March 2015
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Greetings! Enjoy another issue of NetEqualizer News! This month, we announce the NE5000 (our Next Generation NetEqualizer solution), highlight our recent 8.2 Release (DDoS Monitoring and IPv6 Shaping), preview our upcoming 8.3 Release (Expanded RTR), and update you on NetEqualizer Tech Seminars and conferences. As always, feel free to pass this along to others who might be interested in NetEqualizer News. |
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A message from Art…
Art Reisman, CTO – APconnections
As we move closer to spring, I am ready for a thaw. We also continue to grow our next release (8.3), in which we are building out additional reporting (RTR) capabilities. Our goal is to have all of the new features released by late spring. And finally, our 8.2 DDoS Monitor, Firewall, and IPv6 equalizing release is now Generally Available. We love it when we hear back from you – so if you have a story you would like to share with us of how we have helped you, let us know. Email me directly at art@apconnections.net. I would love to hear from you! |
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Announcing the Next Generation NetEqualizer! The NE5000 is Now Available The next generation NetEqualizer is here! Introducing the NE5000 – our top-of-the-line powerhouse solution for larger organizations.
The NE5000 comes standard with bi-directional 10 Gbps fiber (40 Gbps fiber optional), and it can shape bandwidth for up to 50,000 concurrent users. There are also a few exciting additions to the NE5000 not seen in previous models. • First, we included built-in redundancy so that the device fails open. Take a look at our price list for pricing information, or contact us if you have questions!
8.2 Release is Now Generally Available! Our 8.2 Release is now generally available! This release includes two primary new features: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Monitoring We are hearing that many of our customers need help with the onslaught of DDoS attacks on their networks. As the NetEqualizer is implemented near the network perimeter, and has visibility to all incoming and outgoing traffic, we are able to analyze traffic behavior and report on suspected DDoS attacks. Once identified as suspected DDoS, the NetEqualizer can then be used to block further traffic as needed. IPv6 Bandwidth Shaping For several years we have provided visibility to IPv6 traffic flowing through the NetEqualizer, to give you a view into how much IPv6 is on your network. We now feel that IPv6 has gained enough momentum to be a noticeable percentage on our customers’ networks. Therefore, as of 8.2 we are offering equalizing for IPv6 traffic. This will ensure that your full network gets the benefit of improved QoS during peak periods, for both IPv4 and IPv6 traffic. — The 8.2 update is simple and easy to install. We recommend upgrading as soon as possible in order to be properly prepared should a DDoS attack happen to you. You can read more about these features in our release notes here. Our User Guide has also been updated with more information about how these features work. These features are free to customers with valid NetEqualizer Software and Support who are running version 8.0+. If you are not current with NSS, contact us today!
Update on 2015 Tech Seminars and Conferences Throughout 2015, we’ll be using our Newsletter to update you on Tech Seminars that NetEqualizer is hosting, as well as conferences we’ll be attending. Stay tuned! Here is what we currently have planned for the near future: NetEqualizer Tech Seminar We are currently exploring sites for a Tech Seminar in the UK during the summer or fall 2015. As of this newsletter, nothing is edACCESS Conference edACCESS provides support and networking for information technology staff at secondary schools and small colleges. Most members come from schools with under 1,000 students. We will be joining in the edACCESS conference at Mercersburg Academy on June 24, 2015 for Vendor Day! Feel free to stop by and pick up some NetEqualizer bling! — If you have questions on either the NetEqualizer Tech Seminar or the edACCESS conference, contact us!
8.3 Release (Expanded RTR) Arriving in Late Spring Over the last few months we’ve continued to invest heavily in expanding our Real-Time Reporting (RTR) to make it even more robust. In late spring of this year, our 8.3 Release will be generally available. The 8.3 Release includes many features our customers have asked for in the past to help improve their reporting experience. Here are just a few of the exciting new features: Real-Time Pool and VLAN Dashboard The current version of RTR has a real-time dashboard which shows current bandwidth usage. In Release 8.3, however, we’ve enhanced the dashboard to include both real-time pool and real-time VLAN bar graphs showing current usage. You can also easily see when your pools and/or VLANs are Equalizing.
Summary IP Reports One of the most popular features in ntop, our previous reports offering, was the Summary Hosts Report, which highlighted how much bandwidth a particular IP address had used over a certain time period. In Release 8.3, we’ve added our own summary IP reports into RTR! Summary IP Reports is even better, as it will enable you to run custom database queries against all of the stored historical data to find exactly what you need. We will also include a handful of sample summary reports for common queries.
Historical Penalty Graphs In Release 8.3, you’ll be able to see how the NetEqualizer has penalized traffic over time. RTR will now include graphs for tracking how many penalties are being enforced each minute. We’ll then store the data for up to four weeks. And, just like our other graphs, you’ll be able to export the data for retention if you so choose. This has been one of our most commonly requested features, and now it’s here!
— Once 8.3 reaches GA, these features will be free to customers with valid NetEqualizer Software and Support who are running version 8.0+ If you are not current with NSS, contact us today!
10 Things to Consider when Choosing a Bandwidth Shaper
By Art Reisman – CTO – APconnections This article is intended as an objective guide for anyone trying to narrow down their options in the bandwidth controller market. Organizations today have a plethora of product options to choose from. To further complicate your choices, not only are there specialized bandwidth controllers, you’ll also find that most Firewall and Router products today contain some form of bandwidth shaping and QoS features. What follows is an all-encompassing list of questions that will help you to quickly organize your priorities with regards to choosing a bandwidth shaper. 1) What is the Cost of Increasing your Bandwidth? Although this question may be a bit obvious, it must be asked. We assume that anybody in the market for a bandwidth controller also has the option of increasing their bandwidth. The costs of purchasing and operating a bandwidth controller should ultimately be compared with the cost of increasing bandwidth on your network. 2) How much Savings should you expect from your Bandwidth Controller? A good bandwidth controller in many situations can increase your carrying capacity by up to 50 percent. However, beware, some technologies designed to optimize your network can create labor overhead in maintenance hours. Labor costs with some solutions can far exceed the cost of adding bandwidth…
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finalized. If you would like to host a tech seminar, we are also open to visiting a domestic site here in the U.S. or Canada, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Photo Of The Month
 Snowshoeing in Snowy Colorado
The snow this year broke records all over the U.S.! February was the snowiest February on record for Colorado. This is a picture of Boulder County Open Space, which is like a park, as everyone can use it for recreation. It is shared by a farmer to graze cows in the spring & summer. Here, one of our staff takes advantage of a snowy day to snowshoe.
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April 8, 2015 at 11:20 AM
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