Category Archives: wireless

Featured, IT security, Networking & Security, patching, wireless

KRACK & Adobe Flash Vulnerabilities: How to Protect Now & Prevent Later

Security VulnerabiilityAs you may know, there were multiple major security vulnerabilities announced yesterday. One specifically related to the WPA2 WiFi Security Protocol dubbed “KRACK” and another related to Adobe Flash. What happened and how can you protect your environment from the KRACK & Adobe Flash vulnerabilities? Below is what we shared with our current Managed Services customers, but even if you work with another provider or handle all of your IT system monitoring and management yourself, this may be helpful toward further understanding your risks and how to protect your environment.

WPA2 “KRACK” Vulnerability


What is it?: A critical vulnerability in the WiFi Protected Access II (WPA2) protocol which could allow someone within range of your wireless network to gain unauthorized access to traffic over that connection. 

This vulnerability applies to any device that utilizes the WPA2 protocol to establish secure connections, including Wireless Access Points, Endpoints (laptops, desktops), and Mobile Devices.

Microsoft has already released a patch and it is included in the October Security Rollup. For customers currently enrolled in our desktop patching program, this roll-up has been approved for immediate install. For customers enrolled in our Server patching program, we will apply the October Security Rollup per the normal patching schedule as servers typically will not have WiFi enabled. 

Further – some recommendations for your end users:

  • Avoid public WiFi (such as coffee shops, hotels, etc.)
  • When connected to WiFi, try to limit browsing to HTTPS sites
  • Consider using a VPN which will encrypt traffic end-to-end

While patching your endpoints will substantially mitigate the vulnerability, GreenPages will be watching for upcoming available patches and updates for the network devices in your environment in the coming days and weeks and will work with you to apply those expeditiously.

More specific details on this WiFi vulnerability can be found here.

Adobe Flash Vulnerability:

Adobe released a security update for a vulnerability that was recently discovered that could lead to remote code execution. 

  • If you are currently enrolled in a 3rd party patching program that includes Adobe Flash, we have already approved this patch for deployment to your environment.
  • If you are not enrolled, due to the risk potential for this vulnerability, it is highly recommended that you apply this patch to all devices in your environment. 

The Adobe Flash Security Bulletin can be found here.  

We’ll be writing a follow-up post next week about the KRACK & Adobe Flash vulnerabilities once the dust has settled to see how the industry has reacted and responded to these vulnerabilities so please check back then.

To learn more about GreenPages Server, Desktop, 3rd Party Patching, and Managed Services Programs, please call 800-989-2989 and we can set up a call to discuss.

By:

Jay Keating, VP Cloud & Managed Services
Aaron Boissonnault, Director, Hybrid Cloud Operations
Steve Stein, Director, Client Services

Featured, Miscellaneous IT, wireless, Wireless Solutions

The Wireless Market in 2017 (Part 3)

In the third and final video of a three-part series, Network & Security Solutions Architect, Dan Allen, discusses wireless solutions and topologies, trends in the market and what to think about when starting your wireless project. To view part 1 of the series, click here. To view part 2 of the series, click here.

If you would like to discuss how to make your next wireless project a success, reach out to us.

Download this free White Paper and get 6 quick tips to avoid common mistakes and to help ensure your wireless infrastructure can support the demanding needs of the business.

By Dan Allen, Network & Security Solutions Architect

Featured, Miscellaneous IT, wireless, Wireless Solutions

The Wireless Market in 2017 (Part 2)

In the second video of a three-part series, Network & Security Solutions Architect, Dan Allen, discusses wireless solutions and topologies, trends in the market and what to think about when starting your wireless project. Stay tuned for Part 3 later this week. To view part 1 of the series, click here.

If you would like to discuss how to make your next wireless project a success, reach out to us.

Download this free White Paper and get 6 quick tips to avoid common mistakes and to help ensure your wireless infrastructure can support the demanding needs of the business.

By Dan Allen, Network & Security Solutions Architect

Broadband, Google, News & Analysis, wireless

Google Fiber adds Miami and Boston to roster

GoogleGoogle has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Webpass to boost its Google Fiber business unit and add to its wireless broadband ambitions, reports Telecoms.com.

