off-the-shelf,p18 ‘poor networkers’ undermine government’s … · 2014. 1. 13. · dtn-x...

by Ian Grant

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Here be monstersThe dangers lurkingin the cloud.PLUS: Metropolitanarea networksFeatures, pp10-17!

Government CIOs are investing in thewrong things, potentially undermining thegovernment�’s Digital by Default strategy,according to a new study by Easynet.

Alan Fogden, head of managed cloudinfrastructure for the operator�’s globalServices public sector division, says thefigures gave a �“loud and clear message�” togovernment on where to invest.

�“There�’s no point in encouraging publicsector organisations to create more andmore citizen cloud services unless theunderlying infrastructure is going to workwell,�” he said. �“If citizens can�’t accessservices because the network is performingslowly, they�’re going to give up and goback to paper-based communications,which totally defeats the object.�”

Fogden�’s comments are based on

responses from more than 140 public sectorofficials interviewed for Easynet�’sKillerApps 2013 study. Researchers foundthat just 44 per cent of public sectororganisations knew how much bandwidtheach of their applications consumes. This isbelow the cross-industry average of 60 percent where financial services andmanufacturing reach over 70 per cent.

Almost 80 per cent of public sector ITprofessionals reported that their data traffichad grown annually by at least 10 per cent,with a quarter seeing growth above 20 percent. But only 37 per cent were increasingtheir network budgets, while 46 per centwere holding them steady and 13 per centwere cutting them.

The survey shows that 28 per cent ofpublic sector users regularly max out their

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In August, Infinera and DANTE (Deliveryof Advanced Network Technology toEurope) achieved a Guinness WorldRecord for the fastest rate of provisioningmulti-terabit optical capacity acrossGÉANT, the pan-European research andeducation network.

The record was set using Infinera�’sDTN-X packet optical transport networkingplatform. This was deployed on theGÉANT backbone across a long-distancelink from the Vancis data centre inAmsterdam to GlobalConnect in Hamburg.

Infinera says its platform provides trans-mission capacity using 500Gbps super-channel line cards which require only twofibre connectors each. Sixteen such cardsand 32 fibre connections were deployed ateach end of the link, and once the super-channels were in operation a 100GbEservice was provisioned over the link. Thefirm says that the total time from the

insertion of the first super-channel line cardto the activation of the 100GbE service was19 minutes and one second. It resulted in aprovisioning rate of 26.02Tbps per hour �–enough capacity to simultaneously stream1.6 million HD movies in each direction.

According to Infinera, DTN-X convergesfive terabits of non-blocking OTN switchinginto the same platform, resulting in muchmore efficient network utilisation com-pared to conventional WDM architectures.It says that intelligent software combinedwith this converged platform automatesmanual operations to reduce operationalcosts and enable faster service delivery.

The firm adds that its platform deliversthe industry�’s only production ready longhaul 500Gbps FlexCoherent super-channels based on 500Gbps PhotonicIntegrated Circuits. These are engineeredto be upgradeable to one terabit super-channels in the future. "

Infinera and DANTE set a newnetwork speed record on GÉANT

‘Poor networkers’ undermineGovernment’s digital strategy

Off-the-shelf, p18!

F I X E D & W I R E L E S S N E T W O R K S F O R E N T E R P R I S E U S E R S

network. Three-quarters of public sectorrespondents said they had suffered network-based performance problems in the lastyear. Critical operational applications werehit in 35 per cent of cases, closely followedby unified communications.

Fogden claims public sector CIOs are notinvesting in �“the right places�” and thatthrowing more bandwidth at the problemisn�’t the answer. �“Organisations need tolook for the root cause and work out whichapplications are jamming things up.�”

Many local authorities have outsourcedtheir networks to third parties who arguablyhave little or no incentive to sell lessbandwidth. But Fogden believes that theoutsource suppliers are not to blame, andthat they could advise and guide if theywere treated as �“virtual partners�”.

�“CIOs are more likely to have a firmunderstanding of their network, identify thebottlenecks, the slow-running apps, thebadly timed backups, and network manage-ment is likely to be more efficient. That�’swhat it comes down to.�”

The Cabinet Office, which is in chargeof the Digital by Default strategy, andSocitm, the local authorities�’ ITconsultancy, did not response to ourrepeated requests for comment. "

Testing the networkIncreasingly complexnetworks mean testgear needs to besimple yet effective

Poor network management could shut thedoor on the government’s Digital by Defaultstrategy to deliver public services online.

Europe’s biggest DCState-of-the-art facility to run on software defined networkNews, p2!

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Portugal Telecom (PT) is hoping to becomea global player in the network and datahosting market with its new �€90m datacentre in Covilhã �– claimed to be the largestin Europe and the sixth largest in the world.

Due to open later this month, the 75,000square metre facility is built to state-of-theart specifications and is also the testbed for a series of practical experiments by PTand Japanese equipment maker NEC. Thetwo companies will look into the use ofOpenFlow to assess the limits of softwaredefined networking (SDN).

The site, built in the mountains north-eastof the Portuguese capital Lisbon, canaccommodate up to 56,000 servers, and 33petabytes of data with current technologies.It is connected to PT�’s 100Gbps optical

backbone, which supports FTTH coverageto more than 1.6 million Portuguese homes,LTE mobile coverage of 92 per cent of thepopulation, and backhaul for mobile traffic.

The centre uses free (adiabatic) cooling tocuts its energy consumption profile to 1.25PUE �– industry averages are around 2.5.The facility will also create 1,400 new jobs,

a boon for Portugal�’s economy which is oneof the hardest hit by the banking crisis.

PT CEO Zeinal Bava says half of hisfirm�’s domestic revenues are non-voice,which is pushing major changes in the B2Cand B2B markets, and driving networkvirtualisation. He adds that the future fortelcos lies in their response to marketdemand for an increase in the relevance andpredictability of services.

In April, PT and NEC agreed to jointlyevaluate network virtualisation based onSDN technology. The deal allows both totest and assess the commercial feasibilityand benefits of SDN implementation forcarrier data centres, and to identify the�“most beneficial�” SDN usage in PT�’stelecom infrastructure. !

Portugal Telecom’s state-of-the-art facilityin Covilhã is Europe’s biggest data centre to date.

news

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Consortium awarded £800,000 todevelop ‘Internet of School Things’The Distance consortium has beenawarded £800,000 by the TechnologyStrategy Board to develop the �‘Internet ofThings�’ (IoT) for schools.

Led by industry and academic experts,the consortium�’s aim is to have students andteachers measure and share data �– usingnew technology on the IoT �– in ways thathelp make learning fun, link directly to thecurriculum, and ultimately inform thedesign of the next generation of schools.

Distance will initially work with at leasteight schools to define how the IoT canenhance learning in science and othersubjects such as technology and geography.

It will create an information hub in thecloud using Cloud Services from LogMeInsubsidiary Xively. This open platform issaid to be �“massively scalable�” and

purpose-built for the IoT. It will enable theconsortium to identify the mix of incentivesrequired to encourage educators, studentsand businesses to share certain types of dataopenly for the first time.

Distance says the key innovation is theprovision of a platform and service layer toconnect schools with third-party service andapplication providers. These firms can then supply internet-enabled measurementequipment and interpretation software.

The consortium began work with theschools on a pilot design at the end of the2013 summer term. Following the trials,and as the project moves into its secondyear, it expects to develop comprehensiveresources using the IoT that can be used inschools across the UK. !

Connecting the campus �– p9.

Bucks council shares IT and uses profits to cut taxpayers’ costs

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Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) istaking its networked IT capabilities tomarket via its new public sector network(PSN) which is supplied and run byintegration specialist Updata Infrastructure.

In September 2012, BCC awardedUpdata a four-year framework contract tomove services �– including WAN, LAN,security and school services �– to the newBucks PSN. It will cut costs by makingthese available to neighbouring users suchas district councils in Aylesbury Vale,Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe, aswell as Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue

Service and more than 200 schools. It�’sclaimed the economies of scale will save thelocal authorities linked into the PSN anestimated £12m over the next decade. BCCis now determined to make the networkeven more profitable by sharing it acrossmore local authorities and schools.

�“We are trying to be entrepreneurial onbehalf of our public to reduce the cost ofservices that we as a council must provide,�”says BCC CIO Caroline Cooper. �“If otherpublic bodies join us, they further amortisethe costs of the network and they also makemoney because they don�’t have to pay

procurement charges �– so it�’s a win-winsituation. I believe we could save more thana million pounds over the next few years.�”

Cooper is looking beyond secure andreliable bandwidth. �“If we can persuadeauthorities to share the PSN, then we may

also be able sell other services to them aswell, such as IT support, HR, legal andprocurement,�” she says.

BCC�’s IT staff are now promoting a newcontracts management system after thecouncil did a deal with the softwaredevelopers to take a share of sell-on profits.

Finance head Peter Hardy adds that theteam cannot rest on their laurels: �“Councilshave to find new ways to raise and savemoney in this very difficult climate. That�’swhy our staff have been tasked to go outand present its benefits to otherorganisations at every opportunity.�” !

Middlesbrough Council has appointedAmor Group to provide support for its�‘Change Programme�’ ICT strategy whichaims to deliver £75m of savings over afive year period.

Amor says it is currently conducting a�“comprehensive�” options appraisal andbusiness requirements assessment whichwill enable Middlesbrough Council toensure its applications are being managedeffectively. The firm will also createarchitecture to manage future developmentsand additions to the local authority�’s ICTapplication portfolio.

Amor says all this will lead to new,consolidated and integrated data, as well astechnologies that exploit developments inICT relevant to the public sector. It adds thatthis will ultimately benefit local citizens.

