Cisco TAC Service Request Tool Offline for 4 Days Now. Is It Me ? - Updated

I have not been able to use the Cisco web site to raise TAC cases for four days now. What’s going on ? Read more

Network Dictionary - Server Hugger

Server Hugger - a sysadmin who like to able to touch their servers, typically to the point of obsession. Thus they must have data centers in their building or very nearby (which is becoming increasingly difficult).

As read on GigaOM
Trailer Park 2.0: Where your data lives.

Server huggers like being near their servers -– they feel that the emotional well-being and efficient operation of their servers requires them to be physically close at all times.

In my experience these people fit one of the following categories:

• young and inexperienced
• insecure and lacking in sufficient knowledge / training
• inflated sense of worth
• working on really old software and hardware that needs constant upgrades.
• company has not invested in KVM equipment - even though it costs less than the administrator’s time these days.

It is now a given that Server Virtualization and Cloud Computing will make this type of person extinct in the near future.

Network Dictionary - Spinning Rust

Spinning Rust - term for conventional hard disk drives with motors and using ferrous-based platters for data storage. Probably derogatory now that Flash Drives are beginning to replace conventional drives.

OS X:Using Web Kit for HTTP, Website Analysis and Network Testing

Safari (or Webkit) has a neat debugging feature built in. It is available in both OS X and Windows versions. When testing performance of websites through application inspection on firewalls or load balancer it can be a useful tool to get visibility. Read more

Network Dictionary - Appsellation

Term to describe the “add on selling” of Network Management applications as an upgrade to your network.

Approximately the equivalent of asking “would you like fries with that” when ordering network equipment with the same outcome - you can’t really eat that many fries and sugary drink, but you can’t help buy it when you are hungry.

In the same way, you always want Network Management to work, but it always gets thrown out in the trash.

Design: Cisco Firewall Services Module Virtualization Design Traps

The Cisco Firewall Service Modules (FWSM) has a design limitation based on its ability to discriminate packet forwarding between multiple contexts. It also applies to ASA/PIX software. Lets review this.
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Review: How Close Was My Top5 on Cisco’s Viral Marketing for ASR9000

Couple of weeks ago I posted Top 5 things about Cisco’s Viral Marketing announcement. How did I do ? Read more

Review:Cisco ASR9000 Router - Nothing to Look at Here, Move on Please.

I didn’t bother with the Cisco ASR9000 launch thing. Glad I didn’t waste my time. Read more

OSX: Text Editing

I don’t do “word processing”, I write. I have different tools for writing depending on the task. Here is a review of OS X text editors that I use and would recommend. Read more

Domain Tasting Looking Dead - at Last ICANN Is Doing Something

ICANN posted today that AGP deletes are down 84% which means that abuse of the so-called “domain tasting” system is looking dead.

ICANN | AGP Deletes Down by 84%

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OSX: Eject Key Joyfulness

When shutting down your MAC using function and the eject button is the fastest way to get things done.

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Using the Wrong Date Formatting and the Global Problem - ISO8601

When working in a global company, a major problem is the way that some countries use the wrong date formatting. Say hello to ISO8601, standard for date formats. Read more

Internets of Interest: 7th Nov

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IP Addressing for HA Links for ASA/FWSM/ACE Etc- Poll

What IP addressing do you use for the sync / failover / HA links between your highly available devices ? Read more

RANT:Cannot Copy Text From Product Quick Reference Guide. What ?

I attempted to copy some text from the CPQRG today only to find it is copy protected. Why ? Is it a secret ? Don’t we want to sell things anymore ? Read more

Network Dictionary - Process Humping

Process humping: The act of implementing and then following process for the sake of having a process. Usually done by people who want to make it look like they’re doing something, or are too stupid to work out what needs doing anyway.

With thanks to Sean who sent it in. Good one.

Rant:D-Link Hijacks Your Internets - in FIRMWARE

Ubersource points out the D-Link router/modem firmware forces you to go their website and receive spamvertising about security software. You have to login to the router, go Advanced and OPT OUT to stop this.

This is very poor practice. Opt-out is NEVER ACCEPTABLE, and using a piece of hardware that is fully paid for to perform the spam attack is disgusting.

No more D-Link for me. I trust Cisco has no plans for Linksys to do the same - this is a revolting form of upselling.

D-Link DIR-655 Firmware 1.21 Hijacks your Internets

From Slashdot

Why Rate Articles ?

I have introduced an article rating system at the bottom of each blog post. Why do I want to do this ?

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