The acquisition builds on an area of innovation which the Google Fiber team have been investigating. Webpass has paired its fiber network with wireless technology, an idea which the Google team have been testing in Kansas City earlier this year. Back in April, Google was given approval to test its 3.5 GHz wireless broadband capabilities using antennas on light poles and various other structures, in and around the Kansas City area. The FCC commented the innovation could create a new flavour of wifi or even an LTE Unlicensed band.

Webpass was founded in 2003, and claims to have customers in the “tens of thousands”, though these are primarily apartment blocks and business users, two demographics which are likely to be of interest to Google. Webpass has focused its sights on business users in recent months, providing services in the range of 100 megabits per second to one gigabit per second, and also operates in two markets Google Fiber which has no exposure; Miami and Boston.

“Google Fiber’s resources will enable Webpass to grow faster and reach many more customers than we could as a standalone company,” said Charles Barr, President at Webpass. “I’m very much looking forward to this next chapter for Webpass, and let me take this opportunity to once again say thank you to all of our loyal customers. We are thrilled to be on this journey together.”

While the deal is still subject to the customary approval process from regulators, it is the first acquisition for the Google Fiber business, indicating the company’s intensions in the arena. The Google Fiber business has been growing at a healthy rate in the last 18 months, though the addition of Webpass will give the company traction in five significant markets in the US, including major cities such as San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, Chicago, and Boston.

Featured, Network, Network Infrastructure, wireless

6 Tips to Ensure a Successful Wireless Project

Every company needs sound wireless capabilities to operate successfully. But it’s not always as simple as some may think. There’s a lot to consider when designing your wireless infrastructure. The last thing you want is business users not being able to perform their jobs effectively and becoming disgruntled. Below are some tips to avoid common mistakes and to help ensure your wireless infrastructure can support the demanding needs of the business.

 

Tips to Ensure a Successful Wireless Project

 

1. Understand that all Wi-Fi is not created equal

Everyone’s wireless footprint is going to end up slightly different. Don’t let someone try to put you in a predesigned box. With light research you can find the perfect wireless balance to fit your needs whether dense-user offices, high density of low density warehouses or distribution centers, stadiums or amphitheaters, or outdoor areas, etc.

 

2. Pre-design is critical to stay within your budget and not throw money away

The biggest mistake that can be made is not having a clear design before any hardware is purchased. You don’t want to overdesign and overspend, or under design and spend poorly at the last second in an attempt to correct a project. Often the cause for under design is attention to coverage OR capacity and not both. For example, warehouses are likely to be using handhelds to transmit over clear text, so the focus can be on coverage and security. Offices often have many different types of users and workloads shift throughout the day so special attention should be taken to identify density and capacity usage areas such as conference rooms and collaborative workspaces. Stadiums have their own special configuration policy that controls the air and allows users better wireless and cellular connectivity. It is critical to consider the minimum needs and requirements of each specific environment and balance the design to meet your users’ needs. Licensing is another great example when planning for design, traffic, and budget in the same conversation. Controller licensing determines failover path and cost of licenses overall.

 

3. Know your users’ expectations and your management team’s expectations both now and 3-5 years from now

Having to make changes to a project can lead to overspending on implementation costs, project drag out, poor rollout, poor user experience, and expensive add-on situations. By fleshing out all of the expectations and defined them in advance, you can design to meet and exceed the needs of the users, enabling IT to focus on supporting the business and not on supporting the technology. Establish a list of needs and wants first. Much like buying a house, once you’re in the discovery phase and comparing brands or features, it will be quick and easy to step through what you were looking for in the first place.

 

Would you like to read the rest of Dan’s tips? Download his whitepaper, 6 Tips to Ensure a Successful Wireless Project!

 

 

By Dan Allen, Architect

Network, Network Infrastructure, wireless

6 Tips to Ensure a Successful Wireless Project

Every company needs sound wireless capabilities to operate successfully. But it’s not always as simple as some may think. There’s a lot to consider when designing your wireless infrastructure. The last thing you want is business users not being able to perform their jobs effectively and becoming disgruntled. Below are some tips to avoid common mistakes and to help ensure your wireless infrastructure can support the demanding needs of the business.

 

Tips to Ensure a Successful Wireless Project

 

1. Understand that all Wi-Fi is not created equal

Everyone’s wireless footprint is going to end up slightly different. Don’t let someone try to put you in a predesigned box. With light research you can find the perfect wireless balance to fit your needs whether dense-user offices, high density of low density warehouses or distribution centers, stadiums or amphitheaters, or outdoor areas, etc.

