udp packet http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for udp packet Copyright 2008 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:15:33 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/udp+packet The Evil Packet Sniffer http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-evil-packet-sniffer http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-evil-packet-sniffer#comments Sun, 03 Dec 2006 20:27:06 +0000 tcp snifferemail protocolquotentire networkpacket snifferspromiscuous modeftp protocol http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-evil-packet-sniffer quot;Packet Snifferandquot; is a utility that sniffs without modifying the network's packets in any way.

By comparison, a firewall sees all of a computer's packet traffic as well, but it has the ability to block and drop any packets that its programming dictates. merely watch, display, and log this traffic.

One disturbingly powerful aspect of packet sniffers is their ability to place the hosting machine's network adapter into andquot;.andquot; Network adapters running in promiscuous mode receive not only the data directed to the machine hosting the sniffing software, but also ALL of the traffic on the physically connected local network.

In order to view an session you will have to reassemble the packets back into sessions.

To do so you will have to know deeply IP and TCP protocols.

Reassembling the packets is not an easy task because some packets are lost on the way and the others do not come at the right order, but once you do that you are capable to andquot;readandquot; the entire network.

After you have learnt to reassemble packets you will have the ability to develop several andquot;evilandquot; components:

1. One thing you can do is to read the outgoing and/or incoming emails. The is called SMTP and is sent via PORT 25.

2. Do not forget the ( PORT 21 ), it might come in handy.

3. Monitor the HTTP protocol ( port 80 ) which is the World Wide Web. By doing so you will know which websites have been visited, files that have been uploaded to the web or downloaded from the web, text that was sent and so on.

While those things are considered inappropriate and your colleagues will probably not like it, sometimes it is needed for security reasons.

If you are a programmer and you want to start exploring the subject then I suggest you start with my free basic which is available for download here:

http://www.noviway.com/Code/Basic-TCP-Sniffer.aspx

Good luck and happy sniffing! Eran Aharonovich http://www.Noviway.com http://www.RTGate.com ]]> What Is MDI - Media Delivery Index? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-mdi-media-delivery-index http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-mdi-media-delivery-index#comments Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:39:59 +0000 mdiip infrastructureudp packetjitteruser datagram protocoldfmlr http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-mdi-media-delivery-index MDI - Media Delivery Index

Media Delivery Index is an open standard for use in quality assurance of IP video systems.

MDI is designed to address the problem of monitoring IP-encapsulated video signals in a live system.

The RFC (RFC 4445) for MDI details the technicalities of this in depth, but the issue of how this applies to real systems is more useful for many people, and that is the aim of this article.

The problem:

The fundamental problem when delivering IP encapsulated video across a network is that losing one IP packet results in multiple media packet loss.

UDP () based systems tend to encapsulate up to 7 188 (or 204) Byte Mpeg Transport Stream packets per . This means that losing one udp packet could result in 7 media packets being lost.

Loss of the media packets means that content is lost and the STB (set top box) or other end device must handle this as well as it can. Depending on the actual content of the packets (video, voice, data, stuffing) at the time, the impact will be different.

In an ideal world -- NO packets (IP or otherwise) would be lost across the network.

The biggest contributing factor to packet loss on a network is . Jitter is a increased packet delivery time caused by buffering on the video flows by network equipment across the .

If jitter is added to the flows, each network device will need to have an accordingly increased buffer size in order to store the ip packets and forward them along the network (while aggregating or removing flows which are going to or from that section of the network).

MDI therefore has 2 main components -- MDI- (Media Loss Rate), and MDI -- (delay factor -- or cumulative jitter).

MDI - MLR relates to the mpeg packets being lost and their rate.

MDI -- DF relates to the current buffer size required for a flow at that point in the network. This component is a number in Milliseconds (mS) and is dependant on the bitrate of the stream being monitored.

Since DF relates to stream bitrates and network jitter, this value changes (gets lower) as streams of higher bitrates are used.

This is an important consideration as it can be a great indicator of impending problems, and also alludes to the fact that your network jitter will have a different impact of streams of different bitrates.

This issue also means that just because your network can deliver Standard Definition Mpeg streams, you cannot make the assumption that High Definition streams will also be ok. (they tend to be higher bitrate and thus the network jitter will affect them more).

MDI was co-authored by Cisco (World dominating network hardware providers) and Ineoquest (World leading video monitoring solutions company) and is used by most proficient solutions providers and in most Quality Of Service (QOS) equipment.

Since MDI caters for both the IP layer and the Mpeg layer of monitoring, it is a very scalable and robust metric to use. Andrew Henry is an IPTV consultant and runs an iptv information site at http://www.iptvanswers.com ]]> What Is MDI - Media Delivery Index? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-mdi-media-delivery-index http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-mdi-media-delivery-index#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2007 09:44:00 +0000 mdiip infrastructureudp packetjitteruser datagram protocoldfmlr http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-is-mdi-media-delivery-index MDI - Media Delivery Index

Media Delivery Index is an open standard for use in quality assurance of IP video systems.

MDI is designed to address the problem of monitoring IP-encapsulated video signals in a live system.

The RFC (RFC 4445) for MDI details the technicalities of this in depth, but the issue of how this applies to real systems is more useful for many people, and that is the aim of this article.

The problem:

The fundamental problem when delivering IP encapsulated video across a network is that losing one IP packet results in multiple media packet loss.

UDP () based systems tend to encapsulate up to 7 188 (or 204) Byte Mpeg Transport Stream packets per . This means that losing one udp packet could result in 7 media packets being lost.

Loss of the media packets means that content is lost and the STB (set top box) or other end device must handle this as well as it can. Depending on the actual content of the packets (video, voice, data, stuffing) at the time, the impact will be different.

In an ideal world -- NO packets (IP or otherwise) would be lost across the network.

The biggest contributing factor to packet loss on a network is . Jitter is a increased packet delivery time caused by buffering on the video flows by network equipment across the .

If jitter is added to the flows, each network device will need to have an accordingly increased buffer size in order to store the ip packets and forward them along the network (while aggregating or removing flows which are going to or from that section of the network).

MDI therefore has 2 main components -- MDI- (Media Loss Rate), and MDI -- (delay factor -- or cumulative jitter).

MDI - MLR relates to the mpeg packets being lost and their rate.

MDI -- DF relates to the current buffer size required for a flow at that point in the network. This component is a number in Milliseconds (mS) and is dependant on the bitrate of the stream being monitored.

Since DF relates to stream bitrates and network jitter, this value changes (gets lower) as streams of higher bitrates are used.

This is an important consideration as it can be a great indicator of impending problems, and also alludes to the fact that your network jitter will have a different impact of streams of different bitrates.

This issue also means that just because your network can deliver Standard Definition Mpeg streams, you cannot make the assumption that High Definition streams will also be ok. (they tend to be higher bitrate and thus the network jitter will affect them more).

MDI was co-authored by Cisco (World dominating network hardware providers) and Ineoquest (World leading video monitoring solutions company) and is used by most proficient solutions providers and in most Quality Of Service (QOS) equipment.

Since MDI caters for both the IP layer and the Mpeg layer of monitoring, it is a very scalable and robust metric to use. Andrew Henry is an IPTV consultant and runs an iptv information site at http://www.iptvanswers.com ]]> Firewalls 101 http://www.artwoo.com/article/firewalls-101 http://www.artwoo.com/article/firewalls-101#comments Sat, 02 Sep 2006 18:27:08 +0000 spyware and adwarefirewall workaccess codesfirewallsemailinstant messengerstraffic types http://www.artwoo.com/article/firewalls-101
A firewall is a hardware or software solution that protects your computer network by preventing its access by unauthorised or potentially dangerous software, by using a system of built-in filters.

A firewall is typically a software package, or a dedicated gateway machine. The gateway acts as a security system for networks connected to the Internet. It is a doorway between a user on the network and the Internet. A firewall lets you use all your regular Internet features -- , chat, web browsing, etc., while making sure other Internet users cannot access your computer.

What does a firewall do?

