May 9th, 2008
Network Magic simplifies tasks for home users
Network Magic from Pure Networks isn’t a new product, but it’s new to me. I’ve been playing around with this home-network manager for a week or so, and I think it’s a great solution for those who are unfamiliar with networking. Its clean design and easy-to-understand interface helps you perform common tasks like share folders and printers and troubleshoot connections, and the app even provides Web-based remote access to shared folders.
I don’t have a ton of devices on my network, but I do have three computers (one Vista notebook, one Mac notebook, and a Windows XP desktop), plus a network-attached-storage device and a printer. And a wireless router, of course. I downloaded Network Magic Essentials 4.7 ($29.95 for up to three PCs) and installed it on my two Windows Machines. The Mac requires a separate Network Magic for Mac Add-on ($25). I installed the software on all three machines without a hitch. Pure Networks also offers a stripped-down version of Network Magic for free.
The beauty of Network Magic is that the interface and tools are so intuitively implemented that even inexperienced users should have no trouble figuring out how to whip their network into shape. The control panel is divided into five areas: Network Tasks, Network Map, Shared Folders, Status Center, and Network Advisor.
Network Tasks helps you carry out a variety of actions that are grouped under Connect, Share, and Protect. Connect includes trouble-shooting tips and an Internet speed test app. Under Share, you can share folders across the network, set up a feature that enables you to share folders on the Web, and share 
printers. A particularly useful feature of sharing folders and printers is that the interface is the same no matter if you’re using XP, Vista, or Mac OS X. Under Protect you can change wireless encryption and also configure the program to provide network reports that detail which apps are used and what Web sites are visited each day. Network Magic will e-mail daily reports for each PC to you—a handy feature if you’re monitoring your kids’ PC and Web usage. Unfortunately, the service works only with Internet Explorer, and a smart kid could simply turn it off.
The Network Map provides a flow chart of all the devices connected to your network and indicates their status. It also provides information (such as IP address and MAC Filtering address) for each device. In Network Map, you can easily manage each device. For instance, if you want to change your router settings, you simply click Setup and Manage Device, and it takes you to the router’s log-in page (no need to remember that pesky numerical URL). Network Map also enables you to identify intruders on your notebook.
The Shared Folders area simply gives you a view of all the folders shared on your network, and lets you add or change shared folders. The procedure for setting up shared folders and printers is much more intuitive than using Windows, and you can share Mac folders across the network, too.
Status Center simply provides current status info for all devices on your network. It also includes Health and Security Alerts. On my Vista notebook, the app alerted me to one important Windows Update that I hadn’t yet installed. Network Advisor is a nicely packaged help center, with useful tips, FAQs, links to user forums, and external sites.
All in all, Network Magic doesn’t exactly perform any tricks that approach the realm of, well, magic. But it’s a great tool for centralizing all information about your network, and it takes the uncertainty out of a lot of common network management chores. I recommend that you install the free trial version and test-drive it (check to ensure that the software is compatible with your router first.) It’s a handy app that could simplify networking.
May 7th, 2008
D-Link (finally) releases the DSM-750 media extender
It’s been a very long time coming–D-Link first unveiled the MediaLounge DSM-750 at CES in January 2007–but the company announced today that it is finally shipping the media extender.
The $329.99 DSM-750 is a Windows Media Center Extender that enables you to stream high-def video, music, and digital photos from PC to TV. Better yet, if you’re using the media streamer in conjunction with a Windows Media Center PC, you can also watch recorded television content that’s stored on your PC. D-Link says the next firmware addition will add support for the Rhapsody music-subscription service.
The DSM-750 links the TV and PC using 802.11n wireless or Ethernet. Its dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi technology should ensure hiccup-free streaming of HD video at resolutions of up to 1080p. It also has a USB 2.0 port to play media stored on thumb drives or USB hard drives. The DSM-750, unlike Apple TV, supports an impressive range of audio, video, and digital image formats; it also includes support for digital surround sound.
The media streamer connects to your TV via HDMI, S-video, or component jacks. D-Link says it offers silent operation because it has no moving parts (that means no hard drive for local storage), which is essential for a video player.
To use Windows Media Center functionality, the DSM-750 requires Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. It also works with standard Windows Vista and Windows XP computers through Microsoft’s Windows Media Player 11 or Windows Media Connect and other Universal Plug and Play (UpnP) media servers.
