Selasa, 30 November 2010

Cisco CCNA - CCNP Certification Exam Tutorial: Configuring PPP Callback

You may run into situations where a router in a remote location needs to dial in to a central router, but the toll charges are much higher if the remote router makes the call. This scenario is perfect for PPP Callback, where the callback client places a call to a callback server, authentication takes place, and the server then hangs up on the client! This ensures that the client isn't charged for the call. The server then calls the client back.

In the following example, R2 has been configured as the client and R1 is the callback server. Let's look at both configurations and the unique commands PPP Callback requires.

Client:

username R1 password CCIE

interface BRI0

ip address 172.12.12.2 255.255.255.0

encapsulation ppp

dialer map ip 172.12.12.1 name R1 broadcast 5557777

dialer-group 1

isdn switch-type basic-ni

ppp callback request

ppp authentication chap

Most of that configuration will look familiar to you, but the ppp callback request command might not. This command enables the BRI interface to request the callback.

Simple enough, right? The PPP Callback Server config requires more configuration and an additional map-class as well.

Server:

username R2 password CCIE
interface BRI0

ip address 172.12.12.1 255.255.255.0

encapsulation ppp

dialer callback-secure

dialer map ip 172.12.12.2 name R2 class CALL_R2_BACK broadcast 5558888

dialer-group 1

isdn switch-type basic-ni

ppp callback accept

ppp authentication chap

map-class dialer CALL_R2_BACK

dialer callback-server username

Examining the PPP Callback Server command from the top down...

dialer callback-secure enables security on the callback. If the remote router cannot be authenticated for callback, the incoming call will be disconnected.

The dialer map statement now calls the class CALL_R2_BACK, shown at the bottom of the config excerpt.

ppp callback accept enables PPP callback on this router.

dialer callback-server username tells the callback server that the device referenced in the dialer map statement is a callback client.

The only way to find out if the config works is to test it, so let's send a ping from R2 to R1 and see if the callback takes place.

R2#ping 172.12.12.1

Type escape sequence to abort.

Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 172.12.12.1, timeout is 2 seconds:

02:45:42: BR0 DDR: Dialing cause ip (s=172.12.12.2, d=172.12.12.1)

02:45:42: BR0 DDR: Attempting to dial 5557777

02:45:42: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface BRI0:1, changed state to up

02:45:42: BR0:1 DDR: Callback negotiated - Disconnecting now

02:45:42: BR0:1 DDR: disconnecting call

02:45:42: %ISDN-6-CONNECT: Interface BRI0:1 is now connected to 5557777 R1

02:45:42: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface BRI0:1, changed state to down

02:45:42: DDR: Callback client for R1 5557777 created

02:45:42: BR0:1 DDR: disconnecting call.....

Success rate is 0 percent (0/5)

R2#

02:45:57: %LINK-3-UPDOWN: Interface BRI0:1, changed state to up

R2#

02:45:57: BR0:1 DDR: Callback received from R1 5557777

02:45:57: DDR: Freeing callback to R1 5557777

02:45:57: BR0:1 DDR: dialer protocol up

02:45:58: %LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface BRI0:1, changed state to up

The callback was successfully negotiated, and the call then disconnected. R1 then called R2 back, and show dialer on R1 confirms the purpose of the call.

R1#show dialer

BRI0 - dialer type = ISDN

Dial String Successes Failures Last DNIS Last status

5558888 2 4 00:00:20 successful

0 incoming call(s) have been screened.

0 incoming call(s) rejected for callback.

BRI0:1 - dialer type = ISDN

Idle timer (120 secs), Fast idle timer (20 secs)

Wait for carrier (30 secs), Re-enable (15 secs)

Dialer state is data link layer up

Dial reason: Callback return call

Time until disconnect 99 secs

Connected to 5558888 (R2)

Pretty cool! PPP Callback isn't just important for passing your CCNA and CCNP exams – in circumstances such as shown in this example, it can save your organization quite a bit of money!

Kamis, 11 November 2010

Personal Wireless with Bluetooth

If you already have a wireless network for your computers, you may be very interested in what's coming next. Would you like it if your PDA, your mobile phone, your mp3 player and almost everything else you connect to your computer could be wireless too? It's already a reality...

