanced signals, baseband vs. broadband transmission, data communications equipment (DCE) vs. data terminal equipment (DTE), circuit switching vs. packet switching, connection-oriented vs. connectionless communication, unicast vs. multicast and broadcast, point-to-point vs. multipoint links, direct sequencing vs. frequency hopping methods, and switched virtual circuit (SVC) vs. permanent virtual circuit (PVC)

We could also look at who provides networking technologies (especially WAN technologies):

Internet service providers (ISPs), application service providers (ASPs), integrated communications providers (ICPs), and so on

The central office (CO) of the local telco (through an existing local loop connection), a cable company, or a wireless networking provider

Local exchange carriers (LECs) or Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) through their points of presence (POPs) and Network Access Points (NAPs)

Telecommunications service providers that supply dedicated leased lines, circuit-switched connections, or packet-switching services

We could also look at the vendor-specific software technologies that make computer networking possible (and useful):

Powerful network operating systems (NOS’s) such as Windows NT and Windows 2000, Novell NetWare, various flavors of UNIX, and free operating systems such as Linux and FreeBSD

Specialized operating systems such as Cisco Systems’ Internetwork Operating System (IOS), which runs on Cisco routers

Directory systems such as the domain-based Windows NT Directory Services (NTDS) for Windows NT, Active Directory in Windows 2000, and Novell Directory Services (NDS) for Novell NetWare

File systems such as NTFS on Windows platforms and distributed file systems such as the Network File System (NFS) developed by Sun Microsystems

Programming languages and architectures for distributed computing, such as the C and Java languages, ActiveX and Jini technologies, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML), the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) and COM+, and Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) and other forms of interprocess communication (IPC)

Tools and utilities for integrating technologies from different vendors in a heterogeneous networking environment, such as Gateway Services for NetWare (GSNW), Services for Macintosh, Services for UNIX on the Windows NT and Windows 2000 platforms, and Microsoft SNA Server for connectivity with mainframe systems

On a more detailed

Read more: What Is Networking?

Why you must own a wireless network – not!

Why you must own a wireless network – not!

There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about computer technology. These misconceptions normally come from sources such as a poorly trained sales person or that “computer guru” who lives down the hall from you. Lately, however, I have been seeing more and more shocking misconceptions coming from major technology web sites.

I read an article recently, on a prominent tech web site, which touted how necessary it was for me to own a wireless router. The article left me with the overall impression that wireless networking was way better than wired. A shocking and misleading misconception. Here’s three good reasons why wired networking is better than wireless:

Reason one, speed. Although, wireless data speed standards (like the newly ratified 802.11N standard) are getting faster, they cannot presently beat the data transfer speeds on a wired connection. Moreover, most wireless routers currently in use only go as far as wireless 802.11G standard (54 to 108 Mbps) – and in some cases can’t handle high data transfer rates well. So, for example, if you’re trying to stream a movie, you may encounter playback stuttering (even if you have very high speed broadband) because of your wireless network. As well, data transfer hiccups on a wireless network can occur even when you have features enabled to prevent them, like quality of service (QOS.)

Another factor which can affect wireless network speed is that your wireless router and computer may not like each other. In other words, either due to subtle incompatibilities in hardware, software, firmware or whatever, your wireless router and computer may have trouble communicating. When they do manage to communicate, it is usually at a slower speed than what the devices are rated to communicate at. For instance, I have two netbooks (an HP and a ASUS) which use the same wireless router. The HP netbook connects fine with the router with no problems whereas the ASUS often has issues and sometimes refuses to connect at all. Even though I’ve upgraded the router’s firmware to the latest version, upgraded the wireless device drivers on the ASUS to the latest versions, the problem still exists. This incompatibility factor is not often talked about in regards to wireless networking, but it often can rear its ugly head in exasperating, inexplicable speed issues.

One other major issue that may affect wireless network speed are the types of devices attached to it. Let’s say that you’ve have a 802.11N router with devices attached that are mixed 802.11G/N. There’s a high probability that the router will slow everything down to G rates including the N devices. This is because the router has to best manage the data pathways to all the devices attached to it, which, in some cases, is accomplished by slowing down. Even if everything on your wireless network is N standard, your router may slow itself down to G. This is because some of the newer N routers can detect the close proximity of G networks. If the G networks are too close, your N router may go into a “good neighbor” mode and slow down to G standard.

