Thursday, March 4, 2021

An Integral Part of the Simulation, Design, and Manufacturing Workflow

When the simulation experts in an organization turn their models into applications, the overall simulation, design, and manufacturing workflow improves. The simulation expert no longer has to rerun the same or slightly different analyses for other collaborators or customers and the organization can spread the advantages of simulation to a larger group of people. To build their own computational applications, your simulation experts need COMSOL Multiphysics® with its built-in Application Builder. To make these applications accessible to many people at a fraction of the cost, your organization needs COMSOL Server™.

Each simulation application has its own customized user interface, where the application creator can control the inputs and outputs that the application user can apply and manipulate. Experts create these apps by including only the parameters relevant to the design of a specific process or product. This better transfers the simulation expert’s knowledge and experience to the people involved in the design and manufacturing processes across all engineering disciplines in an organization — even those without prior simulation experience.

The simulation expert brings theoretical knowledge and the power of simulation to the optimization of a design or process. Other project stakeholders can then bring their own experiences of building or operating these designs and processes to the overall workflow by using the simulation application and, potentially, providing feedback to the simulation expert aruba acdx.

To make such an augmented workflow a reality, the applications need to be easy to distribute, access, and run. COMSOL Server™ is the product for deploying applications and bringing them to the hands of colleagues and team members. It is also the hub for managing many different applications over multiple functions or operations in an organization.

Scale Your Computational Resources and Easily Maintain Applications

COMSOL Server™ has exactly the same computational demands per user as COMSOL Multiphysics®. Through applications, COMSOL Server™ gives users access to the same powerful simulation technology that is found in COMSOL Multiphysics®.

All users logged into the COMSOL Server™ product can run applications on the computer where it is installed. Alternatively, the load can be distributed by installing COMSOL Server™ to run applications on multiple computers. In that case, one computer is set as the primary server for handling user account and access management, and a series of other computers are used for computations, called secondary servers. It is also possible to have multiple sets of primary and secondary servers, all controlled by a single license manager, which is useful if you have teams that want to only use the computational resources that are allocated for them.

When a user runs an application via the web browser or COMSOL Client, their own computer or mobile device does not need to perform the multiphysics calculations. These can all be done on the server computer(s). Since you are controlling the access and use of applications through a centralized hub, any changes or updates you make are immediately available to all users. You can run up to four application sessions per concurrent user.

By using cluster computing technology with COMSOL Server™, it is possible to configure applications to run on a variety of cluster architectures. For applications designed to distribute the computational workload, computations can be run in parallel for large parametric sweeps or large models. A COMSOL Server™ license is enabled out-of-the-box for an unlimited number of cores and compute nodes without extra licensing fees.

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

How to make your internet work faster at home. Wi-fi or cable?

The quality of real-time video events, such as interactive music masters courses, will improve at Columbia University as a result of a new, high-speed network known as the New York Dark Fiber Network. This is just one example of the benefits of the private network for Columbia and other research, education and medical institutions in New York, which now have state-of-the-art connections to each other and to the Internet and the Internet 2.

In addition to creating faster and more reliable connections, the dark fiber network increases the efficiency and flexibility of institutions' computer networks. In Colombia, the new technology essentially doubles the capacity of its commercial internet service from 155 Mbps (megabits per second) to 300 Mbps; improves its flexibility in the future acquisition of network technology; and provides greater security of network connections in the event of critical infrastructure damage. The network is called "closed fibers" because no telecommunications operator "illuminates" it with its equipment; instead; Columbia "lights up" its fiber yarns with its own equipment, just as it does for fiber cables on nearby and nearby campuses.

The network was built in the last two years by a consortium of institutions in the area, all members of New York, based in NYSERNet, the state education and research network in New York. The Presbyterian Hospital in Columbia and New York played an important role in the project. Other founding members include the American Museum of Natural History, City University of New York, Mt. Sinai-NYU Medical Center and Weill Cornell Medical College. Additional institutions are expected to join to take advantage of the higher service, and the project has expanded to the Bronx. Finally, similar services may include other cities and Long Island.

The network has already benefited Columbia by connecting Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) in Washington Heights and several CUMC and New York Presbyterian Hospital locations throughout Manhattan to each other and the other participating institutions, as well as the Internet dark fiber cost.

In addition, unlike telecommunications carrier services, which have costs that vary with speed, the price of fiber is fixed, while its capacity is virtually unlimited. "Owning fiber strings will allow us to choose and afford new network technologies as they grow, rather than wait and then pay someone else for better networks," said Alan Crosswell, director of the Columbia Network and Computing systems, adding that the new network allows the University to have the flexibility to implement "future fiber-based technologies that have not yet been developed."

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

F5 Network Certification Guide: Overview and Career Pathways

Many of us had to come to terms when an F1 or F2 tornado passed through the area, smoothing out most things in its path, but F5? The most powerful tornado speed on the Fujita scale was also the inspiration for the name F5 Labs, which appeared in 1996 and is now known as F5 Networks. Initially offering its products for load balancing BIG IP servers, F5 has expanded to provide an optimization technology called Application Delivery Network (ADN). ADN stores servers, network resources, and the like in data centers and in the cloud around the world.

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, F5 serves virtually every Fortune 50 company, as well as a long list of mid-sized and corporate organizations. Over the years, the company's revenues have grown significantly, with annual revenues exceeding $ 2 billion. F5's growth continued in 2017 as revenues exceeded $ 2.1 billion. The continued growth has attracted the attention of Wall Street and potential investors as well as companies looking for a profitable acquisition or merger. In fact, F5 Networks seems to be looking at offers from potential buyers.

The F5 Networks certification program is small and focused. It offers IT credentials that help prepare people to develop, deploy, and support company products and solutions. The three certifications in the F5 program include the following items: f5 big ip

F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator (F5-CA)

F5 Certified Technology Specialist (F5-CTS)

F5 Certified Solutions Expert (F5-CSE)

To get started, F5 certification candidates must register with the F5 Credential Management System (F5-CMS), submit an applicant agreement form, and complete a nondisclosure agreement. Once registered, the tutorial for the desired certification becomes available through the company's system, although tutorials are also available outside of F5-CMS as you will learn later in this article. All F5 certification exams cost $ 135 and are available through Pearson VUE.