�“In the face of unprecedented fundingcuts, the council is seeking to transformitself to a much more efficientorganisation, with services built aroundresident and community needs,�” says SteveFletcher, corporate programme manager atMiddlesbrough Council.

The council has earmarked savings tocome through the delivery of coreapplications which includes a channel shiftto providing services online.

�“Procuring Amor to undertake anapplications review is one of the first stepsin a significant ICT programme which willsee the council optimise technology acrossits services, becoming digital by default,�”says Fletcher.

Amor�’s support programme began in Mayand will run through until March 2014. !

Amor to help MiddlesbroughCouncil reduce its ICT bill

CIO Caroline Coopersays Bucks CountyCouncil is trying to be“entrepreneurial” onbehalf of its citizens.

PT opens Europedatlargest DC; runs on SDNEurope’s largest data centre runs on SDN

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802 Event WiFi has teamed-up withChinese telecoms giant Huawei to deploywhat�’s claimed to be one of football�’s firstfully converged, stadium-wide Wi-Finetworks. The Lanarkshire-based firm hasnot disclosed the exact value of the deal,but says it negotiated a �“seven-figureinvestment�” with Huawei.

802 Event aims to give more than50,000 Rangers�’ fans seated at the IbroxStadium full and instant access to content-rich media, such as post-match analytics,and allow them to participate in real-timeinteractions with the club. It reckons thenew setup will �“remove at a stroke�” theconnectivity problems of using 3G cellularnetworks in high-density areas.

Felix Gibson, 802 Event�’s chiefexecutive, says Wi-Fi will also be availablein the stadium�’s concourse, approach ways,restaurants and corporate areas. Heexplains that the network uses 802.11n dualradios with directional antennae.

�“Both internal and external access points[APs] will be deployed and will extendbeyond the immediate stadium perimeter.This is an end-to-end Huawei solution.

There are 280 APs with chassis-basedcontrollers, 48 switches, and an eSeriesnetwork management solution. We haveinstalled a dual fibre ring around thestadium with Cat6 from switches to APs.�”

The deal represents Huawei�’s firstproject with a major football club inEurope. As part of the package, it will alsoconnect its 160,000 worldwide employeesto Rangers, bringing the club to a wideraudience via the company�’s operations inAsia and China.

Earlier this year,Manchester City claimedto have become the firstPremier League club tooffer high density Wi-Fifor fans at its stadium. Its deploymentuses a systemfrom Cisco/O2(News, May). !

Networking+ is currently working ondeveloping a new website and we needyour help. Whether you’re a reader, an ITprofessional, or represent a firm ororganisation involved in the business andtechnology of voice and data networksfor enterprise, we want to hear from you.

Our aim is to create a website thatsupports and augments the existingmagazine (not replace it). Users will beable to access breaking news stories,product reviews, industry white papers,case studies, training courses, ourexclusive features archive, and muchmore. But what do you think?

So here’s where you come in. We’d liketo know which websites you currentlyuse to get online IT industry information.Which ones do you use regularly and

why? Tell us about the sites you rate (aswell as the ones you slate), and what youthink is missing out there.

For example, which sites do you visitwhen searching for jobs in IT networking?How do you find out about the latestproducts for building LANs and WANs?Have you ever found all the industryinformation you needed on a single sitethat you trust and respect?

Ultimately, we hope to build a websitefor Networking+ that becomes the ‘one-stop shop’ for all things networking –and we can’t achieve that without yourhelp. So please feel free to send me yourthoughts, in complete confidence, via theemail address below. We look forward tohearing from you soon.

[email protected]

ON THE NETWORKRahiel Nasir, editorial director

Help us create the ultimate websitefor all networking professionals

802 Event teams up with Huaweifor stadium-wide Wi-Fi at Ibrox

Through a contract awarded to the ScienceApplications International Corporation(SAIC), Polycom has become the videocollaboration platform of choice for NATO.

SAIC is installing the vendor�’sRealPresence system in all major NATOlocations throughout Europe and NorthAmerica. Polycom says its platform notonly complies with NATO�’s strict securityrequirements, but also with the need tocommunicate with a wide variety of legacysystems from multiple vendors, includingMicrosoft Lync which is used widelythroughout the organisation.

Network managers can use the sameRealPresence server to accommodateboth the highly secure NATO Secret

classification for confidential comms, andNATO Unclassified for less sensitivemeetings. Using Polycom�’s firewalltraversal solutions, they can enable desktopor mobile video users to join meetingswithout putting NATO�’s network at risk.

A scheduling application built withmyVRM, a Polycom/SAIC technologypartner, allows authorised users toschedule video meetings based on thesecurity classification of the rooms andendpoints available at a given time.

Polycom adds that RealPresence�’sinteroperability with Microsoft makes iteasy for Lync users to launch or join avideo meeting, and upgrade on the flyfrom a voice to a video call. !

NATO deploys new comms force

The world�’s first purpose-built network totest software defined networking (SDN)standards under real-world internationalcarrier operating conditions is being built.

Canadian advanced communicationsresearcher Canarie, US-based academicnetwork operator Internet2, and StarLight,which links internal research and educationnetworks, are building the WAN.

They will use Ciena�’s OPn networkapproach to create the industry�’s first fullyoperational end-to-end WAN that leveragesOpenFlow across both the packet andtransport layers. It uses all the key packet,optical and software building blocksrequired to demonstrate the benefits ofsoftware-defined, multi-layer WANs.

The network will build on Canarie�’swork on 100Gbps carrier networks. Itwill run Ciena�’s open architecturecarrier-scale controller, 4Tbps core

switches and intrinsic multi-layeroperation. It also incorporates real-timeanalytics software applications.

The network currently spans 2,500kmand is expected to grow in 2014. In what�’sclaimed to be another industry first, it cancross-connect data flows from CienaR&D labs to almost any national researchnetwork in the world.

Elsewhere, carrier networks are workingon a related technology, network functionvirtualisation (NFV), to allow them to scalebackbone networks under software control.This new network platform will speed upSDN development for carriers and enableCiena and its partners to refine practicalways to adopt and benefit from SDN.

Software defined networking is seen ascrucial to virtualising network operations,but this is the first test of the technologiesin a WAN environment. !

First fully operationalWAN to use OpenFlowfrom end-to-end

EDITORIAL:

Editorial director: Rahiel [email protected]

Deputy editor: Ian Grant [email protected]

Designer: Alan McClenaghan [email protected]

Contributor: James Walker

ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION:

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Production: Suzanne [email protected]

Publishing director: Kathy [email protected]

is published monthly by:Kadium Limited, Brassey House, NewZealand Avenue, Walton-on-Thames,Surrey, KTI2 IQD, United Kingdom.Tel: +44 (0) 1932 886 537Fax: +44 (0) 1932 886 539Annual subscription: £80 (UK); £95(Europe), £100 (USA and the rest of theworld) airmail. Cost per single copy is£8.25.Printed in England by Williams Press.© 2013. All rights reserved.

The contents of the magazine may not bereproduced in part or whole, or stored inelectronic form, without the prior writtenconsent of the publishers. The viewsexpressed in this magazine are notnecessarily those shared by the editor orthe publishers.

ABC audited circulation:19,6791 Jul 2011 – 30 Jun 2012

802 Event WiFiCEO Felix Gibson:“Game changingtechnology”.

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Macmillan Cancer Support and TalkTalkBusiness are keeping their network trafficflowing with the KEMP�’s load balancers.

Macmillan has an IT infrastructure thatincludes more than 400 servers spreadacross its main office in London and at sitesin Andover, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Redditchand Shipley. Most of them are runningVMware ESXi 5.

In July, it installed two LM-2600LoadMasters to increase IT performanceand ensure high availability of its newMicrosoft Exchange 2010 email servers.KEMP says the appliances ensure �“a fastresponse and maximum network uptime�”for 1,500+ Exchange users while removingcongestion problems during peak times.

Staff are automatically connected to thebest performing Exchange server, and if onebecomes slow or inaccessible, the LM-2600sautomatically re-route traffic and reconnectusers to others that are functioning well.

Systems support manager James Byrne saysthat as well as being certified specifically forload balancing MS Exchange 2010, theappliances also offer an all-in-one solutionwith features such as SSL acceleration. Thisallows Macmillan to offload encryptionprocessing from its servers.

�“The KEMP appliances were very easyto install straight out of the box, and werepractically configured for us upon arrival,with just an IP address change and HAsetup required,�” he adds.

In a separate deployment, TalkTalkBusiness will use a LoadMaster to ensurehigh performance and availability of itsunified communications systems. The

balancer will enable it to share trafficacross Microsoft Lync servers and, as withthe Macmillan deployment, it willautomatically re-route and reconnect usersto other servers when necessary.

�“Integrating business-critical voice anddata communications services means thatperformance and availability can�’t becompromised,�” says Leigh Bradford,KEMP�’s UK and Ireland sales manager.�“And as Lync has to support real-time VoIP traffic, it is vital that any jitter orlatency is minimised. That is why hardwareload balancing is now recommended byMicrosoft as an important element inenterprise Lync deployments.�” !

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4nn ee tt ww oo rr kk ii nngg september 2013

C4L deploys MPLSConnections for London (C4L) has deployed ahigh-speed MPLS/VPLS Ethernet networkacross all its data centres in London andManchester. The firm says it will now be ableto introduce products and services to marketmuch faster, potentially reducing network anddata centre installations from a month to aday. All its connected sites will benefit fromdiverse fibre optic connectivity and DWDMtechnology deployed over a private dark fibrenetwork. C4L adds that it expects to provide100Gbps connections in the “near future”. !

