Tuesday, January 30th, 2007
Townsend Assets Group (TAG), a leading provider of pre-owned networking equipment is proud to announce a leasing partnership with Blue Street Capital, a private equipment-leasing firm based in Newport Beach, CA.
“Blue Street Capital has demonstrated to our customers that equipment leasing can be a hassle-free endeavor,” said Peter Gilberd, president of TAG. “We wanted to establish a track record with several firms before choosing an exclusive partner. At every turn Blue Street proved that we could count on them to grow our business one satisfied customer at a time,” noted Gilberd.
Philippe Violette, Principal at Blue Street Capital adds, “Townsend Assets Group is an ideal partner for Blue Street as it relates in product, personnel, and client base. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with this talented group of individuals.”
TAG estimates that 20 percent of their customers will look to lease equipment in 2007, a modest increase over 2006.
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Blue Street Capital (www.bluestreetcapital.com) is an independent leasing and financing company located in Newport Beach, CA. Blue Street offers financing solutions to businesses throughout the United States of all sizes (from SMB to Enterprise). Leases are funded internally or through partnerships with over 20 lending institutions, with programs available for all credit types—including those that require innovative options.
About TAG: Townsend Assets Group, a leading reseller of pre-owned data networking equipment. With more than 2,500 customers in 23 countries, TAG helps customers acquire, manage and remarket their technology. For more comprehensive information on the leasing options, or to fill out an application refer to our Lease Cisco page.
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Friday, January 26th, 2007
Well, this is great news for Foundry lovers. Foundry NetIron MLX routers are just starting to hit the secondary (ok, used) market. This is their current generation equipment! A lot of folks are still running-on/buying IronCore series (Gen. 1,2,3), and the Jetcore gear still has lots of legs (Gen. 4) , no question. But if you have really serious needs, NetIron MLX is the way to go. Of course you need the budget too….
Some details about NetIron MLX straight from Foundry:
“Built with Foundry’s state-of-the-art, fifth-generation, network-processor-based architecture and Terabit-scale switch fabrics, the Foundry NetIron MLX Series routers offer network planners a rich set of high-performance IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, and Multi-VRF capabilities as well as advanced Layer 2 switching capabilities……
The NetIron MLX Series includes the 4-slot NetIron MLX-4, 8-slot NetIron MLX-8, 16-slot NetIron MLX-16, and the 32-slot NetIron MLX-32. The series offers industry-leading port capacity and density with up to 128 10-GbE / 640 1-GbE ports per system, and up to 256 10-GbE / 1,280 1-GbE ports in a standard 7-foot rack.”
As you may know, NetIron is at the top of the Foundry product tree. The generation 5 gear has all the latest capabilities (Support for hitless software upgrades and graceful Multicast, MPLS, ISIS, BGP and OSPF restart, IPV6, 10GbE, lowest in-class power consumption and heat dissipation, just to name a few), and a backplane (with 40-GbE ready half slots and 100-GbE ready full slots) and architecture that will be relevant well into the future. I’m excited to start offerring these units to customers in February, at significant savings over new. Call me if you have questions.
Brian Stadtmiller, Technical Sales Manager
aim: bstaginc skype: brian.stadtmiller email brians@townsendassets.com tel: 415-626-4231 x230
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Friday, January 26th, 2007
Here’s a helpful, but not well published password recovery procedure for Foundry EdgeIron series Layer 2 switches. It differs from the process used on all their other models, probably because the EdgeIron is not of their own design (not sure who actually makes these for Foundry, no matter) This recovery procedure applies to models with part numbers starting in EIF, eg. EIF24G, EIF4802CF, EIF48G, EIF24GS, EIF48GS etc. So, if you have lost the password, and want to clear off the previous configuration and start anew, here it is:
1) establish a connection to the device on the console port
2) power the switch on, while holding down “ctrl-u” to access the system file menu (technically you can just hit “ctrl-u” in the one second time between powering on and it actually loading, but its hard to time it)
3) you have a few seconds to type the password for the file menu, it is… “mercury”; clear off the asteriks that may remain from holding “ctrl-u” down first.
