Frank Dzubeck

Managing a data network in 2005 is much simpler than in 1995 or even 1985. The tools are more intelligent, and the information available is more accurate and complete. But network managers have let this sophistication cloud over a fundamental trait of corporate networking in 2005

Peer-to-peer networking has caused a dramatic increase in Internet traffic. Today, the major P2P user is the consumer, and the major application is media file sharing. Music, movies and the like now are available to consumers using P2P technology. Depending on the analysis methodology, P2P networking accounts for 60 per cent to 89 per cent of all Internet traffic.

Over the past few months, disturbing studies have come to light indicating fear of using the Internet. The fear is directly related to all the bad press and user experiences with viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, malware and spam that inhibit Internet communications. Operating system flaws that hackers can exploit have added the potential of identity theft to the growing list of user fears. Keeping software patches, virus definitions and e-mail filters up to date has become a time-consuming administrative nightmare.

In 2004, radical changes shook the corporate IT world. Corporate business-process componentization and transformation, along with the cost savings of outsourcing and out-tasking, led to internal reassessment.

In the past I've noted some reasons why SNMP should be reengineered around XML and event-based bus architectures. Those notions have drawn many responses,...

In this first decade of the 21st century, the communications industry is at an interesting transition point.

Earlier this year, I predicted that the communications platform of the future would be the blade server. My prediction is beginning to be played out.

Every once in a while a technology discontinuity occurs, reinventing the marketplace and sending a shiver up the corporate spines of vendors. This year, two major discontinuities will emerge, first confusing and then enticing customers, while perplexing vendors.