AU Blogspot

            Thanks to Donovan Mueller for permission to use this Photo. 

It’s standard practice that if you have an always-on Internet connection, then you should have a firewall, implemented in either hardware, such as a router, or in software.  But even if you are using a dial-up connection, you really need a software firewall to protect you from intrusions.  You would be surprised at the number of attempts to get into your PC a good software firewall will block on a PC using dial-up.  A firewall will also notify you of attempts to go out to an Internet website.  You can then allow or disallow the outbound traffic.  You would want legitimate programs such as Windows to access the company’s website for update purposes, but you’re safer to block any programs that you don’t recognize from doing so.  Be sure to check for correct spelling.  Say you have Symantec’s anti virus program on your PC and have set it up for automatic virus signature updates.  Your firewall will ask you whether you want to grant the program permission to go outbound.  But some malware could identify itself as Symantek.  Should you allow it to access the Internet, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

Yes, it’s unfortunate that there are so many nasty things that can happen to your computer.  And thwarting such attempts can cost you time and money, but you really need to do this.  At minimum you need a firewall, an anti-virus program, and an anti-spyware utility.  You’ll also need to update the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs’ signature files at least once a week, as well as scanning with each at least once a week, more frequently if you are online daily.then you should have a firewall, implemented in either hardware, such as a router, or in software.  But even if you are using a dial-up connection, you really need a software firewall to protect you from intrusions.  You would be surprised at the number of attempts to get into your PC a good software firewall will block on a PC using dial-up.  A firewall will also notify you of attempts to go out to an Internet website.  You can then allow or disallow the outbound traffic.  You would want legitimate programs such as Windows to access the company’s website for update purposes, but you’re safer to block any programs that you don’t recognize from doing so.  Be sure to check for correct spelling. 

Say you have Symantec’s anti virus program on your PC and have set it up for automatic virus signature updates.  Your firewall will ask you whether you want to grant the program permission to go outbound.  But some malware could identify itself as Symantek.  Should you allow it to access the Internet, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. 

Yes, it’s unfortunate that there are so many nasty things that can happen to your computer.  And thwarting such attempts can cost you time and money, but you really need to do this.  At minimum you need a firewall, an anti-virus program, and an anti-spyware utility.  You’ll also need to update the anti-virus and anti-spyware programs’ signature files at least once a week, as well as scanning with each at least once a week, more frequently if you are online daily.

Dave Ronan
Computer Training Instructor
Ashworth University

                   Thanks to פיקוס for permission to use this Photo.

If you are in the IT Field or considering getting into it, you don’t need rose colored glasses to see a promising future for yourself.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that IT will be the fastest growing sector of our economy for the next ten years.  They also report that the three fastest growing jobs in the US are network system and data communication analysts, computer systems analysts and software application engineers.  In fact, in just about any top ten list, you will find IT has the most positions of any field.Now couple this tremendous growth with the following statistic:

The labor force for the 25 to 54 age group in IT will only grow at a dismal .2% between 2006 and 2016. 

Do you want to be in demand for the next decade?  Stay committed to your program studies and your hard work will pay off.  The bottom line is that it’s important to obtain as many skill sets as you can in the rapidly expanding IT industry.  If you need assistance with your lessons, I encourage you to reach out to me in the comments section of this blog.  I always look forward to hearing from my students!

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician-Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

                 Thanks to Kit Cowan for permission to use this Photo. 

I had to go about shopping for a new KVM switch at my work to replace one that had gone bad.  This gave me the idea to write a short blog piece about KVM switches.  A KVM switch allows a user to control multiple servers or workstations with a single monitor and mouse/keyboard.  In a typical datacenter, each rack of servers will be connected to a KVM switch which has an assigned monitor/mouse/keyboard.  Because of KVM switches, organizations don’t have to purchase a monitor and keyboard/mouse set for every single machine.  This makes sense since users do not dedicate themselves to a server desktop as they do a workstation. 

Each computer is connected to the KVM switch with a special VGA or USB cable.  Higher end KVMs allow standard Ethernet cables to connect computers.  KVMs usually come in 4, 8 and 16 port versions, meaning that it can accommodate that many machines.  When a user wants to access a particular machine, he simply hits an assigned key on the keyboard to view a menu of the computers that are managed by that KVM.  He then selects the machine he wishes to view and the monitor then brings it up.  Imagine if you were downloading and installing Windows Updates on 8 servers.  You could pull up each server at a single monitor and complete the tasks without leaving your chair.

