Internet access is changing. IPv6 is replacing IPv4. This means many Internet addresses now use a different protocol. If you have an IPv4 address and try to reach someone with an IPv6 address, you may be unable to make contact.

You may not be aware of IPv6. Most people aren’t. But if you want to ensure your Internet communications remain effective, you should find out what it means for you.

IPv6: why the change?

IPv6 stands for Internet Protocol version 6. Internet Protocol (IP) is the means by which you send data from one computer to another using the Internet. IPv6 is the latest in a line of IP versions.

Every computer user across the world needs to be aware IPv6 is going to replace IPv4. IPv4 is the current, widely-used IP. It controls the number of available online addresses. These addresses are numbers given to any device on a computer network linked to the Internet.

IPv4 addresses have a 32-bit limit with four sets of numbers. This works out at four billion unique addresses. IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) is the body responsible for allocating IP addresses worldwide. On 3rd February 2011, IANA ran out of addresses, although regional allocation groups still had some in reserve.

IPv4 and IPv6 compatibility

IPv6 has been around for a while. It offers a solution to the shortage of IP addresses because it has a 128-bit rather than 32-bit limit. It therefore has billions of extra IP addresses.

With this enhanced capacity, the Internet can continue to grow around the globe. The problem is compatibility between current IPv4 addresses and new IPv6 addresses.

A lot depends on your browser and Web server. Generally speaking, if you use an IPv4 network, you may have trouble accessing IPv6 websites. And if you have an IPv6 network, you may be unable to contact an IPv4 site.

This could be serious if you are engaged in global business. For example, many developing Asian countries, including China, use IPv6. Most UK businesses have an IPv4 address. This means you may not be able to use the Internet to contact a customer, supplier or partner in Asia.

IPv6: What you should do

IT and communication companies are taking action to help businesses. You can therefore find help to prepare your migration from IPv4 to IPv6.

Professional advice is essential. You need to review your network infrastructure and assess your hardware and software. All new Cisco products, for example, support IPv6.

What you are likely to experience is a transitional period. During this, your network should have both IPv4 and IPv6. At the end of the transition, your network will use just IPv6.

If you do nothing, you’ll still have Internet access. But you won’t have the worldwide access you may have come to rely on.

Moving your office phone system isn’t a straightforward exercise. Many companies fail to realise what’s involved. You should consider what you want and seek help to achieve your goal.

Changing your office phone system isn’t a radical idea. It makes sense. It’s an opportunity to reduce costs and increase business efficiency.

But many companies underestimate the process of moving a phone system. The traditional approach of obtaining quotes from phone line suppliers and updating the switchboard no longer applies. You have technological choices to consider.

Companies also neglect a further risk: communications downtime. This is something no business can afford.

Technological choices

If you’re thinking of moving your office phone system, you have options. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is one of the most popular. It has a proven record of saving money.

Look at everything on offer, though. New communications technology can give you an edge over the competition. To achieve this, companies use a variety of communication methods. Phone calls remain popular. But video conferences, data transfer and wireless access for remote working are equally important.

Communications downtime

When you’re planning your move, technology is vital but so is continuity. You must avoid communications downtime.

Any move carries risks. Changing an office phone system is no exception. You need help to ensure you don’t lose your communications for hours and possibly days. If customers can’t contact you, your business can lose revenue and credibility.

Business development

Moving an office phone system is therefore an exercise in technological development and continuity. And like any similar exercise, you have to plan ahead.

This process breaks down into two stages. The first is to know what you want. The second is to seek expert advice.

Knowing what you want

Communications technology can dramatically change the way you work. You can make information available to a variety of devices wherever they happen to be.

You should consider this carefully. Decide how you want to encourage business growth by using technology to your advantage.

Expert advice

The right technology can give you voice, video and data solutions to match your business. Contact a company with expertise in this area. Explain your requirements, and request a cost-effective, bespoke solution. An experienced company can lay out the options available to you.

The benefits you should be looking for are:

• Greater efficiency
• Reduced costs
• The potential for increased revenue
• No downtime

Achieve these and your move to a new phone system will be well worthwhile.

Reliable Communications Infrastructure

So much goes on in the communications and IT fields, you can easily overlook the importance of your network infrastructure. Without a solidly built network as the foundation of your communications strategy, you may miss the full benefits of technology such as VoIP.

The communications industry has moved at a vigorous pace since the first telephone patent in 1876. Within the last 30 years or so, this pace has increased still further.

Smartphones now account for 50% of the UK mobile phone market. The popularity of tablets is also rising. By 2015, analysts predict sales will account for 60% of the PC market.

These developments are changing attitudes to personal and business communications. For example, the concept of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has arisen. Employees want to use their own smartphones, tablets and laptops for business.

In addition, many IT managers are looking at Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. They are suggesting the replacement of traditional phone lines with Internet-based communications systems. The main advantage is a reduction in costs.

Potential network problems

These changes and proposals can create problems for a business. You have to manage the communications process and remain in control. BYOD and VoIP are innovative and exciting ideas, but they won’t work effectively if you’ve overlooked the need for a suitable underlying network infrastructure.

