Independent Audit Assures onShore Customers that Operational Processes and Controls Meet High Standards of Security and Reliability

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Chicago, Illinois—October 27, 2011—onShore Networks, completeIT® services, today announced it successfully completed the SOC 2 Report on Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality or Privacy. The successful completion of this comprehensive audit demonstrates onShore’s commitment to implementing processes and controls for delivery of high-quality services to its customers.

A nationally recognized independent auditing firm performed the audit. Included in the scope of the audit were onShore’s onGuard Managed Security Services and Spectrum Managed Information Technology Services products.

“We are very pleased to have achieved SOC 2 compliance. This highlights onShore’s continuing commitment to provide the highest level of security and support for our customers,” said Stelios Valavanis, Chief Executive Officer.

About SOC 2 Certification
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has developed the SOC 2 report based on the Trust Services Principles, Criteria, and Illustrations for Security, Availability, Privacy, Confidentially and Processing Integrity for services organizations. The SOC 2 report includes the AICPA’s predefined criteria for industry best practices regarding policies, procedures, and processes related to security, availability, and confidentiality for demonstrating a strong system of internal controls. It is a report by an independent accounting and auditing firm on management’s description of a service organization’s system and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of controls. For more information regarding SOC 2 auditing, please visit www.aicpa.org.

About onShore Networks
onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services in the Chicagoland area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management, and onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services. onShore Networks employs a full-service onGuard Managed Security Services team and Spectrum Managed IT Services team. The onGuard team provides a high level of security expertise to manage potential security threats to their customers’ networks. The Spectrum team performs remote management and maintenance of servers, workstations, and network equipment for their customers.

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The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

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Chicago, Illinois—October 20, 2011—onShore Networks, completeIT® services, recently announced the winners of the onShore Non-profit Giveaway. Because non-profit organizations give so much to the community, onShore Networks decided to give something back.

Chicago-area non-profit organizations were invited to select an award from a list of technology services provided by onShore Networks. Organizations that registered were encouraged to spread the word to gather votes for their organization. The contest ran for sixteen weeks. After the votes were tallied, onShore Networks awarded free technology services to the following three local organizations:

The Children’s Clinic (childrenscliniciws.org): Sponsored by the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society, the Children’s Clinic delivers top quality dental, medical and social services to children from infancy to age 18. The clinic serves thousands of children from 50 Cook County west suburban communities and Chicago. The Children’s Clinic, an ongoing user of onShore Networks’s Spectrum Remote Managed IT Service, will be selecting from the other award packages: onGuard Managed Firewall, Colocation Service, Internet Connectivity, or Phone System.

i.c.stars (icstars.org): i.c.stars provides a rigorous technology-based workforce development and leadership training program for low-income adults, and connects them with career opportunities through its partner organizations. i.c.stars will be receiving six months of onGuard Managed Firewall service. onShore Networks will provide and manage a firewall appliance to protect the organization’s network from external threats.

Spark Program (sparkprogram.org): Spark is a national nonprofit that provides life- changing apprenticeships to middle school students from disadvantaged communities. Spark’s one-on-one workplace apprenticeships empower young people to succeed in their education and beyond. Spark Chicago will be receiving a new phone system that can serve up to 20 users. onShore Networks will provide the server and telephone handsets, the configuration of the system to meet Spark’s needs, and six months of service.

These three worthy organizations will continue their important work with a little help from onShore Networks. Community response to the giveaway has been very positive:

“What a wonderful thing to do. Thanks from a grateful community member.”
“Thank you so much from a single mom whose four foster and adopted kids receive their medical and dental care from the Children’s Clinic in Oak Park.”

onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicagoland area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local-area and wide-area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management including Managed Security Services, onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

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Chicago, Illinois — June 30, 2010 — onShore Networks, completeIT^® services, today announced it has completed construction of its new Data Center facility in downtown Chicago. The Data Center is centrally located at 216 W. Jackson Boulevard. The new facility greatly expands onShore Networks’ footprint for colocation space. The facility measures 3000 square feet and was built with all the amenities onShore Networks’ colocation customers require. The Data Center includes raised flooring, provides 24×7 climate control through data center grade air handling units and provides electrical power redundancy through a combination of Uninterruptible Power Supplies and diesel back up power generator. onShore Networks will offer customers a variety of colocation space options including 1-4 rack units, 1/3 rack, 1/2 rack, full rack or multiple racks. There are multiple options for electrical power and bandwidth within each rack. More details on service can be found here: http://www.onshore.com/colocation.

onShore Networks has chosen three major and diverse internet carriers for their upstream connectivity. In addition, onShore Networks will continue to offer aggressively priced internet connectivity services, with even better overall service, to their commercial ISP customers.