KVM switches are not utilized as much as they have been in the past due to the ease of tools such as Microsoft Remote Desktop which allows one to remote into any windows server at will and pull up the server desktop wherever they are in the world.  These remote applications due have one big limitation in that they do not allow a user to view the booting process of the server or access the BIOS as one normally is able to.  Unlike a KVM, if you reboot a machine while remoting into it, you lose your connection.  Because of this, KVM switches continue to be a valuable tool for networks today.

One of the biggest players in the KVM market is Avocent.  Visit their website at www.avocent.com to learn more about their product line and KVMs in general.

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician/Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

            Thanks to Dennis Hamilton for permission to use this Photo.

Bill Gates toured five North American Universities in February speaking about the coming IT labor shortage.  Across the country, colleges across the U.S. and Canada have seen a steady drop in the number of students entering the field of computer science ever since the dot com bust at the start of the decade.  K12 schools as well are seeing fewer students interested in the field of IT.  These indicators point to a looming shortage of skilled workers in the IT field in the coming decades.  Although this will greatly benefit those in or just beginning their careers in IT, it puts into question the leadership in technology that the U.S. has enjoyed up to now. 

In order for our country to continue to be a major economic player in the world we must have the IT talent to spur further technological innovation and support our current and future infrastructures.  It is because of this dire possibility that leaders such as Bill Gates are publicly addressing young people concerning the exciting possibilities and unlimited opportunities that await them in the IT field. 

So how did this come about?  There are several factors.  The dot com bust of 2000 did a lot to taint the field.  Many high school students changed their minds about IT after reading how many IT jobs were lost during that time.  Parents discouraged their middle and elementary aged students to pursue the field as it offered little promise of opportunity they thought.  The overplay of the media discussing the many IT support jobs that migrated to India also provide fodder to parents and young people to not consider IT.  Unfortunately though, these concerns have been exaggerated and now the pendulum has swung so far in the other direction that those in the IT field today have the benefit of knowing that their skills are and will continue to be in high demand.

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician/Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

                     Thanks to .res for permission to use this Photo. 

The annual IT Salary and Skills Report conducted by Global Knowledge and Tech Republic was released this week for 2008.  Here are some of the points of interest from the study:

• The average salary in the IT industry was $73,963, up 3.25% from 2007.  80% of workers reported an increase of pay for 2008.   
• The average salary for those with a college degree was $76,446.  Those with a certificate or degree from a technical college had an average salary of $65,712.
• Those 25 and younger with 2 years of experience or less make $39,883 on average.  This same age group made $46,303 with 3 to 4 years of experience.
• The average IT worker is 43 years old and has been in IT for 14.3 years.
• 59% have a college degree
• 78.7% report that they are very or mostly satisfied with their career choice
• IT is the third highest paying industry field
• 42% plan on obtaining an IT Certification within the next year.
• 34.4% hold a Microsoft Certification of some type
• The highest paying IT Certification is the Project Management Professional (PMI) at $101,695.  The lowest paying IT Certification is Comptia A+ at $41,726.
• On average, those with a Cisco CCNA make $64,260.  Microsoft MCSEs make $71,980.
• Help Desk Support professionals make an average of $48,773.
• Admin Support personal make an average of 51,819
• Network Administrators make an average of $56,277
• Web/Internet Professionals make an average of $62,658

Brad Rudisail
Computer Network Technician/Network Security Instructor
Ashworth University

Electronic Arts Inc. established itself as a leading pioneer in the gaming industry back in the 1980’s, long before most experts could have predicted a multi-billion dollar videogame market would ever be possible, but this market is now a reality and gaming has been transformed from a teenage obsession to a mainstream lifestyle practiced by young and old alike.  The following podcast features Nick Earl, Vice President and GM of Electronic Arts.  Mr. Earl is the ultimate insider and he shares his thoughts on where the gaming industry is headed, from mobile game distribution to user generated content, Earl presents a compelling vision of this medium’s limitless potential.  Calling on all gamers to put down the controls and share your visions with your Ashworth University community.  Take care.

Ryan Rode
Interactive Services Manager
Ashworth University