F5 Certified BIG-IP Administrator (F5-CA)

An F5 certified BIG-IP administrator can manage Application Delivery Networks (ADNs) and perform routine management and troubleshooting of F5 Traffic Management Operating System (TMOS) devices. F5-CA certification requires two exams:

Exam 101 - Application Delivery Fundamentals

Exam 201 - TMOS Administration

These exams must be taken in numerical order as the TMOS Administration exam is a prerequisite. Before taking the exam, F5 offers candidates a solid understanding of networking concepts and protocols, traffic shaping concepts and TMOS components, and how to work with virtual servers.

F5 Certified Technology Specialist (F5-CTS)

F5 Certified Technician credentials come in four flavors, focusing on traffic management, DNS, security and access policies. First LTM exams (Exam 301a) for DNS, ASM, and APM specialist credentials take Exam 201 - TMOS Administration as a prerequisite. The second LTM exam - LTM Specialist: Maintenance and Troubleshooting (Exam 301b) - requires prior completion of the LTM Specialist: Architect, Configuring, and Deploying Exam 301a. To obtain the F5-CTS, candidates must pass one or two exams, depending on the specialty chosen:

Local Traffic Manager (LTM) : LTM credentials recognize professionals who work with advanced F5 products from design to implementation and maintenance and understand how to integrate LTM into existing networks. Two exams are required:

Exam 301a - BIG-IP LTM Specialist: Architect, Configuration, and Deployment

Exam 301b - BIG-IP LTM Specialist: Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Domain Name Server (DNS): DNS credentials are intended for application delivery architects and application delivery engineers working with BIG-IP DNS. Only one exam is required to obtain this certification:

Exam 302 - BIG-IP DNS Specialist

Application Security Manager (ASM) : ASM develops, implements, and maintains ASM to secure application delivery networks. Applicants should understand the interactivity between ASM and web applications, troubleshooting techniques, and the integration method. Only one exam required:

Exam 303 - BIG-IP ASM Specialist

Access Policy Manager (APM) . An APM-authorized person manages the application delivery networks and technologies that run on the F5 TMOS operating system. Applicants should understand remote access, authentication and authorization, and how to install, maintain, and update APM. To qualify for APM, candidates must pass one exam:

Exam 304 - BIG-IP APM Specialist

Anyone with the desire (and time) to complete all four CTS exams should seriously consider moving to the F5 Certification - F5 Solutions Expert.

Monday, March 1, 2021

Linux System Administrator (Asterisk)

Lanet network is one of the largest Internet and cable TV providers in Ukraine.

We are now looking for a Linux system administrator .

The work is challenging, creative and interesting. It combines elements of system administration of Linux OS and Asterisk PBX, as well as programming in Python (PBX).


Duties: linux jobs near me

support and development of a geographically distributed enterprise telephony system and a contact center based on Asterisk (SIP, PRI, GSM);

support and development of related services (self-written FastAGI-server, AMI, ARI, auto-dialing scripts, control system for GSM-gateways, etc.);

analytics and troubleshooting of SIP traffic;

support and development of self-written front-ends and other add-ons over the PBX (operator's workstation, call analysis and contact center management tools, etc.).


Requirements:

2+ years of Linux experience;

2+ years experience with pure Asterisk PBX (without FreePBX and other front-ends);

knowledge of AEL, experience in developing comprehensive recruitment plans; knowledge of RTP / SRTP, SIP TLS;

confident knowledge of RedHat Linux (and analogues), working in the console, system utilities and services, building software from source codes;

experience working with MySQL at the query level;

experience with GSM, FXO / FXS gateways;

basic knowledge of PHP, JS (JQuery), HTML, CSS, Python will be a huge plus;

English at the level of understanding technical documentation;

ability to document your work.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Cisco CCNA About Switching and Wireless LAN

The target audience

Students who have completed the training will be able not only to get a theoretical base, but also to learn the skills necessary for further work in practice. Also, students can directly contact the trainers and count on the help of the curators.

Purpose of the event cisco wireless certified

Cisco International Academy offers training (courses) Cisco Kiev on the specialization of "Switching and Wireless LAN". Obtaining the certificate of this learning platform based on SEDICOMM University will prepare you for the CCNA industrial certification exam. Professional lecturers will give you all the knowledge you need for successful employment.

Program

The training is equally well suited for beginners and those who have built a career in the IT field.

Features of the training program

Regardless of the basic training of the student, Cisco training (courses) Kiev will help deepen existing knowledge or learn specialization from scratch. They will tell in detail about:

LAN design;

configuring the switch;

VLANs and routing between them;

implementation of VTP;

Spanning Tree implementations

setting up a wireless router.

All Kiev training (courses) Cisco are conducted online. Lectures are held twice a week.

Additional Information

You don't need to study for several years to get a high-paying job in an international company. It is enough to pass trainings (online courses) Cisco Kiev at the Cisco Academy. After studying all the necessary materials and passing the exam, each student is guaranteed employment. You can change your life for the better now!

Each student gets access to multimedia study guides that will deeply study the necessary material. According to statistics, 100% of trained students receive prestigious positions. Detailed information can be obtained on the official website of the online university.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

The device and principle of operation of a fiber-optic cable

How optics work. Device and principle of operation.

Optical fiber data transmission is carried out using light - as you know - one of the fastest matter in the universe. the electrical signal of the copper cable passes through a special converter and turns into light. Each fiber optic is like a glass tube in a mirror tube. ( Polymer of different density. For example 9/125 microns ) Light, penetrating into it, is reflected from the junction of the vein boundaries and flies farther and farther. At the end of the journey, it is received by the receiving device and converted back into an electrical signal fiber splicing job.

However, fiber optic data transmission is slower than the speed of light (~ 1 billion km / h). This is because microlasers used to transmit light through optical fibers do not produce light at that speed. And also due to losses due to refraction of rays.

The decay rate of the signal in the fiber differs depending on the type of fiber. So a multimode cable ( 50/125, 62/125 ) allows you to transmit a signal for 2-3 kilometers without significant losses. Singlemode cable ( 9/125 ) - works at a distance of up to 10 km. Most likely, a lot depends on the material used in the manufacture of cables. The lengths shown are for modern polymer cables. Most likely, a core of a denser material will allow light to be transmitted over longer distances. Also, it all depends on the signal source. Accordingly, the more powerful it is, the further the light will "fly".

fiber optic cable

What is fiber optic for? The advantages of an optical cable.

