VIDEO INTERVIEW: Lanre Ajayi, managing director of PINET Informatics and president of the Nigerian Internet Group, was interviewed at the recent West & Central African Com conference held in Abuja, Nigeria.
He talks about the changes coming in broadband and the need for businesses to position themselves for the opportunities they will bring.
Ajayi said these will include opportunities in terms of applications, e-business, e-commerce and e-government.
LSI has launched a new generation of MegaRAID SATA+SAS RAID controller cards based on 6Gb/s SAS technology.
The storage and networking solution provider has also announced its new channel strategy for worldwide customers.
Compared with 3Gb/s predecessors, the company said the 6Gb/s SAS RAID-on-chip (ROC) system provides more video streams, more database transactions and faster backups.
This enables the MegaRAID 9200 series controllers to double the data transfer rate and deliver up to 2.88 GB/s in sequential reads and 1.87 GB/s in sequential writes, according to the company.
The 9200 series controllers also provide channel customers with a low-cost upgrade that is designed to easily integrate with existing 3Gb/s SATA and SAS infrastructure, the company said.
Suresh Panikar, senior manager of worldwide channel partner marketing and communications at LSI, said the controllers also support both high-performance SAS hard drives and cost-effective, high-capacity SATA drives, as well as energy-efficient solid state drives (SSDs) and bring standardized zoning which improves storage efficiencies by allowing multiple servers to share storage devices.
They come with four ports and eight ports to reach up to a storage capacity of 480 terabytes.
The new LSI MegaRAID controllers include five models – MegaRAID 9260-8i (eight internal ports), MegaRAID 9260-4i (four internal ports), MegaRAID 9280-8e (eight external ports), MegaRAID 9260DE-8i and MegaRAID 9280DE-8e. The 9260-8i is available now while the rest will be available by September.
In addition to the next-generation product, the company announced it has teamed up with channel partners include vertical OEMs (VOEMs), direct market resellers (DMRs), resellers, and distributors to service its customers worldwide. LSI also provides forward looking fundings to those channel partners quarterly in advance for them to have more sufficient resources in promoting and selling LSI products.
Phil Bullinger, executive vice president and general manager of the Engenio Storage Group at LSI, said: "LSI’s strong channel partnerships are a key strategic advantage in the marketplace and central to the company’s business strategy."
EMC has launched a new version of its Mac backup software Retrospect.
As well as adding back support for PowerPC-based Macs, Retrospect 8.1 also improves performance on Intel-based Macs.
Eric Ullman, director of product management for Retrospect, said the product, which underwent a significant user interface rework in version 8, debuted initially without any support for PowerPC-based Macs.
But he said such systems still make up approximately 50 per cent of Retrospect users, so it was important for EMC to make sure to release a version of the software that ran on them.
"Apple doesn’t make PowerPC-based Macs anymore, but plenty of people still use them," he said. "Whether they’re hand-me-downs from other users who have upgraded to Intel-based Macs, or people who are just trying to extend the lives of otherwise useful systems."
Ullman said Retrospect is particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses that may have outgrown Time Machine – Apple’s backup system integrated with Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard".
He added that the software is also useful for businesses that want to centralise backups.
With version 8.1, a PowerPC system that might have otherwise been relegated to a closet can now be used to manage a Retrospect backup server.
Other changes have also been made in version 8.1 to improve performance on Intel-based Macs. Backup, data verification and restore activities are all faster, and EMC says that local backup performance has been increased from 10 to 15 per cent over 8.0, 30 to 35 per cent over 6.1. PowerPC-based systems will also see a boost over 6.1 – faster, multiple G5 systems run 10 to 15 percent faster under 8.1.
Some more user interface tweaks have been made to Retrospect 8.1, as well – icons have been updated, workflow has been improved, and the software provides better responses to user actions, according to Ullman.
Retrospect 8.1 is available as a free upgrade for 8.0 users; Retrospect 6.1 users who bought their software after January 14, 2008 are entitled to a free upgrade. Upgrade prices are also available for other users.
The new release is available throughout EMC’s distribution network both as a boxed software product and through download services.
WD has announced a one terabyte mobile hard drive for mobile storage applications and notebooks – the industry’s highest-capacity available 2.5-inch drive
The 333 GB-per-platter technology in the new WD Scorpio Blue SATA 2.5-inch hard is available in 1 TB capacity as well as a 750 GB.
The launch came as WD announced Q4 Revenue of USD $1.9 Billion and Net Income of USD $196 Million.
Both hard drives have a 12.5 mm form factor, which Jim Morris, senior vice president and general manager of client systems at WD, said is ideally suited for use in portable storage solutions.
Other applications include select notebooks and small form factor desktop PCs, where quiet and cool operation are important. Both WD Scorpio Blue drives deliver high-performance with 3 gigabits per second (Gb/s) transfer rate.
