Monday, March 30, 2009

More from HP

HP continues to pound away at the recession with amazing offers:


HP economic stimulus deals

The laptop is especially interesting.  1gb of ram expandable to 8gb.  DVD writeable optical drive. It's a nice machine to just browse around the net with, perfect for home use.  I would upgrade the OS to Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate, but for the price would find no fault with the OS it comes with.  

This offer is only good for a few days so call me quick, 800-555-6255 x8345, direct 514-373-8345.  Ask for Garfield. 

Unified Communications

Someone passed this on to me earlier today.  It was interesting, thought I would post it.

"What to ask before you buy.
Checklist: Enterprise Unified Communications

Done right, UC (Unified Communications) can boost employees’ productivity, help
executives better manage a distributed work force and improve the company’s
response time to customers. Forrester Research Inc. is seeing growing momentum
behind UC in the enterprise; the technology research firm expects a significant
increase in deployments by the end of 2009." 

Download it here

or view it online 

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wacom - Intuos4 Tablet

Wacom - Intuos4 Tablet

Posted using ShareThis

Wacom Introduces new Intuos4 Tablet

These things are fun!  I think.  I never used one, but I assume they would be useful.  Perfect for taking notes or even freehand design.


Professional photographers, designers and artists agree: Intuos4 pen tablets speed production time for photo editing, design and art creation. When working with digital assets, there isn’t a more natural tool than a pen for increased comfort and control.
  • Powerful, yet sensitive - Featuring the new Wacom Tip Sensor, you will now realize precision and control with only a single gram of pen pressure. With every stroke, Intuos4 captures even the most subtle nuances of pressure, giving you the creative power to dynamically adjust exposure, brush size, line weight, opacity and more by pressing harder or softer with the new Grip Pen.
  • Pixel precision - By integrating Wacom?s highest level of pen pressure sensitivity at 2048 levels, you will realize accuracy and detail at the pixel level like never before. The new Grip Pen precision mode also allows for fine, detail work.
  • Keys to success - Work smarter not harder. Set up the Intuos4 ExpressKeys? to activate your own unique, time-saving shortcuts and modifiers in each of your applications. With Intuos4, remembering your shortcut settings is now as easy as casting a quick glance at the tablet. Each ExpressKey is now equipped with an accompanying illuminated display, providing a constant reminder of the Key?s application-specific function.
  • Speed Ring - The finger-sensitive Touch Ring allows you to control up to four different functions in each application for on the fly adjustments such as zooming, scrolling, brush size, canvas rotation, and more* *.
  • Left, right, left - The innovative, ambidextrous design of Intuos4 allows you to maximize the productivity of both your hands. By locating all of the ExpressKeys and the Touch Ring on the same side of the tablet, they are all in the perfect position for use with the hand that is not holding the pen. Simply rotate the tablet 180° degrees and change a single control panel setting to adjust the tablet from a right-handed to a left-handed configuration.
  • Extra comfort - Intuos4 is the most comfortable Intuos tablet yet. The slim-profiled tablet has gently sloping, easy glide palm rests that provide complete support for working on all areas of the tablet. The cordless, battery-free pen features a cushioned, ergonomically contoured barrel, and a selection of interchangeable nibs.
  • Peek inside - A new weighted pen stand not only provides a convenient pen holder, but also functions as a handy twist-off storage compartment for pen nibs and a handy nib removal tool. Standard, felt, stroke and flex nibs ship with the Intuos4, allowing you to simulate working with a variety of traditional art and design materials.
  • Software No Less - With your Intuos4, gain access to new choices in bundled software to best fit your needs. Intuos4 owners are eligible to download the following valuable software applications: Wacom Brushes 3.0., Nik® Color Efex Pro? WE6, and Corel® Painter? Sketch Pad. In addition, Intuos4 owners may choose between Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7 for the PC, Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 6 for the Mac, or Autodesk® SketchBook Express® 2010.
  • Mouse included - There is even room for a mouse on this professional pen tablet. Completely redesigned, the new five-button mouse moves the cursor based on both the direction and the orientation of the mouse for smooth, accurate tracking across the tablet surface.


