29 July 2011

More Insight at Your Fingertips with Real-Time Tools

We’re continuing to integrate new tools into dashboard, and we recently added additional live information for each AP: real-time channel utilization graphs. With live channel utilization views you can get an immediate clue into the load on the AP and RF interference, without having to go into full spectrum analysis view (though that’s also right in the dashboard, too).



Live Channel Utilization

When you click on the details of an AP, you’ll see a graph of channel utilization. Dual-band APs will show two graphs, one for 2.4 GHz and one for 5 GHz. The graphs show the utilization of each Wi-Fi channel used by the AP and the amount of non-802.11 interference present on the channel. The above graph was made simply using screenshots of the access point details page in dashboard. The real update rate is once every five seconds, but for clarity the update rate shown here is once every second.

Have you seen the other real-time tools available in dashboard? Use these to troubleshoot connectivity issues, ping APs and clients, run a spectrum analysis test…all without leaving your desk, right from your browser.
Spectrum analysis


Live spectrum analysis
Yes, you can run a spectrum analysis test right from within dashboard! And if you’re using dashboard from a mobile device, such as an iPad, this works from there, too.

Ping AP




Live ping AP tool
Ping AP lets you measure the round-trip time for packets sent from the Meraki Cloud Controller to the access point, and is a very easy way to verify connectivity and latency between them.

Meraki.com throughput


Live throughput to meraki.com
This tool runs a speed test between the AP and the Meraki Cloud Controller or the gateway AP.

Have you used these tools when monitoring and managing your network? Let us know if you have any feedback on it.

26 July 2011

5 Steps to Avoid the Pitfalls of Event Wi-Fi Deployment - Part 3

Tips for the event and real-world results

Part 1 of this series covered technical challenges, operational challenges, and design recommendations. Part 2 of the series covered network configuration recommendations. This final part will cover tips for the event and real-world results.
Designing your network properly and choosing the right settings will go a long way towards a successful wireless deployment at a large event. So what to do when the event finally arrives? Don’t wait to see if your wireless fails – be proactive! Here are some tips:
  1. Start conservatively
  2. Since there is often significant uncertainty about how many clients will appear and how heavily they will use the network, start with conservative settings and ease them up as the event progresses. For example, start with a 100 kbit/s per-client bandwidth limit, and later raise it to 200 kbit/s.
  3. Monitor the network
  4. The Meraki Cloud Controller shows a real-time view of the network’s performance. Keep a close eye on the network as clients begin to show up and be ready to react. Careful monitoring will give you the confidence to know whether a reported problem is a real problem or a client-specific issue. Inevitably someone will tweet that the Wi-Fi isn’t working, but if monitoring of the network shows it is working for 700 people, it is very likely this person is having a client-specific problem. You can use real-time tools to check how many clients are connected to a given AP, monitor interference conditions, or get a reading on channel utilization. Below is a screenshot of the real-time channel utilization for a Meraki AP:
    Figure 1: real-time channel utilization for an AP
  5. Walk around and try the network
  6. Go out on the floor and run a speed test at certain intervals, for example, every hour. It’s possible to find issues before users notice them.
  7. Communicate with users
  8. Consider using Twitter or another mass communication tool. To some extent, if users are having problems, knowing that someone cares will help. Also, by delivering reports on the network, it’s possible to avoid getting into a situation where one person’s bad experience leads to a general perception that the network wasn’t performing as well as it actually was.
  9. Assess the situation at the end of each day
  10. If the event spans multiple days, get a summary of the network’s performance at the end of the day so you can see if adjustments need to be made for the next days. The Meraki dashboard network summary will show you who used the most bandwidth, which APs supported the most users, which APs transferred the most bandwidth, which applications were most used, and the most popular device operating systems and manufacturers. For example, you can use this information to see if you need to add extra APs, throttle specific applications, or take specific action with a user’s device. This is an example of part of the summary report for one day, showing top APs by usage:
    Figure 2: Summary of top APs by usage over one day

Real-world results: LeWeb Conference

Meraki provided the Wi-Fi infrastructure that BT used at LeWeb in 2009 and 2010. The Wi-Fi at LeWeb supported thousands of devices that pushed hundreds of gigabytes of data over the air. The deployment environment was challenging as there were often many users in a large, open space. This is a photo of the attendees in the main plenary area.
Figure 3: LeWeb attendees
This screenshot shows the floorplan of the event with deployed AP locations and clients connected to each AP.
Figure 4: LeWeb AP placement and client load
Not only were thousands of devices supported, but those devices were able to access the network efficiently. Users even collectively consumed a peak of over 350 Mbit/s of streaming video bandwidth! If you’re interested in more details about the LeWeb conference, check out the case study.
This wraps up the final installation of this 3-part series on successfully deploying Wi-Fi at large events. We hope you use these tips at your next event, and if you do, give us a shout and let us know.
Some photos courtesy of LeWeb.

