To clearly understand what is blockchain and what the benefits are, it is important to know how monetary transactions currently work. Although cash still plays a critical role, over the years we are moving from cash to digital payment.

What Exactly Is Blockchain Technology?

“Blockchain technology provides a way for people or authorities who don’t trust each other to agree on a common digital story. A common digital history is important because digital currency and transactions are, in theory, easy to copy. Blockchain technology solves this problem without the need for a trusted intermediary or agency. “

Perhaps too abstract if you get this immediately on your choice. Let’s go back to the example of Maria who wants to transfer 5 euros to Juan. Who will verify that Maria does not secretly grant those 5 euros to another person as well? It has taken years before a better solution and alternative to expensive banks appeared, but finally, blockchain technology has arrived.

The blockchain ensures that the € 5 transaction is automatically added to a global ledger where all transactions are kept. Subsequently, it is also verified if this transaction is valid. There is no need for an intermediary to follow up, everything is done automatically by the blockchain and the computers that keep it running (miners). But how exactly does this work?

Blockchain Transaction: Explained With an Example

Going back to the previous example but altering the delivery method, Maria sends Juan the 5 euros through the blockchain. This is presented online as a “block” (or block). This block contains all the information about the transaction, such as the value (5 euros), the time it was sent, who it was sent to, who it was sent to, and so on.

Blockchain: Beyond Money

At the moment, Bitcoin is by far the largest and best-known blockchain app, however Ethereum, number 2 right now, is on track to overcome that edge. Ethereum is mainly known because it focuses not only on blockchain as a transaction tool but also on the configuration of smart contracts. But what exactly is a smart contract?

Definition Of Smart Contract

To start, here is the definition of what a smart contract is:

A smart contract is a programmed contract whose agreements are registered in code on the blockchain. The contract is automatically executed without the need for trust in the intermediate parties. These quotes can always be viewed, but can never be adjusted again.

These contracts are drawn up and programmed by programmers and we do not have a contract with Smart contracts, but with a digital contract consisting of computer code. This code contains all the information about the contract: who is it valid for, when should it be executed, when has this agreement been registered, etc.

Advantages Of A Smart Contract

What advantages do smart contracts have over normal contracts?

• Autonomy: the agreement is entered alone. You do not have to rely on a lawyer, bank, broker or another intermediary for the contract to be executed. This makes it impossible for a third party to manipulate the contract. The contract is automatically administered and executed by the network.
• Security: the smart contract is protected by cryptography. It is almost impossible to hack the contract.
• Trust: The contract is tracked on the shared network. Therefore, it is impossible for the contract to be lost. There are also no third parties involved who want to manipulate the contract.
• Speed: smart contracts are fully automated. Acts that normally cost a lot of paperwork don’t have to be done to a great extent and this saves a lot of work and time. In addition, smart contracts are constantly optimized, so it will cost less and less time.
• Backup: because it is impossible to get rid of the smart contract with all the members of the blockchain.
• Accuracy: As a smart contract is mainly machine work, it has few problems, unlike human error.
• Savings: smart contracts are much cheaper because no intermediate parts are needed. For example, you don’t have to pay a lawyer or a notary to write it.

Of course, a smart contract not only has advantages, but it is also important to consider the disadvantages that it entails.

Disadvantages Of A Smart Contract

• Adjustment is impossible: one of the biggest advantages of a smart contract is also the biggest disadvantage. If you change your mind about a rental agreement, it is very difficult to adjust.
• The code must take everything into account: with a contract, there are always “ifs and buts” present. In “normal” language, this is difficult to obtain on paper, much less in the programming language. Therefore, it is (still) very sensitive to errors.
• The third does not completely disappear: even though a third is no longer needed, it does not completely disappear, but it mainly has a different function. Mainly, the demand for programmers who can prepare these contracts will increase more and the demand for good programmers is already through the roof.

As we can imagine, blockchain technology is expected to have a major impact on our daily lives. It has the potential to completely replace banks, notaries, attorneys, and many other intermediaries and parties. The last time people were so positive about a technology was when the Internet was on the rise and we know how much influence it has had and continues to have.

Conclusion

We can understand that the blockchain is a data structure in which the information is grouped together called blocks. These blocks are stored following a timeline and in encrypted form on computers known as nodes. This information is kept safe in them, it cannot be deleted or modified.