Personal Area Network.

Using wireless networking with your personal gadgets is often called PAN, which stands for Personal Area Network. The idea is that, in the future, we'll all have laptop computers with their batteries charged and no more need to connect any wires to them at all -- you just place your Bluetooth device near the computer, and the computer sees it and can use it straightaway.

Bluetooth has been around and in-use since 1999, and it's only getting more popular. It was designed to be secure, low cost, and easy to use from day one.

There are two classes of Bluetooth that are in popular use: class 1 and class 2. Class 2 is the most common and cheaper standard, allowing you to use a device that is up to 10 metres (32 feet) away. Class 1 is rarer, but you can still find devices that use it easily enough, and it has ten times the range: 100 metres or 320 feet.

How Does It Work?

Bluetooth is more flexible than 802.11 wireless networking, in exchange for the shorter range. Essentially, a Bluetooth-enabled computer has one Bluetooth receiver installed in it, and this receiver can then be used with up to 7 nearby Bluetooth devices. On the other end, wireless devices do not need to have Bluetooth installed if they support it -- it is already integrated.

Like 802.11, Bluetooth works by using radio signals to create bandwidth. It is not, though, the same thing as an old-style wireless mouse or keyboard, which required a receiver to be plugged into one of your computers' ports, and didn't have range or stability anywhere near that of Bluetooth.

Many computers now come with built in Bluetooth, especially Apple Macs. If you want to add Bluetooth to a computer that doesn't come with it pre-installed, you should probably use a USB to Bluetooth adapter, although internal Bluetooth devices to install in your computer are available. If you have a laptop and a spare PCMCIA slot, you can get Bluetooth cards for that too.

What Can You Do With Bluetooth?

Mobile phones with Bluetooth are very popular, and so are PDAs -- the instant synchronisation of addresses and calendars to a computer is a useful feature. Other than that, almost anything that would usually use USB can be done using Bluetooth, including digital cameras, mp3 players, printers, and even mice and keyboards. If you take a look through the comprehensive list of Bluetooth 'profiles' (kinds of devices that could, in theory, be Bluetooth enabled), it includes cordless phones, faxes, headsets, and even video.

Basically, more than anything, Bluetooth is a replacement for USB: some say that while 802.11 wireless networking is wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth is wireless USB.

Not Just for Computers.

Part of the power of Bluetooth is that it isn't just used to connect things to computers -- it can be used to connect almost anything to anything else, if both things are Bluetooth-enabled and recognise each other.

Mobile phones, in particular, take advantage of this. Hands-free headsets often use Bluetooth to communicate with the phone. Some cars, for example, now have on-board computers that will connect with a Bluetooth phone and allow you to make hands-free calls, regardless of where the phone is in the car (even if you've left it in your bag in the trunk!)

On top of that, of course, Bluetooth devices can communicate with each other. This has led to some people sending messages from their Bluetooth PDAs to others in close range -- not an especially useful feature, but quite fun. This is called 'bluejacking', and the first recorded instance of it was a man who sent a Bluetooth message to another man's Nokia phone while they were in a bank together. What did the message say? 'Buy Ericsson'.

Since then, it has become possible to send images by bluejacking, and it is widely believed to be the newest advertising medium -- yes, it lets billboards send messages to your phone, a practice known as 'bluecasting'. Whether you think that's cool or annoying, of course, is your choice.

Selasa, 09 November 2010

Buying a Plasma Television

With televisions getting bigger and bigger Plasma Television technology has become a front runner in the big screen race.

A few years ago a plasma television was well out of the financial reach of the average man with the smaller televisions costing upwards of $8000. But with steady competition from the LCD technology these prices are steadily coming down as time goes by. Now is the chance for the common man to purchase a big screen plasma television.

There are several sizes when it comes to plasma televisions. They range from 25 inch up-to 60 inch. All delivering high quality picture. But what do you look for when purchasing a big screen plasma television?