4) select “D” to delete all user defined configurations
5) enter the file name of the file type that is “Config File” and confirm if asked to delete it
6) select “Q” to reload.
At this point it will boot normally, and the username and password for the unit will be at default, “admin” and “admin”. Its back to default now, have fun. I have no idea why Foundry barely documents this process. Even the users manual doesn’t tell you the password to enter the ROM menu (”mercury”), it sais to call tech support to get it.
I hope this helps some folks…..
Brian Stadtmiller, Technical Sales Manager
aim: bstaginc skype: brian.stadtmiller email brians@townsendassets.com tel: 415-626-4231 x230
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Thursday, January 25th, 2007
Important article on ZDNet for any network running on Cisco hardare:
Three security holes in the software that runs Cisco Systems’ routers and switches could let miscreants disrupt computer networks, including the Internet.
The vulnerabilities lie in Cisco’s Internetwork Operating System and could be exploited to crash or remotely run malicious code on devices that run the software, the San Jose, Calif., networking giant warned Wednesday in security advisories. IOS runs on Cisco’s routers and switches, which make up a large portion of the Internet’s infrastructure.
Cisco’s warning prompted the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, or US-CERT, to issue an alert. “A remote attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code on an affected device, cause an affected device to reload the operating system, or cause other types of denial of service,” US-CERT said on it Web site.
Being able to execute arbitrary code means that an attacker could change the configuration of a router or switch, redirecting traffic or potentially sniffing the data that travels through a Cisco device. In a denial-of-service attack a vulnerable router or switch would be taken offline, disrupting any traffic it is tasked to channel.
“Because devices running IOS may transmit traffic for a number of other networks, the secondary impacts of a denial of service may be severe,” US-CERT said.
The impact of each of the three vulnerabilities is different. The most serious of the problems, which relates to how IOS handles specific data packets, affects a broad range of Cisco devices. This includes routers and switches used by telecommunications companies that use Cisco’s gear to shuttle data traffic across networks.
“These are serious issues and patches need to be applied as soon as possible,” said Gunter Ollmann, director of security strategy for IBM Internet Security Systems. “From our monitoring of underground channels there are a lot of people interested in these and actively working on exploits.”
Cisco has software updates available to address the vulnerabilities, the company said in each of its alerts. “Cisco is also not aware of any current exploitation of these vulnerabilities,” the company added.
Will Sturgeon of Silicon.com in London contributed to this story.
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Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007
Here’s some information on the 2007 RSA Conference held in SF from Feb. 5-9 at Moscone Center. In case you didn’t know, “RSA” is a security encryption code created in 1977, and named after the inventors. Today it is the world’s most widely distributed code! This conference features a ton of IT security leaders from companies like Cisco and Microsoft., disucssing new developments and leading insights. You can also take an one of the 220 sessions on topics ranging from Applied Security Case Studies to Wireless. Cost of the full conference: $1,995. The feling of knowing your network is secure: priceless.
Here’s a snippit from the RSA site:
Whether you’re planning to attend the full week or a day or two, RSA® Conference 2007 delivers extraordinary opportunities to expand your knowledge, hone your skills, and grow your personal network of industry peers and influencers.
Knowledge and best-practice sharing are at the heart of RSA® Conference. You’ll have a chance to build a customized agenda from the 220 available sessions — ranging from keynotes to breakout sessions to tutorials — across different class tracks. There are sessions and tutorials designed for all facets of information security, IT management, programming/development and executive management, as well as virtually every leading topic in the field — cryptography to consumer protection to legislation, government and policy mandates.
These range from the First-Time Attendee Orientation, Welcome and Networking Reception and topic-driven Peer2Peer Sessions to the renowned RSA® Conference Codebreakers Bash, Town Hall Meetings and the Interactive Testing Challenge - among many others.
The latest products, technologies and solutions are also prominently featured at the Expo where 340+ information security companies — Fortune 500 to start-up — will showcase their latest innovations.
RSA Conference would like to thank the 2007 Program Committee for its help in selecting speakers and topics that make up the dynamic agenda. Members of the Program Committee are representatives from financial institutions, retail industries, trade publications, training organizations, security vendors, academia, and federal and state governments.
