Saturday, August 22, 2009

SONA and Areas of ICT


1. Creation of a Department of Information and Communication Technology.

The creation of this department will greatly help the sector of information and communication technology (ICT). The Filipino information specialists like the Filipino programmers, software developers, software engineers, computer scientists, and software analysts will benefit to this program of government. I am sure that agenda of this department will be the professionalization of computer programming. The professionalization of programming makes Filipino IT professionals to increase their knowledge, skills and experience in new programming languages, software project management techniques, and application frameworks that is required to produce quality computer softwares and programs. And these computer softwares and programs developed by Filipino IT professionals will improve the quality of life of Filipino people very soon.

2. The Resiliency of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis.
This industry has employed many Filipinos as call center agents and call customer service representatives have become more and more popular. These jobs have good salary and compensation and this will give a greater help and ease for the poor family of the Filipino workers. And, our government tries and continues to support and improve this industry of information and communication technology.

3. Amendment of the Public Service Law which governs the Telecommunications Industry.
The amendment of this law will strengthen the consumers’ rights to good and right services especially to telecommunication companies like Smart and Globe. These corporations abused the Filipino consumers by stealing the load of celfone users who subscribe to their network services and by rendering poor services in the form of dropped calls and short period of validity time of load. I am favor of this amendment which should be one of the priority amendments of congress to stop the unscrupulous conduct of these telecom giants.

4. The Main Education Highway towards a Knowledge-Based Economy launched by The Presidential Task Force on Education.
This endeavor will further boost the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment in the country. The technical education and skills trainings of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will employ much Filipino people in BPO industry. Courses like computer servicing and maintenance and medical transcription as well as trainings in call center agent and customer service representative are offered in this government institution in a very affordable tuition fee. This program of government also envisions seamless education from basic to vocational school or college.
On the other hand, our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever economic challenge life will throw in their way. And this educational system should alleviate our poor Filipino family from poverty and hardship.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

My Suggestions/Recommendations in Improving the Internet Connectivity of USEP

Technology
I would suggest the the 2.5 STABLE version of Lamit 2Pro Advanced and Lamit 2Pro Mini Power servers to University President. Despite the very small dimensions of the Mini Power server, it maintains all the features and characteristics of the Lamit 2Pro server’s Platform. The new generation of servers includes Wireless connectivity (N type, offering an extended coverage area and maximum transfer rates) providing easier users’ connection. The new servers’ version also offers new encryption facilities, a better control and professional management of the users’ LAN.

The Lamit 2Pro servers were tested in difficult conditions, beside high debit satellite bidirectional connections offered by Lamit, in different regions of the world, at different levels of users, starting with the services for small or middle users and continuing with the broadband communications via satellite offered to romanian and foreign military bases from Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. The servers/routers have advanced functions of acceleration and prioritization of the data transfer between the user’s network and internet, helping the VoIP and VPN communications.

The Lamit Company also offers broadcast services via satellite, occasional or permanent ones, as well as special encrypted governmental connections, dedicated networks, point to point and point to multipoint connections, SCPC/SCPC or SCPC/DVB S2 types.

Military bases, governmental agencies, universities, internet cafĂ©’s, drilling and oil, gas and petroleum companies, as well as various corporations and physical persons from all over the world (USA, Asia, Middle East, Europe and Africa) are using daily the high speed satellite connections offered by Lamit Company for worldwide communication and safe data transfer. The Lamit 2Pro server Platform has been adapted to improve the communication in each of the previously mentioned environments.

Last but not least, it is important to mention that Lamit Company was elected the winner, in 2009, of two international awards: “International Trophy for Technology and Quality” and “Golden Award for Quality and Business Prestige”, the annalists’ conclusions being:

The Selection Committee of Lamit Corporation said that after a deep analysis of the company’s activity they concluded that due to their innovative special capacities, Lamit Co. succeeded to maintain itself in the top of the companies that activates in the transmissions via satellite field.

Lamit Company made itself known due to the innovative solutions and the improvement they made to the quality of transmission services via satellite, fixed or mobile and through its value added networking solutions, reason why it has received multiple appreciations and international awards in the past years.

Steps and Processes:
I would suggest the following tips and improvements to university network administrator, network technicians, university computer technicians, university employees as well as to students:

#1 Ditch the modem. The first tip is to get rid of the modem and move to ADSL. Yes, broadband is available at low cost in most areas. University network technician would visit keyword broadband to see if it's supported by his exchange. If he is on broadband he can probably skip the rest of the top tips because he'll be enjoying life rather than fretting about his connection speed.