There are several things to look for. Firstly don't go for the biggest one there. This will be the most expensive one and dropping a size or two below the biggest will get you the most value for money.

The second thing to look for would be the brand. Go for the most trusted brand. Some well known brands include Panasonic, LG and Sony. Sony plasma televisions tend to be more expensive than the other brands.

Thirdly you will need to look for a plasma television that suits your needs. Meaning one that has a remote and interface that is simple to use, and has all the connections you need for your surround sound system or DVD player.

Picking the right plasma television need not be a difficult task. You can ask friendly staff at any of the major electronics stores for suggestions and recommendations. In the end the choice is yours. The choice of which brand you want to buy, which color, which size etc. It depends on your personal taste and of course your budget. These days a 60 inch plasma television will cost you around $6000. Of course this is for a huge screen that most of us will not need. The more modest 42 inch screens will only set you back around $3000.

Best Features Of A Digital Camera

It takes one around and through the digital camera so one knows how it works and what its features are used for as there are hundreds of links to the best sources and products so you can learn even more. There is a great variety in cameras for example the one for the beginners has E-TTL II for stable flash exposures and improved White balance compensation for the clarity of the picture. To store these cameras there is a specially designed carry case with internal pockets large enough to hold money or credit cards.

Zoom cameras:

Zoom cameras are used for a better picture and better efficiency by moving the sensor itself to give a better quality of picture. There is an image processing technology, which gives users images as beautiful as those they see with their own eyes and this makes the camera a special one. Some cameras can be described in a sentence by quoting that Good things come in small packages like this digital camera. Most of the good quality cameras are clear, high-quality prints so that one can capture the picture in a better way.

Small cameras:

The best part of a small digital camera is that this digital camera is smaller than a matchbox and stores a lot of pictures in its internal memory. Most of the manufacturers have a latest sensor, the all-new eight mega pixels four-color there was ignorance to all other changes that made a formidable combination with a high quality mechanically linked zoom lens. There are many spy cameras with functions that can be of a great use and chief among them it's super compact size and as it is of the size that is as small as a credit card that is beneficial for users to carry.

Senin, 08 November 2010

Go Digital!

It seems like yesterday when I made my first attempt at finding an affordable digital multi-track recorder for my small home recording studio. Needing to replace my outdated 4 track analog recorder, I searched quite awhile for a reasonably priced recorder. Finally, I was able to find a digital recorder with most of the features I was looking for.

I was amazed at the capabilities of this machine; the clarity of sound it duplicated and the ease of operation were fantastic. My music mixes never sounded better.

Every month or so, some new technological invention, especially in the digital realm, appears on the market. For today's young people, it is common place to have at their disposal anything they find appealing.

For some of us "older folks" to say the least, we are amazed, at times, even overwhelmed by all the "techno" gizmos on the market. I feel like a kid in a candy store when I research all the new devices out there, but I am a rare bird for my age and sex. I'm one of the very few women who pine over "electronics" instead of the latest fashion craze.

I constantly search the internet for information on all the new products. I want them all, but can only afford a few of these new devices. But, when narrowing down my choices, I usually opt to keep up with all the music related products for enjoyable listening and more efficient and advanced ways to take my music and recording to the next level.<

There is no better way to find out all the tricks and tips about a new device than to read about it. Oftentimes the manufacturer's supplied user's manual, to say the least, is in another language. Yes, I am one of those people who prefer to learn by doing, but sometimes this is the slow way and does more harm than good. I have lost many good demos because of my hasty button pushing. My eyes often play tricks on me because part of using digital devices is getting used to the tiny menu screens.

E-books are great for reading in your spare time. I like to download them and read at my leisure. When my eyes are not working properly, I use the "zoom in", sit back and read all about my new device.

Just bought an iPod or still trying to figure out how to use one? Check out my latest e-book about your favorite "device", The Incredible iPod at http://www.the-incredible-ipod.com

Electronics Get Personal: Affordable Gadgets Top Everyone's Wish List

It shouldn't come as a surprise that consumer spending on personal electronics is at an all time high. After all, gadgets are getting both cooler and more affordable. The device viewed as extravagant only a few years ago is a must-have today. Here's an overview of some of the consumer electronics that top everyone's wish list.