A firewall can protect a computer network in many ways:

• It can screen out incoming viruses, .

• It can be set up to disallow access to Internet content. Large organisations normally use a firewall to disable access to content like MP3s, pornography, online games, online , etc.

• It protects a network from access by other networks.

• It allows users with only the right /passwords to access the network. Thus, it blocks hackers and crackers from accessing the network.

• It can cache web sites that have been previously visited, thus avoiding excessive use of bandwidth.

How does a ?

are placed at the junction of a network and the Internet. It then screens packets of information passing through it, and decides whether the packet is authorised or not.

There are two access denial methods used by firewalls. A firewall can either allow all traffic through unless it meets certain criteria, or deny all traffic until it meets certain criteria. Firewalls usually screen the type of traffic, or the source and destination of the traffic.

Types of firewalls Firewalls can be both software and hardware. There are five basic types of firewalls:

• Packet filtering firewalls: These firewalls are usually a part of the network router. Each packet passing through this firewall is screened and compared to an administrator-defined set of criteria. Depending upon the criteria, the packet is either forwarded to its destination or dropped from the network. These firewalls don't cost much, and don't slow down network performance.

• Network Address Translation (NAT) firewalls: NAT routers do all that packet filtering firewalls do. In addition, they hide the IP addresses of computers on the network.

• Circuit level gateways: These firewalls do not filter individual packets. Rather, they monitor TCP handshaking between packets. What's more, each packet that passes through a circuit level gateway appears to have originated from the gateway and not the computers behind it. Thus, network computers stay protected. These gateways are relatively low-cost.

• Application level gateways: These gateways are also called proxy servers or proxies. They are actually application-specific circuit-level gateways. These gateways don't allow any ftp, gopher and telnet traffic through. Proxies are configured to only let through http:post, get and other specific commands through. Application level gateways can also monitor user log-ins and log-outs, as well as user activity. They are very secure, but significantly slow down network performance.

• Stateful multilayer inspection firewall: These firewalls combine the other four types of firewalls. They screen packets, determine their legitimacy and evaluate contents of packets at the application level. They are highly secure, very expensive and need to be administered by highly competent network personnel. The article "Firewalls 101" is brought to you by Spyspotter anti-spyware program and system defender. http://www.spyspotter.com ]]> VoIP Via Satellite Internet http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-via-satellite-internet http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-via-satellite-internet#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 19:30:00 +0000 voip service providerssatellite internet providersvoip providersvoip servicestcp ip protocolvoice over internet protocolvonage http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-via-satellite-internet Voice over Internet protocol allows voice packets to be sent over Internet bandwidth enabling cheap communication. There are many companies which offer voice over Internet services and some of the leading ones are , Skype, Yahoo and Net2Phone. Consumers can access VoIP over Internet connections like broadband and DSL. Satellite Internet is a new technology that has become very popular in recent times and are able to offer services to customers in remote regions using it. It will still take some time until VOIP by satellite is ultimately stabilized and customers can enjoy the full benefits.

Some of the challenges faced by service providers include packet loss, jitters and limited bandwidth. Service providers like Hughes and Skyframes which have their own satellites are teaming up with the VoIP providers to offer voice services to customers. Designing a VoIP network would require details on the bandwidth requirement for VoIP data. are facing challenges on the bandwidth capacity that would be required to offer via satellite channels. G.729 (b) encoding with a 40 b payload and header compression would require 10 Kbps of bandwidth. Packet loss is another challenge faced by service providers offering satellite VoIP services. Packet loss causes degradation in voice quality. The protocol used for voice traffic transmission is UDP/IP and if the data packets are corrupted they cannot be retransmitted. TCP/IP protocol allows retransmission of data packets. It is important to maintain very low bit error rates to offer high quality voice services to customers. Jitters are another technology hurdle that is faced by satellite . It is used to calculate the delays in packet arrivals that happen because of network delay. If this factor is not within acceptable limits the quality of voice becomes poor and the receiver may not be able to enjoy a good conversation. Jitter buffers are used to overcome this hurdle and ensure that there is less delay in the network. Researchers and scientists are working relentlessly to overcome all hurdles that come in way of experiencing a smooth voice call through satellite Internet.

VoIP by satellite is not ideal because of some more factors. Latency factor refers to the time delay in locating the Geo-stationary satellite and the speed of light. There is a delay of 280 msec because of latency factor. Traffic congestion in the network also affects the quality of VoIP service. This can result in voice packets being dropped, delayed or reaching the receiver out of sequence. Compression technology is another parameter for delivering high quality VoIP service. There are two compression technologies that are followed as industry standards. The G.729 codec uses bandwidth of 18Kbps and RTP uses around 10 Kbps per second. If service providers are able to cope with the technological challenges of VoIP over satellite, it will not be long before remote areas of the United States can connect with the rest of the world. HughesNet offers high speed Satellite Internet to rural areas where DSL and Cable modem do not reach. More at: http://www.GetDSLtoo.com/ ]]> Choosing The Right Adoption Agency http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-the-right-adoption-agency http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-the-right-adoption-agency#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:27:10 +0000 adoption agenciesadoption agencydomestic adoptioninternational adoptionadoption servicesbbbcaucasian http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-the-right-adoption-agency adoption agencies very carefully. There are many things to consider in order to help you narrow down to a list of specific adoption agencies. Here are some questions to ask yourself before you being any research:

1. Do you want a (within the United States) or an ? 2. If you do want to adopt internationally which countries would you consider adopting from? 3. Do you want to adopt an infant or older child? 4. Do you want to work with an close to your home or anywhere within the United States? 5. How will you finance your adoption? 6. How soon do you want to adopt? 7. Which races are you willing to adopt? (, Asian, African American, etc.) 8. Do you want a boy or girl? 9. Do you have any special circumstances? (single-parent, gay couple, older couple, etc.) 10. Do you know anyone who has adopted before?

Once you ask yourself these questions you can develop a list of adoption agencies that you can request information from. Most adoption agencies will send you an information packet free of charge about their . Research on the internet and write down agencies that you feel can meet your needs. Once you have at least ten ask them to send you an information packet. Review the packets and throw away the ones that you do not like. With the remaining agencies call them and ask more questions about their services, how they operate, and other common questions.

Finally choose an adoption agency. Once you have chosen an agency double check with the state licensing department and ensure that they are in good standing. You may also want to check with your local to see if any complaints have been filed against them. Finally ask the agency for some references of previous adoptive parents that you can talk to personally. Once they have 'passed the test' you can start filling out the paperwork to adopt a child. Eric Morgan owns an adoption agencies website. You can visit it to find a list of adoption agencies that may fit your needs. Go to http://www.myadoptionagecies.com for more information. ]]> Nutrisystem, Jenny -- Should You Try A Food-Included Weight Loss Plan? http://www.artwoo.com/article/nutrisystem-jenny-should-you-try-a-food-included-weight-loss-plan http://www.artwoo.com/article/nutrisystem-jenny-should-you-try-a-food-included-weight-loss-plan#comments Sun, 16 Dec 2007 12:24:58 +0000 roast beef dinnerspasta mealsegg powdermisery loves companysurvival foodfood trayfruit and vegetables http://www.artwoo.com/article/nutrisystem-jenny-should-you-try-a-food-included-weight-loss-plan Misery loves company.)

How did we decide to do it?

We bought a month's supply of Nutrisystem meals.

The advertising is terrific. The demonstrations on the home shopping shows are compelling. By golly, it looks like real food, good food, and plenty of it. It's a system made in heaven. Or is it?

Yuk.

And I do mean yuk. If you've tried it and had success with it, good for you. But I hope you didn't stay on it too long. It just can't be a healthy way to eat for a long period of time.

Dried in a packet. Hotdogs in a packet. Dried soup in a packet. Cereal in a packet. Ham in a packet. Everything is either dried or vacuum-sealed. The packaging is designed to keep the contents edible almost forever. That may be ideal for a supply of you keep in the garage in the event of a disaster, but food to be eaten every day? I don't think so. Even if you add your own , it's not acceptable.