Also Read: A Deeper Look Into Blockchain

The post What Is Blockchain? How Does Blockchain Technology Works? appeared first on Tech Cults.

Data science is managed by people responsible for not only extracting and reading but also for the treatment and accurate supply of data science for managers and leaders to carry out what is necessary for the business.

But after all, how to make the most of the resources that this technology has to offer? What are the best strategies to follow? If these doubts are also yours, enjoy reading this article — in it, I will explain the main points on the subject!

After All, What Is Data Science?

Several names and concepts have emerged to define technologies and tools that make a difference in companies’ strategies, especially with the subject of digital transformation, which is so talked about. Among them is data science, which is nothing more, and nothing less than data science.

Despite being relatively new, this theme is already present in different organizations. It is essential in the age of information and actions that outperform market movements.

With the large production of data, whether from consumers, potential customers, or competitors, it is possible to use them in our favor, defining the following steps to be taken. And this is precisely the role of data science.

How Does She Act?

This area works with data collection, reading, and interpretation and provides leaders with the best decision-making. And it goes much further, such as identifying possible systemic and service problems and providing the best solutions for the business.

In addition, it is worth noting that data science works with different technical areas, ranging from information technology and manipulation of tools — such as BI, data-driven companies and Big Data, statistics, and engineering, among others —all in favor of strategic business.

It is essential to state that data science work involves different analyses, such as:

Predictive causative analysis: which predicts possible future problems based on market reading and already develops solutions for these scenarios;

Prescriptive analysis: the best solution from the observations raised, based on the data collected.

Which Companies Need To Have Data Science?

The demand for data science is global; that applies to all those who need competitive intelligence to boost the company’s results. However, not just having this information at hand ensures that the best decisions are made.

This happens because the range of data generated per day is enormous. According to a survey released in 2019 by Forbes, for 2020, it is estimated that around 1.7 megabytes per second will be generated. That number, transformed into one day, comes to around 147 gigabytes — in one year, 53,611.2 gigabytes of data.

Therefore, it is essential to have a science that allows a deeper reading of this digital ecosystem, filtering what is inherent to the business and allowing managers to use it in the most appropriate way possible.

In this way, data science is a strategy that all companies need to have to ensure that market insights are realized. With the best accuracy of the information, it is possible to ensure that efficient actions are applied and that they do not negatively impact the expected planning.

What Are The Main Benefits?

Data science is not the main guarantee for the company to achieve the best results in a company. However, its purpose is to provide market insights for leadership decision-making. In times of significant challenges, actions must be decisive and essential for better actions.

However, this technological concept provides some specific results for the company. Check out what some of them are!

Support For Different Areas Of The Company

Data science can be used in different areas of a company. Finance, information technology, marketing, accounting, and even the legal field can be equipped with data and use them for converted actions that are efficient for each department and, consecutively, for the entire organization.

Development Of More Accurate Strategies

All steps of a company must be carried out precisely. For this, they must be carried out more concretely, and this can be done with more accurate information and data. Otherwise, time and financial investment can be wasted.

Forecast Of Possible Market Movements

The market can be extremely challenging, mainly due to external environments that are not in our hands. However, prior knowledge makes it possible to predict the following steps and act with more confidence and certainty beforehand.

What Is The Role Of The Data Scientist In The Success Of This Concept?

The scientist who works directly with data science is, without a doubt, the most crucial character to ensure that this culture is implemented and executed in the best possible way. Otherwise, all work with the data could be lost.

This professional must have some technical skills, ranging from logical and mathematical knowledge to programming notions, expert knowledge in data interpretation, and a complete understanding of all areas of the company.

Thus, with such work insights, this person will integrate the information obtained and generate the main points for decision-making. The aptitude for the importance of tools such as Business Intelligence and Big Data needs to be sharpened in this professional’s activities.

Today, data science and data scientists are considered far beyond marketing strategy, but something fundamental for the company to identify the best resolutions. In times of high competitiveness, it is necessary to be accurate in decisions and find what leads the organization to efficiency.

Also Read: Benefits Of Data Science In Business That May Change Your Perspective

The post After All, What Is Data Science? Find Out Here! appeared first on Tech Cults.