First bottom line, if you are doing anything which involves moving a lot of data around from computer to computer, a wired connection is the best way to go. As of this writing, there is no consumer wireless networking technology that can beat the speed performance of a 100 Mbps or 1000 Mbps wired network. Wireless networking technology that outstrips wired networking may exist in some government black ops facility (and that would be a secret, so shush) but it does not now exist in the consumer world.

Reason two, stability. A wireless network can be affected by several factors such as distance, radio frequency congestion, etc that can cause anything from slowdowns to dropped connections. Even though your wireless router states its speed as 108 Mbps, the actual speed you get may vary. Many times the actual connection speed may be up to two thirds less than than the rated speed even if you are relatively close to the router. More often, wireless connection speeds may become unstable and vary wildly throughout a computing session. The reasons behind why wireless networks can be unstable are obvious as well as hidden.

A major factor that can affect a wireless network stability is what the routers radio transmission has to travel through to get to you. If, for instance, there are a few walls between your laptop and the wireless router, you may encounter issues such as slow speeds or dropped connections. In other words, you could have a scenario such as this; your wireless router is in your basement and the computer that connects to it is in the den above the basement. Due to the construction of the basement, the router’s signal may be bouncing of the ceiling, barely making it to the computer, and thereby causing connection problems.

What your wireless router has to compete with also affects wireless networking stability. Most wireless routers transmit on the 2.4 GHz radio frequency. This is the same frequency that Bluetooth, many cordless phones or devices such as microwave ovens emit RF on. So, for example, if someone in your house turns on the microwave to pop some popcorn, your wireless network may drop dead in the process! To overcome this, you may be tempted to try the 802.11A standard which uses the 5.8 GHz radio frequency. You would quickly find (as have I) that this may not work either. Although, your 802.11A network would be safe from your microwave oven, it still would suffer from stability problems. The 5.8 GHz radio frequency has shorter wavelengths than the 2.4 GHz frequency. Simply put, a shorter radio wavelength means less distance traveled and more difficulty penetrating things (like walls) by the radio signal.  Consequently, you’d still be stuck with stability problems, no matter which standard was used, A or G.

Competition that your wireless router has to contend with, and which again affects stability, comes in forms other than a microwave. If you live in a typical neighborhood, like mine, there may be upwards twenty other homes that have wireless networks. Your network as well as your neighbor’s network are competing for the same radio spectrum space and radio channels. To put it in another way, your wireless data is doing a commute from a to b, similar to your commute back and forth to work. Just like there is sometimes roadway congestion often times preventing your timely arrival to work, the same thing happens in the wireless networking world. Also just as the weather can affect your real world commute, weather can affect wireless networking. Weather conditions can actually boost the effective range of a wireless signal. When this happens in a already wireless congested neighborhood, chances are that you will encounter stability problems.

Second bottom line, wired networks provide consistently better stability and are much less prone to slowdowns or dropped connections. As well, a wired network suffers none of the issues that wireless does, like radio frequency congestion or interference. So in other words, with a wired network, your kids can use the microwave to pop popcorn while you do your computing in peace. As well, you don’t have to worry about your neighbor crowding you out radio spectrum wise when the weather conditions are just right.

Reason three, security. A wireless network, because of its very nature, is easier to hack than a wired network. Although, a wireless router may be properly set up in terms of it’s firewall, security encryption and MAC filtering, it’s still broadcasting over the air. Anyone with a laptop loaded with the appropriate software can detect and hack wireless signals. Moreover, every current wireless security protocol can be now overcome by a hacker. In another analogy, a wireless network is like a wireless door to your house. As with the physical doors to your home, a determined hacker can kick in your wireless door. And once a miscreant gains access to your wireless network, they have access to everything attached to your network, wired or wireless. For instance, your neighbor who lives three doors down from you (who has successfully hacked into your wireless network), may be using your web-cam to spy on you! That same deviant, hacker neighbor of your’s (who may not be thrilled about how you look on the webcam), may also be stealing your broadband bandwidth for sole the purpose of surreptitiously downloading something like porn. Due to their illegal activity, on your wireless network, you get stuck with angry emails from your ISP – and – quite possibly a visit from the police! Consider too, that your wireless network can be hacked by someone who does not live in your neighborhood. Some of the more recent commercial data breaches happened due to someone driving around in a car and detecting wireless signals. In one case, the criminals just simply sat outside of stores in their cars with laptops and hacked into the wireless networks of the businesses where they detected a signal. The same type of

Read more: Why you must own a wireless network – not!