Check out these Apple Mac deals

Apple
20" iMac - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 2GB RAM, 320GB hard drive, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M 
20", Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 320GB SATA, 8X SuperDrive, 10/100/1000, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, AirPort Extreme 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.0, iSight, OS X 10.5 Leopard 
PC Mall Part #7758229  
Mfr. Part #MB417LL/A

Apple
13.3" MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz, 2GB, 160GB, SuperDrive - Aluminum unibody 
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz, 2GB DDR3, 160GB SATA/100, 256MB DDR3 Nvidia GeForce 9400M, 13" Display 1280x800, Super Drive(DVD+-R/CD-RW), Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11n WLAN, Bluetooth, OS X 10.5 Leopard 
PC Mall Part #7684018  
Mfr. Part #MB466LL/A

Apple
13.3" MacBook Air 1.6GHz 2GB RAM 120GB HD 9400M - Aluminum 
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz, 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 120GB SATA HD, 13.3" TFT WXGA, NVIDIA 9400M Graphics card, 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard 
PC Mall Part #7684027  
Mfr. Part #MB543LL/A

Apple
15.4" MacBook Pro - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz 2GB, 250GB, 9600M SuperDrive 
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 15" Display, 2GB DDR3, 250GB SATA, Nvidia GeForce 9600M 256MB, 8X SuperDrive, Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T, Airport Extreme, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR & iSight, OS X 10.5 Leopard 
PC Mall Part #7684020  
Mfr. Part #MB470LL/A

Lenovo Offers

lenovo offers from pcmall

Lenovo
ThinkPad T400 - Intel Centrino 2 Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz Notebook 
Intel Centrino 2 Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD, DVDRW, 14.1" WXGA TFT, Intel 802.11agn, 1GB Ethernet, Modem, Ultranav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, Windows XP Professional 
PC Mall Part #7531721  
Mfr. Part #7417TPU

Lenovo
ThinkPad T500 - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz Notebook 
Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 160GB SATA HDD, CDRW/DVDRW Drive, 15.4" WXGA TFT LCD, Fingerprint Reader, Modem, 1GB Ethernet, WLAN 802.11a/g/n, Windows XP Pro 
PC Mall Part #7531844  
Mfr. Part #224233U

Lenovo
ThinkPad SL400 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5870 2.0GHz Notebook 
Intel Core 2 Duo T5870 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB SATA HDD, DVD Recordable, 14.1" WXGA TFT LCD, Fingerprint Reader, Camera, Modem, 1GB NIC, WLAN 802.11agn, Bluetooth, Windows XP Pro 
PC Mall Part #7676309  
Mfr. Part #27436AU

These offers are only valid until March 31st, 2009 or while supplies last.

Call 800-555-6255 x8345


Tuesday, March 24, 2009

VMWare Technical Resources

http://www.vmware.com/resources/techresources/cat/91?from=0

A great VMWare virtualization resource depot and guide.

HP jump start the economy deal

I love this Hewlett-Packard (HP) deal that we have this week.

So check it, for $399.99 (after mail in rebates) you can get:
HP computer and monitor deal

HP DX7500 with 3gb and a 22" monitor for $399.99 after mail in rebates...why not? Limit of 5 per customer! Valid until Friday the 27th or while supplies last.

Plus you can get the mouse, the security lock, the connectivity kit...FREE?  I mean come on!!!
 HP-Smart Buy Business PC Security Lock Kit-AccessoriesHP
Smart Buy Business PC Security Lock Kit 
This handy device ensures desktop PC remains exactly where it is by locking the chassis cover and securing it to an anchor point. 
PC Mall Part #7702727  
Mfr. Part #PV606AT
 HP-Smart Buy USB 2-Button Laser Mouse-Input DevicesHP
Smart Buy USB 2-Button Laser Mouse 
The HP USB Laser Mouse provides the speed and accuracy of laser tracking in a simple, elegant design. 
PC Mall Part #7763737  
Mfr. Part #GW405AT

 HP-Smart Buy Connectivity Starter Kit-AccessoriesHP
Smart Buy Connectivity Starter Kit 
Get connected with everything you need in one kit - surge protector, local area network (LAN) cable and USB printer cable. 
PC Mall Part #7197390  


Call 514-373-8345 for more details or 1-800-555-6255 x8345 but not after Friday March 27th, 2009.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Installing a new hard drive

Tech Tips



A Practical Roadmap for Balancing IT Cost Pressures and Top Line Value

A Practical Roadmap for Balancing IT Cost Pressures and Top Line Value

Live Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Time:  8:00 AM PT/11:00 AM ET

Speakers:
Andre P. Hughes, Global Managing Director, Accenture & Cisco Business Group

Rebecca Jacoby, SVP and Chief Information Officer, Cisco Frank B. Modruson, Chief Information Officer, Accenture

Moderated by:
Bob Melk, Publisher, CIO Magazine

Accenture and Cisco joins CIO magazine to discuss how IT can be an asset that drives value for your business by deploying technologies that can fundamentally change the way your organization collaborates with its customers, employees, partners and suppliers. 