Superfast schoolsMetronet (UK) has teamed-up with OneEducation to roll out superfast connectivity tomore than 100 schools in Manchester andbeyond. Since forming the partnership, thecompany says it has successfully delivered to30 primary schools and several high schoolsusing its hybrid network which combines best of breed wired and wireless technologies. OneEducation works directly with schools, providingadvice, learning structures and IT support. !

Unravelling NHScable complicationsSudlows has won a tender to join the North of England NHS Commercial ProcurementCollaborative framework for the provision ofcabling. Under the two-year framework, whichgives NHS organisations a simple and directprocurement channel, Sudlows will design,install and maintain data cabling infra-structures for over 35 NHS organisationsacross England. They include foundationtrusts, clinical commissioning groups, carepartnerships and ambulance services.!

Three more yearsUnilever, the firm that put BT into theoutsourcing business, has extended itsrelationship with the telco for a further threeyears. This is its third extension. The originalcontract signed in November 2002 becamethe foundation of BT’s £1.9bn Global Servicesdivision. BT’s managed services arm runs afully integrated network that provides voice,data, video and mobility services to Unilever’s173,000 employees in nearly 100 countries.“We are becoming a more agile business andintroducing more sustainable ways of workingfor our employees, customers and suppliers,”says Paulo De Sa, Unilever’s vice president forinfrastructure services. !

Working with Cisco and Logicalis,Lancaster University has deployed newcommunications infrastructure whichincludes a core telephony system, and aCisco unified communications platformconsisting of voicemail, unified messaging,and web-based video conferencing.

The university�’s previous telephonyinfrastructure consisted of three separatesystems but had become increasinglydifficult to manage. In addition, the aginghardware wasn�’t providing the �‘always-

on�’ communication it needed to operate asa world-class institution.

Ian Anderson, the university�’snetworking group leader, says: �“The CiscoJabber application will be available to allstaff and postgraduate students as a softclient on smart devices, to enable roundthe clock instant messaging and presenceas well as voice and video telephony fromanywhere, on any device.�”

Moving forward, he says IM will replaceemail to become the norm for quick

questions, thus reducing inbox overload.He adds that video and desktop sharingwill also reduce the need for travel.

The university is in the process ofphasing-in the solution for its 16,000students and 2,500 staff in more than 120countries worldwide.

�“We�’re fairly early on the road to UCnirvana at Lancaster, but believe that bytaking the time to get the building blocksright, the benefits will follow smoothly,�”Anderson concludes. !

KEMP says its LoadMaster 2600 can be used toautomatically re-route and reconnect users to other servers when necessary.

Lancaster University is “on the road to UC nirvana”

KEMP deals with the traffic loads for Macmillanand TalkTalk Business

Oxford Brookes University (OBU) will useMatrix42�’s Workplace Management suitefor mobile device management (MDM), aswell as for full software licencecompliance and audit requirements.

According to the vendor, its suite can behosted in the cloud and thereforeeliminates reliance on in-house data centreresources, enabling users to benefit fromrapid deployment timescales.

The platform will allow OBU to managea mixed estate of Apple Macs with supportfor PCs available if required. �“With onemillion software fingerprints and 330,000

SKUs, it will enable us to automate licencecompliance whilst meeting auditrequirements,�” says Gareth Brown, head ofcustomer services at OBU InformationSolutions. �“Each of the WorkplaceManagement solutions are future-proofedand we can connect them to any existing orfuture third-party systems that we use.�”

For example, he explains that integratingMDM with the suite�’s ServiceNowcomponent will allow OBU�’s service deskteam to automate repetitive tasks such asdevice enrolment. �“[This] will free up ourIT resources to spend time on more value-

added activity. We will also ensure that weare fully compliant with our IT assetmanagement obligations with the SoftwareLicense Compliance module.�” !

MDM automates tasks for OBU

OBU will use Matrix42’s Workplace Management.

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US cloud providers could lose upwards of£20bn in future business following therevelations about the National SecurityAgency�’s PRISM data collection system(see News, June 2013).

According to an InformationTechnology and Innovation Foundationsurvey, 10 per cent of companies fromoutside America have cancelled projectswith US-based cloud providers. 36 percent of US cloud providers admit thatPRISM has made it �‘more difficult�’ forthem to find business outside the US.

As a result, survey author Daniel Castroconcludes that it seems reasonable toassume these cloud providers would lose10 or 20 per cent of their overseas businessto companies based outside America.

By 2016 it is estimated that 50 per centof cloud business will be operating fromoutside the US and that the total globalcloud market will be worth $207bn.

Scott Fletcher, founder and chairman ofUK cloud infrastructure specialist ANSGroup, claims UK firms were already waryabout putting data into the US because thePatriot Act strengthens the White House�’spowers to gather intelligence.

He says the PRISM revelations mean hiscustomers are now even more keen to haveall their services based in the UK, ratherthan on Google or Amazon cloudplatforms. �“People talk to us and want their own private cloud service, becausethey know we don�’t have that sort ofrelationship with the government.�” !

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Avaya uses OpenStack systemfor rapid service orchestrationAvaya claims its Software-Defined DataCentre (SDDC) framework will breakdown traditional data centre silos thatrequire weeks or months to turn up anapplication and replace it with a simplefive-step process that takes minutes.

It says SDDC includes an orchestrationprocess that combines, customises andcommissions compute, storage andnetwork components. Avaya says use of theOpenStack cloud computing platform willallow data centre administrators to deployVMs, assign storage, and configurenetworks all via a single GUI.

The framework is based on a variety ofcomponents. These include: Avaya FabricConnect technology as the virtualbackbone to interconnect resource poolswithin and between DCs; Avaya�’s Horizon-based OpenStack Management Platform;and open APIs into the Fabric Connectarchitecture for ease of integration, andinteroperability with other software defined

networking (SDN) architectures. Avayareckons Fabric Connect further enhancesthe OpenStack environment by removingrestrictions in traditional EthernetVLAN/Spanning Tree-based networks toenable a �“more dynamic, flexible andscalable�” network services model.

The Horizon-based ManagementPlatform and open APIs are expected tobecome available next year. Avaya saysfuture initiatives include the extension ofFabric Connect and orchestration to deliverend-to-end service creation and deliveryfrom data centre to desktop.

Marc Randall, SVP and GM for AvayaNetworking, believs that SDDC showshow enterprises can immediately realisethe operational benefits of real-timeorchestration and automation. �“Whilesome remain hung-up on definitions ofSDN and what it might deliver in thefuture, Avaya is delivering tangiblebusiness benefits today,�” he claims. !

PRISM could cost UScloud providers billions

ANS Group chairmanScott Fletcher says hiscustomers don’t wantUS clouds.

Boston Marks Insurance Brokers (BMIB)is migrating to the cloud with the help ofOncore IT. Under the agreement, Oncorewill provide virtual server and applicationhosting, desktop support, online backupand disaster recovery, plus round the clockmonitoring. It will also supply BMIB withSSL VPN remote access technology and100Mb leased line connectivity.

BMIB provides a range of insuranceservices to the aviation sector and is the UKarm of New Zealand-based Boston MarksGroup. It will move its key servers toOncore�’s London data centre with theentire infrastructure managed on avirtualised enterprise-class platform. Thevirtualised servers will run business criticalapplications such as Microsoft Office, SunAccounts, Ceridian, and an insurancebroker system from GPM Development.

Ralph Bull, BMIB�’s COO, says: �“Totallyshifting to the cloud solves a number ofonsite server load balancing managementissues we were having. We anticipateperformance will increase with downtimeguaranteed to be one per cent or less.�” !

Aviation insurance brokertakes off into the cloud

Let’s face it: ‘the cloud’ risks becomingthe victim of its own success. Cloudservices have become immensely popularfar faster than was predicted, and when itcomes down to provisioning cloudresources a gap is growing betweenleading providers and the rest of theindustry. Meanwhile, users are becomingmore demanding and are beginning toexpect greater levels of service.

Four years ago, Tata Communicationsmigrated its Ethernet over SDH services tonative Ethernet over PBB, and from dayone it proved highly popular with its datacentre customers – they loved Ethernet’ssimplicity and scalability, and wantedmore. But then, user demand drove theirnetworks to become larger and moresophisticated so rapidly that manyunexpected challenges began to appear.

The CloudEthernet Forum (CEF) was setup to find solutions to these problems aswell as to anticipate others that are onlyjust beginning to emerge. These challengesare being faced right across the industryand no one company can be expected tosolve such fast evolving issues.Collectivelyhowever, we can bring about changes thatwill help all our customers.

Among the initial issues that needresolving as a matter of urgency, the CEF has identified:

! Scalability of Ethernet to supportmillions of VLANs in a way thatmaximises the transparency ofdeployment, and minimises theconfiguration required for setup and operation

! End to end provisioning that is agnosticto the specific devices and technologiesacross the network, and requiringminimal or no human intervention for rapid deployment of services

! Deterministic traffic behaviour andperformance to meet specified SLAs orlegal/regulatory requirements – e.g. forkeeping data within national boundaries

Globalised cloud services are powered bygrowing numbers of VMs and storagedevices which need to be located andnetworked to optimise localisedperformance and cost effectivenesswhile meeting regulatory requirements.

By developing recommended standardimplementations of existing technologies,the CEF will be able to collectivelyaddress these problems. It will enablethe creation of highly scalable andadaptable cloud service infrastructures,optimised for performance, costeffectiveness and regulatory compliance– for all our customers.James Walker is also VP of managednetwork services at Tata Communications.

