Erik Eckel

Network administrators and support technicians routinely battle hard disk-related issues. HD Tune Pro is a hardware-independent utility administrators can use to perform a variety of hard disk diagnostics, regardless of manufacturer.

Colasoft’s Capsa Network Analyzer simplifies real-time network analysis. In addition to packet decoding, the approachable packet capturing, monitoring and analysis tool helps network engineers diagnose and solve network and bandwidth issues.

KACE Networks markets its KBOX Systems Management appliance as delivering a fully integrated systems management solution. The Free BSD-powered server does just that, providing enterprise IT administrators with a single solution for managing hardware and software inventories, performing asset management functions, powering configuration management, supporting help desk operations, fueling software distribution and more. Here’s a look at the KBOX and its management software interface.

Log Me In Rescue is a leading remote support platform for good reason. IT consultants, support desk technicians, software manufacturers and other technology professionals rely upon the proven and secure remote support tool to improve mean-time-to-repair while reducing support costs. Here’s a quick review of the popular remote support application’s interface.

Dell offers several Mini laptops, including models with 10- and 12-inch displays. These portables, while good for basic office productivity tasks, e-mail and Internet surfing, won’t be replacing desktop models or full-featured laptops any time soon. However, the 10-inch model constitutes a convenient mobile alternative for many professional business users.

DNS configuration may be among the most complex and vexing tasks information technology professionals undertake. DNS Stuff, provider of a wide-ranging suite of DNS monitoring, testing and alerting tools, makes the process of managing DNS, Web and e-mail settings more manageable.

Apple’s new 13″ MacBook Pro sets new standards for industry design and performance. Take a look at what IT consultant Erik Eckel calls the best pound-for-pound laptop ever built.

Research in Motion, in marketing the BlackBerry Bold 9000, states the PDA “embodies elegant design-without sacrificing the features or functionality you expect from a premium smartphone.” While IT consultant Erik Eckel, using the Bold in the field, found the device intuitive and well built, he believed too many sacrifices were made in the handset’s design.

To have a fighting chance against today’s rampant security threats, end users have to be informed and proactive. Here are some practical guidelines they can follow to minimize the risk of infection and attack.

Remote Data Backups provides organizations of all sizes with a reliable and secure online backup solution. In this Product Spotlight, IT Consultant Erik Eckel examines Remote Data Backup’s setup and operation.

New versions of Microsoft Exchange and Windows Small Business Server require 64-bit server platforms. Having recently deployed several new 64-bit servers for clients, IT consultant Erik Eckel is familiar with the expenses typically accompanying such hardware requirements. But building a new 64-bit server from scratch doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, Eckel built a 64-bit server for less than $775. Here’s how Eckel recommends building a budget 64-bit box.

When IT consultant Erik Eckel first heard of SuperAntiSpyware, he feared it might be yet another pseudo antispyware program. When he learned just how well the legitimate antimalware application works in the real world, though, he immediately added the utility to his trusted troubleshooting toolbox. Here’s a look at SuperAntiSpyware, one of the better antimalware tools in Eckel’s opinion.