Come On Back

"But it sounded like such a good idea!" How many times have we heard this in the midst of battling the chaos monster we created for ourselves? In this article, I'm going to discuss an example of this from my time with a former employer, who shall remain nameless to avoid the shame.

As a network engineer for a former employer, one of my major assignments was the buildout of a large SONET fiber optic network. The SONET network used Lucent Metropolis DMX multiplexers to carry both TDM services (DS1/DS3) and fast and gigabit Ethernet. This was a major upgrade that replaced a variety of older Cisco routers and a web of point to point links in the core of the network. As the buildout progressed, a business decision was made that a portion of the network would not be completed or delayed in completion. This was a logical business decision that triggered a chain of bad technology decisions in an attempt to deal with it.

The nature of a SONET network is that it is intended to be used in a ring. This provides redundancy, in case of one break in the ring, traffic will still continue to flow uninterrupted. In this case, we're left with an incomplete broken ring because of the missing portions. Now it's time for the second chaos inducing business decision, we MUST close the ring and do it with minimal to zero cost.

So now we're at the first try. There was existing fiber in place from an office part way up one "horn" to the end of the second "horn". The fiber was out of spec to run the OC48 SONET links but it was adequate to run 100Base-FX Ethernet. So, the first try was to tie an Ethernet port on both ends together with this fiber link and close the ring. Unfortunately, this wasn't such a good idea. Lucent, in their wisdom, had neglected to implement spanning tree protocol on the DMX Ethernet switch ports (only the virtual port connecting the Ethernet switch to the SONET ring had STP). This resulted in a massive and immediate STP loop and interrupted service for about 65,000 people for 10 minutes.

The second try was to insert a Cisco 2924 Ethernet switch in the link and allow the 2924's STP to break the loop. This idea worked perfectly in testing and worked perfectly on installation.

Unfortunately, sometime later, the network once again experienced an STP loop with corresponding service outage. I attributed this to the fact that the 2924 wasn't aware of the STP network of the DMX Ethernet switches and vice versa and they were making independent decisions that might conflict.

Third try was to chop up the SONET network, using scarce and expensive Ethernet ports on the DMXs and reinserting the old Cisco routers. At this point, I decided a mutual parting of the ways was appropriate, given where I could see this was heading. We had taken an elegant, state of the art, SONET network and mutilated it in an attempt to patchwork it, creating an ill performing and unsupportable monster. To say that this would have been a nightmare doesn't say enough. The configuration was far from anything intended by Lucent.

This illustrates the danger of allowing mutually conflicting business decisions made without adequate consideration of the consequences to drive a a series of desperate patches to critical network systems in an effort to compensate. This caused lost revenue for the company, lost customer good will, and loss of reputation. Ironically, I believe that, in the end, it would have been cheaper to have finished the original project.

The moral of this? Consider carefully the REAL cost of technology affecting decisions, both in terms of money and effect on customer service. Don't make assumptions about the capability of your network to absorb unconventional changes in configuration. Make sure you understand all the possible downsides. Consult with an experienced network engineer.

Don't let this happen to you!

Vern Burke
SwiftWater Telecom
Data Center, Web Hosting, Remote Backup, and Internet Engineering

http://www.swiftwatertel.com
service@swiftwatertel.com
207-399-7108

AP - The Illinois Supreme Court on Wednesday denied an effort to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich, rejecting what could have been the quickest way to force the disgraced Democrat from office. The ruling came as the governor's attorney challenged the strength of the corruption case against Blagojevich before a panel of lawmakers that is considering whether to recommend impeachment.

World of Warcraft is by far the best and largest MMORPG out yet. World of Warcraft follows a long history of the original strategy game warcraft. There were 3 popular titles that were released previously that were also an extremely big hit. Warcraft, Warcraft II, Warcraft III and the 2 expansions "The Frozen Throne" and "Reign of Chaos". The release date of the game was on Nov 23, 2004. A year after its release and there are about 4.5 million subscribers and still growing stronger each day world wide.

World of Warcraft takes you to a 3D environment in the World of Azeroth. The World is the largest virtual environment ever created. You can explore through deserts, forests, mountains and more. It may take months before you can finish traveling through all of Azeroth. There are of course mounts such as horses, gryphons and other animals that can help you travel through Azeroth.

Along with the great 3D environment you are able to customize your characters looks in the highest of detail ever possibly invented. There are next to an infinite combination of faces, eyes, texture, size, weight, coloring to choose from. Unlike many other MMORPGs, you're bound to find a twin here and there but the possibilities have gone unlimited with Blizzards character creation.

World of Warcraft consists of 2 feuding realms, the Alliance and the Horde. Each realm may choose from 4 different races. Alliance members may choose Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, and Gnomes while Horde members may choose Orc, Tauren, Troll and Undead. Along with the 8 races there are also 9 classes that you may choose from which are the Druid, Hunter, Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock and Warrior. Each player also has the ability to choose a profession for their character. A profession is very helpful to the players as it may help them create great armors, weapons, items and other equipments. A player may choose 2 primary professions and as many secondary professions as they like.

