Wednesday, 30 November 2011

The Future of Cloud Computing


If up till recently cloud computing was considered the future, now that it is here, what would be the future of cloud computing?
Years ago, when dial-up internet connections were the most spread solution worldwide, the concept of software clearly implied a hard copy, CD or DVD that was meant to be installed on the PC and use the computers' resources to provide that particular service or role. As the average internet connection speed started to grow, broadband solutions expanded and costing decreased, utilizing a resource or service over the World Wide Web developed into complex business models. Citrix was one of the first developers to come with complete and viable solutions for sharing services and solutions via internet, regardless of the hardware utilized by the end-user.
Microsoft recently launched their Office 365 solution based on cloud computing. Also Google is offering more and more services directly via the web browser that uses cloud computing infrastructures. The direct results of this trend is the increase in popularity of tablet PCs. What this model proves is that cloud computing services require little to minimal hardware resources to run applications what otherwise needed a powerful PC.
Probably in the following years, more and more applications will be oriented towards cloud computing. The one that came forth with a major push in this direction is Google. Their OS proved that a PC can be very useful even when the entire computer only has a browser installed and actually works like one. To put the idea in a more simple manner, what Google proved is that with the help of cloud computing, you only need a browser on your PC and you can perform all the tasks you usually do like watching a movie, reading an email, playing games, editing documents, socialize etc.
On the other end of this model, we will find the cloud or the place where everything is getting computed for the end-user. Because of this efficient model, serve loads and user capacity increased to very high numbers. Up till now, if the server experienced down time, the resource became unavailable. In the cloud, if one server goes down, the others will distribute the load equally. Also when you have more servers dedicated for the same activity, the number of users that can access the resource increased.
The impact of cloud computing has determined very many important changes across many businesses. Even the federal government of United States had to reorganize its entire IT infrastructure for cloud computing due because it is cheaper, easier to maintain and much more stable while providing at the same time, very high uptimes.


Why Remote Computer Support?


If you have a problem with your computer then there are many services out there that can help you to repair your computer easily and get it working again. These include home computer support, tech support and PC repair. However these options all involve someone either coming to your home in order to fix your computer, or your taking your computer somewhere in order for it to be fixed. In other words, in all cases you are taking more time and effort to reach the result than if you were to use remote computer support. Remote computer support does what it says on the tin and basically guides you through the process of repairing your computer without being physically present which is a great way to get your computer working again quickly and cheaply. Here we will look at why you should use remote computer support and what the hall marks of a good service are.
First of all, the reason that remote computer support is so useful is that it allows you to repair your computer without having to travel or let anyone in your home. This makes it quicker and easier for you and means less hassle in general. At the same time though it makes the process quicker as you don't need to wait for someone to be available to come round nor travel the distance yourself.
Remote computer support has other benefits too though. For instance it means that you will learn more about the problem and how to deal with it in future. This is because you will be the one carrying out the process - the tech support will just be guiding you. This means that if it happens again in future you will be more likely to handle the problem yourself quickly and easily.
Remote computer support is also more useful for the kind of small problem or question that doesn't quite require PC repair. If you have a small niggle then just calling someone up to ask about it is far preferable than having to drive a long way or to get someone to come around and it can feel embarrassing to do these things if the problem doesn't warrant that level of attention.
Remote computer support can work in various ways. Most common is to use the process on the phone and this is a very good way to work with your hands free. Another option though is to chat online which can be useful as it gives you more time and allows for more complex instructions. In some cases the technical support will even be able to take control of your mouse and thereby demonstrate concepts to you on your own monitor. This then can be a fantastic way to fix problems that you can't understand on your own and that are quite complex, but also allows the technical support to get through the maximum amount of people cheaply and easily. There are many benefits of remote computer support then, so as long as your problem is a software one, then this is something to consider.

