Stories by Matt Hamblen

Foundry Networks launches XML switching

Foundry Networks Inc. has released a new version of its TrafficWorks Ironware operating system, which is used in its upper-layer load-balancing switches.

NetQos launches new response-time analyzer

NetQos Inc. this week launched SuperAgent v4, a tool for analyzing response time in applications running across large networks.

Nortel technology links IP, digital PBX systems

Nortel Networks Monday will unveil plans to deliver common operating software for its Succession line of IP private branch exchange (PBX) systems and its older Meridian 1 digital voice switches.

MCI defends its federal contracts

The top official in charge of federal government contracts for WorldCom Inc. defended the company's ethics and service record Wednesday and said the carrier, which is in the process of rebranding itself as MCI, has not received any special consideration in winning government bids for voice and data services.

Cisco unleashes cascade of new security offerings

Cisco Systems announced 14 security products and services this week, including three new products and an important revision to its security management software that supports threat-protection technology gained in the April acquisition of Okena.

Ethernet's creator describes its past, future

Robert M. "Bob" Metcalfe invented the local-area networking standard he called Ethernet on May 22, 1973, at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. Ethernet originally meant a shared media LAN. It is greatly changed today, but the name still sticks for a set of networking protocols that have become ubiquitous in the past 30 years. Metcalfe went on to co-found 3Com Corp. in 1979, then became a publisher and pundit in the 1990s, serving as CEO of InfoWorld, where he also wrote a column. He recently became a venture capitalist and is in his third year as a general partner at Polaris Venture Partners in Waltham, Mass. He spoke with Computerworld about Ethernet as a venture model and where the technology is headed.

App uses particle physics model for corporate analysis

Network Physics Inc. last week launched a network management appliance that relies on high-energy particle physics experiments to help companies better manage large corporate networks.

Ariba upgrades software for managing corporate spending

Ariba Inc. this week will unveil upgrades to eight of its spending management software products, with a focus on helping companies better manage spending on services ranging from snow removal to legal help, marketing and travel.

AT&T speeds up global rollout of IP VPN services

AT&T has outlined plans to expand its IP virtual private network (VPN) services globally, partly by accelerating an ongoing installation of technology based on the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) standard.

SIP

Session Initiation Protocol is a signaling protocol for Internet conferencing, telephony, presence, events notification and instant messaging. The protocol initiates call setup, routing, authentication and other communication features to endpoints within an IP domain.

IBM to boost self-healing capabilities in Tivoli line

IBM Corp. plans to announce new Tivoli systems and storage management and security software on Wednesday, including an autonomic computing offering that analysts say helps give IBM the lead in the emerging market for self-healing systems.

Interview: Nortel head: IP convergence way for Nortel to lead

Brampton, Ontario-based Nortel Networks Corp. named Malcolm Collins as its president of the enterprise networks division in December, two months after launching a renewed effort to win enterprise customers for networking products. That new direction came after layoffs and revenue declines for Nortel amid a declining market for companies that sell network gear to telecommunications and data service providers. Collins recently headed all major European accounts. He is now based in Raleigh, N.C., and reports directly to Nortel’s CEO. He spoke with Computerworld’s Matt Hamblen.

Intel adds Gigabit Ethernet devices for PCs, servers

Expanding its line of networking products, Intel Corp. is announcing a series of Ethernet devices, including a Gigabit Ethernet controller for PCs and a 10 Gigabit Ethernet network interface card for servers.

Cisco upgrades content-caching software

Cisco Systems Inc. last week announced Version 5.0 of its Application and Content Networking System (ACNS) software, saying the upgrade offers greater scalability to companies that use video and other high-bandwidth applications for internal training and communications.

Cisco expands its line of intrusion-detection tools

Cisco Systems next week plans to announce new intrusion-protection software and firewall enhancements, including functionality designed to lower IT staffing costs by drastically reducing false or irrelevant system-intrusion alarms.