The MAC address – Short for Media Access Control address – is the unique hardware address of every network adapter. This means that each device can be clearly identified. You can read what a MAC address is.

What is a MAC address?

The MAC address (Media Access Control address) represents a unique worldwide number of your computer hardware. As a rule, this is stored on the network adapter – so it has a fixed storage location. This is why one speaks of the physical address in common parlance. If you were to replace your network card, you would also get a new MAC address. As an example, one could use the chassis number of a car. This is permanent. IP addresses, on the other hand, are logical addresses that are used temporarily.

In contrast to the MAC address, these can be changed since they are not physical but logical. If you relate this comparison to the car, the IP address would be the license plate number. This is not permanent and can be changed.

But be careful: Not only Apple devices have a MAC address, but every computer in a network. No matter if Windows, Android, macOS or Linux. In Apple devices, the abbreviation Mac stands for Macintosh, the first microcomputer with a graphical user interface from Apple. So except for the abbreviation, MAC address and Macintosh don’t have much in common.

In contrast to IP addresses, MAC addresses are used in Ethernet and Bluetooth and WLAN. A MAC address consists of 48 bits on a technical level and is often represented as a twelve-digit hexadecimal number. The MAC address is written byte by byte. The individual bytes are either separated by hyphens or colons. It looks like this:

50-9A-4C-29-E3-11 or 50:9A:4C:29:E3:11

The first 6 digits are a manufacturer ID assigned by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The second half of the MAC address is set individually by manufacturers. With this physical address, your computer or the end device can be clearly identified in the network.

The post What Is A MAC Address? appeared first on Tech Cults.

Shareware is a unique form of distribution for software. A program can first be tested before one has to pay license fees. The user can therefore first familiarize himself with the software.

The term shareware was introduced by Bob Wallace, an employee of the first hour at the software producer Microsoft. As a rule, programs marked in this way can be copied and distributed as desired, provided the form remains unchanged. For example, in contrast to freeware, the user has to register for a fee after the test phase – usually 30 days.

Different Categories Of Shareware

Shareware can be provided in several forms. One possibility is to release a partial version with restricted functionality. This can be used indefinitely but cannot perform certain functions such as printing or exporting to other formats. Usually, you can download a full version after registration.

Another form is shareware with so-called nag messages (English nag screen). If the user calls up the program, a request appears to register the program finally. Usually, however, there are no further consequences associated with it.

Not to be confused with shareware are demo or trial versions. Although they are fully functional, they can no longer be called up after the test phase has expired.

As some users call it, shareware in its “real” form is hardly available anymore. The program can be used without any time or functional restrictions. Here the author trusts that the user will pay him for his services at some point.

Distribution Of Shareware

The distribution takes place through various channels. Many manufacturers publish the programs for download on their homepage or include them as a free CD or DVD in a trade journal.

Also, there are collections on data carriers for which a small fee has to be paid. This payment does not entitle you to unlimited use of the programs included but only applies to the service of compiling and producing the CD or DVD.

However, the largest and most important distribution channels are corresponding directories and download portals on the web, on which hundreds of programs and tools from the shareware, freeware, and demo goods segments are often available for testing.

Well-known Programs And Tools

Well-known and valued shareware with many downloads and installations on PCs and notebooks are the two unpacking programs 7Zip and WinRar. The UltraISO tool is suitable for creating ISO files from hard drives, CDs and DVDs.

The post What Is Shareware And Its Different Categories? appeared first on Tech Cults.

It All Started With E-Commerce

It’s not that eCommerce doesn’t matter anymore. In fact, it remains one of the most important verticals for some of the largest companies in the world, but, by definition, its concept is more limited and its scope is limited to a specific area, that of online marketing of products and services.

Some people go back to 1960 to know the history of eCommerce, with the creation of the Electronic Data Interchange, a system that made possible the electronic communication of commercial information between companies that, until now, used analogue methods.

That was the initial foray more similar to what we know today by eCommerce, but the original concept did not come to light until 1989 when Peapod, an American grocery company, stood out as the first to offer an online product sales and delivery service. A year later, the first World Wide Web server was launched, eventually boosting communication and commerce over the Internet.