The pictures on the containers of the prefab meals look so tempting. As example, the picture on the lasagna carton doesn't even remotely resemble what's in the carton. Truth be told, it's not very appetizing to look at.

To be fair, several of the were tasty. Some of the snacks were tasty. Most of the dinners were just so-so. I had to toss a couple of because the was not sealed properly and the contents had been leaking. Not smart to eat that.

When you think about it =96 if you are successful with the program, what happens after you lose the desired weight? Unless you rethink and retool your diet, in no time you will be back to square one.

Many people accustomed and even addicted to our prefabricated, processed fast food way of life find it difficult and even impossible to lose weight. In some cases, the love affair with processed food is so overpowering that trying to lose weight is a lost cause.

Another problem is that many people are pressed for time and it's easier to stop at the burger place to eat than it is to go home and cook. The solution is to prepare food ahead so you have something in the fridge or freezer ready to go when you get home from work. Crock-pot meals are also helpful.

Weight loss is not difficult or time consuming if you have the will and determination to get back to basics. One of the best weight loss programs I've ever tried may no longer be around. I think it was called the Diet Center Diet. Our whole family went on the program many years ago because our daughter wanted to lose weight.

At first it was hard -- I missed the carbs -- but in no time we all became accustomed to it. There were no prepackaged meals. You cooked your own chicken, fish, and fresh vegetables, using a variety of provided recipes that were quite good. We stayed on it for a year without difficulty, modifying it as we went along, but still keeping it basic. I lost a lot of weight =96 perhaps even too much. I was down to 95 pounds, but feeling great. It was truly the perfect example of what I call a back to basics diet. It was the way people ate before the processed and fast food revolution invaded our lives.

Bottom line: You don't need Jenny, you don't need Nutrisystem, or any other expensive program that provides prepackaged meals. You just need to decide that you can and will do what you need to do to be in charge of your health and your weight. If you are really struggling with your weight, check out the website of Jeanne Phillips =96 Certified Eating Disorder Specialist: http://jeannephillips.com/

About the Nutrisystem food we didn't eat, which was most of it: I agonized about whether to give it to the homeless shelter or just throw it away. I decided that when you are hungry, something is better than nothing. The shelter was happy to accept it. Barbara Morris is a pharmacist and author of Put Old on Hold. Visit her website at http://www.PutOldonHold.com and sign up for her content-rich newsletter and receive a free copy of "Thirteen Diva Tested Tips for Fabulous Skin." ]]> Web Sites, Domain Names, And Name Servers (What's DNS All About?)... http://www.artwoo.com/article/web-sites-domain-names-and-name-servers-whats-dns-all-about http://www.artwoo.com/article/web-sites-domain-names-and-name-servers-whats-dns-all-about#comments Thu, 12 Oct 2006 06:27:12 +0000 destination ip addressip addressesmail trucksmail mandomain namegoogleabovenet http://www.artwoo.com/article/web-sites-domain-names-and-name-servers-whats-dns-all-about Domain Name Servers and Name Servers to a friend of mine all the time. He builds web sites part time. I know he's not alone; DNS confuses a lot of people.

The internet works by assigning an address to each device attached to it. This address is called an Internet Protocol Address or IP Address for short. It's a 32 bit number that's commonly written as 4 segments or octets (called an octet because each 4th is 8 bits) such as 10.10.1.1 or 216.54.217.22. Each octet can range between 0 and 255. This address works just like your street address: a packet (a chunk of communication between two devices) leaving your computer and heading for moves through devices call routers that route traffic on the internet. The router looks at the and knows which way to send the packet. Just like a letter moves through various post offices and delivery vehicles (, , airplanes, etc.) your little packet of internet traffic moves across various communication channels (phone lines, cable lines, fiber, etc.) and providers (UUNet, Cogent, Level3, Time-Warner, ATandamp;T, Sprint, , etc.). It finally arrives at its destination and is processed and a return packet is sent back... in just the same way, it finds its way back based on your IP Address.

The Internet would be pretty hard to use if you had to remember all those when you wanted to visit a web page, so a naming scheme is used that allows you to enter a name that is easy to remember instead of a sequence of numbers. So, how does your computer get the IP Address of a web site when you type in the name? That's where Domain Name Servers do their job.

Name Servers. A Name Server holds the information that relates the IP Addresses for a web site to the names used to access that web site. If you want to have a web site with a domain name, you have to register or purchase (more like rent) the domain name from a service call a registrar. When I registered the domain name for my web site, I told the registrar what Name Server I was using, Most people will use the Name Servers provided by their hosting facility (where they rent the server space for their web site). That Name Server is configured to have a andquot;zoneandquot; for my domain and that zone contains records that relate a name to an IP address, this is called an andquot;A Recordandquot;. An andquot;MX Recordandquot; is used to identify the mail server for that zone, for example, I have an andquot;A Recordandquot; for my domain that points to the IP address of the web server, and the andquot;MX Recordandquot; points to the mail server for my domain. These may or may not be on the same server. When someone sends me email, their mail server will request the Name Server for my domain and will get it's IP Address, then it can request the MX Record and get it's IP Address, and then it can send packets of mail to the mail server for my domain.

Domain Name Servers. A Domain Name Server stores the domain names and associated IP Addresses for a period of time.

This is stored or cached on a server called a Domain Name Server, or DNS server for short. If the time specified for caching a domain name / IP Address relationship has passed the DNS server will remove it from its cache. When a request for an IP Address is made, and the DNS server does not have that address in its cache, the DNS Server will make a request to a set of special servers on the internet that hold the addresses for all the Name Servers and which domain names each one controls. It can then send a request to the name server for that domain to get the IP Address for the domain name and return it to the computer or device making the original request. All Internet Providers have several DNS servers and as you browse the internet your computer is constantly sending requests to these DNS servers to get (or resolve) IP Addresses for the domain names you type in or links you click on.

A web site's name to address relationships are stored on Name Servers, as you browse the Internet, DNS servers either provide the address back to your computer from cache, or, look up the Name Server for your domain and then gets the correct Name Server to get the IP Address.

Now you too understand DNS and Name Servers! Fred Black is an experienced web developer offering instructional videos at http://www.WebSiteTrainingOnline.com, An Introduction to Creating Web Sites. ]]> The Cross Pen and Gifts That Survive the Years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-cross-pen-and-gifts-that-survive-the-years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-cross-pen-and-gifts-that-survive-the-years#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:36:25 +0000 nickels and dimesflower seedsleather briefcasecross penbirthday anniversaryhobbies and interestshammerdrill http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-cross-pen-and-gifts-that-survive-the-years When Giving Counts More than Receiving

Gift-giving is a ritual enjoyed by both the giver and the receiver of the gift, and the ritual is meaningful when extra care is given to the selection of the gift. For the gift giver, the happiness of the recipient outweighs the cost and the time spent searching for the "perfect" gift and this could be as plain as a packet of or as elegant as a shiny .

The packet of flower seeds would soon adorn a garden and the blooms would always give joy to the individual who received it. The Cross pen could be symbolic of someone's achievement in life and the receiver would always get a boost knowing someone believed in his or her capabilities.

The price of the gift is not important. It is the intrinsic value of the gift that counts. This should be your mantra when you hop to the nearest gift shop when a birthday, anniversary, retirement, promotion, wedding, or graduation is coming up. With this thought uppermost in your mind, you can always give the best gift to everybody in your list.

Meaningful Gifts

In these financially troubled times, you have to be more budget conscious when selecting gifts, but not to the extent grabbing anything that comes in cents, nickels, and dimes. You can still get high value items like a Cross Pen, a , a beautiful beach towel, or an antiqued lacquer bowl befitting the occasion for the gift.

How do gifts become meaningful? The reason for the gift goes with the event. For someone going overseas, you give a leather carry-all, backpack, or a compass; for a graduate, you choose a pen, a briefcase or a wristwatch. For someone who is getting married, you get something appropriate.