VIEW FROM THE TOPJames Walker, president, Cloud Ethernet Forum

Working together is the only wayto address real business concerns

Location played a key part in BMIB’s decision –Oncore IT’s network operations centre in London(pictured) and engineers were close by, so onsiteserver support could be provided quickly.

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Safe and secure backupsFounded in 2008, EasiPC Services�’ aimis to provide a flexible and cost-effectiveICT technician service to schools acrossNorthamptonshire. It currently supportsjust under 100 schools with an onsitepackage that includes technicians whoprovide ongoing maintenance.

Because of its responsibility ofprotecting vital data, it was essential forEasiPC to offer a secure and reliablebackup solution. The firm found that themajority of its schools already hadexisting tape and disk backup solutions inplace. However, due to the time andlabour intensive nature of such systems, alot of them were failing to perform criticalbackup related tasks such as swappingtapes or ensuring they were taken offsite.

�“The backups simply weren�’t happeningbecause it was left to the schools toimplement them �– the process of placingdata on removable disks and transportingthem was a major barrier,�” says EasiPCdirector Jezz Botterill. �“This was causingus, as well as the schools, significantheadaches when data went missing.�”

Botterill says his company also had tocontend with the dated hardware andsoftware that most of the schools used,much of which offered little (if any)encryption. �“Of those that were backingup data and transporting offsite, most werenot encrypting the data first �– presentingvarious security pitfalls and legal issues.�”

As a result, EasiPC has nowimplemented the Redstor Backup forSchools (RBUSS) Service in 20 of itsschools. This completely automates thebackup process and ensures informationis encrypted to the highest levels.

The firm can monitor the backups froma central location, and the system alsoenables restores to be performed at theclick of a button. As an example, Botterilldescribes one instance where a bursarmanaged to delete the entire admin areaon a school�’s server: �“[This] could havebeen a disaster with the old backupsystem. With RBUSS, we were able torestore all their data within six minutes.�”

He adds that the automated nature ofRBUSS has meant that his team spendsless time on sorting out bad or brokentapes and trying to restore data that mightnot have been backed up in the first place.

Cool and green super-computing at CardiffIn 2005, Cardiff University beganARCCA (Advanced ResearchComputing @ Cardiff) �– a project tocreate a high performance computingfacility. Codenamed Merlin, thesupercomputer cluster was designed tofacilitate the university�’s advancedresearch requirements, as well as

potentially the needs of third party users.Inorder to operate the infrastructure in linewith the university�’s overall commitmentto environmental sustainability, ARCCAspecified that the supporting data centreenvironment should take the fullestadvantage of available technologies tominimise energy consumption.

To meet these needs, the ARCCA teamchose Schneider Electric and its �‘ElitePartner�’ Comtec Enterprises, usingcomponents from APC�’s InfraStruXurearchitecture. Schneider says a keycomponent of InfraStruXure is its close-coupled cooling design principle whichlocates cooling equipment close to theheat source. This ensures that heatremoval is more efficient and predictable.

The data centre design coordinatespower, cooling, rack, protection,management and services within a densefootprint, using APC�’s standardised andmodular approach. It�’s claimed that theadvantages of APC technology include thequick deployment of additional cooling,allowing the data centre�’s physical layer toadapt to change and expansion. Greaterefficiency can therefore be achievedthrough �‘right-sizing�’ cooling to the ITload, says Schneider.

The firm says Cardiff�’s new facilityprovides �“scalability and total resilience�”by utilising APC Symmetra PX 160 UPSs,which can be continually right-sized totheir evolving uninterrupted powerrequirements. It adds that the intelligent,contained design �– which uses APC�’s hotaisle containment system and incorporatesin-row RCs served by chilled water �– iscapable of supporting high densityenvironments of around 20kW per cabinet.

The highly efficient cooling systemincludes Carbon Trust Energy TechnologyList compliant chillers situated outside thedata centre. These are configured toprovide chilled water �‘free cooling�’ whenthe outside ambient temperature issufficiently low. The use of sensors andmanagement software enables ARCCA toremain in full control over the computeenvironment, and to adapt to change andcapacity requirements rapidly.

Lightening the traffic loadfrom Newcastle to Asia Newcastle University has more than1,400 networked PCs and 24-hourcomputer clusters. Between its UK andcampuses in Malaysia and Singapore, theuniversity maintains around 1,000 serverswhich deliver productivity, virtuallearning and specialist applications.

In the past, the IT department had usedMicrosoft�’s ISA load balancing system toensure availability and enhance the faulttolerance of service delivery. However,the discontinuation of ISA meant that theuniversity needed an alternative solution.

Connecting the campusNetwork solutions for the education sector that are proving to be top of the class.

It was also planning to upgrade to a newversion of Exchange, and this potentiallyoffered further benefits to enhance ITperformance and support other initiatives.

The information systems and servicesteam at Newcastle University looked at anumber of solutions before opting forA10 Networks�’ Application DeliveryController (ADC). Infrastructure systemsspecialist David Clark says: �“[A10] tookthe time to run a proof of concept andunderstand both what we needed andwhere we are heading.�”

The university deployed two AX 2500ADCs in an active/passive failoverscenario. A10 says the deploymentoffered a �“seamless�” migration from theexisting Microsoft load balancingsolution to one that could also loadbalance non-HTTP protocols such asMessaging Application ProgrammingInterface traffic.

�“The implementation was smooth andwe were up and running within a fewweeks of selecting A10,�” says Clark. Headds that the installation also allowed amore robust platform for load balancingthe university�’s Blackboard virtuallearning environment.

With the core load balancingrequirement satisfied, Clark�’s teambegan to look at how the ADC�’sadditional features could be utilised toimprove application and service delivery.

As a result, the AX appliances are alsoused to deliver additional web-basedapplications for the university, includingits Citrix XenApp and SAP SupplierPortal. In addition, they provide SSLoffload to reduce the processingworkload on application servers. �“

�“We are also using the datacompression features, which has reducedthe bandwidth associated with certaintasks by around 50 per cent,�” says Clark.�“However, what we appreciate most isthat [the ADC] just sits there and doesthe job without requiring additionalmanagement; and during failover tests, ithas proven transparent to users.�”

Since deploying the AX 2500s, theuniversity has purchased A10�’s SoftAX �– a software-based ADC that it is using fortesting and development. Clark is nowconsidering deploying this software tothe Asian campuses in order to unify thedelivery platform under a commonmanagement and technology standard.

PHOTO: JOHN DONOGHUE

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C ities get big for a reason. Location,concentration of skills, money andother resources are fundamental and

ongoing needs. But what do city fathers dowhen they find their people, businesses andinvestment leaching away to the �‘BigSmoke�’? They make their own luck.

That�’s the basic premise for non-capitalcities to invest in fast networks withaffordable connectivity. But incumbentnetwork operators the world over arerefusing to play ball, forcing cities tocome up with their own plans (also seeBlackpool rocks MAN, below).

There are two aspects to metropolitanarea networks (MANs). First, is theprivately owned network that the city usesfor its internal business, and which it oftenextends to related public sector bodies suchas schools, police and health organisations.

For example, the Scottish government isin the final stages of negotiating with BTGlobal Services, Vodafone/Virgin Media,and Capita to supply and operate the£350m Scottish Wide Area Network (seeNews, Dec 2012). �“SWAN will deliver asingle public services network forintegrated service delivery, available foruse by any and potentially all public sectororganisations in Scotland,�” says a Scottishgovernment spokesman. The contract isexpected to be awarded in November, withthe first services going live in April 2014.

The second aspect to MANs is thenetworks that local businesses andresidents can access. Cities now regardthese as a competitive advantage overtheir peers around the world. Our story ismainly about these networks.

Ignoring enterpriseEuropean state aid rules prevent cities fromusing taxpayer money to fund publicaccess networks that compete with commer-cially available ones. This makes it hard(and so far impossible) for UK cities to

emulate Stockholm�’s Stokab, the city-owned network operator that sells darkfibre to Swedish service providers. Theavailability of fast, cheap connectivity inand around Stockholm has proved amagnet for high tech businesses. After atiny amount of seed capital, Stokab hasboosted the regional economy by somekr15bn (£1.5bn) in a decade, according toCrister Mattsson, senior adviser to AcreoSwedish ICT which reported on the valuefor money achieved in the project.

UK cities must rely on the offerings ofthe BT and Virgin Media (VM) duopoly,whose networks roughly overlap two-thirdsof the population. According to Ofcom, BThas a virtual monopoly on networkservices at speeds above 1Gbps outsideLondon. However, VM�’s Business unit(VMB) has just signed a deal to providebackhaul for Arqiva, the monopoly radioand TV signal distributor. VMB alsoprovides the London schools network withfibre backhaul, and is a listed supplier forPSN contracts. This focus suggests thatprivate sector businesses, especially SMEs,may not loom large in VMB�’s sights.

There are plenty of point-to-point orleased line network suppliers. These includeLevel 3, Cable&Wireless Worldwide (nowowned by Vodafone), CityFibre, Colt, Geo,Vtesse, AT&T, among others. Ofcom lists123 firms with �“code powers�” that givethem the right to dig up roads to build theirnetworks. In practice, most rent much oftheir networks from BT and/or otheroperators, and put their electronics into theothers�’ exchanges, limiting any actual infra-structure installation as much as possible.

This gives operators with their ownphysical infrastructure an enormousadvantage in that they can dictate accessand pricing. As BT�’s network reachesalmost every UK home and office, it reignssupreme. But as we reported last month(News Jul/Aug), BT ignores enterpriseneeds in its latest broadband rollouts.