5 Steps to Avoid the Pitfalls of Event Wi-Fi Deployment


Meraki » The Official Meraki Blog

Part 3: Tips for the event and real-world results

Part 1 of this series covered technical challenges, operational challenges, and design recommendations. Part 2 of the series covered network configuration recommendations. This final part will cover tips for the event and real-world results.
Designing your network properly and choosing the right settings will go a long way towards a successful wireless deployment at a large event. So what to do when the event finally arrives? Don't wait to see if your wireless fails – be proactive! Here are some tips:
  1. Start conservatively
  2. Since there is often significant uncertainty about how many clients will appear and how heavily they will use the network, start with conservative settings and ease them up as the event progresses. For example, start with a 100 kbit/s per-client bandwidth limit, and later raise it to 200 kbit/s.
  3. Monitor the network
  4. The Meraki Cloud Controller shows a real-time view of the network's performance. Keep a close eye on the network as clients begin to show up and be ready to react. Careful monitoring will give you the confidence to know whether a reported problem is a real problem or a client-specific issue. Inevitably someone will tweet that the Wi-Fi isn't working, but if monitoring of the network shows it is working for 700 people, it is very likely this person is having a client-specific problem. You can use real-time tools to check how many clients are connected to a given AP, monitor interference conditions, or get a reading on channel utilization. Below is a screenshot of the real-time channel utilization for a Meraki AP:
    Figure 1: real-time channel utilization for an AP
  5. Walk around and try the network
  6. Go out on the floor and run a speed test at certain intervals, for example, every hour. It's possible to find issues before users notice them.
  7. Communicate with users
  8. Consider using Twitter or another mass communication tool. To some extent, if users are having problems, knowing that someone cares will help. Also, by delivering reports on the network, it's possible to avoid getting into a situation where one person's bad experience leads to a general perception that the network wasn't performing as well as it actually was.
  9. Assess the situation at the end of each day
  10. If the event spans multiple days, get a summary of the network's performance at the end of the day so you can see if adjustments need to be made for the next days. The Meraki dashboard network summary will show you who used the most bandwidth, which APs supported the most users, which APs transferred the most bandwidth, which applications were most used, and the most popular device operating systems and manufacturers. For example, you can use this information to see if you need to add extra APs, throttle specific applications, or take specific action with a user's device. This is an example of part of the summary report for one day, showing top APs by usage:
    Figure 2: Summary of top APs by usage over one day

Real-world results: LeWeb Conference

Meraki provided the Wi-Fi infrastructure that BT used at LeWeb in 2009 and 2010. The Wi-Fi at LeWeb supported thousands of devices that pushed hundreds of gigabytes of data over the air. The deployment environment was challenging as there were often many users in a large, open space. This is a photo of the attendees in the main plenary area.

Figure 3: LeWeb attendees
This screenshot shows the floorplan of the event with deployed AP locations and clients connected to each AP.

Figure 4: LeWeb AP placement and client load

Not only were thousands of devices supported, but those devices were able to access the network efficiently. Users even collectively consumed a peak of over 350 Mbit/s of streaming video bandwidth! If you're interested in more details about the LeWeb conference, check out the case study.
This wraps up the final installation of this 3-part series on successfully deploying Wi-Fi at large events. We hope you use these tips at your next event, and if you do, give us a shout and let us know.


25 July 2011

Bad News for Windows: IT Is Spending on Cloud, Not PCs

Research firm IDC has tallied up PC sales for the second quarter of 2011, and the news is not good for Windows.

Although worldwide PC shipments increased 2.6 percent from Q2 2010, that number is short of IDC's projections for 2.9 percent growth, with the main culprits being competition from smartphones and tablet PCs, a dwindling netbook market in the U.S. and "pressure from lackluster economic conditions."

Within enterprises, a shift in spending to cloud and virtualization technologies has also softened PC demand, according to the IDC PC sales report.

The United States was one of the weaker regions in IDC's report. Second-quarter PC sales in the U.S. were down 4.2 percent over the same period last year, according to IDC.

Another factor at play for the lackluster PC sales: The drunken-sailor-type spending on PCs in the second quarter of 2010, which raised the bar for this year, says IDC research analyst Rajani Singh, in a news release.

"The impact of 2Q10's difficult-to-sustain 12 percent growth" has led to continued contraction this quarter, Singh said.

IDC reported last month that PC shipments are expected to grow by 4.2 percent in 2011, down from its February forecast of a 7.1 percent market increase. But the PC slide will not last forever, IDC notes, as it expects the market to rebound in 2012 and show a 10 percent to 11 percent growth through 2015. (Still, even 11 percent is a far cry from the 19 percent PC growth that took place from 2005 to 2007).

On the enterprise side, PC demand has weakened this year as big businesses reallocated their budgets. New PCs are no longer the priority at enterprises as IT departments plan for and dedicate money to cloud service migrations, according to IDC.

"Corporate buyers continue to focus on increasing share of their IT budget in new IT solutions such as cloud and virtualization," says Singh.

Also affecting commercial PC sales: PC refresh cycles are winding down. Enterprises are in the middle of PC refresh cycles and SMBs are at the peak of their refresh cycles, according to Mikako Kitagawa, principal analyst at Gartner Research, which also released a report on PC sales this week.

