The term zero client is often misapplied to thin client endpoints in vendor marketing ploys. True zero client endpoints have no local processing, software, storage, or even any configurations or settings. They are completely stateless and management-free.
Zero clients mean zero endpoint management - absolutely zero.
Some thin client vendors have even tried to make their end points look "zero" by keeping the client operating system image on the hard disk of a separate "streaming" appliance, requiring that users wait while it is downloaded to the endpoint's hard disk o rflash storage before use. Unfortunately, this only makes the entire VDI architecture from these vendors even more complex and fragile.
To see if vendor claims of "zero-ness" are valid, apply these tests:
1. Does the endpoint include a CPU of any kind? Any RAM? Any storage devices or moving parts at all?
2. Are you forced to configure the endpoint in any way before use?
3. Do you need to reconfigure the endpoints before you are able to swap them between users?
4. Does the endpoint need to download an operating system image or any software before you can
use it?
5. Are you not able to use the native Windows drivers that XP or the manufacturer supply to connect to a new peripheral?
6. Does the endpoint require you to learn and adopt any embedded management interface or tools?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then despite the vendor's claims,
the client isn't a true zero client.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
AOKNetworking's Newest Team Member
Ashley Riedel
Account Executive
Specialty:
Sales, Marketing, Client Relations
Little Known Fact:
Ashley is a soon to be UCF Alumni with a business degree in marketing. She enjoys attending sporting events, golfing, meeting new people and enjoying life.
Account Executive
Specialty:
Sales, Marketing, Client Relations
Little Known Fact:
Ashley is a soon to be UCF Alumni with a business degree in marketing. She enjoys attending sporting events, golfing, meeting new people and enjoying life.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Microsoft CEO unveils Windows Phone 7 Series Software
IDG News Service - Microsoft unveiled the next version of its operating system for mobile phones, Windows Phone 7 Series, featuring a move away from applications and towards functions. "It's all about the phone and how consumers react to the device," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, opening a news conference held outside the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Monday.
Windows Phone 7 Series also marks a move by Microsoft to take greater control of the user interface of its phone software.
"We wanted to take greater accountability for the end user experience," Ballmer said. "We want more consistency in the hardware platform and in the user experience," he said, while nevertheless saying Microsoft wanted to leave room for hardware partners to innovate.
Microsoft also wanted the software to differentiate future phones from its past offerings, both phone and PC.
"Phones looked like PCs, but a phone is not a PC, it's smaller, more personal," said Joe Belfiore, vice president for Windows Phone.
To make the interface more personal, Microsoft is counting on a checkerboard of customizable "live tiles" that can update automatically with information from the phone or the Internet.
Some of the tiles will update automatically to show frequent contacts or local information, while others can be customized manually. The tiles will be grouped into themed "hubs," for example a page of contacts called "people" or a page of photos called "pictures".
Other hubs include "office," which features functions for note-taking and synchronizing documents with a PC; "games," which integrates with the company's Xbox live online community for its game consoles; and "music+video," which synchronizes songs and videos with its desktop Zune jukebox and music store software.
There won't be too much personalization though: some aspects of every Windows Phone will be the same.
Every Windows Phone 7 Series device will have three buttons on the front: 'Start,' which gives you quick access to those tiles, 'Search,' because that's how you are going to find phone numbers and restaurants, and 'Back,'" said Belfiore. Belfiore showed how the software will recognize addresses in incoming e-mails or calendar entries, converting them into hotlinks to Microsoft's Bing Maps property.
The interface has an on-screen QWERTY keyboard and will support four-point multitouch interfaces in the same way as Windows 7 for PCs. Another feature borrowed from PCs is the Web browser: it's based on the same code as the desktop version of Internet Explorer, Belfiore said.
The graphics Belfiore showed are spacious, using a thin typeface with big one-word titles for the themes of each screen -- day, local, music and so on. The text is displayed using a more precise version of Cleartype that Belfiore called sub-pixel positioning.