How a Computer Works

 
Thank goodness for computer tech support. Without computer tech support we would be left to fix every little niggle and problem with our computer ourselves and this would be a highly complex and difficult process - and something that the majority of us simply wouldn't be able to do in the majority of cases.
The problem is for many of us, that we simply don't know how a computer works. When you think about it then chances are that this includes you, and most of us have a very basic understanding at best of how a computer actually processes information and displays an output that we understand. While computer tech support means that we don't actually need to know how to use a computer for the most part, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't understand how they work. We use computers almost every single day and for a variety of the most mundane and normal tasks - so the idea that we should not understand how they work seems wrong. Here then we will have a little look at the basic concept.
Essentially a compute is an input output device that does maths and displays the output on a screen. It does this through the use of electrical circuits that are devised in such a way that they can represent basic ideas in logic. These layouts are what are known as logic gates, and these logic gates provide the basis for not just computers but also for all devices that need to do maths and other calculations.
These logic gates then represent statements that are used in programming and those statements are 'AND', 'IF', 'OR', 'THEN' and other similar ones. If we imagine a basic 'AND' gate, then we can visualize a circuit that goes in a strait line. Then this circuit has two switches on it, one after the other on the linear line so that both need to be switched on for an LED at the end of that circuit to come on. This is an 'AND gate' because the circuit need switch one AND two to be on in order for it to work. An 'OR' gate on the other hand would branch off into two routes that would run parallel and then reconnect before meeting the LED at the end. Each of the two parallel branches has a switch on it, and the current can take either route to get to the light. This is an OR gate because either switch one OR two can be turned on in order to light the bulb.
The computer is made of millions of these logic gates which are inside the microprocessor. Because of 'miniaturization' these microprocessors can be unbelievably tiny and yet still contain almost endless different combinations and that then allows for all of the possibilities of computing.
This is of course only one small facet of how computers work - it is the basics of how the computer does basic maths, but it does not explain how wireless internet works (electromagnetic fields) or CDs (lasers) and it doesn't explain the workings of software. In other words then there is still plenty of work for the computer tech support companies.
This is just a very brief introduction to how computers work. Computer technical support has a far fuller understanding and can solve a huge range of problems that most of us would not intuitively understand



How VPN Works

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. This is a technology that allows one to remotely connect to a private network, so that they are "virtually" connected to that network, as though they are on-site and plugged into the LAN. VPN is useful for remote workers to connect to office resources, such as internal web portals and file shares, without needing to be physically in the office. In this computer networking notes VPN tutorial, we will take a brief overview of the different types and uses of VPN.
There are many different VPN protocols and types of VPN's. LAN-to-LAN VPN's are used to connect multiple networks together. For example, a corporate office may wish to have connectivity to multiple branch offices for internal communication and resource access. This allows edge firewalls to still block any outside access that tries to connect to its protected resources, but still allow these VPN connections as though they are "internal" or already on the trusted side of the firewall. IPSec is a collection of security protocols that are most commonly used for LAN-to-LAN VPN's, providing a robust set of varying encryption and authentication protocols.
Remote workers connect to remote VPN's. These are usually temporary, or "dial-in" connections. Microsoft Windows comes with PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) built-in, which provides an easy access method to roll out. However, PPTP relies on a weak encryption protocol, called MS-CHAP, which makes it a less favorable option. IPSec can also be used for remote VPN's, with the use of special third-party client software, and/or IPv6. SSL VPN's are becoming more popular for remote access VPN's, as they provide a secure connection, as well as the easiest option for remote workers. With a SSL VPN, remote workers can usually login to a HTTPS web page that allows them to download an app (often a Java app) that serves as the client software. After the initial install, clients can usually run the app without having to login to the web page. SSL VPN's also may allow access from the web portal to certain resources without needing to give remote workers a full network connection to the private network.
Aside from granting access to remote workers, VPN is sometimes used to mask a host's true identity. This presents a security concern, since VPN can be used as an encrypted tunnel to transport classified data off of a corporate LAN. Modern data loss prevention (DLP) and firewall rules not allowing outbound VPN connections are a good starting point, but SSL is very difficult to accurately block, due to the fact that many legitimate secure websites use SSL. VPN services can also be subscribed to for masking a host's external IP. For example, a site or service may only be allowed in the UK, but if someone in the United States connects to a UK VPN server and uses it to browse to the site, it would appear they were in the UK.
To recap, VPN is a type of connection that allows a remote connection to be treated as though it is part of a local private network. These connections may be used for remote individuals or entire remote networks. VPN connectivity is achieved with a variety of protocols.

