An Introduction To Storage Software

All businesses face the challenge of storing their data easily, inexpensively and in a timely fashion. Initially, companies used tape-based systems to store data. There is now a rapid change to disk-based systems. At the same time, there has been a change in the software that supports this function and manages the stored data.

With rising numbers of branch offices, servers and amounts of data, storage needs are continually increasing. Organisations need to invest in systems that will save and back up data. This is where storage software comes in. It performs a threefold task:

• It simplifies control and management of hardware resources (devices and networks).

• It assures backup, archival and recovery of data.

• It takes care of replication and copying of data as it is created or downloaded.

While older systems of storage were more time intensive, the newer ones are more investment intensive. Many new storage software tools aim to reduce the cost of disk-based storage to encourage adoption of the newer technology by all sizes of organisation. Some providers also offer hosted services that are more scalable and affordable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Most storage software solutions rely heavily on hardware options. The ideal combination is a system where the software and hardware work together for an optimal performance and high level of flexibility. Many software storage providers partner with hardware manufacturers such as Dell, IBM, Fujitsu and HP to offer solutions like this. Larger players have acquired storage specialists such as Veritas and StorageTek so that they can offer these services.

This consolidation is not necessarily a bad thing. It means that more established players will offer bundled products that include additional features such as content management systems within the storage software to allow integrated retrieval and archival processes.
By: Paul Howe
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Wireless Networking: Do You Need It?

There has been so much hype about wireless networking that it is sometimes hard to get to the important question: do you need it? To determine whether your notebook computer needs to have wireless networking capabilities, you need to understand what it is first.

WLAN

WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network or Wireless LAN. Wireless network cards use the IEEE 802.11 standard of wireless transmission. There are other wireless networking standards, such as Bluetooth, but the 802.11 standard is the preferred networking solution. The Wireless Network interface was developed originally for interfacing among computers connected through a local area network, but it is now also being used for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and internet access, just like the standard Local Area Network interface.

A Wireless Networking environment has no need for complicated wiring to accommodate data sharing and internet access. The wireless network uses one or more Wireless Access Points or Wireless Routers to transmit the signal. An Access Point has an antenna and an Ethernet port, which must be connected to a broadband modem for internet connectivity. A Wireless Router adds several more Ethernet ports to allow a combination of wired and wireless connections. The Access Point or Router acts as the radio frequency transmitter and receiver (radio frequency electromagnetic waves are the medium through which data packets are sent and received). This Access Point interfaces with devices (computers, PDAs, IP Phones, and other Access Points) which use 802.11 wireless adapters.

Wherever there is an 802.11 wireless access point, a wireless networking-capable device can access that network and, generally, the internet.

Do You Need Wireless Networking in Your Notebook Computer?

Whether you need wireless networking depends entirely on you. Wireless networking capability is always a wonderful feature to have in a notebook computer, but there are scenarios where wireless networking is definitely necessary.

If you want to have a tidy office or home network, wireless networking is for you. Moreover, if there are many users in your local network or if the number of users is expected to increase, a wireless router is not limited by the number of Ethernet ports on the router. Please note, however, that a wireless network connection is not as reliable as traditional Ethernet connections, and wireless connections are susceptible to radio wave and electromagnetic interference.

If you are a freelancer, a reporter, or in another position where you frequently travel, Wireless Networking is invaluable. Wireless Networking is the most widely used form of public internet access all over the world. With a wireless networking card, you are guaranteed an internet connection, as long as you can find a wireless hotspot.

For interfacing with personal devices like PDAs and cellular phones, Bluetooth is a more common option, but Wireless Networking is absolutely necessary for wireless internet connections.

This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.

By: Roberto Bell
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Wise Steps To Buy Laptops And Other Electronic Products

In 2008, it will be very normal if you buy electronic products in the internet world. I think it’s not modern anymore if you go to a mall and review each product there. If you want to buy a new PC or notebook, try to find the review in the internet. There are plenty of full reviews there so I think you will learn much more than if you go to a mall or electronic dealers in real world. What more interesting is, you don’t need to go out from your home. You can read about different products, different brands in front of your computer.

I always went to electronic malls when I had time to check new products. I checked their prices and performances but I realized I was just wasting my precious time. Start from early 2007, I always buy everything online, start from games to new notebooks. Even if you do not want to buy electronic products online, you could at least try to find out what you want with your internet browser.

If five years ago new PCs or other electronic products are designed for children and nerds, these days it is easy to find new computers for your need. Many companies like HP or Dell produced their own business laptops. With cheap prices, you could get the best performance from new notebooks. It is the same with PCs. You do not need to search for old PCs if you have a tight budget, you can expect PCs which specially designed for people like you.

Computer companies know people have different objectives. There are people who buy new computers for games but there are also people who buy new computers for their jobs. However, there are too many products released every day so I think the best option for you is to search in the internet what suits you most. It will be pretty hard and very time consuming for you if you try “traditional way” (i.e.: go to mall and search for new computer, etc.). Buying new electronic products online is the most effective way at the moment.

By: Punkman
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