This doesn’t just apply to BYOD and VoIP. Communications are at the heart of a business. Your network must be exactly what you require. If it isn’t, the adoption of any new technology and the daily process of communication can be a nightmare.

In this context, you have to ask some tough questions. Above all, is your network ready for VoIP?

Network confidence

You have to be confident your network infrastructure is 100% reliable. Your switches, protocols, routers and wireless access points must combine to create the perfect network architecture for your business.

You want your network to give you:

• Transparency and ease of use
• Security
• Access using any device from any location
• Voice, video and data transportation
• The ability to expand quickly and simply

The network has to be a resilient foundation. Network services must work behind the scenes to provide the best possible user experience. And applications must offer the services your business and users need.

Achieving this need not be difficult. But first you have to accept the need to review your network.  With the correct network in place, you can take full advantage of technology such as VoIP. You can cut costs, boost efficiency and ensure smooth development as your business grows.

The traditional approach to IT support is changing. IT managers are giving an increasing amount of tasks to outsourced providers. In this way, managers can optimise network communications.

Forward-thinking IT managers study the link between business and technology. They look at ways they can accelerate the IT transformation of their companies. One of the areas under examination is IT support for network communications.

Traditional IT support

The traditional approach to IT support is for a company to employ outside expertise to fix network problems. The experts solve difficulties rapidly, and help keep network communications working.

This approach makes sense. Using outsourced support brings peace of mind. It frees up IT managers to focus on those issues critical to customer satisfaction and business success.

But those IT managers who study business and technology are asking a simple and pertinent question: what more can IT support do for a company? After all, the professionals who work for outsourcing services have a wide range of IT skills.

Making best use of networks

What lies behind the IT managers’ question is the desire to improve network communications. Many companies don’t have the time or in-house knowledge to optimise network use.

Some general managers are also thinking about network optimisation. They are increasingly aware of the way network communications can provide a competitive edge.

What’s emerging from the questions and discussions is an expansion of traditional IT support. Customers are asking support companies to take on other tasks.

Transferring tasks to IT support

Transferring tasks to an IT support company is often straightforward. The work is ideal for outsourcing as a service:

• Regular auditing. An IT support company is well placed to conduct audits of the efficiency and suitability of network services.
• Personalised reports. A support company can run network reports to given specifications.
• Updates for operating systems. Companies can save time and effort by asking an IT support company to install and test updates.
• New software applications. Although IT managers may know about the latest software applications, an IT support company can have even greater insight.  It can recommend and install the applications most appropriate to the business.
• Remote monitoring. A support company can handle all remote monitoring of devices. The company can provide regular reports and highlight anomalies.
• Potential problems with the network. By allowing an IT support company to be proactive about repairs, a business can prevent many network problems.

All businesses can find this new approach to IT support beneficial. It enables business and technology to unite to achieve optimised network communications.

IT exists to improve your business. But you can lose track of network devices and find your company facing unexpected threats. A rigorous approach to policy management helps avoid these problems.  

Keeping on top of policy management is hard. When you review your IT policies for example, you may find technology and events have overtaken you. You may struggle to establish which device is running what. And you may have to face new threats to which you don’t have immediate answers.

This situation isn’t unusual. Many companies don’t keep inventories of network devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones. This means the IOS (internetwork operation system) may not be the right one for the job. And when one of these companies has a hardware failure, it probably doesn’t have any network configuration to back up devices and data.

Network policy management

IT maintenance contracts for devices complicate matters still further. A contract often addresses certain needs and leaves out others. Without a fully comprehensive contract, managers may not know who is responsible for solving problems. The result is delay and confusion when difficulties with network devices arise.

Policy management can control these challenges. A well-run policy can guide a company through every challenge.

As a minimum, a policy should cover:

• An inventory of network devices
• Responsibility guidelines for in-house staff and contractors
• Guidance on network configuration and back up
• Monitoring processes
• Energy issues
• Dealing with change

Monitoring your devices

Monitoring your devices is an integral part of the policy. This has to be as simple as possible. When you have a wide range of monitoring tools, threats can easily slip through. One monitoring tool per network vendor is far better.

Accurate monitoring acts as a spur to policy management. With the right facts available, you can control policy initiatives effectively and use best practice.

Energy management of devices

Best practice also leads to improvements in areas such as energy management. Network devices can be a drain on electricity. When you know what devices you should have and what you don’t need, you can cut energy consumption and costs. 

Change management solutions

In a busy environment, change is inevitable. You upgrade devices or replace them. You have to manage your policy so you know what is changing and why.

Take the pressure off

An external company such as Voyager Networks can help with every aspect of policy management. Such a company takes the pressure off and allows you to focus on running your business. It ensures you have the right network devices running exactly what you require. This way, you can stay abreast of technological change, avoid new threats and save money.