May 1st, 2008
IT managers voice doubt on speed, PoE for 802.11n hardware
Computerworld has an interesting story describing IT managers’ doubts about the 802.11n Wi-Fi hardware. In a panel discussion at Interop, the corporate tech guys describe installations that fail to deliver the promised throughput and discuss doubts on the new hardware’s ability to deliver Power over Ethernet (PoE).
One manager also noted that his enterprise would need a dedicated 802.11n network for 802.11n laptops because any 802.11b/g-equipped laptop or device lowers the speed to the slower technology. And users accustomed to wired Ethernet speeds have been disappointed with 802.11b, one manager said.
There was also significant doubt over PoE for access points, which several panelists said it will not work because some APs have several radios that require more power. One analyst characterized vendor claims of PoE on 802.11n hardware as “lies, damn lies and even more lies.” Wonder how he really feels?
April 29th, 2008
Netgear announces new switches, access point at Interop
Netgear launched at Interop a handful of new switches that introduce static routing capabilities to the company’s SMB product line. It also unveiled an 802.11n dual-band access point that brings in support for the 5GHz spectrum.
New ProSafe Gigabit Smart Switches deliver PoE, additional security, and multi-role access control lists (ACLs). They also are the first switches to provide static routing capabilities, which can optimize bandwidth efficiency by freeing up the router for WAN and security traffic, according to Netgear.
The ProSafe switches deliver more robust security, higher quality of service (QoS) and high availability through an advanced feature set that includes Access Control Lists (ACL), 802.1x port authentication, rate limiting, and IGMP snooping, Netgear says. The ProSafe 24-Port Gigabit Smart Switch with Advanced Features (GS724AT) is priced at $575, while the ProSafe 24- and 48-Port Gigabit Smart Switches with Static Routing (GS724TR and GS748TR) are priced at $925 and $1,665, respectively.
The ProSafe 802.11n Dual Band Wireless Access Point (WNDAP330) is a capable dual-band solution that brings enhanced speed and coverage to small and medium businesses. The company says the new ProSafe 802.11n AP will yield up to 10 times the coverage and 15 times the speed of 802.11g-based networks.
The AP supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, and is compatible with all flavors of 802.11x technologies. It also supports PoE to help eliminate cables and speed installation. The AP, which includes three detachable antennas (two 5dBi and one 3dBi) for increased range, is priced at $475.
April 24th, 2008
Archos Wi-Fi media receiver includes DVR for recording TV content
Archos has just launched a new set-top Wi-Fi media receiver that one-ups Apple TV by enabling you to record content from your television. The Archos TV+, which includes a Web browser, also enables you to watch Web content like YouTube video and certain programming from network TV Web sites.
The DVR capability is the coolest feature of Archos TV+, which is otherwise a pretty average media streamer. The device includes a built-in programming guide that enables you to select and record TV programming (assuming you have the TV+ hooked up to your cable or satellite box, that is). Programming is stored on the device’s hard drive, which comes in two capacities: 80GB ($249.99) and 250GB ($349.99). Unfortunately, TV+ cannot handle HD TV—it outputs at a maximum resolution of 576p. It can play MPEG-4 and WMV files, and you can buy optional plug-ins ($19.99. Ouch!) that enable the device to play H.264, and MPEG-2 video formats. Another downside: Unlike TiVo boxes, it can record only one show at a time.
As with other media receivers, the TV+ connects wirelessly (or via Ethernet) to your PC and can stream content such as videos and MP3 and JPEG files. Archos also has partnerships with content services such as CinemaNow, where you can download videos for rent or purchase.
You can also stream video from TV sites online, although sites that use a proprietary video player won’t work. For Web browsing, the TV+ uses an intuitive Opera browser but (again) you’ll have to shell out $19.99 for the Flash 9 plug-in. Archos includes a nice little square remote control with a QWERTY keyboard for input.
The Archos TV+ will appeal most to those who use other Archos portable media players because it can easily transfer TV recordings to the portable devices, giving you on-the-go access to your video content. I found the interface a little clunky but the TV+ seems to be a solid solution to those who aren’t wedded to iTunes.
April 22nd, 2008
Study finds that 14 percent of U.S. consumers “borrow” free Wi-Fi
A new study from Accenture reveals that 12 percent of U.S. and U.K. respondents admit to using someone else’s Wi-Fi connection. Accenture says that piggybacking is more common in the United States, with one in seven people–14 percent– admitting to borrowing someone else’s signal. And, not surprisingly, the practice is more popular among 18-to 34-year-olds.