Some of the page transitions in the user interface slide like the cards in Palm's Web OS.
The first version of Windows Phone 7 Series will not include Adobe Flash -- although Ballmer said he had "no objection" to Flash support. That marks the software apart from Apple's iPhone, which does not -- and will not -- support Flash.
Developers will have to wait until Microsoft's Mix conference in Las Vegas next month to learn whether Windows Phone 7 Series will support Microsoft's Silverlight in place of the missing Flash, said Microsoft spokesman Casey McGee after the launch presentation.
Some of the page transitions in the user interface slide like the cards in Palm's Web OS.
The first version of Windows Phone 7 Series will not include Adobe Flash -- although Ballmer said he had "no objection" to Flash support. That marks the software apart from Apple's iPhone, which does not -- and will not -- support Flash.
Developers will have to wait until Microsoft's Mix conference in Las Vegas next month to learn whether Windows Phone 7 Series will support Microsoft's Silverlight in place of the missing Flash, said Microsoft spokesman Casey McGee after the launch presentation.
Microsoft plans to release a software development kit (SDK) to enable network operators and third parties to add new services and applications to the phones. AT&T, in the U.S., and Orange, in France, will be among the first operator partners to develop services specially for the phone.
Microsoft plans to release a software development kit (SDK) to enable network operators and third parties to add new services and applications to the phones. AT&T, in the U.S., and Orange, in France, will be among the first operator partners to develop services specially for the phone.
Although the new software emphasizes functions rather than applications, and Microsoft intends to keep tight control of the user interface, it will be possible to download third-party applications and games certified by Microsoft through a "marketplace" hub. "There will be opportunities for partners to add value and build in functionality," said McGee.
Developers will have to wait to learn whether the applications they created for the previous version of Microsoft's mobile operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5, can be ported to the new platform, McGee said.
Microsoft's own mobile software developers are focusing very much on the new platform. "Windows Phone 7 Series is the priority for Microsoft's communications business," McGee said. Nevertheless, he said, the company will continue to deliver support for Windows Mobile 6.5 for three to five years from its October 2009 launch. He expects vendors to continue to launch devices based on Windows Mobile 6.5 for some time to come.
Microsoft expects the first phones running the software to be available by the end of the year, and says that network operators including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Verizon and Vodafone, and vendors including Samsung, LG, Sony-Ericsson and long-time partner HTC have committed to offering devices running Windows Phone 7 Series.
Microsoft expects the first phones running the software to be available by the end of the year, and says that network operators including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Verizon and Vodafone, and vendors including Samsung, LG, Sony-Ericsson and long-time partner HTC have committed to offering devices running Windows Phone 7 Series.
ref: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9156938/Update_Microsoft_CEO_unveils_Windows_Phone_7_Series_software?taxonomyId=89&pageNumber=2
Windows Phone 7 Series also marks a move by Microsoft to take greater control of the user interface of its phone software.
"We wanted to take greater accountability for the end user experience," Ballmer said. "We want more consistency in the hardware platform and in the user experience," he said, while nevertheless saying Microsoft wanted to leave room for hardware partners to innovate.
Microsoft also wanted the software to differentiate future phones from its past offerings, both phone and PC.
"Phones looked like PCs, but a phone is not a PC, it's smaller, more personal," said Joe Belfiore, vice president for Windows Phone.
To make the interface more personal, Microsoft is counting on a checkerboard of customizable "live tiles" that can update automatically with information from the phone or the Internet.
Some of the tiles will update automatically to show frequent contacts or local information, while others can be customized manually. The tiles will be grouped into themed "hubs," for example a page of contacts called "people" or a page of photos called "pictures".
Other hubs include "office," which features functions for note-taking and synchronizing documents with a PC; "games," which integrates with the company's Xbox live online community for its game consoles; and "music+video," which synchronizes songs and videos with its desktop Zune jukebox and music store software.
There won't be too much personalization though: some aspects of every Windows Phone will be the same.
