Fast Fun At The Race Track – Alvaka Networks Client Appreciation Day

We had another successful day at Auto Club Speedway for our second annual client appreciation day at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. In attendance were 40 drivers getting driving instruction and taking fast laps around the road course.

 
Fast Fun At The Race Track – Alvaka Networks Client Appreciation Day2023-08-10T22:47:53-07:00

Who Is Guilty In A Hack? The Perpetrator Or The Victim?

This article is interesting not because the hacker is convicted, but because of the reader comments at the end. The first post defends the hacker and blames AT&T for their system not being secure enough and allowing a breach. The next poster says that is akin to blaming a bank if they are robbed because their doors are not secure enough. Another poster points out that both are to blame.

Who Is Guilty In A Hack? The Perpetrator Or The Victim?2012-11-22T05:02:00-08:00

Opinion Piece By CompTIA Member And Alvaka Networks EVP Kevin McDonald

I’ve noticed a lot of gratuitous talk by our legislators about being all for small business and protecting the individual. They bandy about rhetoric about the Constitution and consistently are finding rights that are not spelled out or even vaguely contained in its language. Then they blatantly violate a key provision that is in fact clearly spelled out.

Opinion Piece By CompTIA Member And Alvaka Networks EVP Kevin McDonald2017-09-18T01:00:14-07:00

The Dangers Of Posting Your Photos Online

Be careful when posting photos on-line. Almost all new smart phones record where and when you took a photo. Many of the new high-end dedicated cameras do the same thing. Beyond the photo that you see and innocently post is a wealth of data you may not want to publish. That data is called EXIF, for Exchangeable Image Format.

The Dangers Of Posting Your Photos Online2023-08-10T22:49:46-07:00

Make It Work Abruptly Closes

A few years ago when the economy was stronger and investment capital more readily available I remember hearing advertisements on the radio from a company called “Make It Work.” They were advertising IT services that appeared to be targeted at SOHOs (small offices and home offices) and individuals. The advertisements were good and they talked about little red Mini Coopers the techs traveled in. I even saw a few.

Make It Work Abruptly Closes2023-08-10T22:53:20-07:00

The Hard Lessons Learned In Information Technology In 2011

What do you cite as the top IT lessons you learned 2011? I am talking about the hard lessons learned in IT management, administration, budgeting, buying, planning architecting and deployment last year? Based on those lessons what will you carry through 2012 and perhaps longer?

The Hard Lessons Learned In Information Technology In 20112012-01-24T04:49:00-08:00

When Our Next One Hits Are You Prepared?

The 7.2 earthquake two weeks ago in Turkey got me thinking again about disaster preparedness and IT. It reminded me of the 5.9 earthquake that occurred on the U.S. east coast, a region that is not supposed to get earthquakes. I just did a couple of walk-throughs at two different client facilities. One had server racking very well secured at the top and bottom that looked like it would withstand a pretty severe shaking while the other site did not have any fasteners at either the top or the bottom of the server racks. I could have pushed the racks over myself by leaning on them.

When Our Next One Hits Are You Prepared?2023-08-10T23:20:26-07:00

Gartner Held Their ITxpo In Orlando…

Gartner is making some dire warnings including one of another recession. Gene Hall, Gartner's CEO says IT managers are facing a period of "unprecedented uncertainty." While Alvaka Networks is having a robust year with surging revenues, I have to agree. The cautious footing, one of being prepared for a new recession is a smart posture to take right now.

Gartner Held Their ITxpo In Orlando…2023-08-10T23:20:57-07:00

Here Are Some Interesting Statistics Just Sent To Me From A Market Research Firm

The average number of PCs per IT employee is 25.
• The average IT budget $$ per IT employee is $220,000.
• Average number of data center sq ft per IT employee ranges from 40-150.
• 80% of organizations with 500+ deployed PCs are managing 5+ TB of data.
• IT budgets range from 1.5% to 8% of revenue, depending on vertical market.
• Over 90% of organizations with 10+ IT employees are supporting 15 or more servers.

Here Are Some Interesting Statistics Just Sent To Me From A Market Research Firm2011-10-18T03:28:00-07:00

Are You Properly Licensed To Use Ethernet Technology?

Some may call them legitimate patent enforcers protecting an inventor's rights under US patent law, others call them patent trolls. I write this column to draw your attention to disturbing patent enforcement activity that may unsuspecting come haunt you and your firm.

I have been very disturbed by recent e-mails I have gotten from peers across the country. Some are getting informed that their clients who use Ethernet technology are getting sued by the new entity that holds the 3Com patents for Ethernet. One such peer writes, “One of my clients has been pulled into this. Basically the assertion is that every non 3-Com Ethernet device is illegal due to patent infringement. They are not only going after manufacturers, but also end users as well.“
It seems some of the largest Ethernet vendors in the industry are girding for a fight with this outfit. In the meantime, end-user companies such as yours are getting caught up in the fight.
Here are a couple of links. This first one is pleasant sounding enough because it comes from U.S. Ethernet Innovations, LLC (“USEI”), the owner of the fundamental Ethernet technology developed by 3Com Corporation in the 1990s. The underlying message is ominous.

Here is a good slide deck from law firm Dorsey and Whitney who is fighting this sort of patent infringement case:
http://www.dorsey.com/files/upload/MP_CCS2010_Complete_Patent_Trolls.pdf

So I have now made you aware of a possible lawsuit against your firm, so now what do you do? I don’t have any specific recommendations at this time. I personally plan to keep tabs on this situation and see how it proceeds.

Are You Properly Licensed To Use Ethernet Technology?2017-12-08T06:17:56-08:00