The study, a rather shallow survey of 800 telephone interviews, also found that nearly half of all respondents use the same password for all online accounts. It doesn’t indicate whether they’re using strong passwords, however. Accenture says that 25 percent of respondents said they wouldn’t shop at an online retailed that had suffered a security breach; 33 percent said they’d still shop at the e-tailer, but wouldn’t use credit cards.
Finally, the study found that people in the United States are more likely to keep their security software up to date than their U.K. counterparts. One in 20 U.S. respondents said they never update security software; in the U.K., that ratio was one in 7.
April 21st, 2008
Ruckus launches first mesh-based 802.11n WLAN
Ruckus Wireless has introduced what it says is the first wireless mesh-based 802.11n WLAN solution for small and medium businesses. According to Ruckus, its new SmartMesh technology enables a simple installation at half the cost of similar Wi-Fi networks, yet delivers improved performance.
SmartMesh builds on Ruckus’ Smart Wi-Fi technology, which employs intelligent beam-steering capabilities, to enable WLANs to self-organize, self-optimize, and self-heal, according to David Callisch, vice president of marketing for Ruckus. The solution is designed for companies with 20 to 1,000 employees that don’t have a lot of IT resources and may not have Ethernet drops installed throughout the location. When using SmartMesh, fewer access points require an Ethernet connection, and that allows for an easier installation because employees need only plug in the access point to an electrical outlet.
The mesh technology finds the best signal path and self-repairs when a node goes offline, which delivers a signal that “looks like it’s wired,” says Callisch. The omnidirectional antennas, which can “steer” Wi-Fi signals based on environmental changes, eliminate packet errors and increase reliability, which is essential for a mesh network to work properly.
Callisch says that meshing hasn’t been adopted by small to medium businesses because it hasn’t been fast enough, it costs too much, and is difficult to deploy. He says the new SmartMesh technology addresses all those issues. It uses the faster 802.11n standard, and the typical installation costs half as much as a similar setup using products from a vendor such as Cisco, he says. For instance, he cites a hotel in suburban Atlanta that installed a Ruckus SmartMesh WLAN for a total cost of $15,000; the same installation using equipment from Cisco, he says, would have cost $35,000. Ruckus installed 15 access points, and only five of those were wired to Ethernet, which saves on installation costs.
The SmartMesh technology runs on Ruckus’ ZoneDirector 1000 line of controllers. ZoneDirector 1000 supports a range of access points that starts at 6 and scales up to 50. The entry-level ZoneDirector is priced at $1,200. Ruckus also introduced the ZoneDirector 30000 series, which can support up to 250 access points. It will be available in July at a starting cost of $6,000 for 25 access points.
As for access points, Ruckus launched a new 802.11n AP with mesh support, the ZoneFlex 7942, which lists for $699 each.
April 18th, 2008
How to troubleshoot your VoIP phone setup
I use a Vonage VoIP phone, and I noticed over the past few weeks that I was getting a lot more static during calls and, far worse, that my Internet connection was starting to drop when I answered the phone. I can take some phone interference, but when my Net connection flails, it’s time to take action. Here are some tips on troubleshooting your VoIP phone setup, based on what I discovered.
First, remember that a 2.4GHz cordless phone too near your router will interfere with your Wi-Fi network. I moved my 2.4GHz cordless phone and Vonage phone adapter (a Linksys RTP300) farther away from my Wi-Fi router, and it stopped dropping my broadband connection during calls. Vonage also recommends that you put at least four feet of distance between the phone adapter and the cordless phone (if you’re using one); if the two are too close, you might get static and choppy call quality. I separated the two devices, but that didn’t solve my call the quality of my calls. Next I tried Vonage’s Bandwidth Saver feature, which allows you to adjust the sound quality of by tweaking the bandwidth allotted to the VoIP service. I gave the sound quality more bandwidth, but couldn’t ascertain a noticeable difference.
Vonage recommends that users install the phone adapter outside the network firewall by plugging the phone adapter directly into your cable or DSL modem, then jacking your router into one of the phone adapter’s Ethernet ports. I didn’t try this because I’m happy with my network setup as it is, but if you’re having call problems it’s worth a shot.
The company also advises that you try changing the wireless channel on your wireless router (most U.S. routers use channel 1, 6 or 11 by default). That will help if you’re getting interference from other Wi-Fi networks. And if all else fails, a good reboot of the entire network never hurts. Power down everything, then reboot the cable/DSL modem, then move on to the router, phone adapter, and PC. Be sure to let each device fully restart before hitting the next.
Finally, the cabling could be at fault. For instance, a phone cable can become defective. If you’re still having trouble, try a new one.
