Setting up a Cisco VPN connection with Network Manager
Vincent Danen introduces the vpnc plugin for Network Manager that helps you manage the client connection to a Cisco VPN.
10 reasons to consider upgrading to Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 2008 R2 offers numerous improvements that should make life easier for a lot of admins.
Tags: Server platforms, Microsoft Windows, File servers
Windows 7 data recovery from backup in a snap
Brad Bird outlines the steps he took when restoring data to his new Windows 7 system via a VHD image file.
Tags: Data backup, disaster recovery, Disaster recovery, Microsoft Windows
Is your network ready to handle videoconferencing?
If organizations do not have foresight to power their videoconferencing technology with a supportive network environment, investments and potential cost savings are at risk, says expert.
Windows BranchCache feature may help bandwidth management
Bandwidth management is one of the most venerable of IT challenges. A new feature may help this for some environments that move to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Tags: Microsoft Windows, Bandwidth
Configure Cisco routers to save core dumps
David Davis tells you what you need to know about saving core dump information from your Cisco router in the event of a router crash.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Routing/switching
Managing application installation and execution on the network
Derek Schauland offers some tips from an IT manager's perspective, how one can control what applications are on the network.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Infrastructure/architecture management
Essential lockdowns for Layer 2 switch security
Layer 2 of the network infrastructure is one of the most overlooked aspects of network security and reliability. An expert offers tips to sustain an ideal network.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Network security, Security Management
Rethink security zones
As IT professionals balance many responsibilities, they may omit certain fundamentals that are made easier in the current tech landscape through multiple layers of abstraction, virtualization and management. Rick Vanover suggests a rethink.
Tags: Security Management, Data security
Ease doc management tasks with FCI and SharePoint
Derek Schauland discusses the new File Classification Infrastructure feature in Windows Server 2008 R2 and how it can ease document management when used in conjunction with SharePoint document libraries.
Tags: Content management, File servers, Microsoft Windows
Wipe data from Cisco routers and switches before retiring them
As your organization's network continues to grow, you may need to deploy new ones. But what do you do with the old devices?
Tags: Routing/switching, Network administration/implementation, Switch
Keep user data recoverable with folder redirection
Find out the benefits of using folder redirection instead of roaming profiles in Windows, to give users fast and reliable access to their data no matter where they are.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Data Management
Improve authentication process for remote sites
Derek Schauland walks users through a couple of ways to improve authentication for remote locations via WAN links.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Authentication and encryption
Understand the pros and cons of Cisco ASA Multiple Contexts
Lori Hyde explains the circumstances in which you would and wouldn't want to use multiple security contexts, or Multiple Context Mode, in the Cisco ASA.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Firewalls, VPNs
Export DNS zones to a text file
Managing DNS zones is easy enough until something goes wrong. In this article, learn a way to make DNS zone data more accessible in lieu of a restore.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Server platforms, Web servers
Customize the SSL portal for remote users
Lori Hyde explains how to customize the SSL portal for remote users with customizations configured via the Adaptive Security Device Manager interface in the Cisco ASA.
Tags: Remote management, Network administration/implementation
Use sequence numbers for easy ACL modifications
Access Control Lists--love them or hate them, but we all use them. In fact, the use of ACLs is growing as their capabilities expand. So how can we easily manage them?
Tags: Network administration/implementation
Monitor your outbound DNS connections
Consider monitoring or filtering outbound DNS connections to better protect your network against certain phishing attacks and a new breed of Trojans that masquerades as DHCP servers.
Tags: Network security, Security Management, Network administration/implementation
Easy packet captures straight from the Cisco ASA firewall
Lori Hyde tells you how to capture packets directly from the Cisco ASA without using a separate packet-sniffing utility.
Tags: Firewalls, LANs and WANs
Windows-based network quality of service primer
Managing network QoS can be difficult for networks where limited IT staff and equipment is available. Here's one approach to QoS through Group Policy.
Tags: Microsoft Windows, Infrastructure/architecture management
Use access policies for non-employees
Providing access for non-employees is a challenge in many regards. Rick Vanover brings up some issues associated with this practice.
Tags: Network administration/implementation, Network security, Infrastructure/architecture management
