Daily Spin: NWC Goes To Campus

The Big Picture

NWC Goes To Campus

University IT is crucial to Network Computing. One of our first labs was associated with the University of Wisconsin. Today, a number of our tech editors are affiliated with Syracuse University. So it seemed natural for us to take a closer look at the state of networking and applications on university campuses.

As Dave Molta -- who when he isn't writing for NWC is an assistant professor in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse -- writes, the key premise of our Tech U issue is simple: Universities are proving grounds for advanced network technologies.

What's interesting is that not all of the important IT work being done at universities is happening in their labs. So while we certainly felt it necessary to look at high-speed experimental networking efforts such as the National LambdaRail project, we also looked closely at how universities themselves have emerged as first-class businesses -- enabled by leading-edge IT departments.

For instance, university campuses are some of the most wi-fi-enabled spots in the world -- and among the most densely user populated. So we took a close look at how universities manage this unique wireless access challenge. Network access challenges are just as severe, so we looked at the security challenges associated with a peer-to-peer computing environment at the University of Florida. And what would a look at university networking be without an investigation into the state of distance learning and online collaborationSo get educated on the state of campus networking. It's a lesson we think will pay dividends for your own networks.

NWC's Take on the News

Here's what we think of today's breaking news. Read the story and leave your own comment. Let's see if we agree ; >

CA, Carnegie Mellon Search For Best Practices Standards for IT SourcingThey are developing two complementary eSourcing capability models for service providers and clients who use IT-enabled sourcing services.

NWC's Take:Given that we're currently hyping our campus tech issue, seems timely to let CMU provide some insight into IT sourcing.

New Industry Standards For Databases In The Works

Several technology companies are creating an interoperability specification to allow customers to federate and access information from their complex, multi-vendor IT infrastructures.

NWC's Take:The open, industry-wide specification is expected to integrate communication between Configuration Management Databases and other repositories, broadening middleware integration options.

Microsoft To Pull Plug On Windows 98 & ME In JulyMicrosoft has begun reminding users of Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows Millennium that it will cut off all support for the aging operating systems in July.NWC's Take:Another step in the Vista parade, ending support for aging Windows platforms.

Another step in the Vista parade, ending support for aging Windows platforms.Sun Microsystems this quarter plans to ship new software for its thin-client architecture that will include support for Windows applications. Sun also unveiled two new thin clients.

NWC's Take:The cross-platform trend continues, with Sun adding Windows support to Linux and Solaris on its thin clients.