CeBit 2008: Lots of news are Cebit
Cebit 2008: News and novelties about safer ways of working on PCs, Internet Power Supply. All about new mouses and routers, clients management and radios, communications, everything about technologies is on show at CeBit.
The virtual hard disk that saves the day
It's the disaster that every company fears - a system failure that brings your entire operation to its knees. However, help is on hand in the form of the innovative business solution for backup and disaster recovery being presented by Acronis Germany GmbH at CeBIT 2008. This solution uses an integrated converter which enables it to convert critical systems to all popular makes of virtual hard disks.
As a result, systems continue to operate seamlessly in the event of breakdown, enabling activities to be resumed quickly. What's more, the solution increases database availability.
Free, secure entry to the Internet
Free Internet access for mobile guests - an Internet access device now gives guests, including suppliers, customers or consultants, the opportunity to access the web securely and cost-effectively via a hotspot gateway. The plug-and-play solution lets guests get online quickly on their own laptop. There's no need to reconfigure the network on the visitor's own unit.
Host-network protection renders the host network invisible to the guest computer. Each guest computer is allocated its own network, while the device also prevents links from being created between individual guest computers, thus safeguarding the host network against unauthorized access. However, as the manufacturer points out, special privileges such as access to particular services or printers can be set up if required.
Green power supply to enhance climate protection
"GreenPower technology" is an innovative technology that reduces power consumption and boosts climate protection. It lowers the power consumption of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) by up to 75 percent compared with conventional UPS systems.
A calculation by the CeBIT exhibitor Cyber Power Systems Inc. demonstrates that a 2,200VA UPS consumes on average of 315 kWH of electricity per year, while a green power UPS consumes a meager 68 kWh. This saving of 247kWh translates into around 94 euros per year in high-cost countries such as Norway. At this year's CeBIT, the company is presenting three products that utilize "GreenPower technology", including a standard UPS tailored to meet SOHO (small office/home office) requirements, available with a capacity of 1,200VA, 1,500VA or 2,200VA.
High-performance routers for all types of media
Routers are now capable of managing all types of media and delivering high-quality music. This will be demonstrated at CeBIT 2008 by AVM Computersysteme Vertriebs GmbH, which will be unveiling its new high-performance routers. A powerful processor turns the device into a platform for networked applications such as IP-TV, video-on-demand and music streaming. The new WLAN wireless standard also works in conjunction with multi-aerial technology to ensure perfect transmission of data, voice and films.
Besides connections for analog and ISDN telephones, the router also includes an integrated Dect base station for landline and Internet telephony. The media server gives you access to stored music across the entire network even when the computer is switched off. In the words of the manufacturer, the new product turns the DSL connection into a central data hub for the home.
Telephone, Internet and music from a single box
This box is a veritable all-rounder - by combining telephone, music and the internet, this compact device from CeBIT exhibitor AVM Computersysteme Vertriebs GmbH turns the DSL connection into a hitherto unparalleled source of information and entertainment for users. What's more, it supports both landline and Internet telephony.
It also puts an end to the irritating noises associated with Internet telephony. According to the manufacturer, HD telephony produces a new, natural tone. The device picks up web radio, podcasts and music from the hard disk and transmits it through your headphones or hi-fi system. It also alerts the user to incoming e-mails and displays RSS messages.
Exceptional sound on the road
This car radio plays back sounds from all manner of devices. For example, users can easily hook it up to their cell phone using a Bluetooth module, and you can receive and finish telephone calls quickly and easily via radio. Meanwhile, the hands-free set offers top-quality wireless acoustics. It can also be easily connected to mobile audio media such as the CD or MP3 player using plug-and-play (USB), and also to iPods.
The extra-large full-graphic display enables MP3 browsing (from the CD or USB) when you're on the road, while the radio also provides a sound package with a 3-band equalizer, 4-channel pre-amp out and variable sub-out. Blaupunkt GmbH, which will be showcasing the device at CeBIT 2008, specifies a maximum power for the system of 4 x 50 Watt. The radio volume adjusts automatically in relation to the speed of the car.
Keep tabs on your operations with client management
IT management is all about saving time and money, increasing security, and of course maintaining an overview of all your operations. At this year's CeBIT, matrix42 AG is presenting a new-generation client management solution that boasts several extended functions. The solution distributes software centrally to handhelds and Smartphones, while also extending the inventory.
The solution can now also be used to manage routers, switches, hubs, or printers. The extensive discovery device can therefore be used to record the latest inventory data in full from almost all of a client's components. Many of the functions run both on Windows and Linux.
Online on the ocean
Picture the scene: You're in the middle of the ocean, the sun is setting before your eyes, and you're quickly firing off a few e-mails - without paying an exorbitant rate for it. Nonius Software has developed a communication device that turns the high seas into hotspots and ensures that users have speedy access to the Internet. What really sets this development apart is its cost-efficiency. The system, which is on show at CeBIT 2008, automatically determines which connection - terrestrial or satellite - is the cheapest at any particular point in time.