Register Today

Monday, March 16, 2009

Why You Should Virtualize

Why Your Company Should Virtualize

Virtualizing your IT infrastructure lets you reduce IT costs while increasing the efficiency, utilization, and flexibility of your existing assets. Around the world, companies of every size benefit from VMware virtualization. Thousands of organizations—including all of the Fortune 100—use VMware virtualization solutions. See how building a virtual datacenter will benefit your organization.

Top 5 Reasons to Adopt Virtualization Software

1.     Get more out of your existing resources: Pool common infrastructure resources and break the legacy “one application to one server” model with server consolidation.

2.     Reduce datacenter costs by reducing your physical infrastructure and improving your server to admin ratio: Fewer servers and related IT hardware means reduced real estate and reduced power and cooling requirements. Better management tools let you improve your server to admin ratio so personnel requirements are reduced as well.

3.     Increase availability of hardware and applications for improved business continuity: Securely backup and migrate entire virtual environments with no interruption in service. Eliminate planned downtime and recover immediately from unplanned issues.

4.     Gain operational flexibility: Respond to market changes with dynamic resource management, faster server provisioning and improved desktop and application deployment.

5.       Improve desktop manageability and security: Deploy, manage and monitor secure desktop environments that users can access locally or remotely, with or without a network connection, on almost any standard desktop, laptop or tablet PC.

http://www.vmware.com/virtualization/

Transform your Business with Virtualization

Virtualization dramatically improves the efficiency and availability of resources and applications in your organization. Internal resources are underutilized under the old “one server, one application” model and IT admins spend too much time managing servers rather than innovating. An automated datacenter, built on a VMware virtualization platform, lets you respond to market dynamics faster and more efficiently than ever before. VMware Infrastructure delivers resources, applications—even servers—when and where they’re needed. VMware customers typically save 50-70% on overall IT costs by consolidating their resource pools and delivering highly available machines with VMware Infrastructure.

5 Things to Consider

1. Assess your virtual environment readiness

You can't optimize what you cannot measure. A detailed assessment is required before full project commitment to understand your current capabilities, help justify current as well as future investments, and provide a baseline measurement that can be tracked and reviewed.

2. Investigate shared/unified storage to improve flexibility

A well-architected shared storage environment can help IT groups enable the advanced features of virtualized server environments without adding the overhead of additional management.

3. Revisit data backup and recovery plans

Virtualization means relying on fewer physical systems to process more tasks. Consolidating on fewer machines without redesigning data protection will lead to performance issues, impede recovery and limit overall project success. CIOs should carefully consider the best choice in data protection for their organization's specific needs, to minimize the impact of events such as data, system, or site failure and ensure information is properly protected.

4. Consider thin provisioning

Server virtualization enables the rapid provisioning of applications and administrators should consider thin provisioning for their environments to reclaim unused storage, improve storage efficiency and enable faster time to market.

5. Dig into data de-duplication to maximize efficiency

By its very nature, virtualization tends to have a lot of duplicate data such as the same operating system and application software. De-duplication technologies allow an organization to use and manage less storage while still reaping the benefits of virtualization.

Try it, It's FREE

Download VMware ESXi free is VMware next-generation hypervisor that allows you to deploy virtual machines in your physical servers.

ESXi live demo shows how it works and gives an excellent overview

VMware Virtual Infrastructure 3 live demo summary of features and benefits of VMware Virtual infrastructure 3.

VMware View 3; Take Control of Your Desktops!

You can also try a full blown trial version of Virtual Infrastructure 3 Enterprise for 60 days...FREE.  It's a great option if you currently run 10 or more servers.

If you have already virtualized your servers and storage, you also want to consider virtualizing your desktops.

Call me when you need to implement a virtual solution, obtain additional licenses, or need to renew your VMWare maintenance.

