Combining Multiple Backhaul Routes into Single Virtual Pipes

­Mobile backhaul vendor, Celtro says that it has developed a platform which blends multiple transport links into a single virtual backhaul pipe. The announcement of Virtual Bonding's availability follows the completion of trials at two (unnamed) Tier-1 European mobile operators, where the firm says it dramatically improved HSPA service delivery.

One of the greatest challenges faced by operators in the deployment of HSPA services is the shortage of backhaul network bandwidth and capacity. In order to ensure the highest level of service, operators must be able to maximize the HSPA peak rate capacity available between cell sites and the RNC.

Celtro's new Virtual Bonding technology makes it possible to bond together different transport links over various infrastructure technologies into one virtual backhaul pipe to transmit HSPA traffic. With Virtual Bonding, any combination of existing links - like ADSL2+, SHDSL, traditional E1 and Ethernet - can be combined to form a single high-capacity pipe. This virtual pipe's peak-rate is equal to the accumulated peak-rates of the individual links.

Virtual Bonding's inherent load sharing further benefits operators with traffic protection against single-link degradation or failure.

"Operators are facing a steep increase in mobile data usage, and need to provide immediate capacity for HSPA deployments. Virtual Bonding provides mobile operators with a unique and innovative means to increase HSPA backhaul capacity at a minimal CapEx, by harnessing existing infrastructure for cellular traffic," said Ron Zor, CEO of Celtro. "This new technology demonstrates Celtro's continued leadership and commitment to developing leading-edge solutions designed to overcome backhaul network challenges and enables mobile operators to deliver the highest level of service to their subscribers," he continued.

Virtual Bonding is available as a part of Celtro's mobile backhaul switching solutions suite, which optimizes TDM, ATM, IP/MPLS mobile backhaul traffic. The first commercial deployments of Virtual Bonding are expected in April 2009. Celtro is an active participant in the establishment of the Bonding industry standard via leading standards organizations such as the IP/MPLS Forum and IETF, together with Tier-1 operators and other leading vendors.

Resolve Conflicts with coworker

When the going gets tough, your coworkers can be the first to get on your last nerve. Whether it's due to on-the-job pressures, stress at home, familiarity or just proximity, when you're feeling hot under the collar, it's often your coworkers who wind up feeling the heat -- whether they actually deserve it or not.

So the next time you're ready to explode because your cube neighbor did something that irritates you yet again, let these tips from business-harmony experts help you make peace rather than war.

"When emotionally upset, people cannot remember, attend, learn or make decisions clearly," says Daniel Goleman in Emotional Intelligence. These three applications of emotional intelligence can be helpful in productively resolving office conflict:

• Air Grievances Sensitively: Think about the effect your criticism will have on its recipient. If your words suggest the person is dim-witted, lazy or inconsiderate, you will get defensiveness and resentment in response. Talk to your coworker the way you would want to be spoken to, and aim for resolution, not revenge.
• Consider Others' Working Styles: Try not to get irritated just because somebody's approach is different than yours.
• Learn to Negotiate Effectively: Focus on the desired outcome of a conversation with your coworker, and strategize the best possible way to achieve your result.

Our own pressures can make us short-tempered. "The workplace holds a plethora of anxiety producers," says Gloria Dunn, president of management-consulting company Wiser Ways to Work. She suggests the following strategies for regaining a sense of control and managing your stress level:

• Mark off daily time that you keep free of interruptions.
• Learn to say no. Create realistic boundaries, and stick to them. That way, you won't feel walked on, and you will feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
• Create a workspace that nurtures you (i.e., makes you feel both physically and emotionally comfortable).
• Exercise daily.

But the best way to avoid office drama is to refuse to engage in it. Nobody can cook up a full-scale conflict alone. If you can maintain a clear head, a good perspective on the issues, a sense of self-awareness and some compassion for your coworkers, you really can work in peace.

Get Rid of Negative Though

You've been unemployed for six months. Your spouse recently passed away. You think you're too old, fat or stupid to find a job. Keep thinking that way, and you'll prove yourself right. Negative thinking and speaking can derail your job search. Most employers want to hire happy people -- not people who are down on themselves and the world.

Maybe you wouldn't complain about directions or the rain, but the way you view yourself can influence your job search. "You can perceive anything in a lot of ways," says Elaine Varelas, managing partner at Keystone Partners, a Boston career management firm. If you're an older worker, you can see yourself as experienced -- or just old.

So how can you sound happy when you're really feeling the opposite? First, admit you have a problem. Tell yourself out loud that you have a tendency to be pessimistic and that you are going to look for the positive. "You don't need to totally revise your personality, but you have to recognize that it's not a lot of fun to be around someone who's cranky and negative, and people have that choice when they hire," Varelas says.

Next, set up reasonable daily goals, and reward yourself when you accomplish them. A reasonable goal might be making five personal contacts. The goal can't be vague or too large, and certainly shouldn't be, "I'm going to find a job today."