 

2. Pre-design is critical to stay within your budget and not throw money away

The biggest mistake that can be made is not having a clear design before any hardware is purchased. You don’t want to overdesign and overspend, or under design and spend poorly at the last second in an attempt to correct a project. Often the cause for under design is attention to coverage OR capacity and not both. For example, warehouses are likely to be using handhelds to transmit over clear text, so the focus can be on coverage and security. Offices often have many different types of users and workloads shift throughout the day so special attention should be taken to identify density and capacity usage areas such as conference rooms and collaborative workspaces. Stadiums have their own special configuration policy that controls the air and allows users better wireless and cellular connectivity. It is critical to consider the minimum needs and requirements of each specific environment and balance the design to meet your users’ needs. Licensing is another great example when planning for design, traffic, and budget in the same conversation. Controller licensing determines failover path and cost of licenses overall.

 

3. Know your users’ expectations and your management team’s expectations both now and 3-5 years from now

Having to make changes to a project can lead to overspending on implementation costs, project drag out, poor rollout, poor user experience, and expensive add-on situations. By fleshing out all of the expectations and defined them in advance, you can design to meet and exceed the needs of the users, enabling IT to focus on supporting the business and not on supporting the technology. Establish a list of needs and wants first. Much like buying a house, once you’re in the discovery phase and comparing brands or features, it will be quick and easy to step through what you were looking for in the first place.

 

Would you like to read the rest of Dan’s tips? Download his whitepaper, 6 Tips to Ensure a Successful Wireless Project!

 

 

By Dan Allen, Architect

Featured, Network Infrastructure, Networking, wireless

The Second Wave of Wireless: MU-MIMO, More Data & Bigger Pipes

There have been some big changes around Wave 2 Wireless Technologies. Most of these were discussed out at Cisco Live, which I was lucky enough to attend. A new technology called MU-MIMO has been introduced. It means multiple user, multiple input, multiple output. MU-MIMO allows us to dynamically allocate space allowing multiple users to do multiple transitions and getting more data and more sessions moving at the same time. We’re also soon going to have 2.3 gigabit/second threshold. We will be moving tons more data through the wireless space! This is going to require bigger pipes to backhaul all of this information. Check out my short video below where I discuss these topics in more detail!

 

 

Are you interested in learning more about the next wave of wireless technologies? Email us at socialmedia@greenpages.com

 

 

By Dan Allen, Architect

Cisco, Featured, Network Infrastructure, wireless

Cisco Live 2015 Recap: IoT, Digital Age, Wireless Updates & More!

The GreenPages/LogicsOne Team landed at Cisco Live last week and spent the days soaking up new tech, new trends, and developing a sense of where the market is headed with everything Cisco.

Digital Age Keynote

John Chambers gave an incredible keynote (and also took a picture with my colleague Nick Phelps! See below). He’s a very commanding speaker with a great vision. He highlighted that 90% of companies believe that they should become digital and that only 7% have a plan in their head on how to do so. That is our market in a bottle. In 10 years, it’s estimated that 40% of enterprise companies won’t exist anymore. In 1950 the average company had a run time of 45 years. In 2010 it was only 10 years. The reason? People feel that they need to keep doing what they have been doing, for doing’s sake. It’s time to step up and make change, disrupt, or run the risk of being disrupted.

 

cisco live

 

 

 

 

 

 

IoE/IoT

The Internet of Everything and Internet of Things was once again a big hit overall with people at Cisco Live. They estimate that of the 7 billion people on earth, 4 billion have cell phones, 3.5 billion have toothbrushes. That’s how badly people want apps, app based lifestyles, and apps with sensors. And, on average, there are 50,000 new apps launching every week. The Internet of Things emphasized the different ways to apply the concept of everyone being connected to spark a generation of ideas and how to solve modern problems. Everything from providing a demo, to configuring a train to detect and change a signal to prevent a hypothetical crash, to a walking stick recently developed to enable the blind to see and feel their surroundings by detecting an announced crosswalk, traffic light status, and the number of stairs ahead to the user.

Meraki

Meraki is getting some serious development and is growing like crazy! They are continuing to provide the 2 week and up to 6 week Proof of Concept demo, risk and cost free for any size deal, from a single access point to an entire site design of 50 devices including Aps, switches, and firewalls. Of these Try and Buy situations, 75% of customers keep and possibly buy more gear.

