Posts Tagged ‘communications products’
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
On May 29, 2009, President Obama made an announcement regarding the U.S. government’s role in ensuring cybersecurity for the country as a whole, businesses operating within the U.S., and American citizens in the Cyberspace Policy Review:
Assuring a Trusted and Resilient Information
and Communications Infrastructure. The 76-page document stated,
The globally-interconnected digital information and communications infrastructure known as “cyberspace”underpins almost every facet of modern society and provides critical support for the U.S. economy, civil infrastructure, public safety, and national security. This technology has transformed the global economy and connected people in ways never imagined. Yet, cybersecurity risks pose some of the most serious economic and national security challenges of the 21st Century. The digital infrastructure’s architecture was driven more by considerations of interoperability and efficiency than of security. Consequently, a growing array of state and non-state actors are compromising, stealing, changing, or destroying information and could cause critical disruptions to U.S. systems. At the same time, traditional telecommunications and Internet networks continue to converge, and other infrastructure sectors are adopting the Internet as a primary means of interconnectivity. The United States faces the dual challenge of maintaining an environment that promotes efficiency, innovation, economic prosperity, and free trade while also promoting safety, security, civil liberties, and privacy rights.1 It is the fundamental responsibility of our government to address strategic vulnerabilities in cyberspace and ensure that the United States and the world realize the full potential of the information technology revolution.
But how can you, as a business owner, provide security for both your business’ data as well as keep confidential information about your vendors, customers, and employees private? There are several ways. Among them are: the use of one or more members of the Cisco PIX Security Appliance Series. PIX delivers cost effective, easy to redistribute user and application policy implementation, multi-vector attack protection, and secure connectivity services. Cisco is the leader in security-featured IT networking equipment. The Cisco Self-Defending Network enables IT organizations to protect critical assets, enforce business policies, and rapidly identify and respond to evolving threats while easing the administrative burden of IT making the total cost of ownership of Cisco network devices lower.
Tags: cisco, communications products, I.T. hardware, industry leader, security
Posted in Network Security | Comments Off
Friday, June 19th, 2009
Power over Ethernet (PoE) was developed by Cisco Systems, an industry leader in the field of technology and networking hardware. Also sometimes referred to as ‘inline power,’ PoE is the ability that a LAN switching infrastructure can provide power to an endpoint, or ‘Powered Device,’ by utilizing a copper Ethernet cable. Cisco first delivered the capability in 2000 to address the needs of emerging IP Telephony deployments. Because IP (Internet Protocol) Telephones need power to operate, their deployment is simplified by combining power and data transfer in a single cable.
Cisco then began using the technology in other applications– particularly to power devices in atmospheres or locations where there was limited or no local power access. Other companies quickly caught on, seeing the importance of such a discovery in the technology field and a standardization of PoE (802.3af) came about, allowing for a newly formed generation of network-attached devices like card scanners, video cameras, POS devices, and much more.
Cisco now offers a complete range of 802.3af-based Power over Ethernet support in all members of its Catalyst Intelligent Switch families with both 10/100 PoE LAN and 10/100/1000 connections, including Catalyst 6500– a 96-port 10/100 PoE module.
In addition, Cisco subsequently introduced 802.3af compliant PoE products that also support their pre-standard PoE implementation. These products are backwards compatible with the company’s existing end devices, including Wireless access points and IP Telephony products. The Cisco Catalyst Intelligent Switches reliably deliver Intelligent Power Management capabilities beyond the optional IEEE Power Classification feature. These Switches enable granular, optimized and scalable power delivery to provide more efficient power management, keeping Cisco’s reputation as the leader in Power over Ethernet Technology warranted.
Tags: cisco, communications products, computer hardware, industry leader, Power over Ethernet, switches
Posted in Power over Ethernet | Comments Off
Sunday, May 17th, 2009
Investing in a networking system for your business can be expensive. And your budget may not be in alignment with your needs. This presents a problem. How can you put in place the system and hardware your business needs to be productive and grow, and still not break the bank doing it?
Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company with hundreds of thousands at your disposal, or a small, independent business, you’d be wise to develop an Investment Recapture Strategy. Elements of this strategy include ways to recoup costs spent on old or outdated equipment and also to liquidate equipment you no longer need. A good Investment Recapture program will include a discount on new or refurbished equipment that you want to buy along with a trade-in credit for selling the same company your used equipment. Some of the better companies even offer to sell your old equipment on consignment for a nominal fee even if you don’t take advantage of the discounts by purchasing new or refurbished equipment from them.