The Six Minute Book Summary of The Truth About Profiting From Social Networking by Patrice-Anne Rutledge – Part 2

The Six Minute Book Summary of The Truth About Profiting From Social Networking by Patrice-Anne Rutledge – Part 2

Part V: The truth about networking your way to business success

A social networking marketing plan is not a tradition marketing plan:For social networking to functions as a  professional marketing too, one has to first have a plan, target audience, and ways to meet their need, the content of the site, the best way to increase sales without over selling and learn way to convert customers.
The right kind of “socializing” can lead to big profits:Business purpose the best social networking is the one with the highest number of viewer who can see your product or service. When using social networking as a business tool managers need to focus on low key relationship building approached. You also need to know that not all the people will have good comments on your   products or your business at larger some people are jealous or they may only be negative all the time. As a manager you need to understand and be ready to deal with these kinds of challenges.  They are also important because they can help you to improve in your business by assuming the corrections.
Reaching key decision makers requires trust:Like any other businesses, trust is the most important in social networking, especially that the  this reaches the highest number of people,  and more so these people have never see you nor your company, the best way to  is to tell them the truth and what you put online should be truth. Remember this kind of trust is very important if customers find anything contradiction on the website, the truth is lost easily and often the hardest thing is to bring back the lost truth. Your contact should be true and functioning just in case a customer’s calling or e-mail then she should be provide with a respond.

Part VI: The truth about launching a product or services through social networking

The $ 2.2 billion tip: advertising where the crowds gather pays off: Advisements in social networking is growing very fast and most successful, because using it can now reach people regardless of gender age or race or geographical region. Most the social networking has ads sites where they held ads. For Example, in YouTube it is found in (www.youtube.com/advertise) which offers various ways of ads by age, gender, Location, and the time of the days that the ads need to occur. For LinkedIn (www.LinkedIn.com/static?key=advertising_info) it provides information such as the target audience also demographics. In Facebook (www.facebook.com/ads). In facebook beacon feature enable businesses   to grant power to customers to share their purchase online.
If you don’t “get” social networking, your campaign won’t work:Social networking became only profitable if you understand what makes social network in terms of human interaction and motivation. The three ways to do marketing in the social networks include 1) personalizing your customers experience, knowing the like and dislike of your customers is very important. Engage in sharing of ideas among the customers and allowing them to post their comments. Responding to their questions will also help them to fell they are valued and continues to visit the site and buy your products. 2) plan for the worst, by allowing the customers and the users to share what  comments some of their comment will be negative and you should always be ready to deal with them by planned 3) Inspire evangelism. Inspiring your customers to spread the news about your products, service and how you value them to their fans, friend and families for free will probably increase your sales revenues.
Marketing to the MySpace generation is different:   Generation Y represent the audience who buy the most. However, it has been know that today  all ages of people are in MySpace hence focusing only in specify group may leads a lot of lose in sales. However, young adults still form the highest percentage because they are technology drive, they are also multimedia that is they are found in many social networking. 
Making them hungry makes them buy:What is appealing with likely make customers buy it, hence social networking building of the sites and profiles are the most important to focus in Marketing on these sites.
Viral videos are for business not just fun:   Savvy Marketers are making millions from the social viral You Tube campaigns. For example southwest airline are known to stimulate their marketing campaigns   in You Tube.  Creativity is video in Video marketers and producers are encouraged to think beyond the box.