Blizzard has been updating World of Warcraft much more than their previous games that required connection to Battle.net. Quests, items, fixes and other great enhances are being added or changed to improve gameplay. Unlike other MMORPGs, the quests of WoW are made to help leveling and is much pleasurable. It is not as repetitive as you are required to kill the same monsters and the constant travelling back and forth to speak to a dozen NPCs.

Like most and all MMORPGs, WoW has their own game economy and ingame shop/auction house. Their currency is based on copper, silver and gold. World of Warcraft gold is most commonly used to purchase weapons, armors, items, skills, spells and travelling. While selling back items to a NPC shop is easy, the returns are unfavorable. Majority of the players would sell off their unwanted items to other players at a highest rate than what the NPCs will offer.

PvP has been by far the most thrilling theme of most MMORPGs. World of Warcraft includes PvP servers and non PvP servers. As Blizzard continues to update the game, their most recent patch included the battle grounds. A zone where the Horde and Alliance comes together and competes. The winner will receive special rewards and methods of increasing their overall character status.

Blizzard has taken ideas from many different games and combined them all into 1. It has yet been by far the most successful MMORPG to this day and still growing rapidly. With a subscriber base of 4.5 million players world wide, I'm sure the game will continue to be popular for over a decade. If you are interested in playing World of Warcraft or already a player and would like more information on the game play visit http://wow.tumeroks.com.

Ruibo is an avid game player and wants to help other gamers out there play the best they can. He created a website which provides many guides, news, databases and many useful information for World of Warcraft players.

AP - A cherry red Mini Cooper convertible enjoyed center stage at Hertz's launch Tuesday of a car sharing service in New York, London and Paris - the most ambitious step yet into that market by a traditional car rental company.

"Metal Gear Solid 4 is a breathtaking stealth shooter with heart, and one of the best games ever made."

A "Must Get" If you're planning to purchase a Playstation 3 game system, provided you don't have one already. Metal Gear Solid 4 should be a primarily first puchase for the Playstation 3. It's an epic stealth-shooter with an immensely detailed storyline and remarkable graphics.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a story-driven adventure game, with seasoned hero Solid Snake, drafted for one final mission. Set across stages including the Middle East and South America, the now aged Snake has been asked to assassinate his old adversary, Liquid Ocelot.

Unlockable rewards, 70+ weapons, and a well-designed online mode will keep you playing months after you've completed the core single-player experience. If you've ever loved a shooter, a stealth game, or an action game, Metal Gear Solid 4 is a can't-miss game.

Metal Gear Solid 4 is a masterpiece, an unforgettable game that shines and surpasses mediocrity. It is not only the best Metal Gear game, but one of the best games ever made, period. If you own a PS3, put this at the top of your to-buy list. If you don't own a PS3, well, chances are you will buy one soon just to play this game.

One of Metal Gear Solid 4's primary pleasures is its outstanding storyline, a epic-tale that redefines the term "epic" yet remains grounded by its human side. If you're new to the Metal Gear Solid series, don't worry: Metal Gear Solid 4 go above and beyond to tell an accessible story that will enthrall newcomers while providing plenty of surprises for hardcore series veterans.

MGS4 is an awesome game and maybe the last of it's metal gear solid series. This Game must be added to your gaming library. visit: http://meatalgearsolid4.blogspot.com

AP - Global markets were mixed Wednesday after the U.S. Federal Reserve slashed its key interest rate to historic lows, with Asian stocks climbing modestly but European shares falling in early trade.

While playing at home with your friends, card games have enabled social situations in every walk of life. But did you realize that you can actually play socially and interactively with other people the same card games online?. You can find traditional card games online that allow for multiplayer activity and playing at the same time as well as find new variations of your old favorites.

You'll find poker, blackjack, 21 and other varieties of popular poker games online, at a variety of gaming sites. Not only can you play the game for points, but you can also jump into a casino type atmosphere and actual play with poker chips, and money. Be sure before you start within an online casino site poker game that you check with your state laws, several states have outlawed online gambling casinos, and you don't want to be on the other side of the law.

You'll also be able to play cribbage online with all of your friends from around the world. Not only do you get to bring your friends online with you, but also you can make new friends and play against new players from just about every walk of life. As simple as opening the site and seeing your board, choosing a username, and initializing a game allows you to play cribbage off and on as long as you like.

If your hearts or spades player, you'll be amazed at the opportunities these online games can give you for meeting new people and playing full length games. You may also find canasta, and other online card games with the same abilities as many traditional online gaming systems and all with the prospect of meeting worldwide friends.

One of the nice things about being able to play card games online is the opportunity to learn. Not only can you learn the basics of the game, but if you watch closely you'll also learn a lot of strategies. Bridge, considered one of the toughest games to play is also offered online. From beginners and novices, to advanced players, Bridge offers opportunities for everyone to learn different strategies and gain experience to play in real life.

Playing online card games is a great way to socialize and play a game that you enjoy. The ability to play with players around the world, within your own nation, and even within your own community, allows you to meet new people and gain new friends. Not only can it be a relaxing pastime, it can also be a social time, the online games available today are not just to while the time away, but to also socially interact from the comfort of your own home and still play the traditional card games you enjoy.

Ed Tupniak
For more information on online gaming, visit The Game Crypt

AP - Barack Obama is on a pre-holiday roll to fill his Cabinet, with two more nominations in former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack for agriculture secretary and Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar to lead the Interior Department.