When you select the gifts, be guided by the following:

* Occasion of the event
* Age and gender of the recipient
*
* Relationship with the recipient

Gifts that survive the years have practical uses for the receiver or none at all. It could be a from Black and Decker. It could be a painting to adorn a wall, a poem, or a love song. Perhaps if you have the budget, you can splurge on a grandfather clock for newlyweds. These gifts last because they have a special meaning for those who receive these.

Budget conscious or not, you can be safe with a Cross pen engraved with the recipient's name, the date and occasion of the event. You won't go wrong with this choice. Even a seventh grader would rate this a 10 in his wish list. Everybody needs a pen but a classy and durable pen gets more points.

A Cross pen as a gift transcends gender, age, and cultures. You can choose the color and the style that would suit your recipient, just as you would choose a packet of flower seeds for the gardener friend or one who is hoping to have a dream garden.Looking for memorable gifts? Make it a Cross pen. Engraved cross pens make a lasting impression. For engravable pens find the blockbuster combination of design and quality at ExecutiveGiftShoppe.com.]]> How To Choose Web Hosting http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-choose-web-hosting http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-choose-web-hosting#comments Mon, 19 Feb 2007 20:27:11 +0000 linux serverslinux hostingnetwork mailavailable domain nameshostserroneouslymarble halls http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-choose-web-hosting hosts will get often faster connections to the internet then your place will seem quicker. Most significantly with paid hosting you won't get to exhibit a streamer on each page advertising the Hosting Company and advertising to the reality that you are on an available host. With superior hosting packages starting from $3. 99 per month there is no cause why you shouldn't go with a paid host.

The second easy regulation concerns what operating structure to select. You will discover hosts offering you Windows Hosting or , it is enticing to select windows as it's a figure everyone knows and many folk think that because their PC runs windows they need a Windows Host but in this lawsuit they'd be incorrect. Whichever hosting packet you select you will obtain a command board through which you manage your place these are graphical environments through which you can curb many aspects of your website from configuring your and installing forum software to creating a database. Take a lead from the of job most leading companies host their websites on . Linux Servers mostly runs faster and are more safe than a windows waiter. This is partially payable to how the operating systems are built. Windows seek to include every potential role in the home packet whilst Linux allows the host party to make the functions they need.

The closing matter to regard when choosing a host is the listing of features they provide. If you wear't recognize more about html you can seem for a host that supplies you with available website construction software and some of the best ones will still provide . You should seem at an amount of distinct companies and liken what they provide as basic with their hosting plans. Technical aspects to regard are; the sum of disc place accessible to you and how more monthly bandwidth you have to take. Look at how many email accounts you can get the much the best. Customer backing features should not be overlooked cheque to view what their reaction moment is and if it's anymore than a minute feel elsewhere, too regard if they provide a money backwards ensure.



Look to view what extra services they include in the packet for instance do they provide daily backups? Make certain that they provide backing for PHP as this is rapidly becoming the programming word of selection with network programmers. To resolve when choosing a website Host seem for a paid host with Linux hosting and so liken the packages on offering from a kind of companies. The author writes about a number of different topics. For more information on web hosting visit http://www.charthost.com and also visit the article pages: http://www.charthost.com/Articles Directory.html Neoone ]]> The Real Outlook For Ping http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-real-outlook-for-ping http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-real-outlook-for-ping#comments Fri, 15 Sep 2006 06:27:27 +0000 target computerping responsesping utilityip addressecho requestreturn packetindicative http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-real-outlook-for-ping IP address. This is used to ensure that the host computer intended to be reached is actually operating. Recent developments have caused people to abandon their existing Ping community and standards which threaten to alter the positive outlook for Ping.

What is Ping All About?

In December 1983, Mike Muuss wrote a program used as a tool to troubleshoot peculiar behavior on an IP network. He named it "ping" after the pulses of sound made by a sonar. Its operation is considered analogous to active sonar in submarines wherein an operator issues a pulse of energy at the target which would then bounce back and be received by the operator. An acronym was provided by David Mills to mean "Packet Internet Grouper" and by other people as "Packed Internet Gopher".

Its usefulness in terms of assisting the diagnosis of connectivity issue in the Internet was undermined when several Internet service providers filtered out messages at their network boundaries. The use of Ping for target reconnaissance by Internet worms in locating new hosts to infect is partly to be blamed. Another factor that might have contributed to the situation is the resulting over all load on networks due to the wide availability of .

The has its unique use being essentially a system administrator's tool to determine if a computer is working or if network connections are intact. Ping uses the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo function to send a small packet through the network to a particular IP address. The computer that sent the packet waits for a . A good return packet will be received if the connections are good and the is up. However, it is of a problem with the matching of the name and the IP address when a packet bounces back. An extended period of time used up for the round trip is likewise indicative of a problem. Ping can also determine the number of hops that lie between two computers and the amount of time it takes for a packet to make a complete trip.

There are some things that Ping cannot tell. Ping may not be able to always provide the reasons why packets go unanswered. Neither can it tell why or where a packet was damaged, delayed or duplicated. A detailed description of every host that handled the packet and the details that happened along the way cannot be provided by Ping.

Dropped packets are usually detected through a skip in the sequence numbers and such number does not appear again. The probable causes for this are a queue that grew too large and link-level failures. Fluctuating round trip times are caused by the same things responsible for packet loss. Connectivity that comes and goes may be caused by problems in the router.

The negative creation of the Ping is the so-called Ping of Death that essentially crashes a system by sending a Ping packet larger than 65,536 bytes. An IP datagram of this size usually cannot be sent but perpetrators apparently chop the packet into small pieces when it is sent down the line and have it rebuilt at its destination. The sheer size of the packet causes the buffer to overflow and results to a reboot or a hang among others.

The Ping Outlook

Ping-O-Matic is the only remaining large-scale and independent Ping relay service left with the purchase of http://Weblogs.com by Verisign. The purchase has been received by some quarters with skepticism due to Verisign's supposedly checkered history in the blogosphere. All major content producers and companies relying on this specific Ping stream are considerably wary of this move.

Weblogs.com was widely perceived to be a service that has stagnated and a business that has declined. It is believed to have attempted to monetize what should otherwise be a public service. Users who got frustrated with the situation have chosen to abandon their existing Ping community and opted to produce their own feeds. There is a need to get competing services to work together so that no one gets to successfully exploit the situation.

There are those that believe that http://Weblogs.com under Verisign may not be the solution to the existing problem in the Ping community but views it as a start of better things to come. However, there should be an entity having the resources and the ability to command respect among the tech companies being served that would run it. The cooperation of those that have extensive experience with it can only work to benefit the community as a whole.

The bleak outlook of Ping persisting at this time can be attributed to the fact that it is impossible to leave doors open on the web and not have it abused. The traffic gained by blog searches can all expect the same spam problems being experienced by other areas of the web. The problem will only worsen unless some barriers are put into place. It is also very difficult to come up with an algorithmic way to stop Ping spam. Clearly, the problem is not only about one entity purchasing a particular service.

Major search players such as Google and Yahoo! are expected to move to a combination of rapid crawling, trusted Pings and open Pings as a back up. Since they are able to get news content very fast, they can concentrate on spidering and hammering their trusted sites. They know the major blogs that really matter and be able to discover links from blogs as quickly as possible.

Another way is to have people enroll to come up with trusted Pings. Proper identification through signing up can be used to determine whose Pings are to be taken in and penalize those who abuse it. A redistribution of trusted Ping feeds by major players would be ideal but is almost next to impossible since they don't share web crawling data. Major blog services will most probably continue to be trusted while others might take Pings for third party servers.

Some aver that the real surprise is seeing how open pinging has managed to survive this long. There are ways to be done to tackle spam such as through the machine learning algorithm and the like. It would probably be best to open the Pings up to the community and let them fix it.