Garfield Jones
514-373-8345
The IT Info Guy

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Network Security

What if I were to ask you just how safe your network is?  You'd probably tell me you have firewalls, HIPS, all kinds of AV, spamblockers etc...you'd probably tell me it's pretty safe.  

Now what if I told you that I could arrange for a company to try to hack into your system for free in order to expose any weakness in your security profile?  I made that offer to a few people today and they turned it down, they felt that they had done all that needed to be done to be safe.  

They felt that because they are monitoring from the inside that the system is ironclad and foolproof.  While that may be true, why not have a company test it from the outside.  You never truly know how safe your home is until a criminal wants to break in and tries to break in.  

If your company has 150 or more computer users, let's get the test arranged.  Right now I can get it set up for free but that promotion may not last forever.  

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Virtualizing...is not an option you can ignore.

Whenever I speak to a customer that is not considering virtualizing I always think about what it must have been like trying to convince people in the early days of the PC that this was a necessary revolution that they must embrace.  I can imagine those who just would not let go of their electric typewriters.

Let's face it, if you do not begin to virtualize your environment while your competitors do you will be paying more money for hardware, power, staffing, and physical space.  You will be paying costs that your competitors who have virtualized are not paying thereby reducing your effectiveness in the market place- you will not be able to compete.

You have choices but the market leader is VMWare and the company that at this moment I would recommend.  The best part is that you can virtualize right now, today for free!  It used to be that you would have to pay $500 for each license of ESX or ESXi but you can now go to VMWare and download it for free.  The management tools on the other hand...not so free.  That is where you go from ESXi to Infrastructure3

Right now you can comfortably have 7+ servers running on one physical piece of equipment.  Some companies like QualComm have 30-40 servers running on one box.  As the technology improves and as servers become more powerful (that transitor on a chip number keeps getting bigger), you will be able to get more and more virtual machines on the same piece of equipment that you currently own.  

Considering that Infrastructure3 is priced so that one license covers 2 processors regardless of how many cores those processors have, you can begin to imagine what that will mean when 16 and 32 cores become the norm, and you'll be able to toss multiple processors into a box.  That datacenter you currently have with 20, 30, 40 physical servers will easily fit into one powerful box no bigger than the 1, 2, 3u+ servers you currently use.  

You may be hesitant but don't wait too long to play with it or the future will roll right over you.
Anyways, try it out, see how you like it: 
  • Get a free license for VMware ESXi and build virtual machines in minutes with this easy-to-deploy, OS-independent hypervisor.
  • you can view ESXi live demo that shows how it works and gives an excellent overview.
Another option for you might be that when you buy your next copy of Windows Server 2008, buy the Enterprise edition which comes bundled with 5 licenses for Microsoft's virtualization offering Hyper-V.  You get the windows license you want plus 5 additional licenses for virtual machines.  I'll check with them to see if they have a free trial as well.
VMware_ESXi_Datasheet.pdf

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

VHS to DVD

My mother mentioned that a friend of hers bought a machine that has both VHS and DVD capability.  Better still, she tells me that this machine is supposed to convert VHS to DVD.  I have never seen a piece of equipment built for that.  Looks like I will be Googling around trying to find this magical piece of equipment so I can convert all my old VHS tapes and then toss them.

iLugger and Vizioncore

THe two things I learned a little about today:

1) A lot of people are buying Imacs because the price point is lower than the Macbook or Macbook Pro.  They are then buying a case from someone like iLugger www.ilugger.com.
This way they can still have portability without adding the extra cost of a laptop.  

2) VRanger Pro for backing up virtual machines is a great little add-on tool for VMWare that one of my customers loves 

Vizioncore's vRanger Pro is the leading, industry-standard backup and recovery solution for virtualized environments on the market today. vRanger Pro provides image-level hot backups—of either the entire virtual machine or just the differential—quickly and easily. Supporting VMware ESX and ESXi servers, vRanger Pro offers full VMware Virtual Center integration, is VMotion aware, and integrates with VCB. A VSS driver supports transactionally consistent backups and VSS support is included for VCB backups as well. A P2V-DR plug in allows you to extend the benefits of virtualized backup and restore capabilities to your physical servers.