In 1994 the first SSL encryption certificates appeared, which favours the creation of payment services capable of processing online sales by credit card. 1995 is the year in which Amazon and eBay burst in. In 1998 Google and PayPal did it. The rest is history.

The sum of all these factors ended up consolidating and promoting the use of eCommerce. This was an absolutely radical change for commerce and for the retail sector. The companies that managed to adapt went from having a local influence to being global, and online sales positioned itself as one of the technological milestones of the 2000s.

However, it took a few more years for those responsible for innovation to realize that the adoption of digital technologies and strategies should go beyond simple online sales.

It had to affect all the business and strategic areas of the company. Those that were already consolidated needed to make a great effort to adapt to continue being competitive and those that arose from then on did so with a 100% digital roadmap.

The concept of eCommerce, being fully in force, falls short compared to what it means for today’s companies to become true eBusiness.

What Is E-Business?

An eBusiness is a company whose operation and management is based on the use of tools, strategies and processes assisted by technologies and the internet. As has been seen previously, it is a much broader concept than that of eCommerce, which we refer to when talking only about the marketing of products or services through the Internet.

In a broader sense, the eBusiness concept refers to the ways in which the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICT) are applied in all essential business processes. This obviously encompasses simple commercial transactions, but companies that define themselves as eBusiness use ICT in many other important areas that have improved their processes in terms of efficiency and productivity.

An eBusiness is not just having a website, an online store and using social networks to communicate with customers. Generally, an electronic business assumes all the parts that correspond to the sensitive areas of any company:

• Production
• Logistics
• Management and administration
• Finance
• Providers
• customers

We see, therefore, that the creation of the products themselves, the provisioning, the shipments, the customer service, the payments and collections … essential elements, dependent on each other, that comprehensively affect the operation of a company, are designed, develop and function through the use of technologies and the internet.

eBusiness implies a series of advantages for businesses that, in a simplified way, could be summarized as:

• Having a more innovative business, connected to technologies, avant-garde and agile, which makes it possible to promote a user-centric approach, which ends up having an impact on better service for customers.
• Versatility, with more business options, with more sales opportunities and a higher level of adaptation to changes and market trends.
• Greater agility in processes and automation of operational tasks, which means more productivity for employees, who can focus on what is really important.
• Business decisions based on data thanks to fully digital processes, which produce figures that can be quantified and qualified based on the objectives set. Today, it is more possible than ever to know if a product or service is not profitable, and it is not a question that depends on the intuition or experience of the entrepreneur.

Large corporations and a multitude of startups around the world adapt or are born fully digital. Today’s markets, volatile and accommodating to the new needs and demands of consumers, demand it.

The post What Is E-Business & From Where IT Has Started? appeared first on Tech Cults.

In addition, we have found the need to implant telework little by little. This “modern” escape route in these times has been a great novelty for some companies and the increase for others.

Is it as beneficial as we think? What does Cloud Computing provide? When creating, maintaining, or updating projects carried out by a company, IT departments are increasingly appreciating Cloud Computing technology.

This saves time on basic tasks that will allow these professionals to spend more hours on other, much more complex tasks.

Its use is becoming more popular every day and it is proven that it has a number of advantages for the operation of the company.

What Are The Benefits Of Cloud Computing?

First, the simplicity with which this technology can be integrated into existing business applications, a proven integration of Web services, should be noted.

No program installation is required. It is so simple that it does not require investment in hardware or software systems, therefore, cost savings.

In addition, it adapts to large infrastructures, such as international companies, but also to SMEs, offering programs suited to their business needs. Cloud technology is better suited for potential issues such as disaster recovery or reduced downtime.

It is possible to customize it. As we have seen previously, the use of this technology is not a problem since it includes price plans adjusted to each requirement, for example, in the case of virtual servers which automatically scale in size of accommodation and only when the demand request it.

On the other hand, the updates are carried out automatically and do not affect the rest of the operational resources. Therefore, you are sure that the update will not affect the work that has already been done.

Once you want to work in the public cloud, it can be done quickly and completely securely. Not by choosing a personalized system the waiting time will be longer. Integration times are usually quite short.

AWS: Cloud Computing That Adapts To All Profiles

The most widely used cloud platform right now is Amazon Web Services (AWS). Many companies decide to use this environment in order to gain more agility in the business and to move to a more innovative way of working.

