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Network managers have groaned for years that their high-priced technical people are chained to mundane tasks required to manually configure and manage switches, routers and other network components.

Enter a new era where software and automation take center stage.

While the industry has promised change through software-based networking for many years, 2017 just may be the year it finally happens on a broader scale.

Gartner networking research vice president Andrew Lerner said software's ascendancy should come as no surprise. Network switches have always been packed with software -- it's just that the industry grew comfortable viewing its products as hardware.

The big sticking point for years was that too much of the work configuring network components was manual and time-consuming, a cumbersome process that called for software-based networking innovation.

"What we're seeing now is a move away from manual and noncentralized networking to a more automated and centralized network management," Lerner said. "And the automation and centralization of policies is just much better done in software."

In the past, networking shops have spent 80% of their time just keeping the lights on. Seth Pricesenior network engineer, Durham County, N.C.

Automating tasks and allowing IT staffers to be more productive were among the prime reasons why Durham County, N.C., moved to exploit the software that underpins Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). The government agency is in the midst of a network infrastructure upgrade that will enable it to rely far more on software and automation and less on manual configuration.

In the past, networking shops have spent 80% of their time just "keeping the lights on," said Seth Price, the county's senior network engineer. By deploying Cisco's Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) and Cisco's enterprise module, APIC-EM, Price said the county's IT staff can reverse the equation and spend 80% of its time on innovation.

The county plans to use APIC to not only automate data center router and switch configurations, but to use APIC-EM -- in conjunction with Cisco Stealthwatch and Identity Services Engine (ISE) -- to create a proactive security posture where malware can be automatically detected, contained and remediated.

Durham County began rolling out APIC last July and recently got to the point where the controller software is fully up and running. Now, the county is focusing on getting APIC-EM deployed, which Price said should pay huge dividends because the software will be used across 40 county facilities connected to the enterprise network.

Here's what Price envisions after integrating APIC-EM with Stealthwatch and ISE: In the event that malware is detected on an endpoint device, Stealthwatch will automatically connect to Cisco ISE, which stores all of the county's network policies. ISE will notify both APIC and APIC-EM that the device in question can only talk to a remediation server. If the malware can be removed, the device would be allowed back on the network. If it can't, the software automatically reimages the device.

"If I had to do all of that by hand, the damage would be done and the bad guys would be long gone," Price said. "Here in Durham County, we have a small staff. I'm in charge of the network, but I'm also responsible for security. We need technologies that will help us do more with less or with the same amount of people."

APIC-EM also has a feature that lets network managers automatically assign bandwidth policies.

Price said the feature, EasyQoS (Easy Quality of Service), eliminates nearly all the manual configuration tasks required to manage bandwidth. He said when a top manager or the CIO has an important video conference, for example, he uses EasyQoS to give full priority to the video conference for the duration of the presentation.

"Once the call is over, the system automatically removes that QoS policy," Price said. "This serves an important function for network managers because, in the past, a lot of policies would be built, and people would forget to take them down."

Now, our network engineers can spend more of their time doing other projects with new technologies. Brian McEvoysenior global network engineer, Symantec

At Symantec, two Cisco applications -- APIC-EM and EasyQoS -- allowed the company to streamline policy updates throughout its offices worldwide, said Brian McEvoy, senior global network engineer. In the past, before Symantec deployed the software, two engineers would work for six months to hand-configure policy updates for about 100 company offices, a task that resulted in about $200,000 in execution update costs alone.

Symantec is also using software to set policies for its IWAN, or Intelligent WAN, wide area network infrastructure rather than manual coding.

"This technology totally transforms the IT operation," McEvoy said. "Now, our network engineers can spend more of their time doing other projects with new technologies."

Software-based networking can transform organizations in ways management would never have thought possible.

J. Todd Watkins, director of technology and innovation at Eufaula City Schools in Eufaula, Ala., said once officials deployed a new wireless system based on Extreme Networks' wireless access points, management software and analytics engine at the district's middle school, technology usage skyrocketed.

"When teachers have zero confidence in the technology, they won't use it," Watkins said, explaining that the old network had poor connectivity and required manual configuration. "Now, confidence in our new learning management system at the middle school is way up."

Extreme's Management Center software lets the district automate policy updates. Now, every new request for service can be addressed more quickly, and the district can prioritize bandwidth based on its needs.

"When the district runs standardized tests, we can change the class of service to a higher level of priority for that day," Watkins said. "We also have visibility we didn't have in the past. If a wireless client can't get on the network, it will tell us if it's the access point, the switch or an uplink port that's the problem."

Plans are in the works to add Extreme's technology to the high school and the district's two elementary schools this summer.

Change automation is altering face of networking

Exploiting software to automate tasks

Using DevOps for network testing

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Time for software-based networking to free up network managers - TechTarget

Application deadline is May 15

Nonprofits needing free help with their websites, web-based applications and software solutions are invited to apply to the Eighth Annual Cleveland GiveCamp.

GiveCamp is a weekend-long event July 21 through 23 that pairs technology talent with area nonprofits. Over the course of a weekend, technology professionals, developers, designers, database administrators, marketing professionals and others donate their time to help area nonprofit organizations with a wide range of projects, including developing websites, mobile apps and more.

A list of requirements and online application may be found at http://www.clevelandgivecamp.org/nonprofits. Deadline is May 15.

Nonprofits must provide proof of their 501(c)(3) status (IRS Determination letter), upload a copy of their most recent IRS Form 990 and have representatives present the weekend of the event. For more info, email info@clevelandgivecamp.org.

GiveCamp is an international initiative started in 2007 to bring together technology talent to help local nonprofits in need. Cleveland GiveCamp is one of the largest events in the country. Since its inception, our local our volunteers have donated nearly $4 million of free development work to more than 250 regional nonprofits.