Fiber optic is used in many industries - as well as in everyday life. First, the optical cable is a dielectric, which makes it safe for data transmission in oil refineries and other explosive sites.

Secondly, for the same reason, optics accumulate very little static electricity. The values ​​are so small that they are not even taken into account. Accordingly, fiber optic cables can be used in networks at various high voltage facilities.

Fiber optic cables can be laid in water, in the ground in an aggressive environment - using special sheaths. However, the main purpose of optics is to transmit data over long distances.

On the border of the possibilities of an optical cable, a special device is installed - a repeater, which increases the distance by another length. When connecting optical fibers, optical couplings are used in which the fibers are spliced ​​together.

Now, with the cost of a meter of optics equal to the cost of a twisted pair, we can talk about the construction of networks entirely on it. But this does not mean that its installation can be entrusted to low-skilled installers.

Fiber optic cable laying and installation.

Usually, in any company that installs cable optical networks, a separate team, or even a whole department, is engaged in designing the installation of optical networks. This is due to various features of the installation of optics.

For example, an optical cable cannot be bent at angles less than 110-120 degrees. It is advisable to install optical fiber in a corrugated pipe - due to the low strength of a conventional optical cable. It is not difficult to break it.

Most often, the optics are laid in a separate channel. And so on - there are quite a few such subtleties of work when working with such cables. In addition, the fiber optic connection method and termination deserves a separate section.

The cable is terminated with special connectors - connectors. There are several types of them.

types and types of optical connectors

Fiber optic cable welding

To connect ( weld ) optical cables, you need a special expensive device - a welding machine. The cost of a quality device starts from 150,000 rubles. Now the market is flooded with inexpensive Chinese solutions for 30-40 thousand rubles, but the use of such devices produces low-quality connections. In addition, such devices quickly fail.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Hyperconvergence is the future of data centers

IT budgets in organizations typically do not grow as fast as the requirements for the speed of deploying new applications and expanding existing ones. The solution is to redirect attention and human resources from the details of data center implementation to the applications themselves, which are closer to business. This can be done in several ways, and a public cloud that saves costs (not only) through economies of scale can be one of them.

When you look for the number and volume of technology company acquisitions, Cisco ranks second in both categories, number one in volume (1991-2018). Not surprisingly, it is often possible to hear the misconception that acquisitions are the only way for Cisco to secure evolutionary benefits in technology armaments.

The "California" or "Unified Computing System" (Cisco UCS) project is a product of Cisco's rich internal development. Hyperflex is another stage of development of the new architecture, which began in 2009 and completely changed the architecture of data centers cisco one data center.

The concept of architecture is crucial here, because UCS is not "another server from Cisco", but a system based on the idea of ​​"Stateless computing". It abstracts the configuration of the server and its LAN and SAN connectivity from the hardware. The content of the term server in this case is not something physical, but a complete definition of the configuration, including unique identifiers such as MAC, WWPN, UUID, zoning and others in the tool "UCS Manager".

UCS Manager is home to flash memory in a device called Fabric Interconnect, which is not only the center of management for up to 20 chassis or 160 servers, but also the central link for LAN and SAN connectivity. If you know the Nexus family of data center switches, then you can start from a simple equation: UCS Manager software + Nexus hardware = Fabric Interconnect.

The counterpart of Fabric Interconnect in the blade server is the Cisco VIC (Virtual Interface Card) and IO module, which not only take care of connectivity, but also integrate the management of the relevant part of the solution. The chassis of the UCS therefore only serves for power and cooling, which means that it lasts a really long time.

Should UCS Manager, with its clear and fast HTML5 interface (or perhaps an API?) Be an insufficient tool for you, you can solve your demands for managing multiple data centers with UCS Central. Alternatively, you can also use UCS Director if you are building a cloud-like environment and require a very high degree of automation.

Yes, the physical server is what we pay the least attention to in Cisco's server solution, everything interesting has moved to the software. The great thing is that you can try UCS without having to buy it, just download the UCS Platform Emulator.


How from UCS to hyperconvergence (HCI)?

Hyperconvergence is usually defined by the integration of compute, network, storage, hypervisor parts of the data center and, above all, their management from one place. This definition is not entirely clear and is therefore interpreted differently.

Does the compute and management part include, for example, the firmware of individual server components, in other words, I would like a simple solution for rolling upgrades of all components? Does the network part include physical networking, not just software? Storage also includes configuring the access of a hyperconverged solution to my existing storage, so I want the solution to be integratable with the existing infrastructure and not create another separate force?

And what about manufacturer support? Does it make sense for me to have a single point for such a solution, where will I turn with all the problems, without managing cases and ensuring communication from more than one manufacturer? In my opinion, the answer to all four questions is unequivocally yes.

Hyperconverged solutions integrate the above to save us time and human resources. The administration department, albeit only a few parts, goes against this principle. Some manufacturers highlight a purely software solution - that is, you can use any element as the underlying hardware. If you go this route, the customer or partner is responsible for performance and compatibility. But how to ensure compatibility and the necessary performance? Ha! I will use validated solutions, but this narrows the term "arbitrary" somewhat. In addition, it does not solve all these problems by far, and so we get to a certain extent again to the disadvantages of converged data centers.

Of course, different approaches may suit different customers, and the single best probably doesn't exist. As you may have guessed, Cisco has taken a different path in meeting those who demand maximum simplicity, and the answer to these HCI requirements is Cisco Hyperflex.

UCS combines computer, networking, and management - Cisco is the only vendor to integrate physical networking into HCI. The same is true for Hyperflex, we only lack storage that is provided by HX data platform software, which is a distributed scale-out file system developed specifically for Hyperflex:

Out-of-box allows fast clones, instant creation and deletion of snapshots without affecting performance

Compression and deduplication on small blocks. This makes this file system highly space efficient, and if you require the maximum amount of compression, these calculations can be accelerated by FPGA cards.

Data overwriting uses available free space and is written when there is enough data to write to reduce the number of IO operations and increase performance.