This public cloud offers services like database storage, virtual desktops, video conferencing tools, and more. All its services are based on improving the costs and performance of its clients.

But not everything ends here, AWS guarantees high levels of data availability and the security of contracted resources. Companies will always have the freedom to manage the access permissions of each user, set objectives or alarms regarding costs or escalation of instances.

The post What Is Cloud Computing And How To Stay Connected appeared first on Tech Cults.

E-commerce has been on the rise for years, and the 2020 crisis has further accelerated its penetration among consumers. Let’s see what exactly is an ecommerce, what types are there, the pros and cons of this strategy, how to create your online store step by step and 5 examples of commerce strategies that work.

What Is E-commerce?

E-commerce is the practice of buying and selling products over the Internet. Each online store that is dedicated to this business is also called “ecommerce”.

The e-commerce sector has been one of the most disruptive in recent years because it has revolutionized traditional commerce by offering an unprecedented level of comfort and personalization. For this reason, electronic commerce has become the basis of the business model for many brands.

Types Of Ecommerce

We can classify electronic businesses according to the public they are targeting or their business model.

Depending On The Target Audience

• B2C (Business to Consumer): e-commerce aimed directly at the final consumer. It is the most frequent type and within it, we can find many examples, from online hardware stores to organic fashion stores.
• B2B (Business to Business): e-commerce whose target audience is other companies, for example, office supplies stores.
• C2C (Consumer To Consumer): this typology has flourished in recent years with the rise of online sales. These are consumers who sell directly to other consumers, generally second-hand products. The most popular example in our country is Wallapop.
• In addition to these three types, which are the most common, we can also find alternatives such as C2B (Consumer To Business), G2C (Government to Consumer), B4B (Business for Business) or B2E (Business to Employer).

Depending On The Business Model

• Own online store: the simplest model, simply consists of a digital version of the brand’s physical stores, which sells its own products. It can be an exclusively online business or have both e-commerce and physical stores.
• Marketplace: A marketplace is a kind of “macro-store” that includes various sellers. The best-known example is Amazon, aliexpress coupon ksa in which anyone can sell for a commission.
• Dropshipping: For the customer, a drop shipping does not differ from a standard online store. But instead of managing their own inventory, in this case, the seller simply shows and promotes the products and a third party is in charge of making the shipments.
• Affiliate: in digital marketing, the affiliation model is to use third parties to promote products or services in exchange for a commission. The affiliate places links to refer the customer to the other store, where the sale is closed. For example, affiliation with Amazon is quite frequent.
• Subscription: instead of selling products or services individually, in this case, what is sought is that consumers contract a monthly membership and receive products at home on a regular basis. For example, it is the case of the famous “surprise boxes”, which today are implanted in many sectors.

Pros And Cons Of Ecommerce As A Business Model

Ecommerce has been a revolution in the way of selling and can be adapted to all kinds of sectors. But before launching your branded ecommerce, take a look at these pros and cons and think about how it would fit into your business.

Pros Of E-commerce

• Greater reach for your business: with an online store, you will be automatically accessible from all over the world (although you will always have to take into account which countries you can ship to and which you cannot). Instead, physical stores always have a limited scope range by definition.
• Lower costs: setting up an online store has a very low initial cost, especially compared to renting or buying premises. This makes entry barriers much lower and better margins can be achieved than with a traditional store.
• Available 24/7: The vast majority of physical stores are limited by opening and closing hours, and the longer they are open, the higher the personnel costs will be. In contrast, e-commerce never throws the blind.
• Growth potential: there are no limits to the people who can “enter” your ecommerce at the same time (as long as you have hired a good server, of course), allowing your business to grow.

Cons Of E-commerce

• Difficulties in accessing certain sectors: although online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, there are still sectors of the population that are not too familiar with it and are not comfortable shopping online, for example, the elderly.
• Products cannot be seen, touched, or tested: In products where sensory qualities are very important or require testing, such as clothing, e-commerce introduces a difficult barrier to overcome. We can partially solve it by providing detailed descriptions, photos and videos of the products and having a good return policy.
• Trust issues: Some users still do not trust electronic payment systems. Trusted seals and SSL encryption can help us alleviate this problem.
• Greater competition: As the access barriers to electronic commerce are very low, there are many more brands that can open their own online store. Therefore, we will have to make a certain investment of time and resources to stand out and be visible.