Technorati, Bloglines and Feedster are all closed systems and Pings sent to them are only available to their service. Some are hoping to see an open system of notification and proposes Feedmaster to achieve it. It hopes to allow a wide variety of new services to be able to focus on getting into the stream of updates. At present, the various players are still actively participating but whether or not there is indeed a future for Ping would depend on how they act individually as competitors and as common participants in one community. http://www.theinternetone.net ]]> Baselining--Stress Testing--Performance Testing--Oh My--Part TWO-Testing http://www.artwoo.com/article/baselining-stress-testing-performance-testing-oh-my-part-two-testing http://www.artwoo.com/article/baselining-stress-testing-performance-testing-oh-my-part-two-testing#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:08:26 +0000 test environmentsstress testingenvironment designsatellite locationpacket sniffertest userstesting practices http://www.artwoo.com/article/baselining-stress-testing-performance-testing-oh-my-part-two-testing
This is the second of two articles discussing the topic of and . The first one, "Baselining----Performance Testing--Oh My--Part One--Environments," focused on proper testing . This article is focused on what you do with them once they have been created--Network and Application Testing.

When one is performance testing, what is REALLY being tested? Is it the Application, the Network, the Desktop, the WAN? Having done a performance test of one, do you then know something about the others? Not really.

What is the difference between Stress Testing, Load Testing and Baselining? Are they just different ways to say the same thing? No.

What, if any, is the consequence of using these terms interchangeably? After all, we all know what we mean--don't we? It is common for various teams that are really trying to cooperate with each other to founder. Sometimes it is because they thought that they had all agreed with each other--but discovered that each of them had a very different understanding of what is was to which they had all agreed. Semantics matter. This is not limited to IT by any means, yet, this article is focused on IT--one very specific part of IT, namely the processes used by IT to Test Performance.

TESTING DEFINITIONS:

Baseline Testing: Focus is on how long a single transaction, or set of transactions, take for a normal user during normal conditions.

Only a single user is tested. Best if can be done SAFELY during production hours. After all, that is when users will experience any issues. A baseline that tells how the transaction functions under ideal conditions will only make any production environment seem too slow.

- Test from each (if applicable).

- Use a Packet- Sniffer running locally to the test user. Something like Wireshark running on the
host PC--if using live .

- A packet-sniffer like WireShark listening to a port mirror in a switch in front of the device running the script--if using a form of virtual user.

- Capture the transaction while testing.

- Save capture, test again.

BESTline Testing: (Our Term), describes a test that is performed to determine the best possible time an application can be reasonably expected to provide.

- Attempts to eliminate all non-application issues such as the Network and WAN.

- Use workstation most local to first tier servers

- If possible, relocate switch port for workstation onto the same ASIC.

- If possible, recreate the second and other tiers, as locally to the first tier as possible.

Application Profiling: Provides a packet level and protocol level description of what is taking place with an application--across a network wire.

- How many TCP connections are used?

- What is the nature of the communication at the packet level?

- Many small connections or a few large connections?

- What form of SMB is used?

- What is the size of the files it "must" transport such as DLLs, EXEs, Java Applets, etc.

- What are the size of required Cookies and Tokens?

- HTTP usage For example, POST or GET? etc.

- URLs

- May also result in an Interpath Application Flow Diagram.

Application Profiling will be the topic of a dedicated article/podcast soon.

Performance Testing: Focus is on DEV, QA, or UAT.

Stress Testing: Attempts to see how much a system can handle before the system degrades below acceptable parameters or fails. Utilizes simulated users generated by a tool such as LoadRunner or some other tool that generates virtual users.

Load Testing: Different than Stress Testing in that it attempts to induce Minimal Load. Steered towards a specific target based on a Capacity Planning goal.

Single Transactional Testing: Attempts to see exactly what is happening in a transaction from the packet level.

- May involve many monitoring locations along the application's pathway.

- Requires in-depth packet analysis, but provides the best possible vision of how the application is performing the transaction(s) in question.

If one team is planning a Stress Test, but calling it a Baseline Test-- would it matter? Well, do they intend to try it in PROD? Ouch! You probably wouldn't want any kind of load in PROD. What if they really meant Baseline, but said Stress Test? While their actions would be safe, someone would jump up on a chair and say, "Stop!" That could damage team rapport and cause long and unnecessary delays.

Creating valid testing environments and then designing appropriate test plans are critical to creating stable architecture and applications. Many IT organizations of all sizes do not have what they need in this regard.

What about a real lab? Do you do any form of Device Certification on new load balancers, or WAN Optimizers, or Switches, or Routers, or Firewalls, or NIDS, or other Testing Tools themselves? Accurate testing, (accurate being the key word here) is far less common than it should be.

Of course, now you have another question. What about Capacity Planning? Barry Koplowitz founded Interpath Technologies Corporation in 1999. He was an instructor for Network General and NAI traveling around the USA teaching for Sniffer University and is a executive consultant to large enterprise environments in the area of Processes-Network/Application Analysis and Troubleshooting. He is the writer and host of The ROOT Cause podcast. http://www.interpathtech.com]]> Cisco Memory Types and Their Function http://www.artwoo.com/article/cisco-memory-types-and-their-function http://www.artwoo.com/article/cisco-memory-types-and-their-function#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 14:01:35 +0000 cisco networking hardwarememory dramrandom access memorycisco devicesseries shipscisco pixcisco ios http://www.artwoo.com/article/cisco-memory-types-and-their-function Cisco networking hardware, with the exception of the firewall series, ships with the Cisco Inter-network Operating System, or IOS. IOS hardware includes network routers, switches, and other similar devices. The basic design of most of this hardware controls the types of memory a device is equipped with, and what functions the various types of Cisco memory serve. At the hardware level, there are four main types of Cisco memory: DRAM, EPROM, NVRAM, and Cisco Flash Memory.

DRAM, or Dynamic caters to two main device requirements. The first of these is known as Processor Memory which is reserved for exclusive access by the CPU, which it uses when executing software running on the platform. Processor Memory also stores crucial data that is used constantly, like the configuration settings in current use, and any routing tables. The second is Shared Memory, also known as I/O Memory, or Cisco Packet Memory. The function of Packet Memory is simple and self-explanatory: Data coming in and being sent out is buffered to the Packet Memory portion of the available DRAM before it is transmitted over the network interface.

EPROM, or Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory is usually referred to as a BootROM. EPROM is generally programmed at some point during the latter stages of manufacture, and cannot generally be changed by consumers. In , EPROM is generally loaded with two crucial firmware components. The first is a boot loader which takes over should the device fail to find a valid bootable image in Flash Memory, and provides alternate boot options. If even this failsafe should fail, the second firmware application installed on Cisco EPROM is used, the ROM Monitor. ROM Monitor has a user interface and includes options for troubleshooting failures of the ROM chips.

In Cisco devices, NVRAM, or Non-Volatile Random Access Memory, stores important configuration information that is used by IOS during boot and by some programs during startup, which is stored in the Startup Configuration File. NVRAM also allows the functionality provided by the Cisco Software Configuration Register, which allows a device to be booted and selection from multiple Cisco IOS images that may be available in Flash Memory. It is sometimes called Shared Memory.

Cisco Flash Memory is the most diverse of each of these types, and it comes in many forms, however, its primary use is to store a bootable Cisco IOS image from which a device can start. Most devices have onboard Flash memory from which the device boots, however, some equipment - particularly higher-end hardware like Cisco GSR routers - also have the capability to boot from an image stored on a Cisco Flash Memory card, which is removable. Regardless of the memory type, it is important to find a memory reseller who is reliable. Things to look for when choosing a memory reseller are that they have memory for every Cisco device in stock, offer a warranty on the memory, and have technical people with whom you can speak if you have any problems.Sterling Christian writes exclusively for PC Wholesale. Sterling writes about the use, operation and upgrading of Cisco and Sun Microsystems devices. PC Wholesale carries Cisco Approved memory, Sun original memory, and third-party memory for all Sun and Cisco devices. www.pc-wholesale.com.]]> VoIP Security http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-security http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-security#comments Mon, 04 Jun 2007 10:24:54 +0000 voip systemsemailip pbxintrusion detection softwarepbx securitypbx equipmentprivate branch exchange http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-security
VoIP voice data is transmitted via a packet-switched data network using IP. can carry a significant higher number of calls, and very much faster, than traditional PSTN networks due to compression of the voice packets, modern broadband technology and a number of other gateway developments which have reduced the previous packet delivery problems to an extent that the protocol is now a viable mainstream telephony solution to most business needs.