The members of the Program Committee include Ilieva I. Ageenko, PhD, CISA, of Wachovia Corporation; Illena Armstrong of SC Magazine; Asheem Chandna of Greylock Partners; David B. Cross of Microsoft Corporation; Bruce Gossard of Cisco Systems; Vincent Gullotto of Microsoft Corporation; Bret Hartman of EMC; Daniel Houser of Huntington Bank; Sally Hudson of IDC; Andrew Jaquith of Yankee Group; Benjamin Jun of Cryptography Research; Shannon Kellogg of EMC; Sandra Lambert of Lambert & Associates, LLC; James Lewis of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Ron Moritz of Computer Associates; Andrew Nash formerly of Reactivity; Randy V. Sabett, J.D., CISSP, of Cooley Godward LLP; John R. Schramm, CISA, CISSP, of Fidelity Investments; Kurt Stammberger of Healthia; Jon Stanley of The Law Firm of Jon Stanley and Associates; Herbert H. Thompson, Ph.D., of Security Innovation; Michael Vergara of PayPal; and Ed Zeitler, CISSP, of (ISC)2.
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Wednesday, January 17th, 2007
That’s right! WE BUY IT ASSETS. We say it all the time. Get cash for your used network equipment. Townsend Assets buys used telecom and networking hardware nationwide. We provide both business and corporate enterprise liquidation, valuation, asset recovery, and de-installation for your surplus network hardware and telecom equipment. We guarantee you a fair market price quote on your surplus, used, refurbished or legacy technology equipment.
Get Cash or Trade-In credit
Free up space for new equipment
Eliminate storage costs
Allows you to recover maximum value from your equipment
Call us today or send an email with a list of what you have to sell! (866) IT-ASSET for a purchasing specialist.
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Monday, January 15th, 2007
Odds are someone you know is watching You Tube or Google Video right now. But behind the explosive growth of the online video market are the cisco hardware providers that power these bandwidth intensive networks. As the demand to house and serve videos increases, the $1.3 Billion online video industry is upgrading networks at an unprecidented rate to keep up with network demands. Cisco servers, swicthes, and routers help service providers manage the massive amounts of data and traffic that are transered through their network. Look for Cisco to post 20% revenue growth in the current year. Also, expect the sale of used Cisco hardware to increase in kind. If I was a betting man, I’d add Cisco to my investment portfolio right next to my Google holdings.
PS. Oh, and we buy used Cisco hardware. So if you are upgrading your network, or have nay surplus gear you need to sell, call or send us an email.
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Thursday, January 11th, 2007
Cisco Systems filled a lawsuit against Apple Computers on Wednesday over the name “iPhone,” which Cisco has had a trademark on since 2000. While Cisco’s focus has traditionally been on enterprise networking hardware, they have recently been looking to focus more on consumer electronics. The lawsuit was filled following Apple’s recent announcement and introduction of an iPod/cell phone hybrid device. In December of last year, Cisco announced the launch of a new Linksys VoIP phone which functions as a Skype handset.
Apple computer is no stranger to challenges over trademark infringement. The company was sued by the Beatles Apple Corps. label over use of a Granny Smith logo. Initially, Apple Computer settled in 1981 for $80,000 and a promise that they would not enter the music business. In 1989, the two companies clashed again and ultimately agreed on a $26 Million settlement in 1991.The settlement specified that Apple Computer would not have to remove its name and logo from iTunes and the iPod.
In the case of Cisco vs. Apple Computer, it is expected that the two will reach a mutually agreeable settlement. Sources believe that Cisco most likely launched their “iPhone” in an effort to force Apple to license the rights to the name. Well played, Cisco. Well played, indeed!
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Wednesday, January 10th, 2007
While poking around this morning looking for something interesting to write about, I came across an old article from 2002 about the emerging secondary market for used IT gear. I’ve thought about this market a lot in the past few days, not only because we are vendors in this market, but becasue I have been trying to write a selling guide for independent companies looking to sell used cisco and other brands. This article talks goes into great detail about the history of used IT, and the various players in the industry.
Check it out http://www.cio.com/archive/101502/cheap.html
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