I am now using a Windows Mobile 5 phone

I have been using a T-Mobile Blackberry 7100t for about 2 years now. Its been a good phone but there are some things it is missing that I would like to have in a mobile phone, especially with my new job. I just picked up the new Verizon XV6700 and I have to say I am impressed. I have managed to hack it up pretty good so far and in addition gotten it to do Active Sync with our Exchange over wireless with no problems. E-mail sometimes shows up on the phone quicker then in my Outlook client.
I will play with it some more prior to passing final judgement. The only thing I have noticed is the battery life is not as good as the Blackberry (which easily lasted all day and therefore I never had a car charger for it). I think a car charger will be needed for this phone for sure!
- Ed

Cisco 871W Router

I have now been using the 871W router for several months. I picked one up to do lab work for IPv6, routing and the VMware hands on class I have been doing for Pacific IT Professionals.
I am VERY impressed with these routers. I can run EIGRP, RIPv2, OSPF, BGP, IPv6, OSPFv3, 6to4, DMVPN, CBAC and wireless all on one device. I am amazed at the diversity of what the product can do and how quiet it is since it has no internal fan. I think it really is the perfect remote home office router. If they made it POE by default it would be a perfect product, IMHO.
Just wanted to give my thumbs up for this great router!
- Ed

Is there a better way to move your environment around?

With a new job comes new hardware (laptop), new network and new policies. I have had little issue with the new network and policies but the new hardware is killing me. The amount of time it takes to get your desktop environment useable again is staggering (I am estimating 48+ hours). I am wondering if I am better off running P2V on my current machine and from here on out only running inside a VM!

I know it sounds silly but that way, regardless of hardware upgrades I might see soon I would not have to do any rebuilding of my desktop environment. Perhaps I have to many applications I use for work but I don't think I am that unusual.
- Ed

New Job - Starting with Peak IP Solutions

I'm pretty excited as I am starting at my new company, Peak IP Solutions today. After 6.5 years at j2 Global Communications it will be interesting doing consulting, design and installation work for companies here in my backyard. Peak IP specializes in Cisco Telephony, specifically Cisco Call Manager and Unity installations. I'm excited to start working on those platforms.
- Ed

What products would you use for network management?

And in network management I mean true network elements (not servers). Besides the pure Cisco shops that run CiscoWorks (because they HAVE to) I have typically seen Kiwi Cattools (I use it myself - great product) and Solarwinds. I know there are other options out there like Adventnet.com's DeviceExpert but I honestly have not run into a lot of folks who have run anything else except CiscoWorks, Cattools and Solarwinds. It sounds funny but I think there is a ceiling when it comes to what folks are willing to use.
I mean honestly, how many tftp servers do you use or are willing to try? If you have Solarwinds you are using that one, otherwise it is Pumpkin or the really old free Cisco one (which has serious limitations - what are you thinking?). Granted there is WinAgent and tftpd32 out there but I would make a guess that most folks are using Pumpkin or Solarwinds.
It is just interesting how that works...
- Ed