Part VII: The truth about corporate social networking

Corporate social networking has arrived:   Due to the emergence of the 2.0 technology managers are now require to have the knowledge of the Web by, enhancing employee communication and retention and increasing business development. Corporate social networking reaches all the stockholders including the customers. There are some social networking which employee are encouraged to sign up and share and built relationship with others employee. Theses can also help to raise their voices.
You need to embrace the virtual water cooler: It is assumed that social network has become a water cooler, for example it is where you can learn much about what is going on in your friend from their conversation with others and also what they post in their wall.
You can get something for nothing: free, open-source social networks: 

Part VIII: The truth about social networking for social causes

Social networking is changing the world of online fundraising: In today world it is very easy to raise large sum of money through the internet. For example if someone wants to raise money he/she can just forward the message to his/ her friend and the message is convey.  Social network is very useful because it can reach many of your friend and they can in turn sent you the money or deposit in your account
Networking for good makes good sense:Since many of the social networking is worldwide, sending any awareness can be much easier.  Many charities organization use the social networks for example Our planet (www.myspace.com/ourplanet) they are dedicated to stopping global warming. Friend of the Earth(www.youtube.com/friendsoftheearth) and  Save the children at (www.savechildren.org)  are all social networks for charities organization
Get social, get elected;political also are joining social networking to do their campaigning because it can reach many people. Politician use the social network in election in a Unite States and other parts of the world. MTV and MySpace are often used by for presidential debates.

Part IX: The truth about social networking success

Online networking is still networking:The basic principle of social networking behind connecting people was established many years ago. Physical networking was the main source where people gather for lunch or a social place and held some discussion. Today this has been reinforced with the online social networking; also the most important is to be active for the social networking to be of beneficial by participating in discussions boards, answering questions and others
Quality counts: more isn’t always merrier: In social networking quality count on the quantity. There are many networking and more are emerging every day, signing up in every social networking will not be of beneficial to you.  Choose one to two social networking that suit your needs and nurturing them is the most important.  A social networking with the largest number of people will not be useful if it does not serve your needs. To make the best out of social networking one to1) Focus on strategic Objectives by avoid that they should be present in every social network. 2)Have schedule on when you are available online 3) Be realist spend few and useful hours will be useful that wasting time surfing online.4)Get help for example if a manager does not have enough time to build their social networking  then can outsource.
Online branding: your profile is how the world sees you:  Online image is everything to individual or a company; many people who encounter online have not made and do not have an opportunity to meet. What they find online like in the website, blog or social networking is all what they will assume of the company and individual.  Focusing on what is put online about you is the key note that this is what people will evaluate you of.  Having a visual image of you in the profile creates more trust to the users, they want to know who they are chatting or working with.
Learning from the masters can make you a master social networker: Winning in social networking is being with the right balance of technical knowhow, market savvy, networking mastering and street smarts.  If the social network is not generating the desire results of your goals then you may turn to learn from what others success managers are using online. Take time and learn from their creation of profile to details on their website. If this is not useful then hire a consultant who will dedicate time and produce the desire results.
 Six degrees of separation is more than just the name of a motive:Today social networking is rooted to the concept of six degree of separation theory by reaching the words of academia, entertainment and nonprofit. This has encouraged others to invest on the same concept online.  If used wisely social networking is the link to the rest of the world.
Social networking doesn’t happen in a vacuum:Anybody they you found online need to be treating with

Read more: The Six Minute Book Summary of The Truth About Profiting From Social Networking by Patrice-Anne Rutledge – Part 2

Prodrive Shifts Up a Gear Selecting Foundry to Power Its Network

Prodrive Shifts Up a Gear Selecting Foundry to Power Its Network

Article by Foundry Networks

Investment in Foundry Networks 10 Gigabit Ethernet and PoE FastIron Switches Prepares Prodrive for the Future as Data Growth Continues

June 12, 2008 – Foundry Networks®, Inc., a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, today announced that Prodrive, the motorsport and automotive engineering group, has undertaken a complete campus LAN upgrade project installing its FastIron® SX Layer 2/3 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and FastIron Edge Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches at its Banbury headquarters. The new Foundry switching infrastructure has been installed to support the company’s operations by delivering additional bandwidth and network functionality, enabling Prodrive to deploy additional IP-based applications, such as Voice over IP (VoIP).

Prodrive designs, builds and runs motorsport and vehicle technology products and programs for large automotive manufacturers and private race teams. Famous for its motorsport heritage, Prodrive runs the Subaru World Rally Team and the Aston Martin Racing team. Hugely successful, both on the race track and commercially, Prodrive has won more than 100 international rallies and six World Rally Championships with Subaru, five British Touring Car Championships with BMW, Alfa Romeo and Ford, and was runner up in the F1 Constructors’ Championships 2004 with the BAR Honda F1 Team, which it managed at that time. Similarly, since its inception in 1984 by current chairman and chief executive, David Richards, the business has grown to employ approximately 1,000 staff internationally with annual sales of more than GBP120 million.