No need to move data when migrating VMs, the file system is designed so that any node can read from any part of storage without losing performance

It uses the fastest possible access to writes, data is captured and distributed immediately, not after being written to the local node

Optional 2 × or 3 × replication factor

Automatic repair, tracking and rebalancing

HX Data Platform is therefore a modern file system, directly designed for hyperconvergence. In addition, it does not require the use of only converged nodes. If you do not need more space, but only computing power, only compute nodes can be extended.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Typical functions of a systems analyst

Analyze hardware and software issues and develop technical solutions 

Translate user or system requirements and data into functional technical specifications 

Write and update systems documentation, including user manuals and technical manuals 

Act as a liaison between developers and users to ensure technical compatibility and meet the needs of both parties 

Intervene on the ergonomics and design of the site computer systems analyst

Advise developers and graphic designers

Bac +3: BTS electrotechnics

Bac +5: engineering school


Training

Bac +2: BTS, DUT, DEUG

Degree 4

A novice system analyst will be hired without experience if he has a bac +4. If he holds a bac +2, two years of experience will be required.


Professional skills

Have a perfect knowledge of operating systems.

Know the methods, standards and development tools.

Master safety standards and procedures.

Have the technical and functional knowledge of the applications in place.

Master the technologies related to the Internet.


Profile

Sense of thoroughness and method

Reactivity

High availability

Great adaptability

Ability to write

Monday, February 22, 2021

Can an AWS Certified Solution Architect - Professional Certification get me a job at Amazon in the US?

Preparing for the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam requires utmost care. Nobody wants to give bad grades or fail the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam - it all depends on your decision and that's it aws solutions architect.

Success on the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam can make a significant difference in your career, especially if you are an IT professional. Many IT pros want to succeed in the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam, but they fail. Only by choosing them, but if you can get valid and up-to-date AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional study materials, you can easily get excellent grades on the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam.

Best Way to Pick the Latest AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional Dumps

Do you want to prepare for the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exams? Then there are many ways to succeed in the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional test. But the best one is the online source. If you successfully find the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam preparation online platform, then you can make things easier for you. There are many websites offering the latest questions and answers about AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exams, but these questions are not reviewed by certified Amazon experts. And this is the reason why IT pros failed in their first attempt.

So now your question is how you can get the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional Verified Exam Set

Have you ever used PDF dumps or brain failure questions? If you have training material for the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam, then it should be effective and effective, and if everything contradicts each other, then this is a good opportunity for your platform to have effective training material for preparing AWS-Certified- Solutions-Architect-Professional Exam.

If you are interested in my suggestion, I would only recommend DumpsBuzz to you because of their proven study material for all IT exams. DumpsBuzz is the best platform for you if you want to pass the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam quickly with good grades, DumpsBuzz brings you the latest AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional dumps that will greatly help you score good grades on the final AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam.

AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional Exam questions offered by "website name" are more effective and this is what you need to take the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional Exam

The DumpsBuzz management has brought you many AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam questions that you might want to take on the AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional Test. AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional exam dumps specially designed for candidates who want to get the results they want on the first try. AWS-Certified-Solutions-Architect-Professional DumpsBuzz's brain dump questions will make your preparation material more effective. And the best part is that the study materials offered by DumpsBuzz for all IT exams are developed by experts in various areas of the IT industry.

Friday, February 19, 2021

Data center types

There are many types of data processing and service models available. Their classification depends on whether they belong to one or more organizations, how they are connected (and whether they are connected at all) with the topology of other data centers, what technologies they use for computing and storage, and even what level of energy efficiency they have. Data centers are divided into four main types: cisco data centers

Enterprise data centers

These data centers are company-owned, company-owned, and optimized for their end users. Most often they are placed on the corporate campus.

Data centers with managed services

These data centers are operated by a third party (or managed service provider) on behalf of the company. The company does not buy, but leases equipment and infrastructure.

Co-located data centers

In co-located data centers, a company rents space in a data center that is owned by another organization and located outside the company's site. A co-located datacenter houses the infrastructure: building, cooling, bandwidth, security, and more, while the company provides and controls components, including servers, storage, and firewalls.

Cloud data centers

These types of data centers are not located at physical sites. Data and applications are hosted by a cloud provider such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft (Azure), IBM Cloud, or another public cloud provider.

Learn more about data centers and the future for them and your network.

Infrastructure Evolution: From Mainframes to Cloud Applications

Computing infrastructure has experienced three major waves of evolution over the past 65 years.

The first wave was characterized by the shift from proprietary mainframes to x86-based servers located on site and administered by its IT department.

The second wave was characterized by widespread virtualization of infrastructure with application support. This allowed for more efficient use of resources and distribution of workloads across the physical infrastructure.

The third wave that we are seeing today is characterized by the transition to cloud computing, hybrid clouds and native cloud applications. The latter concept describes applications that are created and used in the cloud.

Distributed network of applications

The evolutionary process led to the emergence of the so-called distributed computing. This means that data and applications are distributed across disparate systems that are aggregated and integrated using network services and interoperability standards and ultimately function as a single environment. For this reason, the term "data center" is now used to refer to the department in an organization that is responsible for these systems, regardless of where they are located.

Organizations have several options: they can build and maintain their own  hybrid cloud data centers , rent space to host their facilities, leverage shared computing and storage resources, or use services that run on the public cloud. Thus, applications are no longer deployed to one location today. They run on multiple public and private clouds, hosted third-party sites, and traditional environments. In the era of multicloud, data centers have grown and become more sophisticated and equipped with everything you need to get the most out of your user experience.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

CCNA Routing and Switching. Part 1 - Introduction to Networking

About the program

The CCNA Routing and Switching (Cisco Certified Routing and Switching) curriculum consists of 4 parts: ccnp routing and switching

Introduction to networking

Routing and Switching Principles

Scaling networks

Consolidation of networks

After completing the two parts, students will be prepared to take the ICND1 (100-105) international exam for the Cisco CCENT (Cisco Certified Networking Technician) certification.

After passing all four parts - to pass the second exam ICND2 (200-105) or the unified CCNA exam (200-125) in order to obtain the certificate "CCNA Routing and Switching".

Target audience of the course

The training program is designed for anyone seeking an entry-level position in the information and communication technology field and planning to pursue a career in this field.

The CCNA Routing and Switching program covers networking issues from the basics to complex configurations and provides opportunities for hands-on experience and professional development of the business community.

This program is suitable for students from a wide range of educational backgrounds, including high school students, university students, college students, and vocational school students.