Digital Camera

In today's digital age, film cameras are an anachronism. Although a few years ago, experts in the technology field viewed the digital camera as a computer peripheral rather than as a consumer product, the digital camera has caught on like wildfire. And, why not? After all, a filmcard gives the amateur photographer virtually unlimited opportunities to take pictures, review them, and know instantly whether or not he or she got the shot. With options ranging from point-and-shoot to specialty lighting for, say, eBay pictures, digital cameras have something for everyone. The newer models even have the capability to record high quality digital video and easily upload it to popular sites like YouTube.

GPS Receivers

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and consists of a number of satellites in the Earth's orbit. A GPS receiver takes the information from the satellites to determine your latitude and longitude on the Earth's surface. Map overlays and other data provide the user with valuable information, such as driving directions, the locations of nearby stores, banks, and gas stations, and so forth. GPS receivers are also extremely popular for the relatively new sport of geocaching, where they are used to find containers hidden at certain longitudes and latitudes.

Video Gaming Consoles

When it comes to video games, the numbers are astounding. The video game industry brings in more money per year than the motion picture industry. It's no wonder, then, that video gaming consoles are some of the hottest commodities around. The PlayStation2 is still going strong, while the Xbox 360 made history with the stupendous success of the recently released Halo 3 game.

But perhaps the most revolutionary console of all is the Wii console. With the Wii, gaming is no longer passive. The controllers and nunchuk let players physically become part of the action, and the Wii console welcomes players into an online community where they can construct their own avatars, participate in surveys, and so much more. Plus, the Wii is a fully functional Web browser!

Cellular Phones and Accessories

It's an understatement to say that cellular phones are ubiquitous. Whether you're on the subway, in a bookstore, or driving in a car, chances are good that you are either talking on a cell phone or overhearing another person's conversation. Now that we're always in touch, accessories like a Bluetooth headset are almost a necessity. Wireless connectivity is safer and more convenient, and a Bluetooth headset is like a fashion accessory.

Buying Online

The best news about personal electronics is that, whether you're looking for a digital camera or a laser printer, you can buy it online with a few clicks of your mouse. There are wonderful one-stop online electronics stores that carry everything you could wish for - at incredibly affordable prices. The only question that remains is, what new must-have device will hit the stores next?

Rabu, 03 November 2010

Data Recovery Procedures For Hard Drives

Your computer's data is at risk. Whether you use a Mac or a PC, viruses, power surges, hackers, human error, natural disasters, hardware failures, and more are real everyday threats. To keep your data safe and sound, you will first need to back up your files on a regular basis. Secondly, when hard drive failure does occur, data recovery is the only solution.

Of course it is ideal to back up data and avoid the complicated process that is data recovery altogether, but even when you take the necessary steps to prepare for hard drive damage, you might run into problems.

Here are some procedures to follow if you experience trouble.

If a program is not functioning well on your computer, turn the computer off! This may seem a simple task, but shutting down a computer at the moment you notice your hard drive to be working overtime – perhaps you hear unusual sounds (like "cleaning") – can prevent damage to the disk and data loss. If you let a failed hard drive run, it will eventually self-destruct. Damage to your disk is inevitable in this scenario.

If this is the case, unless you know exactly what you're doing, don't fix your computer yourself. Professional expertise is not a luxury in this situation – it is a must. Data recovery is a difficult and sensitive process requiring special tools and a clean environment. Not only will it be tremendously challenging to repair a hard drive on your own, but you might actually make matters worse and ensure irreversible data loss.

There is "do-it-yourself" data recovery software, but be cautious of things like this. With most computer problems of this nature, at-home instructions can be more dangerous than useful. Even if a company boasts that its products and instructions will handle your vulnerable data properly, it is important to be a skeptical consumer.

A local service provider is the average solution. Repair can happen on your own premises and you can be assured that your computer is in good hands. However, there is always the possibility that your hard drive is beyond repair – even for expert technicians – so be prepared to buy a new hard drive altogether; data recovery may not be an option any more.