This is hugely problematic if yourbusiness depends on access to affordablehigh-speed networks. It also goes againstgovernment policy to build up the �“creativesector�” such as broadcasting, movieproduction, music and the visual arts.These enterprises are all increasinglydependent on high-speed networks both in their production processes and to gettheir products to market.

SuperConnected CitiesIn response, the Department of CultureMedia and Sport introduced itsSuperConnected Cities project in late2012. This aimed to spend £150m with14 of the UK�’s largest cities, essentiallyto get more FTTP available to SMEs.

After Birmingham published its EC-approved Digital District plans (seeSuperconnected Cities, Sep 2012), whichhad been drawn up in consultation withBT and Virgin Media, the two operatorsobjected. They said that Birminghamwould be using state aid illegally tooverbuild their commercially-providednetworks, a position denied by the city.

The government then hastily re-configured the SuperConnected Citiesplan into a voucher scheme. Trials of thescheme to establish best practices beganin August in five of the former 14SuperConnected Cities �– Belfast, Cardiff,Edinburgh, Manchester and Salford. Thehead of Digital Birmingham, Raj Mack,adds that BCC is also working with thegovernment and suppliers on how to usethe voucher scheme to best advantage.�“FTTP is still our goal, but we accept fibreto the cabinet is an interim step,�” he says.

One of the ways BCC will help thenetwork operators is by drumming updemand and acting as an informationclearing house for would-be voucher users.It could also coordinate procurement, asthis is likely to lower costs from bulk

buying and a better deal for the taxpayerswho are financing for the subsidy. ButMack says state aid rules make it verydifficult for the city to offer procurementservices, which effectively takes aStokab-like approach out of the picture.

The voucher scheme allows end userfirms to apply for up to £3,000 to subsidisethe cost of connecting to a network thatwill give them a �‘step change�’ in accessspeed. The end user still has to meet theongoing cost of line rentals.

To get the upload and download speedsthey need, many may have to go for linesleased for their exclusive use. However,many SMEs often look at the consumerbroadband offers to see if they can takeadvantage of them. For example, VM startsat 30Mbps and goes up to 100Mbps, whileBT promises peak rates of �‘up to�’ 80Mbps(although a 330Mbps wholesale fibreproduct is available to ISPs).

The reality is sobering. The UK�’s publicaccess broadband networks use sharedcopper-based ADSL technology for thefinal drop, which means that uploads maybe only 10 per cent of the advertiseddownload speeds. The overall quality ofservice depends mainly on the distancebetween the premises and the streetcabinet, the quality of the copper oraluminium cabling (twisted pair, or coax in VM�’s case), and congestion on the line.

As a result, actual speeds are often farfrom the headline rates, as evidenced byOfcom�’s research. It reported that by May2013, 86 per cent of residential broadbandusers were on packages with advertisedspeeds above �‘up to�’ 10Mbps. This hadrisen from 76 per cent six monthspreviously and 68 per cent a year before.Most of the growth is due to VM�’s decisionto double its base speed to 30Mbps, and tomore people taking faster services. But,Ofcom found that while the nationalaverage broadband speed has quadrupledsince 2008, it�’s currently just 14.7Mbps.

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Cities around the world regard reliable and affordable high-speed networks as a competitiveedge in attracting and keeping businesses. IAN GRANT explores the UK’s stuttering response.


City networks? We’llget back to you...

Manchester is home to a growing number of wirelessmetropolitan area networks.

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In addition, there is a growing gapbetween broadband speeds in towns (whereBT competes with VM) and rural areas(where BT rules). Ofcom said the gapbetween average download speeds in urbanand rural areas widened from 9.5Mbps inMay 2011 to 16.5Mbps in May 2013. Butit expects this to narrow as BT connectsmore rural street cabinets to fibre under the£1.2bn Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK)next generation access scheme. However,the deadline for this, first set at 2015, nowstretches beyond 2017.

SMEs are more likely to be saving orexchanging information to cloud servers,making upload speed at least as importantas download speeds. �“The average actualupload speed of a UK fixed broadbandconnection was 1.8Mbps in May 2013,0.4Mbps (29 per cent) higher than theaverage recorded in November 2012,�”

says Ofcom. In other words, uploadingvideo takes a long time. This has promptedsome enterprises to take matters into theirown hands �– in 1995 for example, a groupof London-based audio-visual productionhouses banded together to set up SohoNet,a private specialist high-speed network.

Leased linesLeased line rentals can be daunting,especially for a start-up with an uncertaincashflow. For example, we called VirginMedia and said we were an individualcustomer working from home in aLondon borough with a coax connectionto a VM street cabinet 100m away. Aquote for a 1Gbps symmetric servicecame in at £30,000 per year. This was the�“standard price�”, but because we werealready on the network, we were told the

service could be offered for £21,000 perannum.Of course, there�’s nothinginherently wrong here �– if you have deeppockets, that is. In contrast, thecommunity-owned FTTP �‘B4RN�’(Broadband for Rural North) network inLancashire is offering symmetrical 1Gbpsconnections for £30 per month and a £150connection charge. The latter fee can bewaived if the user buys shares in the tax-efficient holding company or contributesin kind to building the network.

But not everyone wants or needs anuncontended symmetric gig connection. AsMetronet MD James McCall says: �“Whilehome users often want to download andstream media in various forms, the needsof a business are almost the exact opposite.

�“With cloud applications finally comingof age and many companies using VoIP, alltheir communication is now dependent

upon their pipe to the outside world. Whatthese businesses want is resilience andreliability. They need to know that they cantalk to someone without delay if theyexperience a problem; they want a solutionthat performs the same way, at all times of the day and night, that uploads anddownloads at the same speed.�”

Metronet (UK) has built several privateMANs in the northwest of England usingfibre and wireless solutions. Customersinclude MediaCityUK, One Education,Lend Lease, West Midlands Police andGreater Manchester Police.

�“Our strategy is simple: instead ofordering a fibre circuit to the end users�’premises, we use it to enable a new pointof presence and deliver the last mile tothe customer using appropriate wirelesstechnology,�” says McCall.

He says the firm was set up 10 years agospecifically to address the problems thatexist in the sector, such as: �“appalling�” cus-tomer service and unwillingness to acceptresponsibility; slow and failed installationsof circuits; �“awful�” technical support; andlack of scalability and flexibility.

Those conditions appear little changed.In August, Public Accounts Committeechairman Margaret Hodge accused BT ofneglecting businesses in its next-generationbroadband rollout to preserve its incomefrom its leased line business. �“That is justawful,�” she said (see last month�’s news).

Metronet has turned that to its advantage.It has picked up more than a dozencustomers using the voucher system, andthe most recent win is a three-year contractworth almost £20,000 from Manchester-based sound recording school Spirit SSRLtd. The school provides practical trainingand degree-level education for audioengineers for the music, film, TV, radioand games industries. As well as itsManchester campus, SSR also has officesin London and Jakarta, and plans to moveinto Singapore and Thailand.

�“The voucher scheme came at a perfecttime for SSR,�” says Metronet. �“They weredealing with a slow connection of 8Mbps

MANs



Blackpool City Council�’s willingness to cut its own path has already led tobetter services at cheaper prices forusers of the city�’s new and stillincomplete metropolitan area network.

The £150,000 MAN commissionedfrom The Networking People (TNP)competes with commercial networkoperators, including One Connect,Lancashire County Council�’s jointventure with BT. And it�’s winning.

Blackpool Council�’s edge is its very high speed uncontended servicededicated to local government users,coupled with a complete service wrap,including filtering and protection.What�’s more, it offers services at very affordable prices.

The city owns all the assets on itsWAN, and this provides it with huge cost savings, according TPN operationsmanager Paul Astle. �“It gives Blackpoolthe ability to on-board new services andtechnologies for a fraction of the cost ofa traditional leased model.�” He estimatesthe council will reduce its networkoperating costs by 40 per cent and break even after two years.

The network consists of four localexchanges along the 15km shore line. It uses unbundled BT Openreachcopper and fibre which is terminated on council-owned racks and equipment

Blackpool rocks MAN

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[from] BT Business ADSL, and werewaiting to see if BT were going to upgradetheir exchange cabinet to fibre. [But]Openreach recently confirmed that this is not financially viable. So SSR had nochoice but to look at other providers.�”

Metronet says that the voucher scheme�’sfinancial incentive sped-up SSR�’s decisionto make the jump to leased lines. Thecompany adds that as it was the onlyprovider in Manchester that could deliverin the required timescales, the school�’sdecision was made easier still.

Going wirelessWhile Metronet is serving local businesses,other cities are looking to provide publicaccess Wi-Fi to businesses, residents andvisitors. City-sponsored public Wi-Fi has a dismal history starting with Norwich�’saborted effort. However, the use of Wi-Fito backhaul mobile data traffic fromsmartphones, tablets and laptops isaccelerating and giving new life to public access Wi-Fi.

One of the most recent examples isYork. Earlier this year, it called in RuckusWireless to supply a �‘smart�’ high-speedWi-Fi network to provide residents andvisitors with internet access on top of its200-node gigabit fibre network. This wassupplied by CityFibre which is targetingthe UK�’s smaller towns and cities, andhas also announced the availability ofbusiness access to its new fibre networkin Bournemouth.

In London, O2 has provided public Wi-Fi to Westminster and other parts of west London, while VMB is pushingconnectivity to London Undergroundstation platforms as part of mayor BorisJohnson�’s not-entirely-serious aim for the capital to become a Wi-Fi city.

Meanwhile, wireless broadband operator UK Broadband is offering high-speed wireless connectivity using 4G TD-LTE mobile technology under the nowBroadband brand. So far Swindon,Southwark and Reading have taken it up.