Graham Brook, Prodrive’s head of IT, says, “While most people know Prodrive designs and builds racing cars, and runs motorsport teams, it is perhaps less well known that, through our automotive technology division, we also develop niche cars and new technology for performance-oriented road vehicles. This covers a whole range of activities from working with car manufacturers to produce high-performance and limited editions of existing cars to support with vehicle homologation.”

With the dramatic growth of data traffic over the years, Prodrive has upgraded its Banbury network installing multiple 10GbE FastIron SX Layer 2/3 switches for their campus core, in the main administrative buildings and technology centers, with 18 FastIron PoE Edge switches installed campus-wide throughout eight buildings where rally and racing cars are designed, manufactured and prepared for events. Dual fiber links connect all the buildings to ensure resilience and maximize bandwidth capabilities.

Brook explains, “Our old infrastructure, while reliable, was already four-years-old, and starting to show the strain of increased traffic. We only had 100 Mbps connections to the desktop, a simple Layer 2 architecture, no Quality of Service and only twin gigabit links between the core switches. This project is all about preparing Prodrive for the future given the huge growth in IP-based traffic.”

Prodrive reviewed technology from all the main networking vendors choosing Foundry for two main reasons. Brook explains, “Firstly, we wanted to move data about quickly with no compromises. Foundry focuses on this. It offers best-of-breed equipment with switching done in hardware so no degradation in performance. Secondly, Foundry’s staff was very supportive in helping us specify the solution and plan the migration.”

Given that Prodrive designs and builds its race and rally cars under a process of continual improvement, the demands placed on the network are considerable. Growth in data traffic has been exponential over the past few years and is expected to continue as files sizes get ever bigger and more applications are added to the infrastructure. Huge quantities of design, simulation and telemetry information is generated which needs to be shared around the campus network.

As an example, Prodrive is using engineering systems from PTC, Dassault and Unigraphics to design components for the rally and race cars which various CNC machine tools then manufacture on campus. Historically, parts were designed in isolation from each other. Today, the process is radically different as individual parts are designed, grouped into assemblies and then into master assemblies to actually make up a vehicle. These models become huge and it is a data-intensive task to pull off servers. Brook says, “Upgrading the network core between buildings to 10 gigabit Ethernet and presenting gigabit to the desktop enables the design engineers to make the most of their powerful workstations, improves workflow processes and improves collaboration with the manufacturing departments.”

The network upgrade is delivering immediate performance improvements for engineers, adding more bandwidth so new IP devices and applications can be added (without slowing the network), enabling Layer 3 routing functionality to improve resilience, and preparing the company for VoIP through the Quality of Service (QoS) and PoE functionality included in the FastIron switches. Brook explains, “We want to take advantage of having a high-performance network infrastructure, and the investment made in it, by layering on new applications like VoIP which we are in the process of doing. As we are a multinational business, clearly VoIP has many benefits in terms of collaborative and efficient working across sites through application sharing and video conferencing.”

Brook concludes, “The network is the unsung hero behind everything. I didn’t want to wait to upgrade our network until we had a problem, since employees need their computers to do their jobs. And for me, this is the measure of the project’s success. The new network is in, doing its job, adding the capacity we needed, and therefore delivering exactly what we expected and wanted.”

Moving forward, Prodrive is planning to upgrade the network at its other UK site in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, home to the automotive technology division.Bob Schiff, Foundry’s vice president and general manager, Enterprise Business Unit, says, “Prodrive is a winning organization which needs to constantly innovate and push the boundaries to ensure it stays ahead. It is a no-compromise performance motorsport leader. We’re delighted it recognized in our technology the qualities of no-compromise performance too and we’re incredibly pleased to have been selected as its network partner.”

Network (1976) Howard Beale, the mad prophet of the airwaves. Plus d’infos : souk-fares.blogspot.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Read more: Prodrive Shifts Up a Gear Selecting Foundry to Power Its Network

Using Networking Events to Increase Your Sales

Using Networking Events to Increase Your Sales

It is not difficult to increase your sales by using networking events.  Your first task is to find them, and they are generally advertised online and also offline in areas where they are due  to be held. Once you have established that you are able to attend a specific networking event, you should plan for it, because without planning and preparation you will not get the maximum benefit from it.

