Workshops
Half-day, intensive workshops dig deep into the issues, providing you with solid knowledge you can put into practice today.
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MBX Workshops
 Fundamentals of Mobile Broadband: Technologies, Systems, DevicesSuccess in any enterprise today depends upon getting required information into the hands of those who both need it and can act on it ahead of the competition - anytime, anywhere. Also, the technologies of mobility enable far more than simple competitive advantage. Cost savings, enhanced customer service, and improved productivity are also key benefits. But the effective utilization of mobile tools and technologies depends upon a solid background in the products and services available, how it works (and why it sometimes doesn't), and where the industry is going in the next few years. This workshop is designed as a quick yet comprehensive update to wireless for IT, as well as for network managers and staff. We will discuss all major and emerging broadband wireless technologies and systems, including advances in the IEEE 802.11 wireless-LAN standard and both today's 3G and tomorrow's 4G wide-area wireless services. With the key challenges today centering on how to pick the best wireless and mobile tool for the job; how to integrate wireless products and systems into a comprehensive IT solution; and how to plan the future of IT infrastructure and services given the continuing rapid evolution of wireless itself, this workshop is designed to illuminate both technologies and strategies in a fast-paced, informative half-day session. Course Outline: * Fundamentals of wireless communications * Review of major wireless technologies and systems * Improving performance: advanced wireless technologies * 802.11 and enterprise-class wireless LANs: architectures and implementations * 3G cellular broadband - UMTS and CDMA2000 * 4G cellular broadband - Mobile WiMAX and LTE * Mobile computers and communicators * Looking ahead: issues and opportunities Who Should Attend A working knowledge of networking is required as a prerequisite. This workshop is moderately technical in nature, and some background in wireless is suggested. It is intended for enterprise IT and staff, network planners and operations staff, and advanced users, but will also be of value to the vendor, carrier communities and those allied to the field. You Will Learn The primary objective of this workshop is to provide enterprise IT management and staff with the information they need to develop effective IT strategies and to evaluate, select, and optimize mobile broadband products and services. Instructor - Craig Mathias, Principal, Farpoint Group
Craig J. Mathias is a Principal with Farpoint Group, a wireless and mobile advisory firm based in Ashland, MA. The company works with manufacturers, network operators, enterprises, and the financial community in technology assessment and analysis, strategy development, product specification and design, product marketing, program management, education and training, and the integration of emerging technologies into new and existing business operations, across a broad range of markets and applications. Craig is an internationally-recognized expert on wireless communications and mobile computing technologies, and has published numerous technical and overview articles on a variety of topics. He is a well-known industry analyst and frequent speaker at industry conferences and trade shows, and is currently a member of the Advisory Boards for the Interop (Las Vegas and New York), Mobile Business Expo (MBX), and WiMAX World conferences. He also serves as a semi-monthly columnist for SearchMobileComputing.com, ardent blogger for Unstrung.com, and weekly columnist for Computerworld.com. He holds an Sc.B. degree in Applied Mathematics/Computer Science from Brown University. Mobile Security Soup-to-NutsWith the growing use of mobile applications, security has become a major concern for the enterprise. Transmitting signals through free space introduces inherent security vulnerabilities, as hackers can easily intercept and read any unencrypted or poorly-encrypted transmissions. However, that is only one of many security issues in a mobile environment. Many mobile devices now have multiple wireless interfaces including Wi-Fi, 2.5G/3G cellular, and Bluetooth. Hackers could potentially exploit any of these as a point of entry. Those mobile devices could attach to any number of wireless networks exposing them to the introduction of viruses and malware that could then infect the corporate network. Lost and stolen devices with unencrypted data files pose an even greater concern and require strategies to protect the security of that information. While mobile security had initially dealt solely with laptops, we may now find it necessary to protect smart phones and mobile PDAs from various types of malware. Organized around the wireless technologies themselves, the program will feature a discussion of the full range of vulnerabilities inherent in each of the major wireless services and the best practices we have found for addressing them. Outline: * Mobile Security Overview - Major Areas in Network Security * Emerging Security Concerns - Defense in Depth Concepts - Wireless Threat Analysis * Wi-Fi Security Options - Basic Security Exposures - Emerging Wi-Fi Threats: RF Jamming, Association Floods - Disassociation Attacks, CTS Spoofing, Misconfigured APs - Encryption Options: WEP, IPsec Overlay, WPA, 802.11i/WPA2 - Authentication: 802.1x Extensible Authentication Protocol Options - Wireless Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems - Current Best Practices for WLAN Security * Cellular 2.5/3G Security Elements - Cellular Security Elements: Authentication, Encryption - Limits and Vulnerabilities in Cellular Security - Extending the Security Profile * PDA/Smartphone Security - PDA/Smartphone Threat Analysis - Mobile Malware Review - Mobile Device Security Tools and Techniques - Protecting Smartphones and PDAs * Developing a Mobile Security Policy Who Should Attend Wireless network managers and security specialists who need a clearer understanding of the security threats posed by the full range of wireless network options, and the current best practices for dealing with them. You Will Learn This session is designed to help managers understand security issues involved in the full range of wireless networks including Wi-Fi, 2.5G/3G cellular and Bluetooth. Instructor - Michael Finneran, Principal, dBrn Associates