There was some additional discouraging data for Microsoft (MSFT) in the IDC report. A breakdown of vendor market share in the U.S. shows that year-over-year Mac sales are through the roof, growing 14.7 percent, while all PC vendors tracked by IDC lost share — except Toshiba, which grew by 3.7 percent.

Continue Reading

18 July 2011

Softcat bursts through £200m barrier - 15 Jul 2011 - CRN UK News

Softcat bursts through £200m barrier - 15 Jul 2011 - CRN UK News

Reseller Softcat has soared past the £200m annual turnover mark with two weeks of its fiscal year to spare.

The Marlow-based VAR's financial year closes at the end of this month and staff will today be plied with food and drink to celebrate passing the sales landmark. In its 2010 fiscal year, the firm's top line stood at £146m and the directors' report for the year indicated it was budgeting for sales of £187m this year.

Softcat managing director Martin Hellawell (pictured below) said: "I never dreamed of getting to the £200m mark this financial year, which shows how rubbish we are at forecasting. This is a fantastic achievement, and it is quite right that we celebrate it properly."

Softcat has doubled in size since passing £100m in turnover just three years ago, with all the growth coming organically. The firm puts its success down to keeping the business simple and maintaining a stellar employee retention record.

"I would like to thank all our staff for their hard work and commitment, striving to delight our customers with service levels, and our customers for the privileged relationships we enjoy with them and their continued loyalty," added Hellawell. "A couple of our partners have been all right as well."

Read more: http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2094293/softcat-bursts-gbp200m-barrier#ixzz1SBQLcskR

WAN Optimization as a Service Cuts Costs, Increases Efficiency and Capacity

Whether you’re operating a mobile, fixed or converged network, companies are facing unprecedented demand from customers for an improved quality of experience. Network optimization can ensure that your business is operating as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.

The Wide Area Network (WAN) is notoriously expensive and offers much less bandwidth, whereas the Local Area Network (LAN) has bandwidth to spare (at least 100 MB, and often 1 GB), according to WAN optimization as a service providerExpand Networks (News - Alert). The same thinking that went into connecting local users will not work as you connect your remote users. With less bandwidth, and the high cost of increasing that bandwidth, the business is forced to run applications in a constrained environment. Therefore, WAN optimization can help enterprises save tangible dollars by wiping out the need to buy more bandwidth.

WAN optimization as a service products accelerate such applications by data and bandwidth compression, elimination of transmission redundancy, data prioritization, streamlining, imposing Quality of Service (QoS), and optimization of protocols and WAN solutions. By using WAN optimization as a service devices, data transaction time between sites can be improved, according to Expand Networks. As a recent example, Expand Networks spearheaded a company-wide server consolidation project at Thompsons Solicitors, one of the leading personal injury practices in the U.K., according to a recent TMCnet report.

Thompsons’ server consolidation strategy was essentially to simplify its IT infrastructure and reduce costs across the organization. The firm, which operates in an MPLS environment for WAN connectivity between its headquarters and 26 locations in the U.K., relies on the performance of its WAN to deliver applications and business data to their distributed users’ desks quickly and securely. For this reason, WAN optimization as a service was critical for Thompsons.

With the help of Expand Networks, Thompsons was able to move forward with its wider server consolidation project while ensuring a consistent user experience for the branch offices, according to Andrew Harris, IT operations manager at Thompsons.

“We ran a trial to test the impact of the consolidation in just one of our offices and quickly realized that building WAN optimization into the project was a must,” he said. “Serving our remote locations via Citrix, we knew that being able to optimize and control this ICA traffic was key to the whole project.”

In many cases, WAN optimization as a service technology can protect business-critical traffic, while at the same time dramatically increase usable WAN capacity. Erin Harrison is Executive Editor, Strategic Initiatives, for TMC, where she oversees the company's strategic editorial initiatives, including the launch of several new print and online initiatives. She plays an active role in the print publications and TMCnet, covering IP communications, information technology and other related topics. To read more of Erin's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf

15 July 2011

Meraki Slims Down Cloud Routers - Datamation

Meraki Slims Down Cloud Routers

Cloud-managed routing vendor drops a key product in favor of redesigned version that can sit on a desktop.
When it comes to managing on-site networking gear, you don't necessarily need have on-site networking expertise.
Networking vendor Meraki has been pushing its cloud managed networking routers as a solution since the beginning of 2011. One of the first solutions that Meraki announced was the MX50 router, which is now being replaced after being in market for only 7 months.
In its place Meraki is announcing the new MX60 cloud managed router which provides additional features and a new form factor.
"The MX50 we introduced earlier this year but we haven't redesigned the MX50 into the MX60, entirely," Pablo Estrada, solution architect at Meraki toldInternetNews.com. "Definitely the form factor is different."
Estrada noted that the features in the MX50 were well suited for a small branch office, but people didn't have a network closet where they could place a router into a rack.
"The MX60 is more of a desktop device, so the form factor is the main difference, there is no difference in ports or throughput," Estrada said.
Both the MX50 and the MX60 are four port Gigabit Ethernet devices that are managed via the Meraki cloud service. The other thing that has changed is some of the underlying software that Meraki is now updating across its product lineup. The underlying operating system in the MX50, MX60 and MX70 router is a customized Linux base that Meraki has enhanced.
From a security perspective, Meraki has added two-factor authentication that is delivered via SMS. Estrada explained that delivering the tokens via SMS reduces cost and management time. He added that the network administrator inputs their cell phone number as part of the management configuration and is then provided with the token over SMS.
Additionally, Meraki is adding enhanced role-based administration and the capability to keep track of network configuration changes. The system also enables administrators to compare old configuration values against the news ones to help remediate any issues.
As a cloud service, Meraki is also improving its own security by partnering with Intel's McAfee security division. Meraki's data center infrastructure is now being audited and regularly scanned by McAfee to ensure security.
In a related effort, Meraki is trying to reinforce to customers that its management in the cloud offering is trustworthy with a new website content at meraki.com/trust.
"In the spirit of transparency and openness about architecture and security, customers can learn aobut what happens in our data centers and what happens with user data," Estrada " They can also learn about how to configure a network for optimal security."
Meraki is also now spelling out their service level agreement and how much monetary compensation a customer is entitled too if Meraki doesn't live up to their uptime promise.
Sean Michael Kerner is a senior editor at InternetNews.com, the news service of Internet.com, the network for technology professionals.

Vizada Boosts Satellite Services with Expand Networks’ WAN Optimization

Expand Networks, a global leader in optimizing satellite networks, today announced Vizada, the world’s largest independent satellite communications provider, is integrating its WAN Acceleration technology to extend commercial services within its current Inmarsat BGAN, Swift Broadband and Fleet Broadband services.

Providing network and protocol optimization along with TCP and application acceleration for IP services through the Vizada satellite and terrestrial networks, the new WAN Optimization capabilities are set to enhance services for land, maritime and aeronautical customers.

“This enhancement offers our customers requiring high data throughput, a powerful, trustworthy new option,” said Michelle Wagner-Suziedelis, Senior Director, Solutions Engineering & Commercial Strategy & Product Management – Aero for Vizada. “Expand enables data intense applications to work seamlessly and efficiently over satellite.”

Combining Space Communications Protocol Standard technology (SCPS) with compression, byte-level caching and layer 7 QoS, Expand mitigates the bandwidth and latency limitations that can traditionally affect the speed and performance of applications over satellite links.

Vizada plans to provide the Expand WAN Optimization and Acceleration technology as a value added service. Customers will be able to easily integrate it with products from key Inmarsat terminal manufacturers, such as Thrane & Thrane and EMS.

Howard Teicher, Vice President for Public Sector & Satellite Markets explains “Integrating Expand’s technology is enabling Vizada to optimize its offerings to add value and competitive differentiation to its services. Critically, this sees them really maximize the communications environments of customers; passing on increased levels of quality of service and control, higher bandwidth throughput, reduced latency, and seamless delivery of business critical applications to customers via WAN Optimization-as-a-Service.”

The new Expand capabilities will be available to customers in Q3 of 2011.

14 July 2011

Introducing the new standard for cloud networking security, reliability and scalability


Introducing the new standard for cloud networking security, reliability and scalability
Meraki » The Official Meraki Blog

Today is an exciting day for cloud networking and for Meraki customers. We're thrilled to announce a new router and a suite of enhanced security features for wireless and wired networks:
  • A brand new member of the MX Cloud Managed Router family, the MX60
  • A suite of new features that enhance network security and account protection 
  • 99.99% uptime SLA 
  • Third-party audits of Meraki's cloud networking service

    Meraki MX60

    Our new router, the MX60, is the industry's only small branch router and firewall with out-of-the-box centralized management. With fully integrated networking and firewall services, the MX60 provides 50 percent savings over traditional branch solutions. The MX60 allows organizations to: Manage distributed branches through cloud-based centralized management, monitoring, and tools  Secure their branch networks using complete firewall services, content filtering, and antivirus/antiphishing  Improve network performance through Layer 7 Application Traffic Shaping (e.g. block Bit Torrent, prioritize VoIP) and user fingerprinting, without the hassle of host and port management  Replace MPLS with cost effective, self-configuring site-to-site VPN  Save over 50 percent by eliminating point solutions (firewall, traffic shaper, content filter)

    It's really easy on the eyes, too, with a form factor that is ideal for small branches that need networking and security features without the bulk of racks of hardware. Have a look:
    MX60 Back View
    New security tools, SLA, and third party audits

    In addition to the MX60 router, we're also releasing new enhancements that benefit both wired and wireless networks. These increase security and provide even greater dependability for security-conscious customers. We're now adding:

    Two factor authentication that protects accounts even if a customer's login is compromised  Change management tools that enable audits, alerts, delegation and control of privileges with fine-grained role based administration  99.99 percent SLA, guaranteeing availability of Meraki's cloud service, with customers' data replicated in real time across three independent datacenters  Independent security audits that validate infrastructure security, with daily penetration tests and certifications from trusted third parties including McAfee. 