Relationship building is one of the more valuable benefits from networking events, and if you can connect with the right people then you can not only increase your sales but build a better foundation for the future of your business. Here are some tips on how to use such events to get the maximum benefits of networking events and advantage from them.

“That’s the boy scouts marching song,” in the words of the great Tom Lehrer, and without proper preparation you will never get the maximum advantage from a networking event.  Make sure you have business cards, even if yours is just an online business. You can print individual cards on these machines you find at airports, or invest in having a printer run off a few hundred for you.

You may not need them all, but at least you’re prepared. You won’t impress anybody if you try to print them yourself  - unless you are very professional in doing so.  You will not increase your sales by being unprofessional. Make sure you take a pen with you along with a small pad – you will hopefully have a number of contact names and numbers to make note of.  It looks terrible if you have to borrow a pen!

“Getting to know all about you”, so the song from ‘The King and I’ goes. It’s not so much about whom you know but who knows you. You might know all the right people, but do the right people know you? If the important people in your field know you, then you are more likely to benefit than if you know them!  It’s a fine distinction, but an important one.

So don’t attend networking events with the idea of meeting certain people. They might have no interest in you, and might not even be those who can help you to develop your business. Approach those that appear to be relevant to your field of interest.

“Polite conversation is rarely either,” according to Fran Lebowitz, and this is very true at networking events.  Trying to be polite by asking somebody who they work for could be a massive faux pas, so simply ask what service they provide. Do not enter into a conversation unless you feel that the other party could benefit your business – whether from a client or a vendor aspect.

A quick chat, exchange of cards or details, then goodbye – and on to the next person that catches your eye.  Many people attending such events get caught up with individuals or groups, and fail to make the best of the event as a consequence. To increase your sales, you are best to keep on the move with an open eye for those that may benefit you or that you believe you could benefit – the two can be synonymous in respect of benefits to your business.

“After you’ve gone there’s no denying” that you should have a bunch of business cards and contact details.  That’s the whole objective of networking events:  to make contacts, seek potential clients and build a framework of trust for relationships and referrals in the future.

If you find potential contacts in your area, then email them later and suggest you meet up for coffee or something.  Perhaps this is a contact that could be converted into a client, maybe a vendor that can save you money, or perhaps even a future partner in a joint venture – whichever of these you feel is appropriate, you still have to meet again after the networking event.

If you feel that the relationship could develop, then maybe invite them to some other event you know of in your area. If not, then at least keep their details so you can build up a good contact list. Who knows when they might be useful to you!

“. . .Now my destiny can begin” sings Fergie, and so can yours if you have met the right people and made the right contacts. If not, ‘don’t worry, be happy,’ because you will have many more networking events to attend and many more contacts to meet.

The whole ethos about networking events is, yes, to see what’s going on and what’s available, but mainly to make mutually beneficial contacts, to build up your contact list and some people even make lifelong friendships that benefit both. You are not there to try to sell your products – you are there to build bridges to enable you to do that.

“Maybe it’s hard to find the right people” – perhaps Ian Dury couldn’t, but you certainly can by attending these events with a view to learning and making contacts and not to sell, but to increase your sales through the contacts you make. You should also have fun when you are doing this, and you will be surprised how you can attract people to you: the right people. The people that can help you increase your sales and you can help them to achieve the same.

Related Network Articles

Read more: Using Networking Events to Increase Your Sales

Small Business Networking

Small Business Networking

Small Busines Networking in Sydney | Small Business Networking

New entrepreneurs should always use Small business networking tips in order to grow.

Establishing a customer base is very imperative so that you can target a particular audience during advertising and selling. A business will either offer services or sell products. Either way, you must be in a position to reach out to the potential customers who will make your business a success.  For you to find the right audience there are small business networking tips you must adhere to. Moreover, you cannot be a successful entrepreneur all by yourself, the point is, you will need the help of professionals as well as a network of people to meet set goal. Like they say, “Together we stand, divided we fall”.
Small business Networking Tips
In general, the rule of small business networking in Sydney focuses more on developing a reliable business relationship with your clients. In order to in succeed in small business networking in Sydney, sellers must follow up on referrals and deliver products and/or services at the appropriate time. Here are a number of ways that will help you take small business networking in Sydney to the next level.
Have a clear understanding of your business objectives.You must be well conversant with your business goals so that you are able to explain to others what you do without having difficulties. Having a proper understanding of your business objectives builds your confidence and enables other to have faith in you. You must be well prepared to answer various questions concerning viability and other aspects of your establishment. In so doing, your audience will know that you are an intelligent entrepreneur who has done his or her research well.

