Articles

Articles that OPENXTRA has created over the last few years that don't really find a home on the main website.

• Cable Performance Requirements for Copper Cable Testing

  The ANSI/TIA/EIA 568 B standard covers two types of links

• Calculating Size Server Room Air Conditioner

• An Introduction to Emissivity in Infrared Thermometers

  An introduction to material emissivity and how it affects measurement using an infrared thermometer or radiation thermometer.

• Introduction to the ES 201 912 Protocol

  The ES 201 912 protocol defines how Short Message Service (SMS) messages will be sent to/from mobile and landline telephone networks.

• Network Cable Testing What Causes Data Loss?

  An outline of the causes of network cable data loss and why gigabit cabling is more of a challenge than cables running at lower speeds.

• Network Cable Testing Introduction

  Network Cable Testing, the physical and electrical testing of Network cabling, is a very specialist area. As a Network Manager you have to deal with cable faults, broken wires, incompatibilities and a host of other cable related issues. What can you do? What do you need to test for?

• Network Configuration Management Introduction

  An exploration of the reasons why you should be interested in network configuration management. An outline is also presented of the available tools.

• Network Mapping Introduction

  Beyond a certain size networks become difficult to visualize without graphical aids. There are a number of tools to aid in the production of network maps. This article provides reasons why you should be interested in network mapping, as well as an overview of the available tools.

• Network Simulation Introduction

  Network simulation is a much underestimated tool in the network managers arsenal. When used properly they can help take some of the guesswork out of network planning.

• Telephone Testing Introduction

  A quick guide to troubleshooting telephone faults with a break down of the systematic approach required as well as cable testing and telephone testing equipment that would prove useful.

• Ticket Management Introduction

  Ticket Management software allows you to log problems, allocate them to engineers and track the progress. Ticket Management tools are essential for the smooth running of all but the smallest networks. Which is the best Ticket Management solution for you?

• Why is WEP crackable? How WEP weaknesses affect your wireless network security

  An exploration of the security weaknesses of the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP).

• Why do People Write Open Source Software?

  A common misconception of the hacker is that they are amateurs sitting at home night after night writing open source software for fun. Whilst I am sure that this is indeed true in some instances, I doubt that it is true for the majority. The open source software I have seen is too good to be done by people who aren’t very talented, experienced engineers.

• An Introduction to Wireless Networks for the Small/Medium Enterprise

  Wireless Networking, WiFi, is not a new technology, but it is only recently that it has become mainstream. What are the benefits of wireless networks and should you be considering using it?

• Wireless Network Planning and Deployment

  Planning a WiFi (wireless) network is similar in many respects to planning a wired network. You have to consider all the basics, how many users do you need to accommodate, where are you going to deploy the solution and so on. But wireless also brings with its own set issues, chief amongst these is the common perception that WiFi is insecure.

• Wireless Network Security vs Wire Based Network Security

  A discussion of wireless network security and how it differs from the security required for a traditional wire based network.

• WPA vs WPA2 (802.11i): How your Choice Affects your Wireless Network Security

  A discussion of why 802.11i (WPA2) provides stronger wireless security than WiFi Protected Access (WPA) and WEP, why there is a need for a new standard and why you should use it.

• WPA vs WEP: How your Choice Affects your Wireless Network Security

  An exploration of the reasons why WPA provides stronger wireless security than WEP in your wireless network.