Three Things You Need to Know About PC Security


Everybody knows that you need to password protect all of your online accounts. Everybody knows not to give those passwords out. We know to use WPA secured wireless connections. We know not to choose easy to guess passwords. However, identity theft remains a real threat in PC management, whether you know all the tricks or not. Here are a few points you might not have considered about PC security.
The Majority of Identity Theft is Due to Credit Card Theft
No matter how well you protect your PC itself, the majority of identity theft actually has to do with stolen credit cards. If you know what you're doing, if you take the time to make sure everything is password protected, you use a powerful PC security program to keep the spybots and adware at bay, then chances are, you're not going to have your identity number stolen through the web. However, losing your credit card or being careless with receipts can be a serious liability. Make sure that you keep the card itself, and your number, as safe as you keep your online passwords.
Remote Access Can Help
If you don't have a cloud server for your computer, now is a good time to get one. There was a video that went viral not too long ago, gathering around two million views. The video itself is unremarkable, albeit embarrassing for the person recording himself with the laptop's built-in camera. The video was posted by the laptop's original owner, who had used his cloud server to access his computer from afar and find out what the laptop thief had been doing with it since stealing it a few days prior. Remote access can be a major help in retrieving stolen computers and protecting your information in the event of theft.
SIGN OUT
At home, you likely retain a habit of leaving your PC signed in to all of your online accounts. This is a good idea as it saves you a lot of time, but when visiting a friend, borrowing another person's computer or checking your email while at the library, work or school, you really want to cover your tracks. Manually sign out, as a few seconds of carelessness may cost you several months of backpedaling later on as you change your passwords and hide sensitive information in your email inbox.
Staying safe isn't really so tricky. Identity thieves are always there, but PC security is always one step ahead. So far, we're winning the war, so play it safe and you won't lose out in the battle with hackers.

Monday, 28 November 2011

Expert Advice


If your business depends a lot on your desktops and servers, Expert Support must be your No. 1 priority.

Friends Consultancy has a team of Microsoft certified expert IT professionals, who have come together with a sole aim of providing unparalleled IT support and server consultancy solutions to clients, all across the globe.

We are working to provide IT expert guidance to our clients, so that their businesses will rise dramatically. Companies today are increasingly becoming automated to reduce human effort and increase efficiency at work. However, the design of strategies and technology to meet the needs of different businesses with security needs of expert knowledge and experience. And that's what we're at best. 

We have a wide range of clients in sectors such as - legal, finance, banking, etc., that come to us looking to automate their businesses, and our IT professionals to help in guiding the development and use of technology according to improve business performance effectively. 

Not to sound too confident when we say we offer immaculate IT advice to our clients, but that's what our customers say and we are very grateful for their trust in us. We have always strived to provide IT consulting unmarred customers and promise to continue doing it forever. 

We like our customers to succeed in their businesses and achieve unprecedented growth to keep pace with the modern world and its technologies. And we are confident that with our consistent delivery of IT experts guidance, we will surely be able to help them achieve their business goals.

Cost Effective Solution


Offering IT Consultancy and server support solutions at affordable prices is our unique
selling point and that is what makes us different and help us gain edge over our
competition. We mostly cater to small and medium enterprises, and know well their budgets
and spending capacities, and thus offer cost effective IT solutions.

Big companies can afford to hire an IT team to address and resolve their IT issues. But when
it comes to SMEs, investing money in hiring and maintaining a support team like IT  becomes
a little too difficult, considering the resource constraint. Thus, outsourcing IT solutions
becomes the top choice of SMEs, as it can offer them easy and effective IT support from
expert IT and server support companies, without forking out fortunes.

http://computer-experts.blogspot.com, the Microsoft certified IT Support Company based out
of London is the first choice of small and medium enterprises for providing immaculate IT
solutions, cost effectively. We aim at extending world-class IT support to our clients so as
to help their business observe unprecedented growth. And in our endeavor, we keep coming up
with apt and affordable IT solutions that befit their business needs flawlessly.

We always ensure that our services’ price should never become a burden for our clients’
pockets, so keep our prices to the minimal while providing the best of IT services. Our
clients value us because we value them and their needs more than our own needs. 

Our  cost effective IT solutions help us not only in building but maintaining long term relationships  with our valuable clients.