I tried many of these steps and improved my call quality to point where I could hear only an occasional click. That would be OK for my general use, but I was determined to end it. (It’s sort of like that stuck pixel on your LCD: Very minor in the scheme of things, but you can’t help but notice it.) So I spent $30 on a 5.8GHz phone, and now my call quality is crystal clear, without any sort of interference on my network.
April 16th, 2008
Build your own Wi-Fi antenna
If you need a signal boost and want to get a little creative, the U.K. site Heise Online has a detailed post on creating a homemade Cantenna for 802.11b/g routers. (802.11a routers require antennas of different dimensions.) It’s a great way to recycle packaging for household goods and ramp up your range at the same time.
Candidates for Wi-Fi antennas include noodle cans, food cans, coffee cans, and packaging tubes of premium liquors. In particular, the writer endorses stainless steel toilet-brush holders as the best option. Who knew?
The guide spells out everything else you’ll need—nuts, countersunk screws, washers, and copper cable—and tells you exactly how to put it all together. It also gives very precise information on the correct can dimensions for optimal reception. In fact, the writer was so thorough that he built two antennas and had them both examined by the Institute of Microwave Engineering at Leibniz University to test the power of the devices.
Check it out if you’re looking for range extension on the cheap. And don’t forget that recycling used household materials is good for the environment. Al Gore will thank you.
April 11th, 2008
How to network Outlook using Google Apps
Over the past eight years or so, I’ve grown accustomed to using Microsoft Outlook as my e-mail client, calendar, and contact manager. But I ran into a wall after leaving the refuge of a corporate network: I found that I couldn’t rely on Outlook because I regularly use four different computers a
t two locations. And because I manage my e-mail by organizing it into folders and subfolders (I’m a filer, not a piler), I’d have to put my Outlook files on a network server. Or something. I really didn’t know how to overcome the networking obstacle.
So I used a Web-based e-mail client, until a friend told me that I could “network” Outlook by using Google Apps, a suite that gives small businesses and groups e-mail, calendaring, and collaboration tools. I wasn’t so interested in the Google Apps themselves (although Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, and others are integrated very nicely). Rather, I liked the fact that for $50 a year, Google Apps gives you 25GB of storage. I was using an e-mail service from GoDaddy.com, where my domain name is hosted. GoDaddy.com was charging me $20 a year for 1GB of e-mail storage so, by comparison, Google Apps was a great deal.
Setting up Google Apps can be a little choppy. For instance, moving my e-mail account from GoDaddy was more complicated than I had anticipated. I had to modify MX records on GoDaddy.com to point to Google’s mail servers. I also had to create a CNAME record to verify domain ownership and customize a URL. I’d never dived this deep into my domain name, but Google offers very good step-by-step instructions. And if you get really hung up, you can call tech support, which I found to be amazingly well-trained and helpful.
After the initial setup, Google Apps provides step-by-step instructions for installing IMAP versions of Outlook. It doesn’t provide that info for Entourage, but I just copied the Windows installations and it worked on the first try.
Today I have Outlook 2007 running on a Vista notebook and an XP desktop, Outlook 2003 running on an XP desktop, and Entourage running on a Mac laptop. The setup maintains all my folders so that Outlook/Entourage looks the same on all computers, with all folders and contents neatly stacked just where they ought to be. You can also access your e-mail from any Web browser using a customized Google Start page. Google also offers an app that will sync your Outlook Calendar with a Google Calendar, which enables you to maintain a single calendar across your network of computers.
I’m very happy with Google Apps. I’m not using the service the way that Google intended, although I do keep a couple of important apps stored as Google documents so I can access them from anywhere. All in all, I’m getting what I wanted: a way to network Outlook for use on several computers across locations.
For the past 15 years, Rik Fairlie has covered technology and the business of technology for numerous publications and Web sites. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
Recent Entries
- Network Magic simplifies tasks for home users
- D-Link (finally) releases the DSM-750 media extender
- IT managers voice doubt on speed, PoE for 802.11n hardware
- Netgear announces new switches, access point at Interop
- Archos Wi-Fi media receiver includes DVR for recording TV content
Most Popular Posts
- Archos Wi-Fi media receiver includes DVR for recording TV content
- IT managers voice doubt on speed, PoE for 802.11n hardware
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- Build your own Wi-Fi antenna
- Study finds that 14 percent of U.S. consumers "borrow" free Wi-Fi
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- How to troubleshoot your VoIP phone setup+2 votes
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