Also Read: Step By Step Procedure To Create Your Own E-commerce Business

The post What Is Ecommerce And Types, Pros & Cons Of E-commerce Business Model? appeared first on Tech Cults.

Along with the proliferation of computers, the need arose to interconnect them, in order to exchange, store and process information.

Concept Of Data Networks

Data network refers to those communication infrastructures or networks that have been specifically designed to transmit information through the exchange of data. Data networks are designed and built-in Architectures that are intended to serve your usage goals.

Data networks are generally based on packet communication and are classified according to their size, the distance they cover and their physical architecture.

Classification Of Data Network

• LAN ( Local Area Network, Local Area Networks): Local area networks are usually a limited network connecting equipment within a single building, office or campus, most are privately owned.
• MAN ( Metropolitan Area Network, Metropolitan Area Networks): Networks metropolitan areas are designed for connecting computers over an entire city. A MAN network can be a single network that interconnects several local area networks LAN’s resulting in a larger network. Therefore, a MAN can be owned exclusively by the same private company, or it can be a public service network that connects public and private networks.
• WAN ( Wide Area Networks, Wide Area Networks): Networks wide area are those that provide a transmission medium over large geographical areas (regional, national and even international). A WAN network generally uses public service networks and private networks that can span the globe.
• PAN (Personal Area Networks, Personal Area Networks ): The PAN networks are very limited extent (a few meters) and are used to interconnect personal devices wirelessly (PCs, laptops, cell phones, PDAs, printers, etc.) These networks are medium speed (some Mb / s) and have been increasing in development in recent years.

Transmission Types

• Broadcast Networks: Where the same transmission medium is shared among all members of the network. Each message (typically called a “packet”) issued by one machine is received by all the other machines on the same network. Each package has the information of “Origin” and “Destination” and in this way, who must process each message is discriminated. For example, Ethernet is a broadcast network.
• Point-to-point Networks: Where there are many connections between individual pairs of machines. To send messages to distant machines, it may be necessary to go through several intermediate machines. For example, MODEM connections are point-to-point networks.

The Basic Structure Of A Data Network

• Sometimes in a telecommunications cabinet or cabinet where Hubs and Pach Panels are placed in an orderly manner.
• The servers on which the information available to the user is located and processed are the system administrator.
• The Hubs, which act as a signal amplifier, and to which the nodes are connected. Said link or spinal column of the system is recommended to be carried out in Optical Fiber or in UTP cable, which we will talk about later.
• The “Pach Panel’s”, which are cable organizers.
• The “Pach Cord”, which is a UTP type cable only with greater flexibility than the current UTP (the one used in horizontal cabling), which interconnects the “Pach Panel” with the “Hub”, as well as the sockets or wall plates with each of the terminals (PC’s).
• Finally, what is known as Horizontal Wiring in which UTP cable is usually used, and connects the patch panel with each of the wall plates?
• When designing the structured cabling of a data network, a wide range of aspects must be taken into account, both technically and economically, depending on the requirements of the system, for which there are various types of cables. and their categories, among which we can mention the following:

1. SPT
2. Coaxial cable
3. UTP and ScTP
4. Optical fibre

The post Definition Of Data Network – Concept, Classifications, Transmission Types & Structures Of Data Network appeared first on Tech Cults.

In the case of remote access, the VPN allows the user to access their corporate network, assigning their addresses and privileges to their remote computer, even if the connection has been made through a public Internet access : Sometimes, it may be interesting that The communication that travels through the tunnel established in the public network is encrypted to allow greater confidentiality.

The VPN uses Protocol Point Tunneling (PPTP, Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) or Tunneling Protocol level two (L2TP, Layer Two Tunneling Protocol) through which can be accessed safely to resources of a network when connecting to a remote access server through the Internet or another network. The use of private and public networks to create a network connection is called a virtual private network, Virtual Private Network.

Factors To Consider

VPNs can be established using devices dedicated to this appliances task or also through the use of software running on servers. Microsoft provides VPN functionality on its Microsoft Windows 2003 and Microsoft Small Business Server servers .