They also have the vReplicator
Vizioncore's vReplicator supports disaster recovery strategies with affordable replication of virtual servers. The entire virtual machine, including configuration settings, patches to the OS, the application itself as well as the data and all other OS-level changes. vReplicator allows for selective replication of critical virtual machines, eliminating the maintenance, network traffic and hardware expense of replicating the entire LUN or SAN. vReplicator can duplicate from several hosts to one host and can replicate to hardware platforms that are dissimilar from the source.

vFoglight
vFoglight is the only virtualization monitoring solution that understands the relationships and interactions between all the components in the virtual infrastructure, helping administrators detect, diagnose and resolve incidents and problems, ensure performance, and perform capacity planning and chargeback. vFoglight is offered in two editions - vFoglight Standard (SE) and vFoglight Pro. vFoglight SE is designed to help organizations monitor the performance of their virtual infrastructures. vFoglight Pro includes all the features of vFoglight SE and adds advanced capabilities for Chargeback, Physical Operating System (OS) Monitoring, Third-Party Integration and more.

vOptimizer

vOptimizer Pro is the only solution for VMware ESX Server infrastructures that reclaims storage from across the virtual infrastructure to help increase storage utilization, reduce storage costs and improve VM performance.

According to industry analysts, as much as 90% of storage in virtual infrastructure is unused because of over allocations at the initial point of provisioning. With widespread adoption of virtualization, organizations are often faced with buying more [unused] storage to support their growing environments. Accepting low utilization rates adds significant cost that can quickly diminish the savings derived from virtualization initiatives. Therefore, saving money without sacrificing peak performance presents a key challenge.

source: http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vOptimizerPro/

and vConverter
 vConverter is Vizioncore's P2V/V2V conversion solution that significantly reduces the time and effort spent converting servers to the VMware, Microsoft or Virtual Iron platforms. vConverter enables fast, easy and reliable conversions without disrupting the source physical system during the conversion process. There is no need to reboot, no need to visit machines being converted and no software to install on the source, which means virtually no downtime, thus significantly reducing the time and cost of the conversion process.

source:  http://www.vizioncore.com/products/vConverter/





Thursday, March 5, 2009

USB to VGA kits

These things are cool.  
Cables To Go-Wireless USB to VGA Kit-Wireless Networking

You can get them from Cables to Go or Iogear.  Check out the quick Iogear video here:



Iogear
Wireless USB to VGA Adapter Kit
The IOGEAR Wireless USB to VGA Adapter kit instantly allows you to add a high resolution display using Wireless USB Technology.
PC Mall Part #7660305  
Mfr. Part #GUW2015VKIT

Cables To Go
Wireless USB to VGA Kit
Wireless USB To VGA Adapter Kit. The TruLink USB To VGA Kit includes everything you need to wirelessly display video content from your computer to a remote monitor, projector or television.
PC Mall Part #7692273  
Mfr. Part #29572

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Acronis' Disk Director 10.0

Jaymie at Biz Communications http://bzcom.biz/ is an IT Professional whose opinion I value and trust.  Today he looked at this Disk Director from Acronis and raved about it.  Apparently I can download this thing, and then fix my partition issues.  I have a 160gb hard drive partifitoned and the C is at 90% and the D drive at 30%.  Apparently Disk Director can fix this issue by reallocating drive space from my D drive to my C drive...excellent!!!  Just the tool I was looking for.  

Acronis was kind enough to send me a NFR copy so I am going to test drive this thing and let you know.


BTW, if you are in the 724 area code, you're a small business and need IT help, call Jaymie 
Phone: (724) 832-8313
Fax: (724) 836-5258
E-mail: sales@bzcom.biz


St. Bernard's iPrism

Think all Web Filters are alike? Think again.  iPrism delivers Value, Simplicity, and Performance…

iPrism surpasses competitors with Anonymizer blocking, Antivirus at the gateway, robust on-box reporting and high throughput capacity.  Employees can easily by-pass other filters without being detected and let dangerous viruses into a network. 

Why iPrism for Web Content Filtering when money is tight…

·         Increase employee productivity with iPrism for Web content filtering – Turn on the filters, turn up the productivity!

·         Secure networks from internet based threats – Spyware, Phishing, and malware - that can cost thousands to repair & in downtime

·         Block streaming audio and video that takes up precious bandwidth, slows down the network, and distracts employees from work

·         Reduce corporate liability by blocking illegal downloads, inappropriate content, and executable files that can distract employees and install malware that can damage the network

·         Make sure employees are actually filtered – iPrism employs an unparalleled multi-layered approach that combines URL classification, deep packet inspection and unique proxy blocking to deliver the most effective anonymizer protection on the market

·         iPrism helps save today and tomorrow as it protects companies from unforeseen expenses

 

Get your free iPrism Switch Kit today!

