Techno: February 2012

In datacenters, data files and databases are stored in "Storage" ,in other words, a box of disks, with different technologies and topologies which are available in the market. Like SAN and NAS storages, these storages can link to your computer (server) through a SCSI , SATA or fiber connection.

The speed of the ports on the storage box , and FC (Fiberchannel) on the server, will affect how fast your data moves from the storage box to the server and vice versa. This also affect other things like connectivity with remote sites, backups, and so on.

A year ago, speeds are 2,4,8 Gbps, 2Gbps is almost obsolete, and the most used and purchased in the local market has been the 4 Gbps, the 8Gbps has been an expensive luxury that we don't need.

Brocade is a network solution company, which is not well known in the local market, its presence is almost zero in the Libyan market, Now Brocade beats Cisco with it's 16 Gbps FC, double the speed.

This will not affect Cisco presence in Libya in the mean time, by the time we start needing the 16Gbps, Cisco would have its products with that level. unless Brocade fights to have a presence.

Friday, February 10, 2012

custom-made Server Solutions, Is it a need in the Libyan Market?

I've been browsing here and there and ran into the ZT company, it's an american company that provides custom made servers, Like the way we collect parts into a working desktop.

Most of the times I've been to a customer datacenter, the server is not fully utilized, especially the virtualization concept has just began to have an existence in our datacenters, I can't blame the engineer or presale who chose the model and specifications, because I've been in their shoes before, when building a BOM (Bill of Material) I find myself stuck between two models, RAM levels, or different number of PCI slots...etc. First choice is below minimum requirement, and the second is away above required.

SO, I tend to the custom server idea, BUT the Libyan market is not ready for such an idea, we look for the brands we're familiar with, and the rule of purchasing is "I won't be the first one to try it"

A wisdom

Budgets are like toilet paper, the more you have the more you use. The less you have, the more creative you become!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A free IT Help desk Ticketing software

Spiceworks is a free network management tool, and as per all the reviews I've read, it works for a company network that contains any number of servers, desktops, printers, and various networking devices.

All the engineers who've used it in their environment or a customer's, they encourage to try it, If you're looking for one, maybe you should.

Cisco with the new MIMO, increasing performance Access Point

Cisco Systems developed its latest enterprise access point with corporate bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies in mind, aiming to give tablets and smartphones as well as traditional workplace devices strong and consistent performance.

Cisco Aironet 3600 Series Access Point Data Sheet

Friday, February 3, 2012

5 hot specialties for software developers, as per Neil McAllister

1. Cross-platform mobile developer
2. Mainframe/cloud integration specialist
3. Cloud migration engineer
4. RIA (rich Internet applications) portability specialist
5. Parallel computing architect

These may be the hot specialities world wide, but in Libyan market it's not the time for it yet, some of them might be in need after five years , I think.