In addition, a company that offers an investment recapture program can provide benefits that a manufacturer or retailer can’t. If your system, or a component of your system is no longer being manufactured, for example the Cisco 803 router, a retailer or manufacturer will force you to purchase an entirely new system, requiring you to buy all new components along with the new router. An alternate provider that also accepts trade-ins and consignments may have a refurbished Cisco 803 router in stock and ready to ship to you, saving you thousands of dollars.
The key is to be sure to find a company that offers a warranty on refurbished products. Reliable companies will not only guarantee a refurbished product, but because they have access to so many more products than the manufacturer, they can show you the difference in price between buying the same part new or used, and you can decide where your dollars are best invested.
Upgrading your I.T. system shouldn’t be something you hold off on due to price when upgrading would benefit your business. And it’s good to know that all the money you spend on purchasing a system isn’t gone forever.
Tags: cisco, communications products, computer hardware, I.T. hardware, refurbished hardware, warranty
Posted in Cost Saving, Equipment Tips | Comments Off
Sunday, December 7th, 2008
Most of us prefer to buy things new because we believe that new is superior to used. We like the idea of being the first to own a product. There’s no guessing as to whether the previous owner took care of the product or not. We know the manufacturer will stand behind the new product if anything should go wrong. And many of us are willing to pay premium prices just to have that peace of mind.
But maybe it’s time to shift that paradigm. Buying refurbished products, especially when it comes to IT hardware, actually has several advantages over buying new.
First, and most obvious, is the cost savings. Like an automobile, IT equipment loses a great deal of value as soon as it is purchased. Is the hardware any less functional on the second day it’s in use than it was before you pulled it out of the box? Nope. Not at all. But ‘used’ equipment seems to harbor a stigma that it may be unreliable and provide inferior performance to the same product that’s ‘new.’ Luckily, this is, for the most part, a myth. Purchasing refurbished equipment from a reliable, long-standing retailer MULTI-LINK Communications Products (MLCP) is just as safe as purchasing from a manufacturer like Cisco itself. MLCP tests all equipment thoroughly and even covers every refurbished product they sell with a one year warranty. They don’t sell anything unless it has been refurbished to factory standards, minimizing the risk of buying used hardware. In addition, the company offers trade-in credits on used equipment that you no longer need, giving you an extra savings.
Second, because computer hardware is actually considered toxic waste due to its lead and Cadmium content, buying refurbished hardware actually keeps these used products out of landfills and extends their lives, reducing consumption and therefore toxic waste. By selling your old IT hardware to MLCP, and taking advantage of their trade-in credits, you are doing your part to keep the environment clean for future generations.
Third, because the demand is high for ‘new’ products, there can sometimes be long waits until the product becomes available. Time is money and waiting can cost you dearly. Refurbished products tend to have fewer waitlists and often, you can get a refurbished product, like a switch or a router, within days of ordering instead of weeks or months.
If you haven’t considered buying refurbished hardware, then maybe it’s time you gave it a try. Quicker delivery, lower costs, and consumption reduction are all great reasons to make the switch to refurbished.
Tags: automobile, cadmium content, cisco, communications products, computer hardware, consumption, future generations, inferior performance, landfills, link communications, myth, paradigm, peace of mind, premium prices, risk, stigma, toxic waste, warranty
Posted in MLCP News | Comments Off
Friday, December 5th, 2008
Just like you wouldn’t put the engine of a VolksWagen Rabbit in a Ferrari and expect superior performance, neither should you expect that an underperforming power solution can adequately run your IT hardware network. If you want to keep your expensive, high-performing hardware setup working the way it was designed to work, the proper, quality power solution is imperative.
You already know this, and maybe you even have your eye on the Catalyst 6000 1300W AC Power Supply from industry-leader Cisco. And although you know the WS-CAC-1300W would enhance your network and keep it purring like a kitten, that $3,995 price tag is a deterrent to say the least. So what do you do? As you wait to save up or work the power supply into your budget, you’re losing performance in the meantime. And the reason you spent all that hard-earned cash on the hardware to begin with was because you knew you needed performance.
The answer is simple. Buy that Catalyst 6000 1300W AC Power Supply from an alternate Cisco provider like MULTI-LINK Communications Products. Multi-Link is a top seller and reseller of new and refurbished Cisco products. How much do you really need to spend on that Power Supply? MLCP offers the same product, refurbished to factory specifications for only $50. That’s a 99% discount! And MLCP guarantees all of its products—even the used ones—for one year with their standard warranty.
You already know that Cisco is the leader in providing the most comprehensive line of solutions for transporting voice, video, and data across the hall, across the city, and around the world. If like most businesses, yours relies on Internet and computer networking, you can be assured that with the WS-CAC-1300W, almost all internet transactions will be carried securely and quickly thanks to Cisco hardware and a high quality power supply.