Services Sales Executive

• Location: TBC
• Salary: TBC
• Contract: Permanent

Voyager Networks is looking for a Services Sales Executive focused primarily on Voyager’s support services customer base ensuring that the level of contract renewal is maximised.  The role also requires regularly communicate with Voyager’s customer database ensuring that clients are fully aware of all services available to them and to act as a focal point for customer feedback regarding Voyager’s ability to deliver high quality support services.

Candidates must be successful in and have experience of selling services into the I.T. Industry. It is essential that they are self-motivated with a proven (services) sales track record. Candidates must understand business methodology, sales cycle and how to engage with suppliers. Very strong work ethics ,presentable appearance and strong communications skills are essential for this role. A Support Services or Account Management background are required.

Email jobs@voyager.net.uk for more information

Services Sales Executive Feb 2012

Voyager Services Sales Executive Feb 2012-
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The two weeks of the London Olympic Games are likely to present challenges to many businesses. With planning, you can ensure these challenges have a positive rather than adverse effect on your company.

Some company managers are downcast at the thought of the London 2012 Olympic Games. From 27th July to 12th August, they expect problems:

• Staff based in and around London may have trouble getting to work. Transport analysts predict an extra 800,000 journeys as people head for the Olympic venues.
• Communication networks may not cope. They may buckle under the strain when staff use phones, tablets and PCs to watch Olympic events.
• Staff may be absent at short notice, preferring to watch the Olympics at home rather than going to work.
• Temporary cover may be hard to come by. Demand for temps is certain to increase for the two weeks of the Olympics because many permanent staff are absent.
• IT security will come under threat. According to the UK government, 12 million attempted cyber attacks occurred each day during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
• The Internet will be in constant demand, causing potential delays. Millions of people around the world will use the Internet to watch the Olympic sports and catch up on the results.

Taken individually or together, these problems pose challenges to many businesses. But the challenges needn’t lead to disaster. If you identify problems in advance, you may be able to benefit from the Olympic experience. 

Communications network

Your starting point is your communications network. During the Olympics, use of the Internet will increase. Make sure your network can cope. Find out if you have the capacity to handle extra voice, video and data traffic. Cisco Systemswho is a main sponsor and network provider of the games has a wealth of information surronding the games and considerations on your network and working practices.

And while you’re reviewing capacity, look at security. Ensure you have the latest updates for yournetwork security package. If you have any doubts, speak to a network professional for advice.

Alternatives

Improving network capacity and security won’t keep staff from coming in late or taking days off at short notice. So consider the alternatives. Flexi-time, for example, can give staff the chance to see their favourite Olympic events without having to take a whole day off.

Another option is remote working. Accept the fact that staff may want to stay by a TV at home to watch the Olympics. With the right network and applications, your staff can still use mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to:

• Receive and make business calls
• Keep up with emails
• Handle all computer-related work

Positive network thinking

Don’t take a “wait and see” approach to the Olympics. Engage in positive thinking about your networkand its possibilities, and turn problems into benefits.

The goal is to work in harmony with the London 2012 Olympic Games and not against it. If you do, you may develop new and improved styles of working for the future.

Every organisation has access to data, much of which is sensitive. The law obliges you to take measures to protect this data, but leaks still occur. Part of the problem is the lack of comprehensive security.  

It’s highly likely you have access to sensitive data. This may not come as a surprise if your organisation deals with personal details. Many public sector bodies such as the NHS store confidential information as a matter of course.

But even a small or medium-sized business can hold personal data. It may be no more than the credit card or bank account details of customers. Nonetheless, the data is confidential.

What you have to ask about your data is this: would your customers want that information to be in the hands of an unknown third party? The answer is usually no. As a result, it’s wise to assume personal data is sensitive.

Data protection

According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), anyone who deals with personal data has a legal obligation to protect it. The applicable law is the Data Protection Act 1998.

To support the law, the ICO can fine organisations up to £500,000. And one of the key issues the ICO looks at before imposing a penalty is whether an organisation had appropriate security measures in place.  

Data security policy

Most organisations have a clear policy on data security. IT managers back this up with firewalls and anti-virus software. These help to safeguard data against hackers.

As the ICO have found however, data still leaks externally and internally. This is a weakness many organisations are not taking as seriously as they should. They assume their computer and communications security is resilient to every threat. But many organisations fail to employ all necessary measures such as port protection and full disk encryption.

The trend to work from remote locations also puts security at risk. For example, staff may handle confidential data at home or while travelling.

Removing risks to data

Fortunately, IT solutions can remove these risks. The solutions include:

• Data encryption
• 2-Factor authentication
• Endpoint security
• Web application filtering
• Intrusion detection
• Network admission control

Running these solutions isn’t hard, either. With centralised management control and reporting, you can improve data security significantly.

Network security

You need to take a comprehensive approach to data and network security. Ideally, you should:

• Protect and backup data, images and video
• Securely connect remote workers to networks 
• Integrate all means of protection to avoid problems with hackers, malicious websites, spam and identity theft

A network security expert can give specific advice. When you seek such help, you won’t be wasting your time or money. By enhancing your security policy and enforcing it, you meet the requirements of the law and give yourself peace of mind.