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Nonprofits needing free help with their websites, web-based applications and software solutions are invited to ... - Akronist

May 3, 2017 | 09:00

In close cooperation with PRQA, Elektor is offering a free download of three high-quality papers on how to create secure embedded software. After registration, all three papers become available as a PDF file.

Headquartered in the UK, PRQA has offices in the United States and customers across the globe.PRQA has pioneered software coding governance for critical software applications in industries ranging from the automotive to aerospace, from transport to finance, and from medical devices to energy. PRQA promotes safe coding practices and wants to ensure the highest quality code for safety-critical and mission-critical systems. As such, the company recently published three white papers. All three of them focus on the combination of embedded software and security. Developing Secure Embedded Software - Quality Doesnt Equal Security Most organizations put considerable focus on software quality, but software security is different. Embedded development presents the challenge of coding in a language that is inherently insecure; and quality assurance does little to ensure security. Addressing Security Vulnerabilities in Embedded Applications Using Best Practice Software Development Processes and Standards Many embedded systems and connected IoT products lack proper security due to outdated software development practices. Organizations now know they need to incorporate security into the software SDLC, yet many lack security expertise and are struggling with how to implement best practices. Using Static Analysis to Overcome the Challenges of Reusing Code for Embedded Software This paper explains why software reuseis a growing problem within development organizations, why the way embedded software is developed needs to change and what organizations can do to improve reliability, safety, and security while reducing development time. Anyone interested in these white papers can register here.

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Free downloads: white papers on embedded software and security - Elektor (blog)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Senate stuck to its guns Thursday in a dispute with the House about a change to the state's stand your ground self-defense law.

Both chambers have broadly supported a bill (SB 128) that would shift a key burden of proof from defendants to prosecutors in stand your ground cases.

But with only a day left in the legislative session to reach agreement, the Senate on Thursday refused to go along with a change the House made to the bill. That could jeopardize the bill if the dispute does not get resolved Friday.

The dispute involves a House proposal to require prosecutors in pre-trial stand your ground hearings to overcome the asserted immunity sought by defendants through "clear and convincing evidence."

The Senate prefers a higher standard known as "beyond a reasonable doubt," and Senate sponsor Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, moved Thursday to reject the House position.

This is certainly an issue we debated very intensely during session and now it's time to make a decision, Bradley said.

Though lawmakers are expected to meet Monday to approve the state budget and budget-related bills, Friday is the final day they plan to consider other legislation. The session was scheduled to end Friday but had to be extended into next week to resolve the budget.

House leaders didn't immediately respond late Thursday about whether the House would accept the Senate position on the stand your ground bill.

But Rep. Jason Fischer, a Jacksonville Republican who is a co-sponsor of the House proposal, said, "I'm very optimistic that we will get it to the governor's desk."

The overall issue stems from a Florida Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said defendants have the burden of proof to show they should be shielded from prosecution under the "stand your ground" law.

In "stand your ground" cases, pre-trial evidentiary hearings are held to determine whether defendants should be immune from prosecution. The bill would shift the burden from defendants to prosecutors in the pre-trial hearings.

Since the Supreme Court ruling, the National Rifle Association and other groups have lobbied for the shift.

The issue, however, has been controversial, with the Senate voting 23-15 in March to approve its version of the bill. The House approved its version last month in a 74-39 vote.

The stand your ground law says people can use deadly force and do not have a duty to retreat if they think it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.

Critics of Bradley's bill argue, in part, that it would help put an end to cases before all the facts are revealed. Proponents say the measure better protects the rights of defendants.

News Service of Florida

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'Stand your ground' dispute goes down to last day - WJXT Jacksonville

Community News By Amber Howard | 14 hours ago

For those who may disagree about open carry should read the second amendment of the constitution: A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed(The Constitution of the United States, Amendment 2).

And The right of the people to keep and bare arms, is exercised annuallyin Lansing, at the citys Capitol building.

Wednesday, April 26 , nearly 400 activists stood strong behind the 2nd amendment by commemorating togetherin a peaceful protest amongst citizens and supporters.

Its an open carry rally to educate the public on what your rights really are when it comes to fire arms, said Sheriff Dar Leaf of Barry County.

Leaf attends the rally each year because its important to him as a sheriffand citizen in the state of Michigan.

For me its my job, my duty to carry, Id hate to be caught in a situation where I didnt have it, said Leaf.

His brother Michael Leaf strongly believes in his rights as well and wants to bring awareness to thecommunity.

A lot of flak against the second amendment of the constitution right now and we need to support it because it is a god given right, says Michael Leaf.

This rally not only helps educate the community, but it also provides gun resources to those seeking gun safety.

Phil Robinson, member of Michigan Liberty Militia is a pro and legal gun activist who explains what they 2nd amendment does for him.

Basically it protects our rights as Americans, it makes us citizens not subjects to the government, said Robinson.

They want the community to know that its their right to open in carry anywhere in the state of Michigan and that choice does not make them a bad citizen.

Null says, Were carrying guns, we everybody assumes were violent but were not, were probably most calmest people anybodyll ever meet

The importance of this rally not only informs the public about the 2nd amendment, but it also gives these people a platform a speak out.

Focal Point is the name of a student-produced newscast at Michigan State University. We record newscasts 12 times per school year at the studios in the Communication Arts and Sciences Building. The purpose of the newscast is to not only provide news and information to the MSU community, but to give students the opportunity to learn about broadcasting in all forms: reporting; shooting and editing video; writing.

The 2016 presidential election exposed a variety of challenges facing America, from a changing economy to gender inequality to the push for social change. The Spartan Newsroom special projects team takes a look at some of these issues, and how Americans are facing them.

Link:
Lansing's Annual 2nd Amendment Rally - Spartan Newsroom