Michael is an independent consultant, industry analyst, and writer who focuses on wireless technologies, mobile UC, and fixed-mobile convergence. He wrote the book "Voice Over Wireless LANs- The Complete Guide" (Elsevier, 2008), though his expertise spans the full range of wireless technologies including Wi-Fi, Cellular, WiMAX, and RFID. A lively and informative speaker, Michael has made frequent appearances at trade shows and conferences including VoiceCon and InterOp, and he now serves as the program chair for Wireless and Mobility at VoiceCon. In the consulting area, Mr. Finneran has provided assistance to a carriers, equipment vendors, end users, and investment firms. A prolific writer, for twenty-three years he wrote the Networking Intelligence column for "Business Communications Review". He now contributes on wireless and mobility to NoJitter as well as UC Strategies. He has published numerous white papers and has contributed to Computerworld, Data Communications, The Ticker, and The ACUTA Journal. A long-time member of the IEEE and the Society for Telecommunications consultants, Mr. Finneran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Manhattan College and a Masters Degree from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. | |
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MBX Workshops
Infrastructure Planning and Management for Wireless LANsEnterprise wireless LANs are in the midst of a major upgrade, as networks of stand alone access points are being replaced with centrally controlled wireless LAN switching systems. This migration is being driven by a number of factors: primarily the need to improve network control and management, centralize security and the requirement to support voice, as well as data services over the WLAN infrastructure. Each of these goals brings with it a number of challenges in the rapidly evolving WLAN space. While virtually all large-scale deployments are being built on centrally-controlled WLAN switching systems, users must now choose among centralized, distributed, and collaborative architectures. That choice becomes more critical with the advent of the higher capacity 802.11n radio link. This session is designed to bring you up to speed on the latest WLAN developments and provide the background you will need to approach these decisions intelligently. Outline: * WLAN Fundamentals - Wi-Fi Network Configurations - Wireless Network Challenges - Network Components: NICs, Access Points, Antennas - Legacy Radio Links (802.11 a/b/g): Capabilities, Compatibility, and Trade-offs - Impact of the 802.11n Radio Link - WLAN Network Architectures * WLAN Switching Options: - Major Features/Benefits - Configurations: Centralized, Distributed, Collaborative - Network Monitoring/Management Capabilities * WLAN MAC Protocol - CSMA/CA Concepts and Overall Operation - QoS Options: 802.11e/WMM, SVP, Meru's ATC - Handoffs: 802.11r, Proprietary Solutions * WLAN Security - Recognized Security Issues - Three Generations of WLAN Security: WEP, WPA, WPA2 - Authentication Mechanisms: 802.1x Options - Wireless Intrusion/Prevention Systems * The Next Frontier: Voice over Wireless LANs * Major Planning Steps for a WLAN Deployment Who Should Attend Network planners, designers and managers, as well as equipment suppliers who are investigating or planning WLAN network deployments or upgrades. You Will Learn This program will provide a comprehensive, vendor-neutral description of client and infrastructure requirements for WLAN voice and data networks, the management requirements, and an objective review of the major developments in this fast-moving arena. Instructor - Michael Finneran, Principal, dBrn Associates
Michael is an independent consultant, industry analyst, and writer who focuses on wireless technologies, mobile UC, and fixed-mobile convergence. He wrote the book "Voice Over Wireless LANs- The Complete Guide" (Elsevier, 2008), though his expertise spans the full range of wireless technologies including Wi-Fi, Cellular, WiMAX, and RFID. A lively and informative speaker, Michael has made frequent appearances at trade shows and conferences including VoiceCon and InterOp, and he now serves as the program chair for Wireless and Mobility at VoiceCon. In the consulting area, Mr. Finneran has provided assistance to a carriers, equipment vendors, end users, and investment firms. A prolific writer, for twenty-three years he wrote the Networking Intelligence column for "Business Communications Review". He now contributes on wireless and mobility to NoJitter as well as UC Strategies. He has published numerous white papers and has contributed to Computerworld, Data Communications, The Ticker, and The ACUTA Journal. A long-time member of the IEEE and the Society for Telecommunications consultants, Mr. Finneran holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Manhattan College and a Masters Degree from the J. L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Location Based Solutions: Understanding GPS, GIS and Location TechnologyThe growth of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial solutions and tracking technology for positioning both outside and inside buildings is exploding. The problem with these technologies is they are often misunderstood and deployments can be more challenging than expected. This workshop will help attendees understand the options and capabilities of the current location marketplace and help provide a roadmap for gaining real value for enterprise organizations -- large and small. Course Outline The course will review and demonstrate the technology, software and data manipulation related to the following topics: * The role of all the components in a total solution involving the different technologies of GPS, Wireless Cellular, Active RFID, Satellites, Sensors, Antenna and more Geo-mashups -- how to manipulate data and mapping to create new knowledge * Understanding the Geo-Standards world of the Open Geospatial Consortium * Consumer navigation systems -- what to expect in the next generation systems * Mobile phone location services * n-building tracking solutions * Enterprise software service and solutions * The future direction and current research in Geospatial Information and pervasive Web Services * A review of the vendors providing hardware and solutions in the market Who Should Attend CTO, CIO, Project Managers, Developers, Transportation and Logistics Specialist, Government and Municipal Planners, Field Service Managers, Sales Force Specialist, Network & Telecommunication Specialist, Health and Human Service Providers, Natural Resource Specialist and anyone interested in understand Geographic Information Systems and Location Based Services. You Will Learn * Basic GPS technology, terminology and hardware sources and components to build a solution * How to plan and build a business case for Location Based Solutions * GPS Location Alternatives (when GPS won't work -- like inside a building) * How to get started in creating mashups with popular web technology * Limitations and tradeoffs of geomashups vs. enterprise geo-solutions * Geo File formats and how to combine raster and vector data * Geo-coding -- how to convert location codes from one system to another * Business models for GIS and Location Based Services | |