About the first part of the "Introduction to Networks" course

The introductory part of the CCNA Routing and Switching curriculum provides a basic understanding of the architecture, structure, functionality, and components of the computer network and the Internet.

This part deals with the principles and structure of IP-addressing, the basic concepts of data transmission networks, Ethernet.

After completing the first part, students will be able to create simple local networks, carry out basic configuration of routers and switches, as well as independently design IP addressing schemes.

Upon completion of the introductory portion of the course, you will have gained all the knowledge you need to successfully complete the next portion of the Routing and Switching Principles course.

Program of the first part of the course "Introduction to the network"

The introductory part includes 11 chapters on topics:

Study of the network.

Setting up a network operating system.

Network protocols and connections.

Network access level.

Ethernet technology.

Network layer.

Transport layer.

IP addressing.

Dividing an IP network into subnets.

Application level.

It's a network.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Voice and Data using two ports

One solution is to run a second LAN drop to each cubicle. This is the simplest solution from the networking perspective: ccna voice

Voice VLAN – Auxiliary VLAN – Two Ports

One port is dedicated to carrying Data traffic, the other is dedicated to carrying Voice traffic. They are distinguished on the Switch using a simple access port in two different VLANs (the Data VLAN and the Voice VLAN):

Configurationshow runshow vlan brief

Switch(config)# vlan 22

Switch(config-vlan)# name DATA

Switch(config)# vlan 33

Switch(config-vlan)# name VOICE

Switch(config)# interface ethernet0/0

Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access

Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 22

Switch(config)# interface ethernet0/1

Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access

Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 33

Most modern office buildings now include multiple ports at each cubicle in order to account for multiple devices that need to be connected to the corporate network. Unfortunately, this wasn’t always an option for office’s which were not recently built.

Voice and Data using one port

A lot of older office build outs, which already only have one LAN drop at each cubicle, simply cannot afford the additional cost or delays to pay another technician to crawl through all the ceilings and walls to run another LAN drop to each cubicle. Which means the cubicles are limited to a single LAN drop per employee.

VOIP phone manufacturers were able to foresee this problem, and created another solution built right into the VOIP phones themselves.

The majority of VOIP phones come with two Ethernet ports: One meant to face the wall jack (and subsequently, the corporate LAN), the other meant to face a PC:

Voice VLAN – Auxiliary VLAN – Back of VOIP Phone

Using these two ports, the PC can be connected to the phone, and the phone can subsequently be connected to the single wall jack. This allows both devices to share a single wall jack.

Voice VLAN – Auxiliary VLAN – One Port for two VLANs

The key is how to configure the switch, as now the single port will be receiving both Voice and Data traffic. We’ve already determined that Voice and Data traffic must be confined to distinct VLANs, but now both types of traffic are arriving on a single port.

There are two solutions: One solution is to configure the port as a Trunk port. The other is to make use of the Auxiliary VLAN (or Voice VLAN) feature. Both solutions are discussed and compared below.

Voice and Data using a Trunk port and the Native VLAN

Traditionally, if you want to carry traffic for multiple VLANs on a single port, you would configure a Trunk port.

This would allow traffic for multiple VLANs to traverse the single link. But typically traffic on trunk ports require tagging to distinguish which bits belong to one VLAN and which bits belong to another VLAN.

VOIP phones have the capacity to send and understand 802.1q VLAN tags, and can therefore be configured to send a VLAN tag for all the Voice traffic.

PC’s, as we’ve already discussed, only send untagged traffic. As such, the switch must have a way to associate the received untagged traffic on the trunk port to a particular VLAN. This is the exact purpose of the Native VLAN.

Therefore, in order to properly configure a single port to accommodate both a Voice and Data VLAN, you must first configure the interface as a Trunk port, then configure the Data VLAN as the Native VLAN:

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Why call on this type of company?

More professionals are now seeking the intervention of an engineering consulting company to support them in the development of their projects. Unlike other types of companies , this one has the assets and the means which make it possible to bring real added value.

Increase its efficiency

The gain in efficiency and responsiveness is an asset that many companies want to have in order to master their sector. By calling on a consulting firm specializing in engineering, they become more able to: freelance engineering

Optimize their productivity;

Maintain a permanent technological watch;

Develop their notoriety and stand out.

Invest in technology

Engineering and consulting companies are among the most advanced structures in the technological field . From their creation , a large number of companies rely on their professionalism. Their capacity for innovation and their ability to significantly reduce risks are two assets that justify companies' confidence in their expertise.

Improve your performance

The ability of a company to meet the demands of its customers determines its revenue intake . Several parameters can lower the productivity of a company. Most of these issues are technical:

Obsolete material and equipment;

Lack of or lack of maintenance of machines dedicated to production;

Obsolescence of an information system.

Recourse to the intervention of a company specializing in consulting and engineering helps companies to increase their output by acquiring more sophisticated equipment and more efficient tools .

Generate new sources of income

The engineering consultant is able to:

Meet the needs to increase performance;

Stay on the lookout for technical innovations;

Increase efficiency.

However, he is able to help companies to multiply their sources of income thanks to the many innovations he brings in various technical fields and to his consulting know-how. This gives it the ability to detect business opportunities and analyze their feasibility while reducing risks.

Monday, February 15, 2021

The subject of engineering and scientific subjects for engineering objects

It is necessary to distinguish between the subject of engineering itself (engineering) and subjects that study the objects of engineering - mechanics, electrical, computer science, etc. Engineering (including systems engineering) describes how engineers work. Engineering science describes what people do in an engineering project. Other subjects and other sciences describe the behavior of engineering objects, how they work: mechanical devices, electrical circuits, computer programs what is engineering.