Next, tell yourself that job hunting is a numbers game. "It's a lot like being single," says Jay Arthur, author of How to Motivate Everyone. "I know that somewhere out there, there's a way cool job that's right for me. I just haven't found it yet. Part of it is knowing that a 'no' from someone is the universe keeping you from a bad job."

Can people really turn their job searches around just by reining in negative thoughts? "I had [as a client] a senior person in healthcare who was a solid, good guy who had a great wit [but] was a little bit pessimistic," recalls Varelas. "He couldn't see himself growing from this negative experience."

"What we said was, 'Picture every interview as your ideal job. After the interview, you can turn it down, but use the same kind of words. You'd be energized to go to work each day, so emphasize that you're a high-energy person who's energized to go to work,'" Varelas says. "His networking became much more positive, and he rose from middle management to senior executive."

Picture who you want to work with, where the job will be and what you'd be doing, Arthur adds. When you go into an interview, you'll already see yourself helping the employer succeed. That attitude will come through. "It's not, 'Do you want me?' It's, 'Here's how I'm able to help you,'" he explains.

And as for being too old or overweight, just remember everyone has something to overcome. So get out there and try one more time, because this may be the day you talk to the person who puts you in touch with someone who hires you for your dream job.

Feeling Stress ? Let it Works for You

Identify what is stressful and solve the problem creatively. For example, launching or changing a career is particularly stressful for young adults, who often fail to realize that workforce stress is hardest on them. It's a myth that the youth have it easy. By recognizing this fact, you can stop floundering and suffering more than you need to.

Relocation is another stressful situation. You're not just changing jobs; you're changing neighborhoods and leaving friends and relatives, all the while looking for new people to support you, like doctors, dentists, car mechanics, hair stylists and baby-sitters, to mention a few. Good things, like promotions and raises, buying a home and having a baby, are stressful, too. Often getting what we want, ironically, creates new burdens.

One such plan is the Coach's Plan, which is designed to keep successful athletes mentally fit. When you feel stressed, stop what you are doing and breathe deeply, relax your mind and body, and then visualize your goal and see yourself achieving it.

Restate every negative thought with a positive statement about your strengths. Set mini-behavioral goals -- actions you can take now, such as, "Today I will identify three new companies to target; find three networking leads; volunteer somewhere; etc." Take action on your identified mini-goals.

Making stress work for you and becoming resilient takes practice. Like babies learning to walk, you'll have setbacks. The resilient aren't perfectionists who think and talk about how things should be. The resilient ones are people who take action, solve problems and reserve time for renewal. In turn, they are often among the people we admire. So start making stress work for you, too. Identify your stress, find employers who value resilience and follow an action plan. Whether you chose the Coach's Plan or develop one of your own, you'll be headed in the right direction.

New Exploits Attack Symbian Phones

A new exploit for a wide range of Symbian OS-based smartphones was made public last week. This exploit has been dubbed the “SMS Curse of Silence” by Tobias Engel, who discovered and disclosed the exploit at the 25th Chaos Communication Congress.

The exploit can make the text messaging function of the affected phone unusable. Affected phones cannot receive SMS text messages. Smartphones that can be attacked this way include UIQ devices and S60 2nd Edition Feature Packs 2 and 3, 3rd Edition and 3rd Edition Feature Pack 1. S60 3rd Edition Feature Pack 2 or 5th Edition phones are not affected.

The attack consists of sending one or, depending on the phone model, several specifically formatted SMS messages to the smartphone being targeted. The messages crash the phone’s SMS system, but the phone remains functional otherwise. Older models do not show symptoms of the attack that would be visible to the user; however newer phones can show messages that the phone is running out of memory or experience constantly flashing message icons after the attack.

BlackBerry Maker Sees Competition

For years, Research In Motion RIMM has dominated the U.S. market for smart phones, essentially handheld laptops for road warriors. It was a niche market growing five times faster than the standard cell phone space.

Then came the Apple AAPL iPhone, creating a flood of smart phones from various manufacturers.

Canada-based RIM responded in 2008 with new products for business and consumers. The impact of its large investment in research and development and the onslaught of competition surfaced in the summer, as earnings and sales slipped below expectations. RIM has lowered expectations ever since.

Jim Balsillie, co-chief executive, remained confident throughout and looks forward to 2009 as the market shifts into the field it pioneered and in which it remains the market leader.The initial attraction of the BlackBerry was its ability to handle e-mail and business applications. Newer models can surf the Web with ease, play music, capture photos and provide satellite navigation. The emphasis is now on the development of software applications that bring a rich set of new features to smart phones. There are thousands of them for business and pleasure.

The smart phone has become a game changer. No longer do cellular service providers like AT&T T and Verizon VZ set all the rules.

article by BRIAN DEAGON (Investor's Business Daily)