VoIP security should therefore be shown to be at least as effective as that of traditional telephone systems.

There is actually very little difference between VoIP security and that required for any other type of data transmission system. Look on it the same as you do your system. The same as your office LAN if you have one. You probably have a system in operation whereby only authorized personnel can use certain aspects of the network. VoIP security can, and do, use the same techniques.

However, having said that, let's have a look at potential weak points in VoIP security that budding hackers may see as good points of attack.

CALL MANAGEMENT BOXES

PBX stands for , and is piece of software running on a server. It's function is to deal with all the switches and connections involved in the telephone system. These can be attacked by hackers or viruses which could compromise sensitive data. VoIP security systems are designed with this risk in mind.

should be placed behind firewalls, locked down and regularly monitored for unwarranted intrusions using intrusion-detection software. It is also possible to put the server in a different domain from the rest of the system, making it much more difficult for intruders to reach. is a basic aspect of VoIP security systems

GATEWAYS AND DATA PACKETS

The gateway's job is to convert voice to data packets, transmit them then receive and convert the packets back into voice. These are a potential VoIP security risk in that thy can be hacked into unless there is an access-control system in place to prevent unauthorized people from accessing the system. VoIP calls should only be permitted to specific people, and most good VoIP security systems allow only authorized user to operate VoIP systems under password control.

The data packets themselves can be hacked into using data-sniffing techniques. This can be a serious VoIP security risk and packet sniffers, as they are often called, capture binary data passing through your network and can reroute it to a computer on another network for decoding into a readable form. In order to do this, the `sniffers' has to be on the same network wire as the packet is using to reach its destination. The problem in installing an effective VoIP security system is that there is usually a lot of information passing at any one time, and the hacker has a higher probability of getting useful information than from a conventional telephone system.

Encrypting VoIP traffic and routing it through a virtual private network would reduce the VoIP security risk, and most corporate systems have multiple encryption layers for external messages. Internal security could be improved by running internal VoIP messages through this corporate network. Small businesses should seek the advice of their supplier, or of a security expert if they feel that they may be subject to such attacks.

However, VoIP security advisors can point small to medium companies in the right direction. Corporate VoIP security is generally not so much problem in that it is normally contracted out to expert advisers.

In the final analysis, however, there are no real differences between VoIP security and the normal security concerns associated with any data network service, such as normal office internet and email LANs. The security firewalls and restricted access to use, common on these systems, should suffice to deal with VoIP security Peter is an industrial research chemist with almost a fixation with data transfer systems, starting with audio and video file formats and codecs, and here with telephonic transmission systems which allow what is commonly known as VoIP. His fascination with subject is obvious from his website: http://www.data-voip-solutions.com ]]> What Makes A Voip Phone System Work? http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-makes-a-voip-phone-system-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-makes-a-voip-phone-system-work#comments Mon, 28 Aug 2006 06:27:22 +0000 voip providersvoip carrierpacket8voice over internet protocolroutercopper wirehardware http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-makes-a-voip-phone-system-work
The phone services offered by your local phone companies use circuit-switching technologies. In basic terms a is used to complete a circuit and to connect two people talking on the phone. A VoIP () phone system works by the use of packet-switching technology. is a VoIP company that takes its' name from this packet technology.

This VoIP protocol technology does not use a copper wire to complete a circuit, but instead the voice signals are broken down into tiny andquot;packetsandquot; of digital data and then are sent over the internet and reassembled on the other end and a crystal clear voice message can be heard just like we are used to, but the cost to you to do this is at least 50% less than what your regular phone company will charge you!

There are many companies that are now on the cutting edge of this technology. They all offer packages with call waiting, call conferencing, caller ID, and much more at no additional costs. One company offers you a basic free service to use VoIP from computer to computer worldwide and another company offers VoIP services when you travel! All bases, so to speak, of your VoIP needs are now covered in the VoIP marketplace!

To make the switch from the old (or analog) phone system to the new VoIP (or digital) phone system is a snap! Don't let this new technology scare you off! All you need to do is have a broadband internet connection (DSL or Cable) and the correct as provided by the particular that you choose. All offer easy ways to make the switch including keeping your present number. The hardware needed is usually a phone adapter and a that you plug into your computer and regular phone.

Your VoIP phone company will supply you with the needed hardware and tell you which plugs go where. It takes a few minutes to plug in the plugs! Before you know it you will be making calls at a 50% savings over your old phone service with unbelievable clarity! Visit http://www.voip-carrier-4u.com andamp; http://www.voip-carrier-4u.com/SunRocketVoIP.html andamp; http://www.voip-carrier-4u.com/Packet8VoIP.html for more information on VOIP. ]]> Packet-Sniffer Filtering Concepts-01 http://www.artwoo.com/article/packet-sniffer-filtering-concepts-01 http://www.artwoo.com/article/packet-sniffer-filtering-concepts-01#comments Tue, 12 Feb 2008 18:25:00 +0000 packet snifferspacket snifferinstruction manualsthought processfrequent questionsprobespodcast http://www.artwoo.com/article/packet-sniffer-filtering-concepts-01 Podcast on iTunes.

The most we receive are about how to create filters with a packet-sniffer. In an article titled "The 7 Most Common Mistakes Using Packet-Sniffers" I do touch on this topic. However, it was just one of seven items discussed and rates more attention on its own.

Creating filters is one of the most important skills required for successfully using packet-sniffers, and one of the most common reasons for inconclusive or just plain wrong results. You can design a perfect test--place the in exactly the right places--capture data during the tests as planned=97and still end up with garbage if your Capture Filters are incorrect. Similarly, you can have perfect captures in the can and never find what you need to see, if your Display Filters are incorrect.

There is a problem with discussing this topic. Since each product uses different screens and commands to perform what are essentially the same functions, a command or GUI tutorial would not be able to address the real issue. After all, there are and guides from Network General (now NetScout), or Wireshark or whatever product you are using. Those guides are readily available and are usually well written. So, why is there still a problem? It is because the real problem is not how to tell the software what you want it to filter, it is instead, knowing what you want to filter=97and why. Knowing what you want to filter is a and a troubleshooting process. It is conceptual rather than a set of instructions. This makes it difficult to say exactly where to click or what to type, but it does makes it possible to show you an approach that applies to all packet-sniffers. This topic is huge and this brief article cannot cover it all so there will be follow up articles in the future. But first let's review Capture Filters compared to Display Filters.

Capture Filters:

Filter out unwanted information from entering the capture buffer during capture. There is no way to correct a bad capture filter other than retesting. If it didn't make it to the buffer it is gone to the bit bucket. Ideally, you will only use these when the data flow is too large for you to be able to get what you need in a single buffer. Under those conditions, they are mandatory as you are drinking from the Fire Hose and will completely recycle your capture buffers before the entire transaction you are looking for can complete resulting in buffers that only have part of the transaction. This is of limited value.

Display Filters:

Filter out unwanted information from displaying. They do not affect what is in the capture buffer and can be changed again and again while you work out what you want to see.

The following are a few points to remember when creating filters. They provide a conceptual approach rather than a list of instructions.

Compounding Filters:

Display filters can be compounded. This is where you filter, look and then filter again=97further reducing the display. It is a good practice. Filter from the general to the specific. Do not try for that hole-in-one. Take your strokes and get the ball closer and closer to the tee. You will know more about what you are looking at each time and are far less likely to overlook something important.

Filters Only Remove:

Always remember that filters remove what you don't want; they do not add what you do want. Even if you filter "for" a string, or address, it means filter out everything but that string=97it is still filtering out. This is important for the way that you think about the process.