Every Windows Phone 7 Series device will have three buttons on the front: 'Start,' which gives you quick access to those tiles, 'Search,' because that's how you are going to find phone numbers and restaurants, and 'Back,'" said Belfiore. Belfiore showed how the software will recognize addresses in incoming e-mails or calendar entries, converting them into hotlinks to Microsoft's Bing Maps property.
The interface has an on-screen QWERTY keyboard and will support four-point multitouch interfaces in the same way as Windows 7 for PCs. Another feature borrowed from PCs is the Web browser: it's based on the same code as the desktop version of Internet Explorer, Belfiore said.
The graphics Belfiore showed are spacious, using a thin typeface with big one-word titles for the themes of each screen -- day, local, music and so on. The text is displayed using a more precise version of Cleartype that Belfiore called sub-pixel positioning.
Some of the page transitions in the user interface slide like the cards in Palm's Web OS.
The first version of Windows Phone 7 Series will not include Adobe Flash -- although Ballmer said he had "no objection" to Flash support. That marks the software apart from Apple's iPhone, which does not -- and will not -- support Flash.
Developers will have to wait until Microsoft's Mix conference in Las Vegas next month to learn whether Windows Phone 7 Series will support Microsoft's Silverlight in place of the missing Flash, said Microsoft spokesman Casey McGee after the launch presentation.
Some of the page transitions in the user interface slide like the cards in Palm's Web OS.
The first version of Windows Phone 7 Series will not include Adobe Flash -- although Ballmer said he had "no objection" to Flash support. That marks the software apart from Apple's iPhone, which does not -- and will not -- support Flash.
Developers will have to wait until Microsoft's Mix conference in Las Vegas next month to learn whether Windows Phone 7 Series will support Microsoft's Silverlight in place of the missing Flash, said Microsoft spokesman Casey McGee after the launch presentation.
Microsoft plans to release a software development kit (SDK) to enable network operators and third parties to add new services and applications to the phones. AT&T, in the U.S., and Orange, in France, will be among the first operator partners to develop services specially for the phone.
Microsoft plans to release a software development kit (SDK) to enable network operators and third parties to add new services and applications to the phones. AT&T, in the U.S., and Orange, in France, will be among the first operator partners to develop services specially for the phone.
Although the new software emphasizes functions rather than applications, and Microsoft intends to keep tight control of the user interface, it will be possible to download third-party applications and games certified by Microsoft through a "marketplace" hub. "There will be opportunities for partners to add value and build in functionality," said McGee.
Developers will have to wait to learn whether the applications they created for the previous version of Microsoft's mobile operating system, Windows Mobile 6.5, can be ported to the new platform, McGee said.
Microsoft's own mobile software developers are focusing very much on the new platform. "Windows Phone 7 Series is the priority for Microsoft's communications business," McGee said. Nevertheless, he said, the company will continue to deliver support for Windows Mobile 6.5 for three to five years from its October 2009 launch. He expects vendors to continue to launch devices based on Windows Mobile 6.5 for some time to come.
Microsoft expects the first phones running the software to be available by the end of the year, and says that network operators including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Verizon and Vodafone, and vendors including Samsung, LG, Sony-Ericsson and long-time partner HTC have committed to offering devices running Windows Phone 7 Series.
Microsoft expects the first phones running the software to be available by the end of the year, and says that network operators including Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Verizon and Vodafone, and vendors including Samsung, LG, Sony-Ericsson and long-time partner HTC have committed to offering devices running Windows Phone 7 Series.
ref: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9156938/Update_Microsoft_CEO_unveils_Windows_Phone_7_Series_software?taxonomyId=89&pageNumber=2
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Did you know that AOK's Proactive Care Solution includes AVG protection for all of your machines?
Aren't we all looking for a worry free internet experience. Allow me to highlight some of the great features that come with your AVG protection.
Identity Protection - up-to-the-minute banking and shopping protection
AVG Identity Protection enhances your current anti-virus software by shielding your passwords, credit card numbers, and all other private information from prying eyes.
