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Cisco Fakes Destroyed in Vietnam

admin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:37:10 +0000

Vietnamese Authorities Destroy Seized Counterfeit Products

“Local law enforcement agencies in Vietnam, in conjunction with Cisco’s Brand Protection team, recently stepped up enforcement actions against counterfeiters with raids on two suspected infringers in Hanoi. A significant amount of counterfeit products was seized and a destruction event was held in Hanoi by the authorities, with Cisco’s representatives present to witness the destruction of the counterfeits seized. ”

Payback is a Mutha! That’s why we run serials on every piece of gear that comes through our warehouse.

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Foundry Jetcore to be discontinued: good news, if you buy used

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:04:01 +0000

Foundry Networks has “end-of-life” plans for most of their Jetcore-based modular routers and switches (recall this is their 4th generation product, announced in 2001. Examples are J-FxGMR, J-BxGMR4 management, and all the accompanying J-xxxxx cards and chassis). This is the word I got from a Foundry source recently, and it comes as good news, and bad news, depending. If you buy or sell used equipment, its good news.

The Jetcore-based product line is still very desirable and capable, and sells well on the secondary market. Being discontinued means more of it is likely to come onto the used market, and this is good news. It also means that buying used will be the only way to procure some of the Jetcore gear at some point. But as I said, its still very capable gear, with lots of demand. I would imagine that the Jetcore asic will still be updated and used extensively in lots of “stackable” switches. So what’s the bad news? Well, if you are heavily invested in Jetcore already and need new gear, you will either be forced into used gear

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Foundry NetIron MLX routers hitting used market

admin — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 18:56:04 +0000

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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Trio of Cisco flaws may threaten networks

admin — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 22:11:01 +0000

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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RSA 2007 in San Francisco

admin — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:28:43 +0000

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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Cisco, IT Indutry Profit from Online Video Surge

admin — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:25:28 +0000

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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Cisco vs. Apple: My people will call your people

admin — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 17:11:19 +0000

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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A Word from the Cisco Kid

admin — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:16:45 +0000

Chambers Interop keynote: ‘Anytime, anywhere, any mode you want’ by ZDNet’s David Berlind — Here in the bowels of the Mandalay Bay’s convention center, where Interop is taking place (not only has Networld+Interop trimmed its name, it has moved from the Las Vegas Convention Center to the Mandalay Bay and announced a new New York City-based December edition), Cisco CEO John Chambers, as usual, gave the kick-off keynote for [...more]

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Cisco Announcing 10-Gigabit Ethernet module for Catalyst 6500

admin — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 15:11:16 +0000

I just got a press release in my inbox announcing that Cisco Systems is releasing a new eight-port 10-Gigabit Ethernet module for the Catalyst 6500 Series. Designed specifically for the data center market, this upgrade will continue the push for 10-Giagabit Ethernet to become the standard in data networking.
With almost 70% of the 10-Gig projected $1.3 Billion market share and a more powerful, yet affordable design, the new Catalyst 6500 is posied to cement Cisco as the dominating force in the industry. This is bad news for companies like Foundry Networks and Nortell, who have recently seen increased sales of 10-Gig Ethernet switches. The next few months should prove interesting as these guys battle it out for market dominanace.

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VoIP Market Projecting Explosive Growth

admin — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 05:00:09 +0000

BY 2009 THERE WILL BE AN ESTIMATED 24 MILLION VoIP USERS IN THE UNITED STATES.

The VoIP market is projected to continue growing at an explosive rate, reaching over $2 trillion by 2008. The number of VoIP providers also continues to grow, with well known brands such as MSN, AOL and GOOGLE jumping into the market with voice-enabled messaging services. While most providers don’t focus on providing pure-play VoIP strategies, each segment serves individual niches, delivering VoIP to different customers in unique and individual ways.

With a low cost of service delivery & increased competition, most pricing structures for VoIP services have declined considerably, while the number of VoIP subscribers continue to grow.

Foundry Networks unlocks the value of VoIP in a converged network by offering an expansive set of VoIP-ready networking solutions that deliver uninterrupted service quality, reliability, security, and compatibility for IP-based phones, video, and converged desktop applications.

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