The easiest way to understand the difference between such a “science about an engineering object” and engineering itself is the example of computer science and software engineering. In the blog there was a wonderful story, how its author, an excellent student in computer science, went after university to conquer a foreign software company. But there they explained to him literally in two days that he (maybe) knows how to program, but absolutely does not know how to work: he had to figure out how the requirements were drawn up, it was necessary to write not so much some cunning algorithm as a patch to already the written code for a million lines, and the right place for the patch in this code had to be found somehow, besides that, it was necessary to understand the configuration management (versioning), the change management system, to establish relations with managers and testers, to understand the essence of the methodology adopted in the project development, etc. - at the same time, they did not teach anything of this in the university. The work turned out to be completely different from what was taught: a huge amount of time is spent on communicating with colleagues, and not on “thinking”, the time for solving the problem is not “how much is needed”, but “how much is allotted by the schedule”. They learned computer science (keywords: algorithm, estimation of the algorithm execution speed, notation, grammar, relational data model) and did not learn software engineering (keywords: requirements, architecture, testing, changes, maintenance). Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself. the time for solving the problem is not “how much is needed”, but “how much is given by the schedule”. They learned computer science (keywords: algorithm, estimation of the algorithm execution speed, notation, grammar, relational data model) and did not learn software engineering (keywords: requirements, architecture, testing, changes, maintenance). Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself. the time for solving the problem is not “how much is needed”, but “how much is given by the schedule”. They learned computer science (keywords: algorithm, estimation of the algorithm execution speed, notation, grammar, relational data model) and did not learn software engineering (keywords: requirements, architecture, testing, changes, maintenance). Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself. algorithm execution speed estimation, notation, grammar, relational data model) and did not learn software engineering (keywords: requirements, architecture, testing, changes, maintenance). Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself. algorithm execution speed estimation, notation, grammar, relational data model) and did not learn software engineering (keywords: requirements, architecture, testing, changes, maintenance). Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself. Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself. Likewise, a mechanical engineer may be taught to work with strength, shape, speed, friction using all sorts of theories, but may not be taught to work with requirements, architecture, testing, and engineering justifications. That is why a good physicist can be a good specialist in the strength of materials, but not be a good engineer - he has knowledge about engineering objects, but not about engineering itself.

To teach engineering as such is to teach how the course of engineering development works, what are the basic concepts of the subject area of ​​engineering itself (and not the subject area that describes the physics and algorithms of the engineering object being created): how the engineering project works as a whole and how the design unfolds in time / design / programming, manufacturing and deployment of the target system, and not just how the created system works.

Unscientific engineering. Heuristics

Knowledge of engineering itself (how to do something) and knowledge of engineering objects (installations, structures, vehicles, computers, etc.) can be both scientific and unscientific. Engineering is born and lives by trial and error, its knowledge transferred from project to project about itself (how to do something) and about its engineering facilities are not necessarily “scientific”. So the definition of engineering as “bringing scientific knowledge into practice” is simply incorrect, although science is used where it is.

The Discussion of the Method engineering researcher Billy Koen gave an example: if in the Middle Ages people came to an engineer with a request to build a bridge, but he would have refused on the grounds that they would be invented only 200 years later - what about such an engineer? Or if a modern engineer, when asked to build a rocket flying to the Moon or Mars, would abandon the project on the grounds that a sufficiently detailed “theory of the moon” or “theory of Mars” has not yet been created? Or, if it is necessary to create a robot, an engineer suddenly says that “there is no theory about what to do to create a robot yet, so I don’t know what to do in what order, so we’ll wait until scientists have a corresponding section of engineering theory. ”. Refusals on such grounds are not peculiar to engineers, they are not stopped by the lack of scientific knowledge of what they do.

Friday, February 12, 2021

What do mechanical engineers do?

Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge and analytical tools to accomplish the daunting task of turning ideas into reality. This in turn affects everyone and everything.

Mechanical engineers have tremendous opportunities, and their education reflects this breadth of subjects. Students focus on one area, developing analytical and problem-solving skills applicable to any engineering situation software engineering salary.

Duties of a mechanical engineer

Run simulations to test designs before building them

Prototype testing of electrical components

Development of more efficient automotive and aircraft engines, including electric motors

Supervise the production of their designs to ensure they meet manufacturing safety and reliability standards.

Disciplines in mechanical engineering include the following;

Acoustics

Aerospace industry

automation

Automotive

Autonomous systems

Biotechnology

composites

Computer-aided design (CAD)

Control systems

Information Security

Design

Energy

Ergonomics

Human health

Manufacturing and additive manufacturing

Mechanics

Nanotechnology

Production planning

Robotics

Structural Analysis

How much does a mechanical engineer earn?

Mechanical engineers are well paid, as are careers in many other fields of mechanical engineering. Mechanical engineers earn significantly above average at every stage of their careers when compared to other fields. The average salary for a mechanical engineer, according to the  US Department of Labor , is $ 89,800 131,350, with the top ten percent earning up to $ XNUMX XNUMX.

Mechanical Engineering Job Prospects

The employment of mechanical engineers is projected to grow by 4 percent over the next ten years, above the average for all occupations. Mechanical engineers can work in many industries and on many types of projects. As a result, their growth rates will differ from the industries in which they operate.

Mechanical engineers are forecast to grow faster than average in engineering services as companies continue to contract with these firms. Mechanical engineers will also continue to be involved in various industries, especially the automotive industry. These engineers will play a key role in improving the range and performance of hybrid and electric vehicles. However, declining employment in some manufacturing industries moderate the overall growth in the employment of mechanical engineers.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

The system administrator manages the servers of an organization

System administrator (whether it is a company, an association, an administration) while ensuring their security. 

He is called upon to analyze, implement, operate and manage software, telecommunications, networks and computer systems at all stages of a life cycle.

Main tasks

Everything related to servers! That is to say installation and uninstallation, configuration, maintenance, updates and backups ... More precisely: high paying entry level jobs  

Install software, patches and updates to operating systems;

Analyze, diagnose and resolve system equipment, software and network problems;

Configure, optimize, tune and monitor operating system software and servers;

Ensure system backups and recoveries;

Complete server updates.

Note that the tasks may vary depending on whether it is a small or a large structure.

The functions of the system administrator can be more or less extensive, and the position can be internal or external. In some cases, it will be there from the design stage of the network or it will have to work on an already existing network.

Training

Employers often look for a candidate with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, but some employers may accept a college degree or technical training certificate. 

In short, there is not a single clear path that leads to this career. The main thing is to love computers, mathematics and logic!

Here are some general training courses:

A university course (example: Bachelor's degree in computer science and software engineering);

Computer training concluded with a college diploma (DEC);

An attestation of collegial studies (AEC) in computer science;

A vocational studies diploma (DEP) in IT support.

Many system administrators then specialize in specific software and operating systems during their experiments.

Skills

The systems administrator has problem solving, analytical and communication skills in addition to in-depth technical knowledge of the employer's computer systems and software.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Sun Certified System Administrator (SCSA) certifications are assets for employers.