�“With no long-term contracts or no phone line required, users have a flexible alternative to a fixed broadbandconnection,�” claims CEO Nicholas James.

The rise of the wireless alternative toexpensive leased lines and unreliableADSL-based broadband is likely tocontinue. What is less clear at present ishow the UK�’s mobile network operatorsplan to address the business market intheir 4G rollouts. So far, the marketinghas all been aimed at consumers. ButVodafone has gone a little way topersuade its business-oriented Red usersto upgrade by increasing airtime and dataallowances. And as we went to press,VMB announced its �“business-grade�” 4Gservice which runs over EE�’s new LTEnetwork. This follows renewal of Virgin�’s£300m MVNO contract with EE. VMBsays its 3G service already offered

mobile email services, the ability toconnect desk and mobile phones�“seamlessly�”, online portals for supportand billing, and telephone support forusers and customer administrators.

A single marketThe status quo may be overthrown ifEurope adopts proposals for a singlemarket in electronic communications.

Speaking in mid-September, the EU�’sDigital Agenda commissioner NeelieKroes said that under the proposals,internet access will be full, unrestrictedand with guaranteed speed and quality forall. She added that network operatorswould not be allowed to discriminateagainst consumers and their choices.

�“If they want to provide a fasterservice or a guaranteed quality to

someone who needs it �– like a companyusing high resolution medical imaging orvideo conferencing, or a person wantinghigh definition video on demand �– theycan. But not by taking away from theother customers. Consumers must get thepackage they pay for. They would havethe right to check if they are receiving the internet speeds they pay for, and towalk away from their contract if thosecommitments are not met.�”

As the network transport systemsconverge towards Ethernet over IP,businesses will care less about how theyget connectivity. What already mattersmost is whether the networks deliver anacceptable quality of service. Kroes�’determination to let customers �“walkaway�” from long-term fixed contracts thatdeliver poor results should make operatorssharpen their game across the board. !

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inside the exchanges and backhauledvia the council�’s own network.

The fixed network provides up to15Mbps symmetric per line usingOverture Networks�’ EFM (Ethernet inthe First Mile) technology, along withJuniper EX series switches for therouting infrastructure.

The integrated wireless network is a mix of licensed and unlicensed bandvendors and accessible to anyone withline of sight to the imposing landmark of Blackpool Tower.

Sites previously on leased 10Mbpscircuits are now said to be benefitingfrom an average speed increase of 55per cent at lower cost.

The new infrastructure has meantthat the council can retain many localschools, a core user community, ascustomers. It is enabling the twoorganisations to plan migrations tocloud-based services such as GoogleApps and Microsoft 365, as well aspublic and private access to high-speed Wi-Fi.

Head of Blackpool ICT servicesTony Doyle says TNP�’s solution willmodernise how the council deliversservices. �“It is an enabler for hugeefficiencies we can channel into otherkey areas,�” he says.

The council is already looking intoproviding CCTV, traffic signals andlocal health authority services, furtherreducing its total cost of ownership.

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U nless you�’ve been marooned on adesert island for the last few years,you�’ll be well aware of all the hype

surrounding �‘the cloud�’and how it can offer,amongst other things, enterprises a lifelinefor business continuity (BC) and disasterrecovery (DR). You�’ll also be familiar withall the security fears said to be hindering itswide-scale adoption amongst enterprises.And to make matters worse another, moresinister, security issue has recently come tolight that could make businesses a tad morenervous about using cloud services.

In June, Edward Snowden, a Booz Allensystems administrator contracted to the USNational Security Administration (NSA),revealed what many suspected: his clientand allied agencies are examining every bitof electronic communications they can gettheir hands on anywhere in the world.

A fortnight later, the former head of theCIA and NSA, General Michael Hayden,told the The Australian Financial Review:�“I fully admit we steal other country�’ssecrets. And frankly we�’re quite good at it.The reason we steal these secrets is tokeep our citizens free and safe. We don�’tsteal secrets to make our citizens rich. Yetthis is exactly what the Chinese do.�”

The last point is contestable. On 11 July2001, the European Parliament reported itno longer doubted the existence of a globalsystem codenamed �‘ECHELON�’, run byAustralia, Canada, New Zealand, UK andUSA to intercept private and commercialelectronic communications �– not militaryor government communications (also see

News, June issue). Its report said: �“The USintelligence services do not merely gathergeneral economic intelligence, but alsointercept communications between firms,particularly where contracts are beingawarded, and they justify this on thegrounds of combating attempted bribery.Detailed interception poses the risk thatinformation may be used as competitiveintelligence, rather than combating corrup-tion, even though the US and the UnitedKingdom state that they do not do so.�”

Following Snowden�’s revelations thatECHELON has been replaced by theNSA�’s PRISM and GCHQ�’s Temporaprogrammes, it quickly emerged that theNSA had asked AOL, Apple, Facebook,Google, Microsoft, Paltalk, Skype, Yahooand YouTube (with Dropbox expected tobe added), to provide information secretly.Most claimed they only gave informationthat they were legally obliged to supply.

The Communications ManagementAssociation (CMA) took all this news in itsstride. According to spokesman DavidHarrington, members had always believedit was happening, and most had takenprecautions to preserve the integrity oftheir data and to protect it from prying eyes.

EuroCIO, which represents EuropeanCIOs, remains equally unmoved, and saysthe PRISM/Tempora revelations haven�’tchanged its members�’ views on cloud. �“Webelieve this isn�’t a cloud-specific issue,�”says secretary general Peter Hagedoorn.�“Other channels (telecoms, IP transit) canalso be affected. It is worrying that national

states are using the internet and other digitalmeans to conduct industrial espionage, butwe�’ve known about it since ECHELON wasrevealed. As a result, we didn�’t feel the needto offer members advice on this topic.�”

Data: the “money of theDigital Age”So when it comes to a business continuity(BC) and disaster recovery (DR) plan, cancompanies trust their intimate informationto the cloud? The Centre for the Protectionof National Infrastructure says directorsneed to answer five key questions: (1) Whowould want access to corporate data andhow could they acquire it? (2) How couldthey benefit from its use? (3) Can they sellit, amend it, or even prevent staff orcustomers from accessing it? (4) Howdamaging would the loss of data be? (5)What would be the effect on operations?

This risk assessment will lead naturallyto an exploration of how the cloud matchesup to what an organisation needs to do toprotect its data and business capability.Cloud and IT service provider InTechnologypoints out that putting a BC or DR plan inplace should not be a one-off task.�“Businesses must regularly update theirplans in line with changing businessobjectives, ensuring all staff are well-trained, and practise it regularly,�” advisesproduct director Stefan Haase.

He goes on to say that European CIOshave so far been reluctant to jump into

cloud computing. Some have experimentedwith it but in a safe private environment orin the public cloud with non-sensitive data.�“The main reason is indeed data protection.But other key issues (reversibility, reciproc-ity, transparency, SLAs, standards) are notsolved properly today,�” he says.

Hagedoorn describes data as �“themoney of the Digital Age�” and it isincreasingly becoming key to theexistence of EuroCIO�’s members. �“Theright safeguards for cloud computingmust be in place, as with your money in abank, before we as the CIO communityperceive it as a trusted environment.�”

InTechnology says the law is unlikely tohelp in the event of a breach by governmentspying. Besides, how would you prove it?Client account manager Gary Thomasreckons you sign away most rights whenyou subscribe to public cloud providers. �“If [a security breach] was to happenbetween your average SME and a privatecloud provider in the UK, then certainly, inthe event of a direct, demonstrable breachof contract, the SME would have a muchstronger footing. Understanding the cloudprovider�’s contractual requirements, itssecurity accreditations, and policies beforehosting sensitive information is a must.�”

The European Commission has respond-ed to the CIOs�’ scepticism by kicking offthe three-year CloudforEurope project (seeCloud hides �€250bn, below). This aims todevelop formal standards applicable acrossEurope for government cloud computing.Hagedoorn endorses the move. �“Some

BC & DR register online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk to receive your free monthly copy


Here be monsters The PowerPoint presentations made it look so simple: a black line connects your data centre to a fluffy bit of cotton wool labelled ‘the cloud’, and more black lines connect the cotton wool to the restof the world. The cotton wool was mislabelled – it should have read...

IAN GRANT charts the choppy waters of business continuity and disaster recovery in acloud computing world.

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minimal regulations on data protection etcmust be in place, preferably agreed upon atglobal, but at least at European level.�”

‘Cloud First’ policyThe UK�’s Cabinet Office is already welldown the path with a �‘Cloud First�’ policythat hopes to make the government�’sCloudStore the first port of call for allpublic sector IT procurements. In less thanthree months, civil service departmentsspent £25.3m with the 708 suppliers listedso far, of which 80 per cent are SMEs andhalf are new to the government. A new callfor suppliers went out at the end of July.

By aggregating demand and standardisingcontracts, the CloudStore hopes to savepublic sector firms up to 30 per cent onstreet prices. For example, under theInfrastructure as a Service banner, SunGard

Availability Services offers an Intel-basedDR service for £100 per month. Memsetoffers cloud storage secured to complywith standards for Business Impact Level3 (BIL3 is defined as �“a diplomaticembarrassment and/or minor loss ofconfidence in the government whichposes a safety risk to individuals or thedisadvantaging of a large UK company�”)on a pay-as-you-go basis for £0.083 perGb per month for the first terabyte, and£0.045/Gb/month for 5,000Tb. Uploadsare free and retrievals cost £0.50/Gb.