    To make security and reliability information easy to find, we've created a new section on our website: meraki.com/trust. Here you'll find a new centralized repository for security and reliability information about Meraki's cloud service, as well as information on the new tools and services we're announcing today. Cloud networking has never been as easy, secure, and reliable as it is today. And if you go over and look at meraki.com, you'll also see a completely enhanced and revamped website to go along with our new products and enhancements.

    Apple Is Pursuing The Business User With The iPhone

    Apple Is Pursuing The Business User With The iPhone’s Vast Capabilities
    In the past, when business users needed a smartphone, they (or their company) frequently chose the BlackBerry. RIM, the creators of the device have been on the leading edge in the corporate market, until recently.

    The features of the BlackBerry have been attractive to the corporate world by nicely managing email and corporate exchange servers. However Apple is going after these business clients and showing off the “business-savvy” features of the iPhone.

    Apple has reportedly taken out a full-page ad on the back of The Economist, which is a prominent business magazine. The ad features the iPhone showing productivity apps such as Bloomberg, Cisco, Oracle, The Economist, and iWork.

    At the bottom of the page it states:


    The iPhone loves business. With over 425,000 apps, the best phone for apps just keeps getting better.

    Apple also has a page on their website dedicated to business users. TheApple website expands on the many business friendly features of the iPhone that are available right out of the box, things like: multitasking and FaceTime. The webpage also explains the email integration with Microsoft Exchange, the security of the iPhone, the many existing apps for business, and the opportunities for industry specific application development.

    This seems like the right time for Apple to get into the business arena. This has not been Apple’s big marketing push over the past few years, but now with the weakening of RIM, they may capture those who are moving away from the boring business phone.

    In a question and answer session during Apple’s 2011 second quarter earnings call, COO Tim Cook stated that 88 percent of Fortune 500 companies are either testing or deploying the iPhone. With the integrative approach of the iPhone and the App Store, Apple believes they have a far better solution than the multi-platform devices found in the Android arena.

    Lets hope Apple can capture the interest of business smartphone users. Not only will they have access to thousands of apps that will help them be more productive, they may just have a little more fun as well.

    daniel-gordon-and-his-iphone 1

    iPads Consume 400% More Wi-Fi Data Than Other Mobile Devices




    Apple’s iPad accounts for an ever-expanding percentage of the browser market. It’s also becoming a huge Wi-Fi data hog, consuming 400% more Wi-Fi data on a monthly basis than the average iPhone, iPod or Android device, according to a new report.
    Meraki, a cloud services provider, anonymously surveyed more than 100,000 devices accessing public, educational and general use Wi-Fi networks in the U.S. It analyzed bandwidth usage and operating system popularity between 2010 and 2011 to uncover the massive gap between the Wi-Fi data usage of iPads and other mobile devices.
    Mobile devices on the whole, according to the study, have usurped desktop platforms as the most ubiquitous Wi-Fi devices. In 2010, iOS and Android devices accounted for a combined 33% of Wi-Fi devices. Now they represent 58%. By comparison, Windows and Mac OS X devices together declined from 63% to 36% during the same time span.
    Meanwhile, the iPhone has become the single most popular Wi-Fi device, with an impressive 32% share of the market.
    The next time the Wi-Fi at your favorite coffee shop slows to a halt, look around you. The slew of iPads, iPhones and Androids in the room may be the culprits.


    Image courtesy of Flickr, Alexander Smolianitski

    13 July 2011

    Tablet of Choice for Android Users: The iPad

    iPads are currently selling better than Android tablets to Android smartphone users. So claims Canaccord Genuity analyst Mike Walkley, who expects Apple to dominate the tablet market for some time to come.

    “Our smartphone and handset checks indicate iPads are selling better to Android smartphone users than the current Android tablets,” Walkley said in a Friday note to clients (although he provided no numbers in support of the assertion). “As a result, we argue consumers purchasing a tablet are more likely to remain in that ecosystem given higher price points for tablet applications. With our checks indicating Android smartphone consumers are choosing the iPad versus Android tablets, we believe this is a powerful trend for Apple’s growing iOS base. Therefore, we anticipate Apple should maintain dominant share of the tablet market in C2011 and C2012.”

    A safe bet, given Apple’s WWDC claim of 25 million iPads sold to date, a figure that far exceeds the combined total sales of all tablet rivals. That said, competition in the space is increasing. Walkley thinks tablets from Samsung, Asus and Amazon are likely to emerge as the largest threats to Apple’s dominance, though they’ll need better app ecosystems and lower prices to really take it to the mat.

    “Apple has priced the iPad 2 to the point where we believe it will be difficult for competitors to profitably compete, and our checks indicate both the Motorola XOOM and RIM Playbook have not sold well at current price points, as we believe competing tablets must sell at a substantial discount to the iPad 2. Given the iPad 2’s affordable prices, we believe competitors … have to sell their tablets at break-even or worse in order to capture stronger market share.”