It is very important that the equipment used to establish VPNs and Firewalls have their operating system hardened ” hardened ” This means that all those functionalities are removed that are not critical for the system. In some cases the manufacturer even demolishes the GUI graphic interface. The purpose of hardening the operating system is to reduce the vulnerable points and limit the capacity of an eventual intruder to exploit these vulnerabilities through services that run at the operating system level and are not configured properly. In other words, the less modules the OS has loaded, the harder it will be to find a vulnerable point.

Appliances are a good example of a hardened operating system, as they are built specifically for a job, the manufacturer customizes the operating system embedded in the machine (Normally Linux ) and on this Mini- Kernel mounts all the functionality of the Appliance .

These Boxes are designed from the beginning with an objective in mind and both its memory and processor and architecture are optimized for the work of VPN tunnel or Firewall as appropriate.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of VPN

Few Advantages Of VPN

The main advantage of using a VPN is that it allows us to enjoy a network connection with all the features of the private network that we want to access. The VPN client fully acquires the status of a member of that network, thereby applying all the security guidelines and permissions of a computer on that private network.

Thus, the information published for that private network can be accessed: databases, internal documents, etc. through public access. At that time, all Internet access connections from the VPN client computer will be carried out with the resources and connections that the private network has.

Few Disadvantages Of VPN

Among the disadvantages, a higher load on the VPN client can be mentioned, since it has to perform the additional task of encapsulating the data packets once again. This situation is aggravated when, in addition, an encryption of the data is produced that causes a greater slowdown of most connections.

There is also greater complexity in data traffic, which may have undesirable effects on changing the numbering assigned to the VPN client and that may require changes in application or program settings (proxy, mail server, name-based permissions and IP number).

Basic Requirements Of VPN

• User Identification: The VPN must be able to verify the identity of the users and restrict access to the VPN to those users who are not authorized. Likewise, you must provide statistical records that show who accessed, what information and when.
• Address Management: The VPN must establish a client address on the private network and make sure that the private addresses are kept that way.
• Data Coding: The data to be transmitted through the public network must be previously encrypted so that they cannot be read by unauthorized clients of the network.
  Key Management: The VPN must generate and renew the encryption keys for the client and server.
• Support For Multiple Protocols: The VPN must be able to handle the common protocols used in the public network. These include the Internet Protocol ( IP ), the Internet Package Exchange ( IPX ) among others.

Examples Of VPN Programs

• Hamachi: It ‘s free application (freeware) virtual private network framer capable of establishing direct links between computers that are under firewalls of NAT without requiring any reconfiguration (in most cases)
• Cisco VPN Client: The VPN client software Cisco supports connections IPSec to Cisco VPN concentrators. This VPN software application runs on Windows , Linux and Mac OS X.
• OpenVPN: OpenVPN is an implementation of virtual private networks that allows remote access of workstations in encrypted form through secure tunnels
• Shimo 2: Apple Mac OS includes built-in support for virtual private networks. Shimo is a GUI client for Mac OS X computers . The latest Shimo version 2 works as a substitute for the Cisco VPN client on Mac computers and is compatible with others such as PPTP , L2TP and SSH VPN-based technologies including Hamachi and OpenVPN .
• Tinc VPN Daemon: It is an IPSec VPN software solution for Linux networks. The active development of FreeS / WAN has stopped, making this solution of interest primarily to students and researchers.

The post What Is Virtual Private Network? – Factors, Requirements, Advantages & Disadvantages Of VPN appeared first on Tech Cults.

In many modems of Switched Informatic Network it gives ease of answer and automatic dialing, which allow them to connect when they receive a call from the PSTN ( Public Switched Telephone Network ) and proceed to dial any number previously recorded by the user. Thanks to these functions all communication establishment operations can be performed automatically.

Functioning Of Modem

The basic function of modems is to accept data from a transmitting computer or station and convert analog (or digital) signals that can be transmitted through voice transmission telephone lines. Which is reflected in this way, the modulator emits a signal called carrier. Generally, it is a simple sinusoidal electrical signal much more frequently than the modulating signal.