"The convergence of the growing mobile computing and digital media trends produces demand for desktop-like capacities in portable devices," he said.
"Our new WD Scorpio Blue drives enable people to take even more of their digital collections with them wherever they go and, realising the value of their data, back up their notebooks on their My Passport drives."
Morris said the WD Scorpio Blue hard drives offer high-performance, low power consumption and cool operation in portable applications.
They are designed with WD features to be reliable and shock resistant while also delivering industry-leading capacity and performance.
Verbatim is to mark its 40th anniversary by releasing a limited edition ´gold` portable external hard drive.
The gold-coloured UV coating of the special Anniversary Edition, houses a 500 GB 2.5" hard drive that includes easy-to-use backup and synchronization software.
The Dmailer backup software makes backing up very quick and easy for professionals and novices alike.
The Verbatim Sync software – also pre-loaded – supports users with reliable synchronisation of files and folders, from Microsoft Outlook or Windows mail contacts and calendar entries to documents, photos and videos.
Users can take their PC’s content wherever they go and work on other devices while safe in the knowledge that Verbatim’s Sync software will synchronise new content to their own PC on returning to base.
Complete with a USB 2.0 port that supplies the power and ensures data transfer at up to 480 Mbit/sec, the Anniversary Edition HDD is lightweight – only 161 grammes – optimizing it for mobility.
Gary Milner, president of Verbatim EUMEA, said that forty years on, Verbatim has entered its anniversary year as the third-largest brand overall in the European digital storage market and the world leader in optical storage media.
"From our early years in tape and floppy disks to our current broad product range of Optical, Flash Memory, External Hard Drives and Accessory Products, the Verbatim brand has always been associated with quality and reliability," he said.
"This has been the foundation of our success and will always to be at our core as we celebrate our 40th anniversary and continue to innovate and market popular consumer and professional products into the future."
The drive is compatible for PCs and Macs and is available for a limited period only at GBP £79.99 (RRP).
3Com is to build a next-generation data center for Sohu, one of China’s premiere online community destinations.
Sohu made its decision after a two-month field test of 3Com’s recently launched H3C data center solutions — including the S12500 Series core switch line and the S5800 Series 10-gigabit switch series.
Sun Dehe, vice president of the H3C network product line, said Sohu was impressed with the performance levels and reliability the data center network products’ unified architecture delivered.
He said the first third-generation interactive Chinese search engine launched by Sohu requires:
Dehe said that since a traditional data center architecture could not meet these requirements, Sohu decided to utilize the H3C next-generation data center architecture for its new Internet data center (IDC) equipment room.
"H3C had a long-term plan in mind when it began developing its next-generation data center solutions for enterprise customers," he said.
"For example, our unified switching architecture enables users to more easily design future-oriented applications – a characteristic required of Sohu’s data center.
"We believe more customers will adopt H3C next-generation data center solutions to take advantage of this and other technological breakthroughs to maximize the efficiency and performance of their data centers."
D2 Technologies has demonstrated its mCUE converged communications client for Android-based devices at an event designed to promote the adoption of Google’s Android operating system beyond mobile phones.
During this demonstration, the embedded IP communications software platform specialist showed OEMs and ODMs how embedded software products such as mCUE can enable VoIP, video chat and other IP communications capabilities in stationary Android-based embedded equipment and consumer electronics devices.
The company showed how, with mCUE, these devices can offer premium multi-service unified communications capabilities and deliver simultaneous interoperability with any communication service provider, Instant Messaging (IM) community or social networking platform.
The client enables all popular communication modes to be converged to a single communications user interface (UI), including circuit switched voice (PSTN or cellular), VoIP, Instant Messaging (IM), SMS and video chat.
mCUE includes D2 Technologies’ carrier-class vPort MP VoIP platform that is completely integrated into the Android framework, Linux kernel and hardware platform BSP.
The free event in Tokyo, Japan, was sponsored by the Open Embedded Software Foundation (OESF).
Doug Makishima, vice president of marketing and sales at D2 Technologies, said the OESF’s goal of ‘Android Anywhere’ will facilitate the expansion of the Android platform beyond mobile phone applications to many different embedded applications and consumer electronics devices.
He said as an embedded VoIP technology specialist, D2 is working closely with OESF members such as MIPS Technologies and RMI.
The aim is to develop and promote the adoption of IP communications and VoIP technology extensions to the Android framework for digital consumer devices.
"These include mobile internet devices (MIDs), DTVs, digital picture frames (DPFs), portable and home media players, and set-top boxes," he said.
Developed by the Open Handset Alliance, the Android platform is a Linux-based software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications.
D2 Technologies was the first to demo a complete communications interface, mCUE, on the HTC G1, the first commercial smartphone to market running on the Android mobile operating system.
Formed in March 2009, the 25-member OESF is focused on expanding market reach for the Android platform.