    12 July 2011

    Starbucks Begins BI Trial on Tablets

    CIO.com - Starbucks has begun a trial of business intelligence software on tablet devices for potential use by its executives making storevisits to help them make view real-time, location-aware data.

    Starbucks (SBUX) has begun a trial of business intelligence software on tablet devices for potential use by its executives making storevisits to help them make view real-time, location-aware data.

    Starbucks CIO Brewing Up Much More than Free Wi-Fi

    Starbucks began a trial of the MicroStrategy 9.2.1 software, announced Wednesday, almost six weeks ago, said Thomas Ball, lead on BI platform development for the coffee chain. The software includes transaction services to help workers quickly initiate BI transactions from a mobile device, MicroStrategy said in a statement.

    Tablet computers such as the iPad are making inroads in all types of businesses, but most often for marketing demonstrations and executive presentations.

    Starbucks wants to use tablets for a higher-level purpose: putting current financial and other data directly in the hands of executives and district managers on the scene of Starbucks outlet. Using the BI software, the executives would be connected to data from hundreds of other users.

    Starbucks wants to connect the mobile devices directly to its existing MicroStrategy BI software that has been in use at hundreds of stores for two years, Ball explained.

    The difference with tablet is that it has GPS and the ability to present data on a particular store quickly to a visiting executive without the tedium of drilling down for data over a laptop.

    "Tablets are uniquely suited to B.I. so you can stand there talking in a store and have the latest info or a report without having to try to open a laptop," Ball said.

    Even though MicroStrategy has hundreds of iPads deployed to its own workers, Starbucks isn't wedded to using iPads only and will test other devices to be able to create BI capabilities on more than one platform.

    "The idea is to create a Starbucks model to leverage many devices and have as little as possible of being tied into one," he said. "The iPad is obviously hot today, but HP 's device might be hot tomorrow."

    As sophisticated as Starbucks has been in supporting computing systems for its stores, Ball said the chain would never have attempted to develop a cross-platform BI tablet app on its own. One reason is that security for mobile devices is paramount, he said.

    MicroStrategy said it brings security to the mobile BI experience for iPhoneand iPad such as AES (AES) encryption on data in transit from the mobile service to the MicroStrategy mobile client. Also, administrators can set apps to be confidential, so that users must log in when opening the app or after a period of inactivity.

    11 July 2011

    12 Ways to Optimize Your Event Wi-Fi Deployment


    Meraki » The Official Meraki Blog

    Part 2: Network configuration recommendations

    The previous post in this 3-part series covered technical challenges, operational challenges, and design recommendations. This part will cover network configuration recommendations. Part 3 will cover tips for the event and real-world results.
    These are more practical tips for the network, this time focusing on specific network configurations and settings we've found to be helpful in large event scenarios.
    1. Enable bandwidth limits
    2. This is probably the most important single consideration. If bandwidth limits are not enabled, a small number of clients can quickly saturate a channel. For most events, a per-client limit of 100-200 kbit/s is appropriate, and this will provide a snappy web browsing experience, reasonably fast email, and usable video. Higher limits (1-2 Mbit/s) will, of course, enable higher-bandwidth applications. However, this will require that there is enough local and wide area bandwidth available to support all users at this limit. One simple and effective strategy is to start with low limits and, if no problems are encountered, then gradually increase the limit. It's very easy to change the limit using the dashboard:
      Figure 1: Per-client bandwidth limit
      Make sure to disable SpeedBurst. SpeedBurst allows users to temporarily exceed the bandwidth limit for short periods while still keeping them under the bandwidth limit over time. For large events with many users, this is undesirable.
    3. Shape application traffic
    4. Consider blocking applications that might be considered abusive, such as file-sharing software. Also consider rate-limiting applications that may consume large amounts of bandwidth, or those that do so automatically or perhaps with little notice from the user, such as automatic backup software. For example, @cramforce recently noted: "One person at JSConf uploaded 9.6 GB in the first 30 minutes of the conference." — Ouch! Using Meraki's layer 7 application traffic shaping, you don't have to worry about protocols, ports, or IP addresses. That goes for the end-user and the application as well.
      Figure 2: Traffic shaping online backup applications
    5. Enable NAT
    6. Centralized DHCP servers often fail or become slow when hundreds or thousands of clients request an IP address in a short time. Imagine all those conference attendees attempting to join the network at the same time. Painful! We strongly recommend enabling Meraki NAT, which spreads the DHCP load among all the APs.
    7. Limit splash page size
    8. We recommend limiting the size of the splash page, if you use one. This reduces congestion during a time at which many clients are accessing the network for the first time. 10-50 KB is a reasonable target.
    9. Enable auto channel assignment
    10. Auto channel assignment allows the Meraki Cloud Controller to assign channels to Meraki APs in the network using RF information that the APs constantly send up to the Cloud Controller. Unlike traditional wireless solutions, in which channel assignment decisions are made by each AP in a localized manner, the Meraki Cloud Controller ensures that channel assignments make sense locally as well as globally, relative to the rest of the network.
    11. Enable channel spreading
    12. Channel spreading enables Meraki APs in the same vicinity (e.g. in the same auditorium) to broadcast on different channels so that channel utilization on each channel is minimized. This maximizes throughput and minimizes interference in the network. The Meraki Cloud Controller automatically assigns channels to achieve channel spreading.
    13. Enable band steering
    14. Band steering forces 5 GHz-capable wireless devices (e.g. most 802.11n clients) to migrate away from the 2.4 GHz band. This opens up radio spectrum for legacy wireless devices (e.g. 802.11b/g clients). This is highly beneficial since there are many more 5 GHz channels than 2.4 GHz channels.
    15. Reduce AP transmit power
    16. Reduced transmit power reduces the range of the AP, such that a user associates only with the nearest AP in a room containing multiple APs. This helps distribute the users across the APs deployed in a single physical space.
    17. Set 5 GHz channel width to 20 MHz instead of 40 MHz
    18. Normally, the 5 GHz band is used to support higher-bandwidth applications and users. In this case, this configuration allows for a greater number of individual channels, which is usually desired in a high-density setup. This change is only applied to 5 GHz radios since 2.4 GHz radios already use 20 MHz channels by default.
    19. Avoid interference
    20. The Meraki Cloud Controller will automatically select the right channels to use for each AP based on channel spreading, interference, and other factors. You can use the channel planning report to view how the channels are occupied.
      Figure 3: Channel planning report
    21. Use static IP addresses on APs
    22. This setting reduces the APs' dependency on an upstream DHCP server.
    23. Disable legacy 802.11b rates
    24. Slow rates (e.g. 1 or 2 Mbit/s) can enable a small number of clients to consume a disproportionate amount of "airtime."
    Proactively configuring these settings will go a long way towards ensuring your wireless network is prepared to handle the most demanding users and applications. Then, during the event, time can be spent troubleshooting specific issues as they arise, instead of trying to find the optimal network configuration settings on-the-fly. Don't miss part 3 of this series – tips for the event and real-world results.