The government intends to make G-Cloudan example of its wider strategy to rebasenational economic growth on informationand connectivity. In June it published itsInformation Economy strategy documentin which it said: �“The cross-cutting andpervasive nature of software, IT services,communications and data management,

which define the information economy,represent more of an ecosystem than adiscrete sector.�” (See News, June issue.)

To enable this ecosystem to develop, itpromised to ensure that new large conceptssuch as cloud computing, 5G mobile andthe �‘Internet of Things�’ are better definedto enable ideas to be easily incorporatedinto standards and services.

The Confederation of British Industrieswelcomed the move. Rhian Kelly, itsdirector for business environment, says:�“Technologies like cloud computing and5G help keep all businesses a step aheadin the global race, so it is right to getbehind our hi-tech firms as part of acoherent industrial strategy. Success willdepend upon the UK developing world-leading digital infrastructure andgovernment departments workingtogether to drive the strategy forward.�”

An ESG survey for Amazon Web Servicesfound that more than 80 per cent of firmsare exploring cloud-based computing. �“Thecost, agility, and flexibility benefits are tooobvious to deny, particularly for tasks suchas disaster recovery,�” it said. 74 per cent ofrespondents said they could withstand threehours or less of downtime for business-critical data before they started hurting, and53 per cent could tolerate only one hour orless of downtime.

But UK SMEs remain sceptical. Forinstance, fewer than a third now transactonline. Some reasons include having toreorganise business processes andsystems, a lack of specialist knowledge orcapability, concerns about security and alack of trust in available advice.

Some might not call using Office365,Google Docs and Dropbox cloudcomputing. Most firms are reluctant to puttheir production systems into the cloud, butcloud dramatically changes the economicsof storing backups for DR purposes, notjust for production systems but for supportapps such as human resources, too.

So what are the options?Stephen Scott, MD of data centre operatorSentrum Colo, says a BC/DR policy is partof directors�’ responsibilities to shareholders,clients and suppliers. �“At its most basiclevel, a paper copy of every contract andtransaction stored offsite is a BC/DRsolution. However, an entry-level electronicsolution is probably more affordable thanmost small companies imagine,�” he says.

Scott believes that the cloud offersalmost �“infinite flexibility�” in terms ofbeing private, public or a mix of the two,as well as a range of BC/DR options.

These include Disaster recovery-as-a-service (DRaaS) where the client uses acloud service provider (CSP) to replicateits data and critical applications to a recovery site. This cuts costs byoutsourcing their replication needs, but italso puts all the eggs in one basket.

BC & DR



Cloud hides €250bnWidespread adoption of cloud computingcould boost the European economy by�€250bn per year, according to the EU�’sDigital Agenda champion Neelie Kroes.But only if it�’s done right. That�’s the jobof the three-year CloudforEurope project,which kicks off officially in November.

The EU-funded initiative aims to buildcredibility by working up, with industry, apre-commercial tender for cloud servicesfor the public sector. Project coordinator,Linda Strick of the Fraunhofer Fokus,says that among the issues are security,privacy, and credibility. She aims to haveCloudforEurope in place by August 2014,and to have the first concrete responsesfrom industry about a year later. �“Thesewill hopefully meet the requirements of the public sector and demonstrateinteroperable and secure cloud services. It will be very important that industryparticipates in the pre-commercialprocurement tender,�” says Strick.

The project stems from the fact that themain cloud players like Amazon, Google,Microsoft, Rackspace, Salesforce.com,etc, are all US-based. Not only doesEuropean data flow out into the world, butso too does the money for processing andstoring the data. As Kroes notes, keepingthat money in local hands means extrabillions to support European economicdevelopment. It also reduces the chance of data falling into unauthorised hands viastate surveillance schemes like PRISM


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and Tempora, or the thousands of dailyhacking attempts by state, corporate,criminal, activist and unaligned hackers.

Strick says the cloud community hasknown about these risks for some time, sothere are actually no changes needed in theobjectives of the CloudforEurope project.

She also points out that current dataprotection legislation is implementeddifferently in each EU member state. Themain goal of upcoming data protectionregulation from the EC (due next year) isto harmonise the dissimilarities. �“Not onlydoes the public sector have the obligationto protect and control the execution ofpersonal data, it is also an obligation forthe private sector,�” says Strick.

The EC expects CloudforEurope todeliver a public e-government cloudplatform applicable across the union, andto use its purchasing clout to drive downcosts and improve quality of service,including security and contractual terms.By providing a best of breed example andstandard, it hopes to get the private sectorto adopt or improve its terms andconditions, reducing purchasing andoperational costs across the board.

Project coordinatorLinda Strick saysCloudforEurope willmeet the requirementsof the public sector anddemonstrate“interoperable andsecure cloud services”.

When data volumes trebled in a year,Arup chose to hire managed backupspecialist Data Continuity Group (DCG) for continuity and recovery.

Arup offers design, planning engineer-ing service and has worked on some of theworld�’s most iconic buildings. They includeLondon�’s Olympic Park, the �‘Gherkin�’ andKing�’s Cross station; Beijing�’s �‘Bird�’s Nest�’Olympic and aquatic stadiums, the SydneyOpera House, the Pompidou Centre inParis, and many others.

Its two data centres serve 90 officesand 11,000 global employees. The networkuses 1GB Ethernet connections, iSCSIstorage, Cisco switches and routers, withstandard HP front-end servers.

�“With technology increasingly criticalto our projects, we have seen data grow

quickly in importance and volume,�” saysDavid Ovenden, Arup�’s infrastructuremanager for EMEA. �“Our backup datafootprint has tripled to 6TB in 12 months.�”

As internal IT staff�’s daily focus was on supporting business needs, Arup decidedthat a dedicated external resource was thebest way to ensure that all its data wasbacked up securely and continually.

DCG is a SymantecNetBackup specialistdata protection master partner and holds

premium alliances with Dell, EVault, HP,Microsoft, NetApp and VMware. Its back-up regime for Arup�’s data consists of incre-mental updates with a full weekly backupto disk. Each month, the disks are backedup to tape which is kept for six months.

�“Replication is automatic andimmediate. There are some variablesaround restores such as how much dataneeds to be restored, but generally werestore the same day,�” says Ovenden.

Skyscrapers in the cloud

A montage of some of the buildings whose plans Arup now backs up in a private managed cloud.

Another option is in-cloud BC/DR. Here,a client�’s data and applications are hostedand protected by the CSP in a public cloud.This cuts costs by sharing compute, storageand other resources. If you are runningmission-critical applications, make sure thesetup is robust and replicated across two ormore data centres, each with multiplepower and network links.

Organisations could also choose co-location and cloud. This is a hybridapproach and can offer the best of bothworlds. But it requires more managementas well as clear definition and allocation ofresponsibilities before things go wrong.

While all that might take care of thelogistics of assuring BC and DR, you�’veonly just begun. James Carnie, head ofsolutions architecture at managed servicesprovider Adapt, says: �“The greatest threatto any organisation is users with privilegedaccess doing something they shouldn�’t,whether accidental or done with intent.�”

He notes that most outages are due tomismanagement rather than malice. Asimple misconfiguration during an upgradecan cause the entire system to shut down �–something mobile network operator O2knows well. Last year, it scrapped a newcentralised customer database fromEricsson after it crashed twice in fourmonths leaving millions of subscriberswithout a connection for days.

�“The continuity of business-criticalinformation must therefore be effectivelymanaged,�” says Carnie. He advises organ-isations to adopt an information securitymanagement system like IS27001, and aset of robust change management processessuch as those laid out by ITIL.

InTechnology�’s Haase adds that CIOsshould consider encryption before the dataleaves the company for the cloud, and two-factor authentication to retrieve it. �“End-user errors account for around a third of allincidents, and deliberate actions for the mostharmful. Getting the right staff and trainingand motivating them properly is possiblyyour best defence �– cloud or no cloud.�” !



off-the-shelf: test equipment

As networks become more complex, the tools to test them need toremain simple while still offering versatility and high performance.

The UniPRO MGig1 handheld Ethernettester from Ideal Industries Networks isdesigned for all engineers involved incarrier and metro Ethernet service turn-up,mobile Ethernet backhaul, microwave andwireless-link Ethernet setup. It�’s also aimedat enterprise users who want to check upon supplier SLA performance.

The tester boasts IPv6 as wellas IPv4, and also includes thelatest Y.1564 NetSAM multipleconcurrent service test capability.Ideal says this enables testing ofup to eight services concurrentlyincluding: colour-aware and non-colour-aware networks with Q-in-Q; VLANs nested up to eight-deep;and three levels of Label, Class,and TLL on MPLS networks. Thefirm adds that Layer 3 QoS tags,ToS and DSCP are also included.

The UniPRO MGig1 is availablein copper-only or copper plus fibre

formats and can perform single ended test-ing, pass through testing and long distanceloopback testing (in combination with theUniPRO SEL1 remote control active loop-back unit or a second UniPRO MGig1). ForBi-Directional testing, two UniPRO MGig1sare used but the far end unit can be remote

controlled removing the need fora second engineer, says Ideal.

The �‘Autotest�’ button can beused to run a sequence of testswithout further intervention. Thefirm says this saves even moretime by allowing the engineer toconduct other work withouthaving to �‘babysit�’ the tester.

With its SEL1 companion, it cantest copper Ethernet, with thefibre-enabled models also testingGbE over a choice of 850nmmultimode, 1310nm or 1550nmsingle mode fibres usinginterchangeable SFP modules.

Agilent Technologies�’ M8061A is a28.4Gbps multiplexer aimed at testengineers who need to characterisereceivers for next-generation servers,storage systems and data centre networks.It allows engineers to characterise next-gen computing buses operating above14Gbps and data centre I/Os.