The modulating signal constitutes the information that is prepared for a transmission (a modem prepares the information to be transmitted, but does not carry out the transmission). The modulator modifies some characteristic of the carrier (which is the action of modulating), so that a signal is obtained, which includes the information of the modulator. Thus the demodulator can recover the original modulating signal, removing the carrier. The characteristics that can be modified from the carrier signal are:

• Amplitude, resulting in an amplitude modulation ( AM / ASK ).
• Frequency, resulting in a frequency modulation ( FM / FSK ).
• Phase, leading to a phase modulation ( PM / PSK )

A combination of more complex modulations or modulations such as quadrature amplitude modulation is also possible.

Note: The more functions the modem has, the smarter it will be.

PC Modems

The main distinction that is usually made is between internal modems and external modems, although recently modems called “software modems”, better known as ” winmodems ” or ” linux modems ” have appeared, which have complicated the picture a bit. There are also modems for XDSL , ISDN , etc. and those used to connect through 75 ohms coaxial cable (cable modems).

Internal Modem For Desktop PC

They consist of an expansion card on which the different components that make up the
modem. They exist for various types of connector:

1. ISA bus : due to the low speeds that are handled in these devices, this connector was used exclusively for many years, now in disuse (obsolete).
2. PCI bus : the most common format today, still in use.
3. AMR : on some plates; Economical but not recommended for its poor performance. Today is an obsolete technology.

The main advantage of these modems lies in their greater integration with the computer, since they do not take up space on the table and receive electricity directly from the computer itself. In addition, they tend to be somewhat cheaper because they lack a casing and transformer, especially if they are PCI (in this case, they are almost all of the “software modem” type). On the contrary, they are somewhat more complex to install and information about their status can only be obtained by software .

External Modem For PC

Similar to the previous ones, but external to the computer or PDA . The advantage of these modems lies in their easy

portability between different computers (some of them more easily transportable and smaller than others), in addition to that it is possible to know the status of the modem (marking, with / without line, transmitting …) by means of the status LEDs that they incorporate. On the contrary, and obviously, they take up more space than inmates

Modem Features

Device of a certain level of intelligence. The most current consist of a microprocessor and a memory.

Memory: Used to store the phone numbers that the modem can dial automatically when requested by the user.

Automatic number dialing: This function allows the user to dial a telephone number using the workstation or PC keypad, instead of using the telephone keypad.

Automatic answer: Provides the station with the possibility of answering a call without any user intervention.

Automatic call: Allows the user to leave messages to be sent at a specific time and date, to a specific place.

Callback: When the modem answers a call, it checks the identity of the sender on a previously established list of authorizations. If the sender is authorized, the modem cuts off the call and then automatically calls the user to the telephone number indicated in the list.

Automatic repetition of a number: Redial the number that was last called, without requiring the user to redial the number.

Autologon: automatically enter the password to access other signals necessary to identify a user with a remote computer.

Self-test: These are diagnostic programs to locate problems in the modem.

Connection Types Of Modem

External modem

It is usually done through one of the traditional serial ports or COM(RS232), so the UART of the computer is used , which should be able to provide sufficient communication speed. The UART must be 16550 or higher so that the performance of a modem of 28,800 bps or more is adequate. These modems need a plug for your transformer.

PC Card Modems

In the form of a card, which were used in laptops, before the arrival of USB (PCMCIA). Its size is similar to a somewhat thicker credit card, but its capabilities are the same as standard models. There are models for USB port , connection and configuration even simpler, which do not need an outlet. There are models for both landline and mobile phone connection.

Software Modems, HSP (Host Signal Processor) or Winmodems

Generally internal, in which several electronic parts (for example, specialized chips) have been removed , so that the computer’s microprocessor must supply its function through a program. Typically, they use a PCI slot (or an AMR) as a connection , although not all PCI modems are of this type.

CPU usage hinders the operation of other user applications. In addition, the need to have the program may prevent its use with operating systems not supported by the manufacturer, so that, for example, if the manufacturer disappears, the modem would eventually be disabled before a future system update. Despite their low cost, they are little or not recommended.

Complete Modems: Classics not HSP , whether internal or external. In them, performance depends almost exclusively on the speed of the modem and the UART of the computer, not the microprocessor.

The post What Is Modem? – History, Functioning, Features & Connection Types appeared first on Tech Cults.