#2 Update drivers. University network administrator must love the modem! Perhaps university’s fund is limited or he doesn't have ADSL in his area - read on. Driver files are updated regularly by most modem manufacturers. For some modems, he can also "flash upgrade" the software in the modem to provide the latest (and fastest) communications software. Even so, he should be sure the driver is right for his operating system. To find the latest drivers, he just enter the modem details into a search engine such as www.yahoo.com or www.google.com.ph with the word "driver". So, to find drivers for a USR Sportster modem, enter "USR Sportster driver" and follow any instructions on how to install it. He can check his current modem drivers from Control Panel. With Windows XP, Select Start | Control Panel | Phone and Modem Options | Modems | Properties | Drivers.

#3 Tweak settings. Host computers have some settings that may improve modem throughput. All data sent over the internet goes in data packets. The size of these packets is the Maximum Transmission Unit or MTU. The aim is to send packets that are as large as possible without them needing to be broken down into smaller packets which would slow down their connection speed. A modem user, should set the (MTU) to 1500, the RWIN multiplier to 10 and Time to Live to 35. Download Tweak-Me or Tweak-XP to get this done automatically.

#4 Use FTP download wherever possible. If students want to download files, they can often choose between FTP or HTML download. FTP, (File Transfer Protocol,) is much faster for file transfers so they should choose that when they can.

#5 Use a high speed port. This'll only apply to readers with really old computers. The serial port may use an old, slow chip called a UART. The answer is to fit a high speed serial port with a 16550 UART chip or to fit an internal modem which includes one of these beasties.

#6 Use a download tool. There's nothing more frustrating than losing a connection near the end of a one hour download. The good news is that most downloads are resumable which means they can be restarted from where the connection failed. Universisty computer technician needs the right tool to manage the reconnection - one of the best is shareware Getright. Getright also searches for the fastest download sites and splits the download between several sites with the downloads running in parallel for the maximum possible download speed.

#7 Use a faster browser. Once computer users have connected to Yahoo, they can start any browser and run it in a second window. Opera is one of the fastest so why not download a free copy and give it a test run?

#8 Manage the computer cache. Every time university offices use the internet, images and other files are downloaded onto machine’s hard disk. If a particular image or other file is needed in a subsequent session, it can be pulled from the disk faster than it could be downloaded again. They are kept in a "Temporary Internet Files" folder, often called Cache. When the folder is full, Windows deletes the oldest files. University employees can vary the size of this folder by visiting Control Panel and selecting Internet Options. If they increase it, then more files can be stored on hard disk but if they go too far, then a slow PC may spend too long searching cache! They'll need to experiment to find the right level for their computers and internet connection speed.

#9 Define a blank homepage. Each time students start a browser outside their Google window, the browser will go to the defined homepage. If this is slow, they should change the home page to a fast web site. If they are a real speed nut, set it to blank. To do this, go to Internet Options as above, and select Use Blank. Now their external browser is up and running in record time.

#10 Don't display images. Text only windows are much faster to download. Computer technicians can easily restore images when required. Here's how to set whether to display images: From Internet Options (see above) select the Advanced tab. Scroll down until the multimedia section is seen, then select or deselect "Show pictures." Select Apply then OK to save the change.
If they make these changes and they'll be cruising in the fast lane!

Infrastructure:
I would suggest the following computer hardware and sofware infrastructure: Computers should be running at least Pentium-2.0Ghz w/48.8K modem. Computer technician would use different "internet software" ( pick and choose what works better ). Network technician would also use different operating systems ( WinXP or WinVista or Linux ). Host computers should upgrade to faster hardware ( Pentium 4, Dual Core, Core 2 Duo, AMD Sempron, AMD Athlon ) and upgrade to faster connection ( DSL or Full T1,T2 ).

University internet server needs to have a 24 hour dedicated connection to the internet and it should be internet server == a "unix machine" + firewall + router + phone lines to ISP. Another suggestion is to switch to a "better/faster/larger" ISP ( not the slow commercial online services ).

Innovations:
I would suggest the innovations in cable modem/router tweaking to improve university internet connection speed. All modems make it possible for established communications channels to support a wide variety of data communication. Similar to other modems, a cable modem receives and sends data by modulating and demodulating signals. However, cable modems differ from other modems because they also function like routers. Broadband Internet data is delivered into the home or office over a coaxial cable line that also carries television signals. The information travels like a TV channel through the coaxial cable line. The cable modem separates the data from the television signals and directs the data to the PC and video to the television.

Local traffic is the biggest speed cap that plagues cable modems or a source of a slow cable internet connection. Cable modems work on a network/grid that connects to a T3 router running at 45 Megabits per second. Depending on where computers placed, they could have a busy grid, or a not-so-busy one. Then there is Internet traffic. Network administrator’s best bet if he really needs the speed is to pick a time where not as many people are on. There is a noticeable difference in traffic between 2 AM and 6 PM.