A quick overview of the essential qualities that will allow you to shine in the profession!

Excellent IT culture

Very good knowledge of internet technologies and operating systems

Managerial qualities

Rigor and thoroughness

Versatility and good adaptability

Availability (we may have to resolve problems at any time)

The sense of responsibilities

Good analytical skills.

Salary

According to Statistics Canada, system administrators earn about $ 17 an hour to $ 47 an hour. The average wage is $ 31 an hour.

As for Métiers Québec, the annual salary of an intermediate systems or network administrator with 10 years of experience was estimated in 2018 at $ 61,000, and $ 80,100 for a senior administrator with the same experience. 

Needs in Quebec

Statistics Canada and Emploi Quebec agree that employment prospects are good in this trade.

As for the workplaces that a system administrator can integrate, the possibilities are endless since IT is essential in most professional fields!

According to Emploi d'avenir Québec, the profession of system administrator is in greater demand in these regions: Montérégie, large regions of Quebec and Montreal.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Wi-Fi Router - Wireless Wi-Fi Router

Wi-Fi router - from the English router, network equipment that performs the functions of a router, as well as a wireless access point. It is used to provide access to the Internet or a private computer network. Depending on the manufacturer and model, it can operate on a wired LAN, wireless LAN, or a mixed wired and wireless network. The router is designed to redirect packets between different address spaces, linking separate network segments, architectures, systems, connecting cable networks and wireless clients. Directions (routes) are determined by the administrator based on the network topology. In addition to the main task of redirecting, routers can act as firewalls and filters.

With the development and distribution of Wi-Fi wireless networks, routers have acquired the appropriate capabilities - they are equipped with a Wi-Fi adapter, changes have been made to the software, which allows a user of any level to quickly organize a home network without laying wires and additional equipment. Wireless connection speed varies depending on equipment used and IEEE 802.11 standards supported

How to choose a Wi-Fi router

To choose the right router, you need to determine which parameters are most important. It is worth considering with what equipment and in what conditions the router will work, the need for additional capabilities or technical features. So, the main factors to pay attention to:

Type of connection to the global Internet You need to understand how you get access to the Internet from your provider. Most often it is a telephone line or Ethernet cable, for mobile access you can also use 3G / 4G. Accordingly, you may need a specific port. In addition, it is better to check with the provider about the mandatory requirements for the equipment used.

Wireless standards supported by the equipment used. There are several Wi-Fi standards - currently relevant: 802.11b / g, which provides connectivity at speeds up to 54 Mbit / s, 802.11n draft - up to 150 Mbit / s, 802.11n - up to 300 Mbit / s. Naturally, you can take the maximum, but this parameter affects the cost of the router and makes it possible to save money.

Signal strength and stability can significantly affect your connection speed. The more walls and partitions in the room, as well as the remoteness of the connection points, the stronger the signal should be. This parameter is influenced by the number of connected antennas, their power, as well as the ability to connect external antennas.

Available interfaces - pay attention to: wlan

the number and speed of Ethernet ports, affects the number of devices connected via cable and the connection speed

USB port defines connectivity: USB sticks, printers, MFPs, external modems

Functionality - an important factor is the ability to configure security, encryption protocols, the presence of a firewall, filters, traffic limitation capabilities. It is also worth considering the ease of administration, the availability of support for an accessible interface language.

IPTV support is a popular service provided by Internet service providers.

Brand - it is better to choose a model from the line of a well-known manufacturer, it can be MERCUSYS ,  D-Link, TP-link , TOTOLINK , Zyxel, which provide good support for their products - you can easily find all the necessary information, necessary drivers, software updates, reviews.

The entire range of Wi Fi routers on the Network Technologies website can be viewed in the category .

How to connect a Wi-Fi router to the network

To connect the router to the network, you must select a location. It is better if it will be some kind of central, equidistant point in the room, which will provide a good signal level for all possible connection points. The Internet is connected to the corresponding port, it can be either an ADSL socket or a dedicated Ethernet port. Devices without a Wi-Fi adapter, computers in the immediate vicinity are connected to the free ports of the built-in switch.

Connecting wireless devices requires initial router configuration. You will need a computer / laptop and a patch cord. Once set up, you will have a network name and password that will be required to connect to the network. Registration data must be specified on each device once. 

Benefits of using:

Convenient access to the Internet at good speed, at relatively low one-time costs

Ability to distribute network access to several devices (if necessary, according to certain rules)

Protection of the local network and devices from external threats using a firewall (if available)

3G Wi-Fi router allows you to connect laptops, tablets without an appropriate module to the network using the 3G protocol.

Wireless routers have become widespread due to the ratio of ease of use and relatively low cost. Opportunities and quality characteristics are constantly being improved to meet the growing needs of consumers and developing technologies.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Reservation system: manage allotments sensibly

Do you use an online reservation system? Congratulations on this decision! Not only can your guests make reservations with you at any time, you will save a lot of time when used correctly. Time that you can devote to your guests contingent meaning.

But what does correctly mean? What is the perfect balance between controlling incoming reservations and saving you time? And how do you manage your allotments sensibly?

How does the reservation work with the contingent?

You define a number of places that the reservation system can allocate. This is the so-called contingent. You can assign a different quota to each shift.

Let us assume that your current shift has a contingent of 20 places and no reservation. If you now receive a reservation request for four people, the system will automatically confirm this and deduct the four places from the allotment.

This continues until your quota is used up or the latest reservation time you have defined has been reached.

How many places should I make available online?

This depends entirely on the needs of you and your restaurant. Do you have many regular customers who will never reserve? Then it should not be possible to reserve these places via a contingent.

Are you lying in the pedestrian zone and many guests drop by spontaneously? Take this into account!

Or are you regularly fully booked, often days in advance? That calls for a high quota.

Pedestrian zone

These are just some of the things you should think about before setting your quota. Basically, however, the following applies: What can be regulated via the quota saves you work. The entire process, from accepting the reservation to confirming it to the guest, works automatically.

If you are working with a reservation system for the first time, you have to find the ideal number. We recommend an initial contingent of 50 - 60% of your places.

You should also think carefully about how many places you want to vacate at what times. After all, not all guests should be on the mat at 7 p.m. sharp. Or?