Boolean:

Pay attention to the basics of Boolean Statements. A classic mistake is filtering for a given address in both Source and Destination. For example:

Source = 10.10.10.10 AND Destination = 10.10.10.10. You may want to see or capture everything To or From 10.10.10.10, but the statement means, capture only packets that have 10.10.10.10 as their source address AND their destination address. Typically, nothing will qualify because most protocols would only have any given IP address as either the source OR the destination. (There are exceptions.) This illustrates the difference between "AND" and "OR." If you made this mistake on a capture filter, it will mean performing the test over again.

TCP Port Numbers:

When creating filters in order to follow a specific conversation, determine which IP address would most likely be initiating the conversation. They will have the Ephemeral (temporary) TCP Port while the receiver will be addressed on the predetermined TCP Port appropriate for that implementation of that specific protocol with that particular application. Verify the Destination TCP Port value. It may not be what you expect. HTTP is usually TCP 80, but will often be implemented as 8080 or any other value. Don't assume the Port Number. Get it from the application Subject Matter Expert or discover this through the process of capturing and following the initiator's communication with the destination IP address. If you filter on an assumption, you will have nothing in the buffer or displayed=97if you are wrong. Measure twice; cut once.

To further complicate matters, I myself will frequently recommend that different TCP Ports be used than what is typical for a given service. Besides the obvious security benefits such a practice offers, there are solid monitoring and troubleshooting benefits. For example, if different instances of a database that are hosted on the same server use different TCP Ports, monitoring and troubleshooting become easier. But, these non-standard port assignments can have side-effects on standard packet-sniffer filters. For example, Oracle would not use TCP 1521. This means that your Packet-Sniffer may not find it if you use a default filter for Oracle. That filter may simply map Oracle to TCP 1521, which wouldn't work in such a situation. That is exactly why I make such a recommendation. I want to be able to differentiate between them. This way I can filter to capture one instance versus another instance of the same database on the same server! That can be a great way to monitor an application or to simply avoid drinking packets out of the Fire Hose.

Sting Filters:

Pay attention to where the string you are looking for is likely to be displayed in your particular Packet-Sniffer. Think about the nature of the value you are using for your filter. Is it a value created by the software that you are using or is it something actually embedded in the packet? For example, the Delta Time (time between packets) is not something that is actually part of the packet, nor is any "Absolute" time value. On the other hand, if there are TCP Time Stamps in the packet, that is part of the data. This is especially important when working with the same captures across different packet-sniffer software. The software generated values are created by that code and will not always be identical to the same field generated by different code. Don't lose time trying to reconcile them; you can't.

RFC's:

Take the time to research the protocols you are investigating. An hour with the RFC can save you days of trouble and make the difference between success and failure. They will show you what should be focus of your filters.

Misleading Yet Normal Results: Some situations can cause you to think your filters are bad when they are fine. Such as environments or protocols, where you may only see one side of the conversation. For example, let's use ARP. The ARP Query is a broadcast and widely visible, but the response is unicast and only visible on the segment to which it is directed, or along that Interpath. You may see many queries and no replies but that is normal. Another example is where load balancing or asynchronous routing are involved. In such cases, you may see only one side of the conversation and to make matters worse=97they might switch on you. All of this is normal. If you need to see both sides (as you usually will) you will need to place your probes where they will be able to do so. This requires planning, which brings us to my closing recommendation.

Planning:

Filtering is best done with a plan. That plan should be created BEFORE captures begin. For example, know the throughput of the segments you are planning to monitor or test before you start live testing. Know if capture filters are needed and experiment with ways of getting what you need with minimal use of capture filters. Know what you are looking for and place your probes where you will be able to see what you need. Once that degree of planning is in place, the filters to use come naturally. Barry Koplowitz founded http://www.interpathtech.com Interpath Technologies Corporation in 1999. He was an instructor for Network General and NAI traveling around the USA teaching for Sniffer University and is a executive consultant to large enterprise environments in the area of Processes-Network/Application Analysis and Troubleshooting. He is the writer and host of http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=270919666 The Sniffer Guy podcast. http://www.interpathtech.com ]]> VoIP Broadband Phone -- How Does VOIP Work? http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-broadband-phone-how-does-voip-work http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-broadband-phone-how-does-voip-work#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:15:30 +0000 voip service providercall signalsanalog typesoft switchesanalog telephonesoft switchconventional telephone http://www.artwoo.com/article/voip-broadband-phone-how-does-voip-work conventional telephone that uses circuit switching. The space occupied by a call in circuit switching can accommodate many calls when using packet switching.

For example, if you make a call that lasts 10 minutes on a PSTN line, the transmission is for complete 10 minutes at rate of 128kbps. For the same call duration on VoIP, the transmission time is only 3.5 minutes at a rate of 64kbps. So, the line can be used for another 10 minutes to utilize the full transmission of 128kbps or other calls can occupy the same space. So, this goes to say that approximately 3-4 calls can be fitted in the space used by a call in the conventional telephone line. With compression of data an additional decrease in the space occupied by each call can be accomplished.

VoIP makes use of Packet switching and they function in the following way:

1. As soon as the user picks up the phone to make a call, signals are sent to the ATA which accept it. ATA stands for Adaptor which is a device that helps in converting signals of to digital type. This helps in connecting the telephone to the computer to make calls through the internet by VoIP mode. From the ATA, the signals are sent through the internet.

2. The ATA will let the user know the existence of an internet connection to make calls with the help of a dial tone.

3. Once the user hears a dial tone he/she can dial the number of the person to whom the call is made. The signals sent will be converted to digital data by the ATA and temporarily stored.

4. Next, the will be sent a request form through their call process to ensure the vailidity of the data.

5. The call processor of the VoIP service provider will analyze the data sent to it. The call processor is a piece of hardware that runs a database program known as . These analyze the data such as the end points of the network, the numbers being used to call and receive and the assigned IP addresses pertaining to the end points.

The soft switches possess information of the database of the user and the phone numbers. If this information is not present, requests are then sent forth to numerous other soft switches until the necessary data is retrieved. Once the user at the other end is found, the information relevant to the other user is gathered by the soft switches. This information will then be forwarded to the soft phone or the IP phone to permit exchange of data between the endpoints.

The conversion of numbers to IP addresses occurs with the help of a soft switch that forms a connection between the two ends. So, if one user is making a call, the signal is transmitted to the other user to receive the call. In effective, soft switches and network devices work together to enable a person to make calls through VoIP.

6. If the person on the other end receives the call, a session is established between the caller and the receiver. The systems of both the person will receive and transmit the signals through data packets and will manage the call just like sending or receiving any other information on the internet. But, for communication between the systems the protocol of both the systems should be common. There are two recognized channels where one handles direction and the other handles the session.

7. During the sessions when conversation is in progress, the two computers receive and send out data in packets. The incoming packets are transmitted to the ATA which converts the digital signals into analog audio signals that will be heard as voice by the receiving person. There is an open circuit maintained by the ATA with the analog phone to receive analog signals and forward it to the user at the other end as digital signals.

8. If anyone hangs up the phone, the circuit between the phone and the ATA is cut off.

9. The ATA will then communicate with the soft switch through signals to inform that the conversation is completed and the session can be ended. Packet switching enables data networks to communicate with one another.

VoIP has become a very popular means of communication these days due to the advantages it possesses. It is still undergoing lot of fine-tuning and is gaining more popularity by the day and will one day replace the conventional phone altogether.For more information on small business voip system as well as finding the best best voip provider from the experts at http://www.businessvoipcentral.com, the premier portal dedicated to broadband phone voip]]> Goji Juice Jello: Goji Fun For The Whole Family http://www.artwoo.com/article/goji-juice-jello-goji-fun-for-the-whole-family http://www.artwoo.com/article/goji-juice-jello-goji-fun-for-the-whole-family#comments Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:27:08 +0000 goji juicegoji berriesjello mixmonotonousnutritional supplementsgelatinboiling water http://www.artwoo.com/article/goji-juice-jello-goji-fun-for-the-whole-family Goji juice is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the world. Extracted from , it's widely considered to be one of the most nutritionally dense foods ever discovered. Around the world, thousands of families have made drinking goji juice a part of their daily routine, and because of the delicious taste of the juice, most of them maintain the same mundane schedule of downing a few ounces of pure juice.