Tags: ac power supply, cac, catalyst, cisco, communications products, computer networking, ferrari, guarantees, hardware setup, industry leader, internet transactions, kitten, link communications, power solution, price tag, proper quality, quality power supply, rabbit, volkswagen
Posted in Equipment Tips | Comments Off
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008
Picture this. Your company is growing… finally. You’ve just experienced the best three consecutive months for online sales you’ve ever had. For the first time in a long time, you’re having no problems with cash flow and not only are your customers paying you, they’re paying on time. Sound like a dream come true? Well in the blink of an eye, you could find yourself in the middle of a nightmare.
Your system crashes. You lose data. Your customer’s confidential credit card information is compromised. Your records are lost. There’s no way to know how many people are trying to make a purchase online and can’t complete the transaction. Your phone is ringing off the hook.
If you think this will never happen, you’re wrong. It does. But it can be prevented.
Purchasing the right hardware for your network can make all the difference. The proper routers, switches, cooling fan trays all play a part in how safe and secure your network is. And building the right network isn’t difficult. But it is expensive… if you’re determined to purchase the necessary equipment new. But you don’t have to do that either. Safeguarding your data can be done effectively and cost-efficiently by purchasing IT hardware from a reliable, trustworthy retailer of refurbished equipment.
While that all sounds good, how do you know which companies will give you the best deals and which ones will be there to support you if something goes wrong. Beware. They’re not always one and the same. Some companies offer incredible discounts and faulty, substandard equipment. Ultimately, it’s no deal at all and will end up costing you more than if you’d chosen a more reliable company to begin with. So the important thing is to first find a reseller you can trust like MULTI-LINK Communications Products (MLCP). With over 13 years in the business, MLCP tests each piece of equipment it sells twice, making sure it meets factory standards. On top of that, every refurbished product is covered under MLCP’s one year warranty. If they weren’t able to ensure their used hardware would last at least that long, they would’ve been out of business years ago—or at least would have scaled back that generous warranty.
Safeguarding your data is imperative. But so is saving money. You can do both by buying refurbished IT hardware from a reputable company that guarantees the products they sell.
Tags: 13 years, best deals, blink of an eye, cash flow, communications products, confidential credit, cooling fan, credit card information, fan trays, hardware, hook, ished, IT, link communications, Multi-link, necessary equipment, nightmare, paying on time, phone, refurb, reliable company, router, routers, substandard equipment, switches, system crashes, time sound, trustworthy retailer, warranty
Posted in MLCP News | Comments Off
Saturday, November 29th, 2008
I am no expert when it comes to switches and routers and all that IT hardware stuff, but owning my own business has forced me to learn about it. And trust me, I’ve made mistakes along the way. One of the biggest mistakes I made was not properly cooling the hardware switches that ran my entire network. That was an expensive mistake. I had no idea that there were actually additional cooling requirements and a standard fan just isn’t enough.
But, I’ve moved on and learned, and maybe this little post will help others avoid doing what I did.
First, why is it important to cool your system? As one tech put it to me, “Running your system without the extra fan is like letting a car run without a fan. It’s bound to overheat. The difference here though is that a car doesn’t run 24 hours a day and if your car overheats, it doesn’t interrupt all of your online business.” I thought that was succinct.
And truth be told, an additional fan tray like the Catalyst 6000 Fan Tray for 9-Slot System from Cisco (that’s the one I ended up getting) is well worth the price. Especially if you can find it from an alternate Cisco provider like MULTI-LINK Communications Products. At first I was reluctant to buy anything refurbished—particularly when I was in crisis mode. But MLCP is actually a terrific company. The customer service reps actually spoke to me on the phone (how often do you get that these days?) and even though the Catalyst 600 Fan Tray I purchased was used, it came with a one-year warranty from MLCP. That—alone– made me feel more confident that I’d be able to avoid another system melt down in the future. And here’s the best part: while Cisco offers the Catalyst 6000 Fan Tray for $495, I got it from MLCP for $50 (which is 90% off the manufacturer’s price). Fifty bucks and a one year guarantee. For that price, I wish I would have done it before the fiasco. Oh well, hindsight and all that.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Call MLCP, ask the knowledgeable reps what else is recommended to go with the system you have, and then buy it! In the long run, it could save lots of dollars and big, big headaches.