What happens when my quota is used up?

As soon as your allotment has been used up or the latest reservation time you have defined has been reached, you have two options:

You can have the reservations forwarded to your phone through a system called IVR.

A message appears in the system that there are no more places available online and that guests should report to the restaurant directly.

If you have the reservations forwarded to your telephone, you have the option of accepting or rejecting a reservation at the push of a button. As soon as you do not want to accept any further reservations, you can block the shift directly via your phone or via your forAtable account.

Can I adjust the quota per day?

Of course you can. You can even enter a quota per shift. For example, if you serve two shifts in the evening, you still want to give guests on the first shift the opportunity to extend their visit.

Here, too, it pays to consider the different needs of your guests. 

How do I know whether my quota is ideally set?

If you have the IVR option activated, this is a good indicator. Do you receive many inquiries via IVR and approve them? A clear sign to increase the quota.

Monday, February 8, 2021

5 facts about online education 2020

Everyone stayed at home for a long time, which means there was more free time to learn new skills. And naturally the demand for Ed-Tech has grown exponentially. This means that 2020 has become a high point for this industry. If earlier it was growing steadily, now it is developing by leaps and bounds. 

During the period of self-isolation, the number of online university students has grown significantly - 4.5 times only in Skillbox. It is also noted that 40 +% more homework completed. The case when “I forgot at home” is no longer an excuse statement of work example. 

The surge in interest in online education is supported by data from a Google study . For example, daily views for videos using "home school" increased by 120% when compared to early 2020. And online course requests increased by 70 +% when measured in late-early April. 

Even before self-isolation, the online education industry was forecast to grow. Ed-Tech in Russia is annually increasing by 20-25 +%, and by the end of 2020 the volume will be 60 billion rubles. It is possible that this number will increase. In 2019 alone, Skillbox's revenue reached 1 billion rubles. 

The burden on online education has also multiplied. During self-isolation, Skillbox students watched over 1 million lessons, and 100 new courses were launched. Only after the opening of free access to 8 courses, more than 100,000+ users signed up. 

Skillbox also noticed a positive dynamics of interest in webinars - by 100-150 +%. One of the most popular topics is software development and game design - demand is 30 +%. 

Obviously, the Ed-Tech industry is on the wave. For several months of being removed, she managed to get far ahead. Online education platforms have received a manifold increase in their audience, which will have a positive impact on their further development. Even more strengthened its position and Skillbox.

But such results could not have been achieved without operational changes. Getting an opportunity is half the battle; it is also important to realize its full potential.  

Therefore, Igor Koropov, co-owner and product director of the Skillbox online university, will come to Callday 2020 to discuss how we managed to survive and even grow this year. 

Register right now with other entrepreneurs for the largest online conference about Russian business, management and technology in 2020. We are sure that you have something to share with your colleagues and the speaker. 

caltouch-platform

End-to-end analytics

 from 990 rubles per month

Automatically collect data from advertising sites, services and CRM into convenient reports

Analyze your sales funnel from impressions to ROI

Set up integrations with CRM and other services: more than 50 ready-made solutions

Optimize your marketing with detailed reports: dashboards, graphs, charts

Customize tables, add your own metrics. Build reports instantly for any periods

platform


Thursday, February 4, 2021

FIREWALL RULES: HOW TO CLEAN UP?

While every company needs to work on its own risks, there are still some general guidelines for configuring and general use of firewalls. So, the first step is to set up a formal process for testing the settings and configuring the firewall. This process must take into account the aforementioned changes in the IT landscape.

In general, the minimum access and connection permissions should be assigned to the firewall configuration. The smaller the circle of persons with access, the lower the potential security risks. In addition to firewalls, consider also firewalls for applications, cloud technologies and mobile devices. When checking, you should look not only to see if the appropriate firewalls are active, but also to see if they are correctly configured - this will also help to set up a formal process. If changes are made to the firewall configuration, they should be verified and not least documented. Checks should be performed regularly and, ideally, the protocols should be evaluated on a double-check basis. If you are using the firewall auditing tools, check if the tool can optimize the firewall configuration.

In addition, you should check if this tool actually supports all the firewalls your company works with. The configuration of such tools should ideally be tested in a test environment by answering the following questions: network firewall security

Will there be notifications about incorrect settings?

Is the tool suitable for the hardware and software firewalls you are using?

Is it possible to draw meaningful conclusions from the instrument's reports?

Are these reports securely protected from unauthorized access?


FIREWALL RULES: HOW TO CLEAN UP?

As you already understood, the list of filtering rules is one of the most important aspects of a firewall. Therefore, it is important to regularly clear this list of unnecessary and bring it in line with safety requirements at a given time. Of course, a lot depends on your personal circumstances, but there are some general rules that will suit everyone.

Many rules build up over time, and especially when multiple administrators are running the same firewall, you may experience performance issues, complicate maintenance, and increase security threats. Therefore, it is important to follow the PCI-DSS standards, which involve removing unnecessary rules and objects. These include the following:

Cleaning up unused, expired and conflicting rules

Unused connections: if the rules specify unused routers and you should remove

Naming rules: Write down the purpose of the rules and stick to them so that everyone understands them. Choose logical formats for names, for example, Computer Name _IP for nodes.

Duplicates: You should also remove duplicate objects and rules, such as services or nodes that appear repeatedly under different names.

Long rule sets: Try to break down long rule sets into easily readable pieces. For example, add a maximum of 20 rules to the set. Avoid superimposing rules on top of each other in order to simplify them.

Documentation: Rules, changes, names and objects should be documented and stored securely.

Compliance policy: After defining the policy, test it using the audit report.

Rule Priority: Frequently used rules should appear at the top of the list. Many firewalls process packets based on optimized algorithms, for which the order of rules is irrelevant. If your router is not one of them, you should sort the rules by priority so as not to lose visibility.

Separate Firewall and VPN: Separate firewalls and VPNs so that VPN does not interfere with the performance of your firewall.

Software Updates: Software updates often have security, performance, and functionality benefits. To prevent attackers from exploiting old security holes, pay attention to the timely updating of the firewall.

Interface: The interface of the firewall must be matched with the interfaces of the switch and router, i.e. if your router is operating in half duplex mode, the firewall should also be set to half duplex. Ideally, the firewall and switch should have the same duplex and speed.