onShore Networks has been providing technical IT services to the Chicagoland area since 1991. They are experienced with all facets of technology for business. The Network Integration (NI) services team is fully versed with Microsoft products they recommend and incorporate into solutions to their customers. In addition, onShore Networks is a full-service Internet Service Provider (ISP). They provide connectivity via T1s, T3s, OC3s, OC12s, Ethernet, and Wireless, which they manage and monitor 24x7x365, to their customers. onShore Networks recently upgraded their core network with Load Balancing services, which will allow them to continue to offer the level of service their customers demand. Finally, onShore Networks has a full-service onGuard Managed Security Services team, which allows them to provide a high level of security expertise to properly manage potential security threats to their customers’ networks.

“We are extremely pleased to have completed our new Data Center facility. This project was a major undertaking and our entire team handled the transition professionally and with minimal downtime to our customers. We now look forward to providing our customers an even better experience for their ISP, connectivity services, hosting and colocation needs,” said Nick Valavanis, Chief Operating Officer.

onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicagoland area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local-area and wide-area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management including Managed Security Services, onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

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Chicago, Illinois — April 27, 2009 — onShore Networks, completeIT^® services, today announced it successfully completed the installation of a third peering arrangement into its Datacenter through an Optical Carrier Level 3 (OC3) circuit for additional upstream bandwidth. With the addition of this third OC3 circuit peering arrangement, onShore increases its capacity to 465Mbps upstream internet bandwidth. onShore’s peering arrangements now include; Qwest Communications, SAVVIS and XO Communications. In addition to more capacity, this third circuit brings a greater level of redundancy to the onShore core network.

“onShore is committed to providing the very best internet service possible to our customers. We continue to grow our customer base and are keeping several steps ahead of bandwidth demands. The addition of this third peer greatly expands our capacity while also providing us with additional core network redundancy.” said Steven Kent, Chief Technical Officer.

onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicago-land area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management and onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services. onShore Networks employs a full-service onGuard Managed Security Services team and Spectrum Managed IT Services team. The onGuard team provides a high level of security expertise to properly manage potential security threats to their customers networks. The Spectrum team performs remote management and maintenance of servers, workstations and network equipment of their customers. In addition to its NI and ISP business, onShore’s Residential Technology Services (RTS) team designs, builds and manages multi-tenant data networks (MDNs), for delivery of internet connectivity, TV and phone services, in high-rise buildings.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

Click here to download press release.

Independent Audit Assures onShore Customers that Operational Processes and Controls Meet High Standards of Security and Reliability

Chicago, Illinois — April 17, 2009 — onShore Networks, completeIT® services, today announced it successfully completed the Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70 (SAS 70) Type I Audit of onShore’s processes and controls. The audit was performed by a nationally recognized independent auditing firm. The successful completion of this comprehensive audit demonstrates onShore’s commitment in implementing processes and controls for delivery of services to its customers. Included in the scope of the audit were onShores’s onGuard Managed Security Services and Spectrum Managed Information Technology Services products.

“We are extremely pleased to have achieved SAS 70 compliance. This demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide the highest standard of service to our customers. Our documented controls and processes are now fully audited to meet the strict SAS 70 standard.” said Stelios Valavanis, Chief Executive Officer.

About SAS 70 Certification

Statement on Auditing Standards No.70 (SAS 70) is an internationally recognized auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). SAS 70 is the authoritative guidance that allows service organizations to disclose their control activities and processes to their customers and their customers’ auditors in a uniform reporting format. A SAS 70 examination signifies that a service organization has had its control objectives and control activities examined by an independent accounting and auditing firm. For more information regarding SAS 70 auditing, please visit www.aicpa.org.

onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicago-land area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management and onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services. onShore Networks employs a full-service onGuard Managed Security Services team and Spectrum Managed IT Services team. The onGuard team provides a high level of security expertise to properly manage potential security threats to their customers networks. The Spectrum team performs remote management and maintenance of servers, workstations and network equipment of their customers. In addition to its NI and ISP business, onShore’s Residential Technology Services (RTS) team designs, builds and manages multi-tenant data networks (MDNs), for delivery of internet connectivity, TV and phone services, in high-rise buildings.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

Click here to download press release.