  • The MX/Firewall appliance has had limitations with VPN support in the past, but has been updated to support 3rd party VPN connections, a visual dashboard with VPN traffic usage visibility, and a topology mode. GreenPages can enable the customer to manage and rapidly deploy this multisite VPN firewall solution out to hundreds of locations.
  • Cisco is applying its iWAN portfolio to the Meraki MX Firewalls! Cisco Intelligent WAN (iWAN) is a collection of Cisco technologies that provide redundancy similar to an MPLS network without much of the cost. Meraki will soon be supporting dual-active path support for VPN, and with PfR (Performance Based Routing) and PbR (Policy Based Routing) a customer with 2 circuits can utilize VPN over both circuits at once without a load balancer, while allowing for intelligent link selection based on things like policy, latency, or loss.
  • SourceFire’s AMP is coming to the MX firewall as well! This incredible anti malware protection centralized at the network firewall gives great visibility into what files, both malicious and non-malicious, are passing through.
  • Cisco ISE (Integrated Services Engine) is now compatible with all Meraki devices in addition to the traditional Cisco product line like switches, routers, access points. ISE allows a customer to centrally apply a profile-detecting policy that rivals Microsoft Radius for port level wired, wireless, and VPN security access. Hundreds to thousands of access points, site core switches, and remote site firewalls in an enterprise environment can be updated from a single dashboard for agility and dynamic security.

 

Wireless

  • Cisco is soon introducing full Wave 2 AC Wireless. The upcoming 1902i and 2902i access points introduce a max speed of 2.3Gbps, and more incredibly, the introduction of MU-MIMO wireless technology.
  • 2.3Gbps is a big deal. Think about it, 90% of customer client machines connect using existing 1Gb cabling, or the latest wireless of 1.3Gb. This new wireless is twice as fast, it can make more sense to go wireless instead of cabling for clients at all.
  • MU-MIMO means Multiple User wireless. Wireless clients currently have to “share the air”, transmitting one at a time across channels. This can lead to bottlenecks, complex configurations, and having to choose between coverage or capacity. MU-MIMO allows multiple wireless clients to communicate over wireless channels at once, allowing the entire wireless spectrum to be consumed constantly, leading to much more highway for all those packets. Combine that with increased wireless transmission speed, and I feel confident saying that wireless could possibly disrupt physical cabling and introduce a wave of the “All Wireless Office”.

cisco live

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nbase T

  • With wireless AP’s capable of up to 2.3Gbps comes the need for faster cabling, but no one is going to want to spend the time or money recabling. Let’s face it; ethernet is the last cabling we’re going to pull. Introducing Nbase-T, 2 additional speeds of ethernet that run on the existing copper ethernet cabling customers have now and can perform 2.5Gbps or 5Gbps speeds. This has the potential to be huge to allow high density wireless with very limited cabling, complementing the new wireless AP’s high density capabilities.
  • Also, think big picture here. Think how the market is going to respond to this. Manufacturers are going to want to build network cards for client workstations capable of using the same ethernet cabling at 2.5x or 5x the speed. We could see a huge shift to the end of a static 1Gbps wired speed to the client, with a move to an auto-detecting 100Mb to 10Gb spectrum. (.1Gbps) – 1Gbps – 2.5Gbps – 5Gbps – 10Gbs infrastructure all over existing cabling! This will let us keep up with the high bandwidth demands of our applications both internal and external. There are some cabling distance limitations, a chart showing that info is below.

 cisco live

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, it was a great event. If you’d like to talk in more detail about news that came out of the event or how you can take advantage of any of them in your environment, reach out!

 

By Dan Allen, Architect

 

Featured, Network Infrastructure, Networking, PoE, wireless

What’s Your Wireless Strategy?

Video with Dan Allen, Solutions Architect

 

There are many different factors that go into wireless deployments. Before you start you need a well thought out wireless strategy. For example, IT departments need to look into whether they have specific power restrictions. Will it be cheaper to run new cabling? Do you have the right switching infrastructure to support your initiative? Is it PoE or UPoE? How will you address security concerns?

 

What’s Your Wireless Strategy?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvVpot9_1kE

 

 

Are you interested in speaking more about your wireless strategy? Email us at socialmedia@greenpages.com