The M8061A can be used to testmultiple-gigabit test applications such as:PCIe; USB; SATA; QPI; HyperTransport;Thunderbolt; DisplayPort; SD UHS-II;MIPI M-PHY; backplanes; 10GbE and100GbE; SFP+; and CFP2 interfaces.

The vendor says that when the M8061Ais used with its J-BERT N4903B bit errorratio tester, engineers can generate loopbacktraining sequences. It says the tester�’s DC-coupled output enables users to generateunbalanced bit patterns without level drift,and it can be switched to an electrical idle

state for computer bus receiver tests suchas those required for PCIe.

Agilent claims the M8061A delivers the�“most accurate and repeatable�” receivercharacterisation results because of its built-in and unique eight-tap de-emphasis. Thisallows users to emulate transmitter de-emphasis and channels, and compensatelosses in the test setup. The unit is said to betransparent to jitter from J-BERT and alsoprovides clock/2 jitter injection capabilities.

As network traffic grows, aggregating10Gbps links to handle increased bandwidthis no longer sufficient, according to Ixia.As a result, it has developed the Xcellon-Multis product range which is claimed togive enterprises and service providers theflexibility to test scenarios involving high-capacity 10GbE, 40GbE or 100GbEnetworking products at higher speeds.

Ixia says the series can scale up tohundreds of 40GbE and 100GbE ports. Itbelieves this is especially important in thedata centre where accelerated growth indensity and greater traffic demandscontinue to stress the network elements.

The firm says the Xcellon-Multis willenable users to meet the demand fortesting two times higher density deviceswith test beds that are smaller and moreefficient relative to current tools. It says thesolution expands bandwidth and resiliencyvalidation in high-performance networkfabrics and offers a variety of benefits.

For instance, it�’s claimed that the rangecomprises the industry�’s highest density40G and 100G higher speed Ethernet testequipment, providing more flexible testcoverage and 4 x 100GbE, 12 x 40GbE, ordual-rate 40GbE/100GbE, all in a single-slot load module. The Xcellon-Multisuniquely employ fan-out technology whichallows a higher speed port to fan-out toseveral ports of a lower speed. This ultra-dense load module is said to bring a higherROI by reducing overall costs associatedwith product licensing, power, and cooling.

off-the-shelf register online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk to receive your free monthly copy

via a USB port for viewing,analysis, and professional reportgeneration using the suppliedWindows compatible Test ResultsManager software.

The tester comes with a Li-onbattery pack, AC charger, SC andFC adapter for the OTDR/OLSport, 2.5mm universal adapters forthe OPM and VFL ports.

The FLX380 is available in threemodels. The 103 is said to be themost complete high-performancetest set for verifying both in-service(live) and out-of-service FTTx PONs.

It includes ServiceSafe livePON detection, integrated

PON power meter, and 1625nmfiltered live PON OTDR.

The 102 features 1310/1490/1550nm OTDR, OLS, OPM andVFL for out-of-service testing atall FTTx PON wavelengths.

The 100 is said to offer high-performance at the lowest cost.It features all-in-one1310/1550nm OTDR, OLS,

OPM and VFL for out-of-serviceinstallation testing both FTTx PON and

point-to-point fibre networks.

Fujikura claims its FLX 380 FlexTester isthe world�’s smallest, lightest, most completesingle-mode fibre optic tester. The firmsays it combines high-performance, PON-optimised, multi-wavelength OTDR/PONOTDR, OLS, OPM, VFL and PON PowerMeter in a rugged, handheld package.

The device�’s interface has been designed

to provide modes suitable for both noviceand expert users. It features a top-downmenu structure which Fujikura sayssupports more than a dozen languages.

The FLX 380 can save more than 1,000OTDR test results using the industry-standard .SOR file format. Stored OTDRand OPM results can be transferred to PC

Testing the network

The Xgig 1000 16 G is described as theindustry�’s most comprehensive solution forpinpointing and resolving problems acrossmultiple protocols in converged datacentres. According JDSU, it gives cloudservice providers the tools that cover newand fast-growing DC technologies such asEthernet, iSCSI, Fibre Channel and FCoE.

JDSU says it is the only product thataddresses 10GbE and 4/8/16G FibreChannel in an integrated portable platformwith reconfigurable ports. With its uniquelyportable chassis, it claims the deviceenables detailed protocol testing inmanufacturer R&D labs and helps fieldinstallers deploy and troubleshoot SANs.

The firm adds that it is the only platformto perform inline, non-intrusive capture andanalysis, inline jamming, and end-nodeemulation with generation and load testingat 16G. It says the Xgig includes industry-standard capture format and a unique

ability to correlate between Fibre Channeland Ethernet networks with �“expertanalysis�” based on 800+ metrics and rules.

The 1000 16 G has been designed tooffer: automated testing for faster SAN andNAS installation and deployment; optimiseddiagnostic efficiency in a single compact,portable, stand-alone platform that integrates10GbE and 4, 8, 16 G FC; reduceddowntime and lower SLA-managementwith reliable, analysis and troubleshootingsolution; and improved storage and networkservices management with comprehensiveIO-performance statistics.

Net+ 1309 p18-19 (off the shelf & net knowledge) AM RN.qxd 19/9/13 16:17

The Data Centre Alliance (DCA), CNetTraining, TelecityGroup and Telehouseare working alongside the universities ofEast London and Leeds to devise a freedata centre �‘boot camp�’.Both universitiesoffer specialist courses for the DC and ITsectors, and the first camp is alreadybeing delivered at The University of EastLondon. It comprises data centre trainingand suitability assessment which aims togive graduates the additional knowledgethey need to successfully apply for datacentre related jobs today.

CNet Training says it has played a keypart in scoping the programme, andbelieves that guarding against outagesshould become a part of �“every datacentre professionals�’ DNA�”.

�“Once the candidates understand theplace of data centres in the world economy,we introduce them to a new discipline of�‘critical thinking�’ �– similar to that taught inthe nuclear and airline industries,�” saysCEO Andrew Stevens. �“Because if theycan�’t do the joined-up thinking necessaryto avoid major data centre outages, likewe�’ve seen in recent years, then they don�’tbelong in our industry.�”

Rob Coupland, UK MD of TelecityGroup,adds that because of the specialised natureof the skills required in the industry, thereis a limited pool of �“exceptional workers�”available in the market. He says that untilnow there have been no suitable graduateprogrammes to address this issue.

�“Only through the on-going developmentof skills will we be able to continue todeliver the level of service our customersexpect. This reflects the critical importanceof the role of the data centre manager andengineer in today�’s industry,�” he says.

Going down under couldhelp your career move upThe Emigration Group says that majorcities in Australia are seeking out ITprofessionals with the necessaryqualifications to boost the country�’sindustry. It is urging IT workers in the UKto consider migrating down under toembark upon upcoming projects inSydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

The Emigration Group aims to offerexpert advice and assistance to thosewishing to relocate to Australia.It says thecountry has some major new digitalprojects in the pipeline, and now is thetime for workers to move overseas to getthe best value for their skills.

It adds that while experienced workersare in high demand, there is a need forrecruits at all skill levels, from the newlyqualified to those with years of experience.

�“Australia is desperate for skilled ITprofessionals to take part in new projectsacross the country, �” says Paul Arthur,director of The Emigration Group. �“Thisis a huge opportunity for workers in theUK who may be struggling to get workhere. If you are a skilled IT worker youhave a good chance of qualifying for

permanent residence down under.�” Headds that aside from the job opportunities,IT salaries in Australia are often highercompared to the UK.

NEW COURSESAdministering Cisco UCM 8.0 v8 �– Global KnowledgeThis entry-level course begins with thebasic concepts of IPT and then quicklymoves onto understanding concepts such asclustering, route plans, digit manipulation,media resource, etc, that underpin Cisco�’sUnified Communication Manager:

It is designed for individuals that will beusing and managing the Cisco system andperforming administration at level 1 andlevel 2 support. Level 1 supports phoneusers, makes moves, adds, and changes tothe desktop phone environment. Level 2

supports changes in the organisation, suchas opening or relocating offices.

It is recommended that delegates have abasic knowledge of IP and networkingalthough this is not a pre-requisite. Theyshould also have a basic knowledge of theWindows desktop environment.

The next dates for the course are 16-18October at Global Knowledge�’s trainingcentre in Wokingham, or 11-13 Decemberin London. www.globalknowledge.co.uk

On-demand training videos �– Network FacultyNetwork Faculty has launched a websitewhich offers IT training videos on-demand.

The Spanish firm claims its trainingsessions are packed with insight, practicaltips, and delivered by trainers �“clued up�”on the latest in IT and networking needs. It says its site is based around core industry

certification curricula such as CCNPSP/CCNP/JNCIA/JNCIS/JNCIP. It featuresa growing library of videos that can beconsulted by anyone studying for theseexams, or whenever there is a need torefresh understanding of particular topics.

Network Faculty reckons that thosewho are pushed for time will find the bitesize videos �“easy to digest�”. It claims notopic is overlooked. �“With an intuitivecategory followed by theme structure,finding the answer to a question orlocating a specific topic is the work of nomore than a few clicks,�” says the firm.

Areas under discussion include Cisco/Juniper configuration basics and verifica-tion, routing protocols and security, as wellas fundamentals of networking and services.

Users can choose from study 11courses, each related to a specificcertification. http://networkfaculty.com

network knowledgeregister online @ www.networkingplus.co.uk to receive your free monthly copy


Partnership totackle DC sectorskills shortage

Data centreprofessionals who can’tprevent outages “don’tbelong in our industry”– Andrew Stevens,CEO, CNet Training.

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