Tags: car overheats, catalyst, cisco, communications products, crisis mode, customer service reps, entire network, fan tray, fiasco, hindsight, link communications, mistake, owning my own business, routers, slot system, switches, terrific company, truth, warranty
Posted in Equipment Tips | Comments Off
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008
If you’re in the market for a single-port Ethernet WAN Interface card for the Cisco 1700 Series Routers, the WIC-1ENET may be the perfect solution for adding Perimeter LAN Connectivity to your Network. The WIC-1ENET is capable of operating in either half- or full-duplex mode and provides one single standards-based 10Base-T E-net interface. The product also supports PPP (Point-to-Point) protocol over the Ethernet and boasts full management features for monitoring, troubleshooting and configuring the network. Status information is conveyed through WIC-1ENET’s LED indicators further simplifying management. Designed for small and mid-sized businesses as well as small branch offices, the Ethernet WIC is a cost-effective product ideal for expanding the capability of your Cisco 1700 series router.
The Cisco 1700 series modular access routers combined with WIC-1ENET provide support for New World services, including voice over IP (VoIP), virtual private networks (VPNs), combined voice and data networking, and broadband. Adding a WIC-1ENET can mean a cost-effective alternative for implementing expensive new broadband services, while also preserving your investment by utilizing existing equipment.
Cisco lists the WIC-1ENET at $300 new, but reputable alternate Cisco provider, MULTI-LINK Communications Products, currently has the product on special for only $125 (a 58% discount off the list price). MLCP’s product is refurbished, but actually offers a better warranty than Cisco offers on the same product new. MLCP, on all products they sell, guarantees your product for one year under their standard one-year warranty. In addition, MLCP offers generous trade-in credit on your old equipment which could save you even more money. You can contact MLCP directly or check out their Investment Recapture Page for details on how to increase your ROI with refurbished hardware.
If the 58% discount caught your attention, you may want to check out MULTI-LINK’s specials page for other incredible deals on hardware, telephony, and much more.
Tags: 1700 series, broadband services, cisco, communications products, connectivity, cost effective alternative, data networking, duplex mode, existing equipment, link communications, management features, perfect solution, perimeter, product ideal, series router, series routers, sized businesses, virtual private networks, wan interface card, wic
Posted in MLCP News | 1 Comment »
Friday, November 21st, 2008
The internet is the most powerful tool a business can have today. And you either use that tool correctly, or you don’t. The second can be deadly. In a day and age when it seems everyone has a website and is clamoring to be on Google’s first page, how do you know if the marketing dollars you’re spending online are equating to more sales and bigger profits? Unless you’re using the proper system and IT hardware that supports that system, you don’t.
According to William Gurley’s article on cnet news, “When analyzing an Internet business, there is a single metric, or tool, that represents a leveraged power similar to that of the lever or pulley. This metric, conversion rate, measures the number of visitors who come to a particular Web site within a particular period divided into the number of people who take action on that site (purchase, register and so on). Though this number may seem rudimentary or simplistic, a deeper analysis will reveal that conversion rate measures many aspects of a Web site, and that a strong conversion rate offers true leverage to the site owner.”
Most small, and large, businesses would benefit from higher-performing IT hardware but assume they can’t afford it. After all, upgrading or installing a new hardware system can be expensive and most business owners put it off, choosing to settle with an underperforming system that no longer meets the business’ expanding needs. But it doesn’t need to be this way.
Hardware can be surprisingly affordable if you buy it refurbished at discounted prices. The problem is knowing where to look for the great deals, and how to avoid the companies that are eager to sell you a lemon. Finding a long-standing, reputable company that buys and sells used hardware is the key. And honestly, it wasn’t that difficult. Our online search quickly produced the leader of refurbished Cisco hardware – a company called MULTI-LINK Communications Products. MLCP caught our attention right off the bat for several reasons. First, they offer quotes online and allow you to speak to a customer service rep over the phone. Beware of companies that discourage you from calling them either by making their phone number difficult to find, or suggesting you purchase a used piece of equipment in a single, online transaction. Second, MLCP offers a one-year warranty on refurbished hardware. For example, MLCP offers the 7606-AC-BUN, also known as the 7606 Chassis with a one-year warranty. Cisco’s website offered this product new with only a 90-day warranty. Longer than the manufacturer’s warranty? Nice, Multi-Link, nice. Third, MLCP has an on-site inventory. Be careful about purchasing from companies that don’t. They promise you equipment, then have to go search for it. Everything MLCP sells has already been tested upon receipt at their factory and refurbished to factory standards.
All in all, we suggest you listen to the experts. It’s not enough to simply be ‘online.’ Seeing returns from marketing dollars spent on the internet is involved and unfortunately, complicated. But with the right system and hardware – refurbished included – you can crack those secrets and make more of your online business than you thought possible. And that’s a very good thing.
Tags: business owners, cisco, communications products, conversion rate, google, great deals, hardware, hardware system, internet business, leverage, link communications, marketing, metric conversion, Multi-link, new hardware, phone, profits, pulley, refurbished, reputable company, william gurley
Posted in MLCP News | No Comments »
Home
1 Year Warranty