Founded by ARM, KDDI, Japan Cable Laboratories, Alpine Electronics and Fujitsu Software, the organization works with member companies on sharing technical information, co-development and co-marketing initiatives.
The OESF and its member companies are working on standards and development of Android for embedded equipment such as consumer electronics and in-car navigation systems other than mobile phones.
VOXOFON has expanded the availability of its low-cost international calling services by offering a mobile VoIP application for the Palm WebOS platform.
The application is aimed at the Palm Pre smartphone. VOXOFON plans to make the new application available on the Palm App Catalog later this year.
After installation the callers can simply click on the VOXOFON icon on the phone screen to place a low-cost international call.
The application works anywhere the phone has coverage and does not require a Wi-Fi connection. In addition, there are no monthly fees or contracts.
Beginning at 1.3 cents per minute, with no additional fees, VOXOFON international calling services allow customers to call using their smart phone, computer, land line, or a cell phone.
VOXOFON has been a leader in providing convenient mobile applications for its VoIP service, beginning with a web application for iPhone that was introduced in the summer of last year.
In September 2008, VOXOFON was the first to announce an application for the Android platform – one that offered transparent cost optimization for international calls.
The company followed with an identical application for BlackBerry smartphones in January of this year.
Mindspeed Technologies has announced the addition of two new devices to its Comcerto 300 Series of highly-integrated VoIP processors.
The supplier of semiconductor solutions for network infrastructure applications said the new devices provide a performance/cost ratio targeted at eight and 16 port fiber-based access (FTTx) equipment.
Kurt Michel, VoIP marketing director of Mindspeed’s multiservice access business unit, said that since the launch of the Comcerto 300 Series in January 2008, the devices have been selected by more than two dozen customers for over three dozen designs, across all major regional markets.
A majority of these designs are within Tier 1 carrier FTTx equipment.
"These new devices extend and complement a product family that has already experienced tremendous market acceptance with FTTx access equipment manufacturers worldwide since its launch 18 months ago," he said.
According to Dell’Oro Group, access VoIP port shipments will grow at a 51 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from 11 million ports in 2008 to 85 million ports in 2013.
It is expected that ninety per cent of the access ports in 2013 will be in multi-dwelling units (MDUs), Internet protocol digital subscriber line access multiplexer (IPDSLAMs) and multiservice access nodes (MSANs) for FTTx, a segment specifically targeted by the Comcerto 300.
With carrier-grade Comcerto 300-based FTTx equipment deployments now in process, Michel said its customers can expect to gain a time-to-market advantage from the Comcerto 300 product offering, which includes both devices and production-tested VoIP processing software.
He said Mindspeed’s total system solution removes much of the system complexity and risk, which often plagues new equipment development.
The two new devices bring the benefits of the Comcerto 300 family to lower-performance/lower-density applications at a lower cost, while retaining software, application programming interface (API), and footprint compatibility with the rest of the Comcerto 300 family.
The M82351 targets eight ports of complex VoIP, while the M82352 targets 16 ports, further improving the industry’s most scalable VoIP solution.
Michel said the company is very pleased to have a product family that clearly addresses the critical needs of the FTTx equipment market, at a time when that market is experiencing rapid growth.
"We also look forward to providing our Comcerto 300 customers a continually evolving set of advanced capabilities and features that the platform was designed to support – including high-speed fax relay and wideband (high definition) voice," he said.
"We believe that these features will ensure that Mindspeed customers stay on the leading edge of next-generation network (NGN) evolution."
Comcerto 300 Series access processors integrate a complete media access gateway in a single device by combining signaling and control processing, packet processing and a rich set of interfaces and features.
Michel said that by enabling VoIP on a line card, the Comcerto 300 Series reduces system complexity and leverages the Ethernet-based access equipment architectures that already support xDSL termination line cards.
He said the family is also well suited for Enterprise IP-PBX applications.
The Comcerto 300 Series M82351 and M82352 devices are now available in two packaging options (RoHS/standard) for production volumes.
IPsmarx Technology and DIDX have agreed a partnership with the aim of allowing VoIP service providers to extend their global reach.
The VoIP solutions provider delivers Softswitch and Calling Card Solutions to operators in 63 different countries.
Ludymar Reveron, sales manager with IPsmarx, said that by partnering with DIDX, their clients will now have the opportunity to take advantage of DIDs from all over the globe.
They will also be able to integrate the DIDX API to their website.
The agreement also means service providers can have automated DID ordering through the DIDX API.
"By partnering with DIDX and offering integration with their API, our clients will have the advantage of expanding their client base globally and automating their sign up process, which will ultimately help them cut costs while expanding their markets," he said.
Suzanne Bowen, vice president of Super Technologies and DIDX said the combination of DIDX API for local international phone numbers and IPsmarx solutions gives entrepreneurs, carriers, calling card businesses, and ISPs a global presence in 60+ countries and affordable quality CRM and billing.