Cisco IT Equipment

To many people, "Cisco router" is redundant. Of course, Cisco isn't the only router manufacturer. But its routers (including Ethernet-only and wireless) include innovative features for security, efficiency, network compatibility, and ease of use. Cisco switches are the same caliber, and we offer a wide selection of those.

In data networks, the three main hardware components are hubs, routers, and switches. How you select and implement these will determine your network's flexibility, functionality, reliability, and security.

• A hub acts much like those three-way plugs you might use for receptacles in your home. Hubs provide a simple connection between pathways.
• A router connects networks together. A router connects one IP subnet to another, allowing you to talk between IP networks and subnets. In a switched environment, routers interconnect VLANs and LAN segments. But a router doesn't propagate broadcasts. Switches do.
• The switch is the workhorse of the network. Switches may operate at one or more layers of the seven layers of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. The layers are (in order from Layer 1 through Layer 7): application, presentation, session, transport, network, data link, and physical. A switch can be multilayer, which means it operates simultaneously at two or more of the OSI model layers. A switch can be unmanaged (plug and play) or managed (you can modify how it behaves).

Meeting increasing Information Technology needs is often a challenge. We are here to help. Antenna Systems & Solutions, Inc. carries IT equipment ranging from servers, firewalls, U.P.S., KVM switches, operating systems, server appliances, and server racks. And we now rent out our extra rack space.

Do you know the single most common way IT security breaches occur? Many people are surprised to find out the answer is "people." Yes, you do need your firewall, security patches, password policy, and other security measures. But more than anything you need to ensure your facility has a security culture.

For a very long time, the construction industry has worked on safety by having supervisors hold safety meetings at specific times of the day (for example, right after the first break or at the start of the day before handing out assignments). These are short and typically have a single safety message that people can easily remember. You can do something similar for security. Hold a short security meeting where one message gets conveyed. For example, the supervisor can ask, "Can anyone tell me why we don't share our User ID?" Then two or three people in that supervisor's group can offer their ideas as to why. The supervisor makes sure the main reasons, plus an example, are given. The meeting is over quickly, but the message sticks with people.

Antenna Systems & Solutions, Inc. is now offering Co-location. We have the space available to house all of your co-location solutions. Whether you are looking for a place to house your small business server, or your entire data center, we have the solutions for your needs. Feel free to contact us (or by phone 847-584-1000) for more information.

Somebody got the not so bright idea some time ago that all IT personnel are interchangeable and anybody in IT can do anything in IT. If you've been tasked with wearing too many hats and with doing things for which you don't have the training or experience, what can you do? Isn't saying no a way to get yourself laid off?

Actually, it's not.

We can help you with IT equipment selection for the areas in which we offer IT equipment, so you're covered there. But what about other areas? Here's a tip. Your boss doesn't want unpleasant surprises. So, follow this procedure:

1. Identify exactly what the holes are for the area that has you under water. The goal here is to clearly state the problem.
2. Look at some possible resources, such as consultants, courses, outsourcing, or software. The goal here is to have some ideas for solving the problem.
3. Then tell your boss you need to discuss a problem and resources, so you can develop a good plan for proceeding.

Your boss will appreciate knowing the real score, versus going down in flames and having to explain to higher ups how, on his (or her) watch this fiasco happened.