Webshield - safe social networking, chatting and downloading
Webshield allows you to download and exchange files without risk of virus infection, including files downloaded using ICQ, MSN and Yahoo! instant messengers.
Anti-Spam - safe, uncluttered e-mail
Our AVG Anti-Spam feature adopts a regularly updated database for detecting all forms of spam.
Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware - safe computer
Our Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware technology protects you from falling victim to or unwittingly spreading a virus, worm, or Trojan horse. It also prevents the unauthorized access of information from both spyware and adware.
Enhanced Firewall - block hackers
Our Enhanced Firewall ensures you against unwanted visitors trying to access your computer.
Aren't we all looking for a worry free internet experience. Allow me to highlight some of the great features that come with your AVG protection.
Identity Protection - up-to-the-minute banking and shopping protection
AVG Identity Protection enhances your current anti-virus software by shielding your passwords, credit card numbers, and all other private information from prying eyes.
Webshield - safe social networking, chatting and downloading
Webshield allows you to download and exchange files without risk of virus infection, including files downloaded using ICQ, MSN and Yahoo! instant messengers.
Anti-Spam - safe, uncluttered e-mail
Our AVG Anti-Spam feature adopts a regularly updated database for detecting all forms of spam.
Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware - safe computer
Our Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware technology protects you from falling victim to or unwittingly spreading a virus, worm, or Trojan horse. It also prevents the unauthorized access of information from both spyware and adware.
Enhanced Firewall - block hackers
Our Enhanced Firewall ensures you against unwanted visitors trying to access your computer.
Certifications
AOK's Newest VTSPs
George Kostopoulos & Nelson Rodriguez
Ever wonder about the certifications of your IT company?
George Kostopoulos & Nelson Rodriguez
Ever wonder about the certifications of your IT company?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Network Security
Endpoint Immunity
* Zero software (applications, O/S, data) at the endpoint
* USB access at the endpoint can be controlled/access denied
* Keyboard and mouse input are encrypted
* Secure remote access to virtual machines. with output options controlled
One of the primary goals is to move all software off the desktop and to the server. In accomplishing this goal, the ultimate secure endpoint was created, impervious to all malware and viruses. While this does not change the vulnerability of the software and data in the data center, at least it is in place where IT has more control. And in the event a virtual desktop machine is corrupted, IT can simply discard it and provision a new one, in just minutes.
The Pano System is compatible with the most USB devices, however the IT Staff can prevent the use of an external device at the endpoint, further protecting access to centrally located applications and data. Meanwhile all keyboard and mouse input from the user session, are protected with the industry standard AES128 encryption.
For remote access, a companion product to the Pano System has been developed called Pan Remote. Pano Remote can be used by employees at any PC anywhere on the Internet. It is a convenient tool that end-users quickly integrate into their daily routine. Since it is only using the client as an access vehicle and uses SSL tunnel to gain entry to the virtual machines back in the Company's server room, it is completely secure. If the vehicle being used should be infected - there is no risk of cross contamination.
Pano Green
Uses only 3% of the energy of a PC
* Same as a traditional PC turned off
* 80% savings over a traditional PC
* Less heat created means lower A/C costs
* Zero clients -> no moving parts -> longer upgrade cycle -> less waste
* RoHs compliant
Whether driven by the need to help the environment or reduce company costs (or both), you may be surprised at the impact of the Pano System on the energy bill. The Pano System will provide more than an 80% energy savings over a traditional PC, even when including the additional energy used by the server.
Another energy related factor is whether to tell employees to turn off their PC's at night, or leave them on. A recent article (USA Today, 03/25/09) stated that $2.8 billion was spent by companies on electricity for PCs left on overnight - $2.8 billion down the drain with no value in return. However, if employees shut down their PCs at night, their data may not be available for scheduled back-ups, which is not conducive for business continuity. Second, they can spend 10-20 minutes per day shutting down and starting back up the following day, conservatively costing a full work week per year.
The Pano System is always on and always available. No energy wasted and no time lost shutting down or booting up.
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