    Trials of iPad Enterprise Adoption

    Earlier this year, New York-based law firm Proskauer completed a massive technology redesign that would make Silicon Valley tech companies gush with envy. At the heart of the redesign was the Apple (AAPL) iPad 2.

    "I'm pretty sure we were the first, if not only major law firm, to do it," says COO Arthur Gurwitz. "I think it was important to be first with the iPad. I call it brand enhancement."

    But behind the "brand enhancement" and despite the elegant simplicity of the iPad, Proskauer's IS department was faced with a great many difficult choices. In other words, iPad enterprise adoption is anything but easy.

    At law firms, the technology spend ranks as the third largest line item behind people and office space. Its place on the budget sheet, though, is well justified: Lawyers rely heavily on computers to deliver services that are at the core of a law firm's business. All of this underscores the huge risk Proskauer took to adopt the new-fangled iPad as a lawyer's go-to computer.

    Today, more than 500 Proskauer lawyers use iPads to create super-slick PowerPoint slides, Excel Spreadsheets filled with sky-high figures, and wordy Word documents. Lawyers pass this electronic paperwork back and forth among clients. They even present information on their iPads to judges.

    Proskauer is part of the latest procession of companies contributing to the rapid rise of the iPad in the enterprise. During its most recent earnings call, Apple claimed three out of four of the Fortune 500 are testing or deploying iPads. Indeed, iPads have been found on the job at some of the most unusual places.

    Despite the high adoption rate, CIOs still lack a good guide for bringing in iPads. Like Proskauer, many companies must learn as they go. "Rolling out the iPad actually turned out to be quite a significant investment in time, much more than I would have thought," says Steven Kayman, senior litigation partner and chair of the technology committee at Proskauer.

    "There's just a hundred decisions that have to be made along the way," he says.
    All Rise, Decision Time

    Two years ago, Proskauer executives considered arming its lawyers with new laptops but postponed the big tech purchase. Gurwitz sensed a major shift was underway with the iPad and wanted to get ahead of it.

    It's important for Proskauer to have the latest technology, says Gurwitz. After all, many of the firm's clients are tech-savvy companies in the entertainment industry, cable and broadcast, and technology industries, many served by Prokauer's large patent group. "We want to be able to think like they think so we can serve them better," he says. 

    10 Best Practices for Designing Your Event Wi-Fi Deployment


    Meraki » The Official Meraki Blog
    Conference and event Wi-Fi is notoriously difficult to manage and run successfully. While deploying a wireless network at a large event with thousands of users can be challenging, there are many ways to increase the odds of a running a successful wireless network.

    Meraki provided the Wi-Fi infrastructure that BT used at LeWeb in 2009 and 2010. The Wi-Fi at that event supported thousands of devices that pushed hundreds of gigabytes of data over the air. Loic LeMeur, LeWeb organizer, said, "People told us that the Wi-Fi network was one of the best they'd seen." And here's what @scobleizer said about it:

    @scobleizer on Wi-Fi at LeWeb
    We've learned a lot about running Wi-Fi networks at large events, such as LeWeb, so we'd like to share some of that with you. This blog post is the first in a three-part series:
    • Part 1 covers technical challenges, operational challenges, and design recommendations
    • Part 2 goes over network configuration recommendations
    • Part 3 gives tips for the event and shows some real-world results
    Parts 2 and 3 will be posted during the next several weeks.