Ø  FREE onsite evaluation that can be deployed without any client or network changes

Ø  FREE enhanced technical support for setting up matching policies, reports & alerts based on your current settings

Ø  INCENTIVE PRICING just for watching a live demo

 

More reasons why iPrism is the best solution…

·         It is a plug-and-play appliance that can filter content by Category, URL or file type with an easy to navigate interface & real-time drill down reporting

·          No additional hardware or software to purchase, install, manage, or maintain which lowers total cost of ownership

·         Two-layers of AV protection including real-time scanning which provides virus and spyware protection at the perimeter

·          Flexible enforcement options to monitor or block by day, time, user, user groups, IP address and web categories that optimize network performance and reduce corporate liability

·          Supplies the ability for managers to quickly override pre-determined blocked sites (such as shopping) for temporary access

·          Helps meet compliance regulations and acceptable internet usage policies

·         Delivers Proxy and Anonymizer blocking - iPrism Web Filter employs an unparalleled  multi-layered approach

·         SafeSearch – blocks thumbnail images, ideal for schools and libraries while reducing corporate liability

·          Provides 100% human reviewed iGuard URL database which limits false positive results

·         Integrates with LDAP and Active Directory for detailed reporting down to the user name level

·         Includes Delegated Administration

·         Allows for filtering of remote workers

·          Optimizes network performance by limiting access to high bandwidth sites such as You-Tube and others offering streaming video & downloadable MP3 files

·         Easy to use with the lowest TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) on the market

Click here for a brief iPrism overview: http://www.stbernard.com/media/swf/demos/ip/index.html

iPrism Models - Side-by-side comparison: http://www.stbernard.com/products/platforms/appliances.asp

 

iPrism WebEx Demo Schedule: which day works for you?

Monday             1:00 PST

Tuesday            11:00 PST

Wednesday       10am PST        

Thursday           9 am PST

Friday                9 am PST

 

Thanks for taking the time to learn how iPrism can help you save & protect your network.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Bestlink Electronics

Bestlink Electronics has developed several new UMPC products in both 7" and 10.1", with Linux, Window CE, Window XP operating systems respectively.

They have recently developed a 10.1 inches netbook using VIA C-7M ULP CPU





I wonder what the price point will be on these?

Here are the specs:
101V%20Netbook%20revA.xls

Switches

It came to my attention that the differences between unmanaged, web smart and managed switches is not always clear, even for IT professionals, so here it is:

Managed Switches

A managed switch allows you to control the individual ports of your switch. Features of course vary with manufacturers and models, but even the most basic will have the ability to turn the port on or off and control its link speed and duplex settings. That control is for security; it prevents someone just walking in and connecting to your lan through an unused port.

Beyond that, you might be able to specify a particular MAC address that is allowed to connect. That prevents someone from replacing machines with their own. You might be able to set login authentication, also. You may be able to designate certain ports as "high priority"; for example the ports your servers are on. Setting bandwidth limits, monitoring port traffic and of course logging are also features.

source:http://aplawrence.com/Words2005/2005_08_07.html


Unmanaged Switches

Unmanaged switches require no configuration and are often ideal for small, simple networks. Ready to go out of the box, you simply unpack, power up, and connect to your network.  The switch will automatically build a switching table and then forward data out only the appropriate ports with no additional user intervention required.

source: http://www.phoenixcontact.com/automation/32119_30368.htm


Smart Switches

The smart switch is aimed at small-to-medium size businesses, which don't have full-time network technicians, and don't want to learn a network operating system like IOS. Given that target market, it's no surprise to find Netgear involved - the company sells mostly to small companies, SOHO businesses and home users, and is a leader in unmanaged switches.

"We've pioneered the smart switch," boasts Netgear product line manager Peter Newton. "It gives you the key management features without having to buy a managed Layer 2 switch."

The switches don't have a console port or a command line interface, he explains: "You don't need to know IOS, but you get management features through a browser interface - it's easy to use.

source: http://www.techworld.com/midsizedbusiness/features/index.cfm?featureid=2348

Here's a couple of other great reading resources:

http://www.alliedtelesyn.com/media/pdf/unmanaged_smartswitch_wp.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_switch