This flexible gateway to the Internet functions equally well on cruise liners and public transport alike. And it's not only reserved for passengers - the solution can also integrate the ship's or vehicle's complete IT system, enabling it to benefit from intelligent selection of the cheapest connection.
Patient and equipment tracking software
It's an everyday scenario in hospitals - the doctor is on his laptop, the nurse is busy elsewhere, and the patient presses a button in his room to call for assistance. Thanks to a Wireless Positioning System, it is now possible to locate, alert or connect all three quickly via a central system. Nonius Software will be unveiling its new software at CeBIT 2008. The system displays the whereabouts of individual devices or people at a glance and can be integrated into an existing Wi-Fi infrastructure.
The system can be used to trigger a bi-directional alarm. The alarm can be sent to individuals via their PDA, laptop or even their mobile phones, while the software returns feedback to indicate the location. An alarm is triggered if they enter zones they are not authorized to access. It is also possible to track the position of equipment, thus safeguarding it against theft.
Studying the behavior of film stars
It's now easy to represent large crowds of people in film scenes thanks to 3D animation programs. However, requirements change and special effects experts are constantly being faced with new challenges. A U.S. software manufacturer whose programs have already been used many times to create crowd scenes in well-known films ("Pirates of the Caribbean", "Lord of the Rings") is now offering its customers intelligent characters that can react to given situations.
The artificial intelligence of the virtual characters means they can react appropriately to any situation without the need for special programming. Massive Software Ltd., whose virtual film stars will take a bow at this year's CeBIT, also provides an archive of the characters. The figures have been pre-created and are ready for use immediately. But you'd be wrong in thinking these "agents" are reserved solely for the big screen. For example, the "pedestrian agent" allows situations to be acted out in subways, airports, or stadia, giving architects and engineers insights into how crowds behave in the event of emergencies.
The mouse takes on a new design
CeBIT 2008 will lift the lid on a new type of mouse designed to be held like a pencil between the index finger and thumb. The device takes up less space and does not have to be moved around at the side of the keyboard. This makes it more efficient, according to the manufacturer Simtrix Ltd. Moreover, its ergonomic shape fits snugly in your hand and delivers outstanding precision.
The pencil-like mouse is small, portable and does not require any additional desktop space. It is intended for use mainly with mobile devices such as laptops but is also ideally suited for games.
Safeguarding mobile financial transactions through fingerprints
Nobody gets the better of the new mobile card-processing and electronic funds transfer terminal from CeBIT exhibitor M.POS Limited, which identifies users by their fingerprints. The data is transferred via GSM, GPRS or CDMA, and the deployed technology encrypts the process so securely that it cannot be cracked.
The encryption also prevents data from being transferred to insecure networks and prevents unauthorized access from outside. Forged fingerprints are identified immediately. Thanks to its robust design, the small terminal is particularly useful for transferring funds electronically while on the move.
Professional three-dimensional WLAN plans
WLAN networks in buildings are subject to a multitude of influences, many of them unpredictable even to professionals, that can hamper their performance. Problems such as aborted connections or slow network connections can occur, especially when network capacity utilization and user traffic increases. This is where the three-dimensional software modeling of wireless networks can help.
The planner developed by CeBIT exhibitor Psiber Data GmbH enables wireless network professionals to create accurate 3D models of wireless propagation in the building. This also makes it possible to identify co- and adjacent channel interference from other floors. The network can easily be optimized through interactive planning. The floor layout plans are stored as a graphic, which positions access points and antenna type from an extendable library. The software then quickly calculates the resulting field strengths, data rates, and other parameters. In addition to the full version for professional planning, a scaled-down version of the software is available for projects with up to ten access points and five floors.
Innovative core switch stabilizes high-speed networks
The computer networks used by authorities and businesses are traveling ever faster along the information superhighways that interconnect them with one another. Core switches are used to ensure that none of the computers in a local network are left stranded at these high speeds. The H3C S12500 series from Chinese company H3C Technologies uses latest-generation core routing switches to ensure smooth and future-proof connection from the connected network participants to a core router connecting the network to the data realm.
According to the manufacturer, the device, which is based on a 100GB platform, easily keeps pace with the latest core routers and also has the capacity to deal with further increases in speed on the information superhighway. This is helped by the configuration options, which already enable made-to-measure solutions for the IP network trends of the future. The H3C S12500 series complies with the relevant Service Level Agreements (SLA) to meet the wide-ranging demands that customers make of network providers. Moreover, the innovative core routing switches from H3C Technologies will also support developers working on the latest generation of networks based on multiple service applications.
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