    Part 1: Common challenges and design recommendations to address them

    Why do so many events still suffer from poor Wi-Fi, even though Wi-Fi is a mature technology? There are many reasons. Often times a number of challenges conspire to "break the network." The following are some of the more common challenges Meraki has observed.

    Technical challenges

    The technical challenges are not trivial. Most conference attendees expect fast and reliable Wi-Fi wherever they may roam.
    • User density can be very high, with often hundreds or thousands of devices in a single conference room. However, there is only a finite amount of radio spectrum (channels) available to serve them.
    • The number and type of wireless devices is hard to predict. Users bring many wireless devices on site — Windows laptops, MacBooks, iPhones, iPads, and more — and expect them all to work.
    • The wireless devices all simultaneously attempt to associate when the users arrive on-site, or throughout certain points in the event.

    Operational challenges

    As if the technical challenges weren't enough, there are other challenges that the network administrator responsible for the wireless network must face.
    • It is very difficult to simulate the actual network load before the crowds arrive.
    • There is very little time to fix the network if it breaks during the event.
    • It may be difficult or expensive to get enough backhaul capacity.
    • Time on-site before the event begins may be very limited.

    Design recommendations

    Taking the time to design the network properly can dramatically increase the odds of running a successful event. The following are recommendations we have found to be useful when deploying a large wireless network.
    1. Allocate enough time for planning
    2. The first step in planning a successful event is to allocate enough time. Ideally, you should begin planning 4-8 weeks ahead of the event. This ensures there is enough time to procure the necessary Wi-Fi equipment, switches, and backhaul circuits (often the longest lead-time item).
    3. Calculate the expected number of clients that will be served
    4. Use this number throughout the planning process. One approach is to use the expected number of attendees and assume a certain number (often 0.5-2) of devices per attendee.
    5. Determine the number of access points (APs) needed
    6. Although the APs do not have a hard client limit (they are limited by bandwidth, not number of clients), as a practical matter 50 client sessions is a safe limit and is convenient for planning. More clients can be supported depending on the bandwidth each requires, and at LeWeb we've had access points with over 100 clients. To avoid too many active clients, make sure to enable power reduction and band steering, and ensure there are enough APs installed in the environment to support the required load.
      Event APs before deployment, courtesy of @maxwifievents
    7. Calculate the backhaul required
    8. Events are often plagued by limited backhaul. To calculate the backhaul requirement, multiply the bandwidth limit by the expected number of clients. For instance, if you expect 500 devices, and each device is limited to 100 kbps, then 50 Mbps of wired backhaul are required. While it is unlikely that all devices will use up to their full bandwidth limit, this conservative calculation will minimize the odds that the backhaul is insufficient. As backhaul can be very expensive, you will need to weigh this carefully.
    9. Disable pre-existing APs
    10. Before deploying the APs to be used at the event, make sure there are no APs already installed that may interfere with your network. Using a simple Wi-Fi planning tool, such as the Meraki Wi-Fi Stumbler, walk around the event area and search for APs. To the extent possible, disable those that you find so that they don't interfere with your wireless installation.
    11. Maximize the number of APs that are connected to the wired network
    12. This allows an AP to use the full bandwidth of its wired connection, rather than having to go through a neighboring AP via a mesh link. If possible, Meraki recommends against using mesh at high-density events.
    13. Use multi-radio APs
    14. With multi-radio APs, the Meraki wireless network can make optimal decisions about channel assignment, band steering, and mesh networking. This maximizes throughput and minimizes channel interference for clients. Higher throughput 802.11n clients can operate on the 5 GHz band without being slowed down by older 802.11b/g clients, which remain on the 2.4 GHz band. Moreover, if mesh links are necessary, they can be provided on multiple radios, significantly improving the performance of the network across multiple mesh hops.
    15. Map the APs
    16. Name the APs and place them on the map appropriately. If there are multiple buildings or floors, it's useful to combine the floor plans in one single image, so you can see all the APs from a single view, instead of loading separate images for each floor or location. When using mesh links, the network decides the best mesh route based partially on the locations of APs on the map. Even if you are not using mesh links, placing them on the map will help you if you need to troubleshoot issues during the event.
    17. Ensure signal strength
    18. The signal strength between a client and an AP should be at least 20 dB for optimal stability and performance. Consider anything less than 10 dB as unusable.
    19. Budget for spare hardware
    20. Stuff happens and sometimes things break. Spare hardware should be readily available in case of failures. For example, have an extra switch, APs, cables, and associated power supplies.
    That's it for part 1. Parts 2 and 3 will be posted over the next several weeks. If you have any experience running Wi-Fi at large events, please share it with us. What has worked for you, and what hasn't worked".