Create Business CardsAs soon as you set your goals, come with simple Business cards to give people during various small business networking events, or to other people who you think will need what you offer in the near future. Business cards bring out some sense of professionalism since they show that you have established yourself and you are in the process of running your business. After giving the business card, go a step further and explain to the audience what your business is all about and probe for more ideas of how you can improve the same. You can also follow up regular customers to get more ideas of how to improve your services and products; this is all what Small business networking is about.

Make good use of Social Networking
Marketing your business via Internet is another way small entrepreneur use to make their businesses well known. Developing a Business Websites will provide all the information about the products and services you sell. In so doing, new Internet users can know more about your business and what if offers. Linking your website to other websites is important because new user can gain access to your website from somewhere else. Update your website regularly and ensure that it is fully optimized so that potential clients can easily find it. It is also a good idea to come up with business accounts in social networks so that you update you clients with the latest developments in your business. Joining on-line forums comprising people with similar goals enables exchange of ideas and concepts. Besides getting ideas about how to improve your business, social networks will also help you get clients.

The idea of Small business networking in Sydney goes beyond telling people about your business.  The main idea is to develop a trustworthy relationship within your network. When people trust what you offer they will be able to advertise you to others.

Once you have a clear view of what small business networkingcan do for you use the above discussed tips so that you can grow.

Find More Network Articles

Read more: Small Business Networking

Top Reasons To Participate In Sydney Networking Events

Top Reasons To Participate In Sydney Networking Events

Sydney Networking – join today!
Success women entrepreneurs are now part of Sydney Networking
Taking part in Sydney networking events is very crucial if you want to become a successful entrepreneur especially, if you are a beginner.

There are so many benefits by participating in such events. The best thing is that you will be able to meet a lot of businessmen and share a lot of information with each other. The Sydney networkingmeetings are very special because you will be able to meet at least a few new people daily with whom you can network and add value to your small business. So, let us read on to find out some useful tips to make your networking efforts more fruitful.

Sydney networking is a lot of fun because you will get to know a lot of like-minded people. All of them gather in some common place regularly to find out different ways in which they can help each other. Most of the members first try to find people who can be useful for gaining immediate results. This is however, not a healthy sign of networking. Most of the Sydney networking events are organized so that you find members who are looking out for long-term relationships in the businesses. Such relationships are meant to work well and boost both the businesses in the right way.

Never mind about the size of the Sydney networking group. Initially it may be small. But as and when it grows you can see a lot of successful and new people in the functions. This will help you to find new avenues where you can diversify or develop your business. The best thing to do in such Sydney networking groups is to find people who are ready to help you on a regular basis. Having one regular contact is better than simply having too many contacts that may not be very useful. So always look out for people who are really interested in taking their businesses to new heights through networking.

How to find the best contacts that work from a Sydney networking group? This is the most difficult question that all the new members face. However, most of such event organizers or groups have representatives who will be able to help you to find members who could be interested in your business. When you find such people try to spend more time and effort for meeting them regularly. Find out the different ways in which you can help each other. Exchange your business cards and try to understand the businesses of the visitors. Take time and go through each card and find out all the details. By doing some research you will be able to identify the right contacts in the Sydney networking events.

After your first Sydney networking event is over you will be able to get an idea of what you can expect from such events. If you want to get the most out of such meetings you have to keep a few points in your mind. In order to build a good relationship you have to be a good listener. Try to provide a referral. Never ask for referrals directly. If someone has given you a referral you should reciprocate the gesture as soon as possible. Never miss any of the meetings organized by the groups. If there are things that require follow-ups do them immediately. If you really want to grow and develop your small business in a large manner, participate in the fun-filled and productive Sydney networking events regularly.

Find More Network Articles

Read more: Top Reasons To Participate In Sydney Networking Events