Despite the great taste of goji juice, families with small children might wish to enhance their goji juice experience by adding some fun to the equation. This is where creative imagination comes into play. Why risk boring yourself by simply drinking goji juice day-after-day, locked into the same routine? Where's the fun in that? By making your child's daily goji consumption a more entertaining experience, he or she will look forward to the daily event and be less likely to forget this important nutritional juice. One way to add some pep to your goji is by creating goji juice jello! Below, you'll find a recipe for doing just that.

Goji Juice Jello Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Cup of 1 Packet of Instant Strawberry Flavor, Sugar Free, Low-Calorie Jello 1 Cup of Refrigerated Goji Juice

Instructions:

First, bring a cup of water to a boil. Next, pour the packet of into a bowl. Add the boiling water to the bowl of gelatin, and stir gently for at least two minutes until the gelatin mix is completely dissolved. After the mix is uniform, pour a cup of goji juice into the bowl, and stir. Pour into individual serving size cups and refrigerate for 4 hours, or until firm. The result is a refrigerator full of delicious goji juice jello!

Special Tip:

To enhance the jello experience, try adding fruit. For fruit juice jello, prepare your jello as directed above, but refrigerate for only 30 minutes until the jello is slightly thickened. Stir in 1 cup of raspberries, blueberries, chopped strawberries, or another favorite fruit. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.

A summer favorite, instant jello has been enjoyed by millions of children for over 100 years since its initial introduction. By combining jello with the nutritional benefits of goji juice, children will learn that maintaining good health is also fun and delicious! And best of all, their parents can enjoy the fun too, as delicious goji juice jello conjures memories of their own childhood. Britt Gillette is webmaster of http://BrittGillette.com, where visitors can learn about and buy goji juice. Source: http://www.brittgillette.com/gojijuice.htm ]]> Easy Backpacking Dinner Recipes http://www.artwoo.com/article/easy-backpacking-dinner-recipes http://www.artwoo.com/article/easy-backpacking-dinner-recipes#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:25:03 +0000 backpacking recipesnori seaweedboiling waterinstant ricesushibdcombine http://www.artwoo.com/article/easy-backpacking-dinner-recipes backpacking recipes, it is very important to eat nutritiously and drink plenty of water while backpacking. We've already mentioned a few meal ideas for breakfast and lunch, as well as a few energizing backpacking snack suggestions.

Dinner is the backpacking meal that most backpackers settle down and truly enjoy. Once you have set camp for the evening and settled in, a hot and hearty meal will revitalize your body and get you prepared for another day of active hiking.



Backpacker's Cook 1 cup with . Cut nori (seaweed rollers for sushi found at international grocers or sections) into quarters Place a spoonful of rice on the nori and add a spoonful of tuna from foil packet Roll the sushi and dip in wasabi, horseradish, or soy sauce (take-out packets)

Seafood Pasta Cook = package pasta (fettuccini, tortellini, etc) Heat a little bit of olive oil, salt, and garlic with salmon or tuna (foil package) Toss with parmesan cheese and enjoy! Variation: chicken (canned) and sundried tomatoes

Just Add Water Backpacking Feast In a small sandwich bag : =BE cup instant potatoes =BE cup dry stuffing Dried cranberries Beef or turkey jerky pieces Powdered gravy mix At camp, stir in boiling water and let stand before eating.

Country Chicken and Rice Combine 1 cup instant rice with 1 =BD cups boiling water Stir in one packet onion soup mix Add 1 small can of chicken Stir until warm

Fiesta Trail Chicken In a small sandwich bag combine: 1 cup instant rice 1 packet tomato soup mix Spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, etc.) At camp, add 1 =BD cups boiling water to dry ingredients and stir in a small can of chicken.

Other dinner ideas include:

Small canned hams that require no refrigeration Fresh vegetables for first night dinners (broccoli, corn on the cob, green beans, etc.) Soup cups Canned foods (ravioli, Spam, beanie weenies, beef stew, etc.)

Salty foods are good for replenishing your body to avoid dehydration. Eat foods that are high in calories and protein. If you packed canned foods, look for products with easy open lids. Otherwise, remember to pack a can opener, like the versatile Leatherman Juice S2 Multi-tool.

The most energizing and replenishing snacks for the trail is gorp, or modern versions of trail mix. Try these gorp recipes for variety.

Chocolate Lover's Gorp 2/3 cup dried apricots 2/3 cup dried cherries 2/3 cup dried blueberries 2/3 cup almonds 2/3 cup peanuts 1 cup white chocolate chips 1 cup dark chocolate chips

The Trail is on Fire Gorp Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet Brown 2 cups puffed rice cereal and 2 cups raisin bran, stirring constantly Spread the cereal on a baking sheet and cook at 250=B0 for 30 minutes. Toss cooled cereal with: =BD cup Spanish peanuts =BD cup cashews =BC cup raisins =BC cup dried dates =BC cup dried jalape=F1o slices =BD tsp salt 1 tsp chili powder =BC tsp cumin 2 Tbsp sugar For more tips and information about Easy Backpacking Dinner Recipes, check out http: http://www.summitcampinggear.com. ]]> Learn the Bingo Lingo http://www.artwoo.com/article/learn-the-bingo-lingo http://www.artwoo.com/article/learn-the-bingo-lingo#comments Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:36:20 +0000 electronic billboardadmission packetbingo cardsbingo cardbingo gamebingo playersgameo http://www.artwoo.com/article/learn-the-bingo-lingo
If you're playing bingo with other well-experienced players, chances are, you won't be able to understand what they're talking about in the game. In order to understand the game better and fit in the bingo crowd easier, here is a guide on some terms that use. Learn them so that next time you won't be lost whenever they're talking about certain terminologies.

o -- represents the minimum number of cards that needs to be purchased by a player in order to enter a bingo hall. Each packet usually contains 3 -- 6 cards.

o Auto-purchase -- an online bingo term. Refers to the feature in which a bingo program will automatically buy a for a specific player at the end of each game.

o Being Ready -- refers to someone who needs just one number in order to win the game

o Bingo Board -- that displays all the numbers drawn and called.

o Bingo Books -- refers to a stack of bound together which is used at every .

o Bingo Card -- the card that you need to have before playing bingo. Each column is named after the 5 letters of BINGO. The middle space is usually free.

o Blackout -- pattern in which all the numbers in your bingo card needs to be marked in order to be a winner.

o Breaking the Bubble -- the term bubble refers to the maximum number of balls that are required to complete a bingo pattern. For example, if the bingo calls for a straight vertical line, the minimum numbers that have to be called out in order to win the game is 5. Breaking the bubble means that you have completed all 5 numbers in the straight line pattern.

o Falsie -- happens when someone calls 'BINGO!' but is mistaken. Reasons for this might be marking the wrong number, or mishearing the numbers. Other terms for this are bongo or social error.

o Forwards/Backwards -- represents all numbers which are beginning or ending with the wild number. For example, if the drawn number is 44, all numbers which are beginning or ending with 4 is also considered a called number.

o Jumping the Gun -- refers to someone who yells 'BINGO!' even if the person does not have the winning pattern.

o Standard -- one drawn number which represents all numbers who are ending with a number that's the same as the second digit to the drawn number. For example, if the standard is 23, all numbers in the bingo card ending in 3 (including the number 3 itself) is considered a called number and you can mark it on your bingo card.

o Wild Numbers -- these numbers give bingo players the opportunity to start with multiple called numbers.

Now you know the different terms that experts use when playing bingo. What are you waiting for? Head to the nearest bingo hall or log online to your favorite gaming site and start playing!Simone invites you to learn more about playing Sun Bingo online at www.bingoonline.me.uk]]>