Centralized Network Management

since I recently became a network administrator I was looking for the best centralized network management solution . and since all devices in our network is made by Cisco, I went to the Cisco website. That helped me! I found a program called Cisco Network Assistant (CNA). I even didn't know what was the devices IPs! but simply by providing the subnet mask CNA searched the entire network and it detected Cisco devices after approximately 26 minutes. after that simply I created a community with all detected devices. simple and beautiful!

It is really nice to manage the whole network just from a single workstation. but it would be better if we had multiple monitors connected to that PC. one for monitoring and the other for navigating and configuring and remote control and other operations.

CNA can configure, monitor and troubleshoot the devices in your network. Also I think I need to use MRTG and SmokePing too. both are free and very useful. and both of them are platform independent and they work with RRD and some Perl components. maybe I'll talk about configuring MRTG and SmokePing latter.

there are many tools out there. and if you know about other handy network tools, please let me know.

Windows 7 RC1

Today Microsoft released the Windows 7 Release Candidate 1 for developers who are members of Microsoft’s MSDN and TechNet programs. apparently others can get it on 5th may. Release candidate is the final version before the official release.

Microsoft windows 7 will take less memory and will be more efficient. It will have less minimum system requirements. It has better look and performance than Windows Vista. It's interesting that even Windows 7 beta version was more stable and reliable than Windows Vista. This time it looks like Microsoft listened better to user's feedback and opinions.

Anyway I can't wait to go for it! and this time I'm gonna install the 64-bit version because of RAM limitations on 32-bit version. Currently I have 4GB of RAM installed in my PC but the Windows XP 32-bit version can address only 3.25GB of that. some amount of it's capacity is just wasting! not interesting! So it's time to change why not Windows 7?!

Persepolis

I told you guys about Shiraz trip, well it's a picture I took from Persepolis ( I mean Takht-e-Jamshid). I took many many pictures but I can't put it all here! but I really like this one!
In Persepolis there was a big & very very beautiful ancient palace named Apadana and some other masons arround it. when eskandar maghdooni occupied there, he set the place on fire. I don't know what he was thinking?! what a poor culture!!!... anyway when I think about Hakhamanesh empire I feel power and pride! I like my country Iran to be like that years.

for more information about Persepolis click here.
and here is a virtual tour.

DSLR vs. P&S

one day before Norouz I bought a DSLR camera. it's a Nikon D90. it's a great Digital SLR camera with live view technology and either it's the first SLR with ability to video recording. it's kind of surprise! cause it can records video in HD format and 720p quality using jpeg Motion technology.

I was so surprised by image quality at high ISOs. I couldn't believe it, the default ISO was set to 800. WwowW :-O!!! you can see the sample Photos in different ISOs on the Internet. It can control the noise level in high ISO images very well.
the only problem in the camera was the low focus speed in Auto mode when you are using the live view instead of view finder, the camera doesn't focus automatically in video recording (Oops!!!), and hey it's a pricey camera ;( I spent lots of money on that, but I'm not disappointed of course ;)

if you are going to buy a digital camera you should know what type of camera is better for you. there are two major types :

1- Point and shoot (p&s) or compact

2- Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR)

p&s cameras are usually easier, less weighted, more compact, cheaper and simpler. The main advantage of an SLR camera over the point-and-shoots is that you can change the lenses so you can have exactly the right lens for the subject you're shooting.

There are a bunch of advantages of SLR cameras over the more compact point-and-shoots:

• You can expand your system to match your interests. If you suddenly get interested in photographing tiny things, just get a macro lens, and you're in business.
• Upgrading is easy. If a fantastic new camera body comes out, you can replace your old one, and all your old lenses will continue to work.
• Almost every level of equipment quality is available - you're limited only by your pocketbook. With a point-and-shoot, you get the lens and flash that comes with your camera, and that's it.

When you look through the viewfinder, you actually look through some prisms and mirrors, and you wind up looking through the lens. When you trip the shutter, the mirror flips out of the way, and the scene that is projected on the film is exactly what you saw through the viewfinder. If you put on a different lens, you automatically see a different scene through the viewfinder.

choosing a P&S or DSLR camera is not so easy. you have to think about every aspects and more details to decide... anyway I think having a good camera is necessary for capturing moments of your life!

Oops!

I was busy for a while and couldn't update the blog. sorry for that!

anyway happy new year to all Iranian friends all over the world. best wishes for you guys for the new year!

I was on a trip to Shiraz in the new year, and on the way back I fell asleep when I was driving! and then car got out of the road suddenly, we was almost dead! but just god saved us. no injury, nothing! just my car got damaged. All four of my tires were slashed and they were all out of use absolutely! and some more more damages of coarse! anyway, I'm still alive ;) ... never mind. let it go.

you can see my car while it's being lifted by a truck crane. the photo was taken by my new camera!
so the moral of the story is not driving when you are tired.
hey don't blame on me, because I was looking to find a place to stop the car for a few minutes; but there wasn't any!
In some roads there was a small parking areas every (for example 10) kilometers, and there was a phone booth too. it's very good & useful. but that damn road hadn't such places. anyway be careful while driving!