There are a number of ways to improve the performance of university cable modem/router. Unlike old fashioned dial-up modems, there isn't a whole lot he can do to increase the speed of computer cable connection. He can tweak the way the broadband Internet cable connection sends the data/packets back and forth. If he is new to this whole thing, there are a number of programs that will automatically set the best values for the connection. Some of the most popular programs are EasyMTU, I-Speed, Intelli Dial-Up, Smartalec, Smartplay.

There’s also Web browser called Voyager 5000 made by Smartalec that’s much faster than regular Internet Explorer. Updating the drivers on computer’s (Network Interface Card) can give the most noticeable speed boost above everything else. Some good places to check for drivers would be: www.drivershq.com, www.download.com, and even www.altavista.com.

Improving university cable internet speeds with connection teaming is also an option. Midpoint has a feature called connection teaming. Connection teaming combines multiple connections to the Internet for increased bandwidth. Along with connection teaming, the software splits large files being downloaded into multiple smaller parts and downloads each part at the same time along each connection. Cable modem companies sometimes allow network technician to purchase additional IP address for a monthly fee. @Home does this for $5 per IP address. @Home caps the bandwidth per account, not IP address - but at the very least, it might increase the efficiency of internet connection and allow the throughput to closer reach the capped maximum speed.
On a very basic level, host computer’s performance also affects the Internet performance as well. If university computer isn't running at its best, neither will the broadband Internet connection.

Maintenance
I would recommend the following tips on University Wifi Network and Internet Connection Maintenance:

1. Upgrade and Add Equipment
Many have heard of the basic Wi-Fi equipment like network routers (or access points) and wireless adapter cards. While good routers and adapters can last for many years, in general university network technician should periodically consider replacing the old equipment. Newer network gear can be faster, more reliable or offer better compatibility with university offices electronic gadgets.

Some network technicians fail to consider the benefits that more advanced gear like wireless print servers, game adapters and video cameras can bring to the offices and computer laboratories. Before settling for a bare-bones network setup with only a router and a few PCs, research these other types of products also (that can be acquired for very reasonable prices).

2. Move the Router to a Better Location
Some computer technicians quickly assemble their wireless network only to find that it won't function in certain areas of the residence. Others enjoy a working setup at first but find later that their network crashes when a microwave oven or cordless phone is turned on. Perhaps even more common, PCs in a basement, attic or corner room may suffer from chronically poor network performance but the office employees fear attempting to fix it. One easy way to address these common Wi-Fi networking issues is to move the wireless router to a better location.

3. Change the Wi-Fi Channel Number
In most countries, Wi-Fi equipment can transmit signals on any of several different channels, similar to televisions. Most wireless routers ship with the same default channel numbers, and most technicians never think about changing this. However, if they experience radio interference from a nearby offices’ router or some other piece of electronic equipment, changing the Wi-Fi channel is often the best way to avoid it.

4. Upgrade Router Firmware
Wireless routers contain built-in programmable logic called firmware. A version of firmware is installed on the router by the manufacturer, and this logic is essential to the operation of the device. However, many routers also offer a firmware upgrade capability that allows employees to install newer versions. Updating university firmware can provide performance improvements, security enhancements or better reliability. University network personnel should watch for firmware updates from the router manufacturer and upgrade as needed.

5. Increase Signal Strength and Range of the Router
No matter where in a residence a wireless router is installed, sometimes the Wi-Fi signal will simply not be strong enough to maintain a good connection. The likelihood of this problem increases with longer distances and with severe obstructions such as brick walls between the router and the wireless client. One way to solve this problem is to upgrade the Wi-Fi antenna installed on the router. Some routers do not support antenna upgrades, but many do. The alternative involves installing an additional device called a repeater.

6. Increase Signal Strength and Range of the Clients
As with wireless routers, Technicians can also improve the signal strength of wireless clients. They must consider this when dealing with a single Wi-Fi device that suffers from a very short signal range compared to the rest of these devices. This technique can improve the ability of laptop computers to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots, for example.

7. Increase Wireless Network Security
Many network authorized personnel consider their wireless network setup a success when basic file and Internet connection sharing are functional. However, if proper security features are not in place, the job remains unfinished. They should follow this checklist of essential steps for establishing and maintaining good Wi-Fi security on a office and laboratory network.

Reference:
www.broadbandinfo.com
www.sahafa.com
www.thefreelibrary.com
www.practicalpc.co.uk
www.compnetworking.about.com