Chicago, Illinois — April 17, 2009 — onShore Networks, completeIT® services, today announced it has attained Authorized Education Reseller (AER) status in the Microsoft Partner Program recognizing onShore’s expertise and impact in the Education marketplace. As an Authorized Education Reseller, onShore Networks is now able to provide additional Microsoft products to its existing and growing customer base in the Education market.

onShore Networks has been providing technical IT services to the Chicago-land area since 1991. They are experienced with all facets of technology for business. The Network Integration (NI) services team is fully versed with Microsoft products they recommend and incorporate into solutions to their customers. In addition, onShore Networks is a full-service Internet Service Provider (ISP). They provide connectivity via T1′s, T3′s, OC3′s, OC12′s, Ethernet, and Wireless, which they manage and monitor 24x7x365, to their customers. onShore Networks recently upgraded their core network to an OC48 which will allow them to continue to provide the level of service their customers demand. Finally, onShore Networks has a fullservice onGuard Managed Security Services team which allows them to provide a high level of security expertise to properly manage potential security threats to their customers networks.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Authorized Education Reseller status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to more effectively provide product and promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Nick Valavanis, Chief Operating Officer. “The benefits provided through the Authorized Education Reseller program will allow us to continue to meet our customers needs as a onestop- shop technology services company.”

onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicago-land area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS X or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management including Managed Security Services, onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services. In addition to its NI and ISP business, onShore’s Residential Technology Services (RTS) team designs, builds and manages multi-tenant data networks (MDNs), for delivery of internet connectivity, TV and phone services, in high-rise buildings.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

Click here to download press release.

Chicago, Illinois — March 16, 2009 — onShore Networks, completeIT^® services, today announced it has attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in Networking Infrastructure Solutions, recognizing onShore’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, onShore Networks has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers’ needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the channel.

onShore Networks has been providing technical IT services to the Chicago area since 1991. They are experienced with all facets of technology for business. The Network Integration (NI) services team is fully versed with Microsoft products they recommend and incorporate into solutions to their customers. In addition, onShore Networks is a full-service Internet Service Provider (ISP). They provide connectivity via T1′s, T3′s, OC3′s, OC12′s, Ethernet, and Wireless, which they manage and monitor 24x7x365, to their customers. onShore Networks recently upgraded their core network to an OC48 which will allow them to continue to provide the level of service their customers demand. Finally, onShore Networks has a full-service onGuard Managed Security Services team which allows them to provide a high level of security expertise to properly manage potential security threats to their customers networks.

“We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified Partner status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Nick Valavanis, Chief Operating Officer. “The benefits provided through our Gold Certified Partner status will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

“Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities,” said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft Corp. “They need to trust in a company that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies. Today, Microsoft recognizes onShore Networks as a new Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction using Microsoft products and technology.”

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified Partner status, onShore Networks had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each Competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry. Within select Competencies, there are Specializations that focus on specific solution areas that recognize deeper expertise within that Competency. Serving as a specialized path to earning those Competencies, Specializations give direct access to the tools and resources that support that specific area of focus.

Microsoft partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proven their proficiency in implementing solutions based on Microsoft’s Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 Operating Systems, or Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Essential Business Server 2008. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

“We place tremendous value on our partners, which help us deliver solutions and applications to customers,” said Ward Ralston, group product manager for Windows Server at Microsoft Corp. “Solutions competencies provide an integrated partnering framework that recognizes an enterprise’s expertise and rewards it for the effect it has in the technology marketplace. It also allows companies to demonstrate for customers their broad knowledge of building wide-ranging solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2008 and the Windows Essential Server Solutions product line.”

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in October 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.

onShore Networks is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicago-land area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs), delivering and managing systems running Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS X or Linux Operating Systems, network security monitoring and management including Managed Security Services, onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services. In addition to its NI and ISP business, onShore’s Residential Technology Services (RTS) team designs, builds and manages multi-tenant data networks (MDNs), for delivery of internet connectivity, TV and phone services, in high-rise buildings.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60642
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com

Robert L. Scheier | www.computerworld.com

June 04, 2007 (Computerworld) — Combine open-source software, distributed storage running on low-cost hardware and the World Wide Web, and what do you get? Storage for as little as 15 cents per gigabyte per month, and another 10 to 20 cents for each gigabyte users upload or download.

That’s a pretty good deal, especially when Andrew Reichman, an analyst at Forrester Research Inc., estimates it costs $15 to $25 per gigabyte just to buy the hardware and software needed for secondary (backup or archival) storage, and $50 and up per gigabyte for the primary storage needed for business-critical applications such as stock trading or airline reservations. Neither of these prices take into account ongoing management costs.

But don’t throw away your Fibre Channel storage-area network (SAN) yet. These Web-based services lack the performance required for online transactional applications or giant database queries. Then there’s the question of security, and how much of their data companies will trust to a node somewhere in the Internet “cloud.”

Still, if promising new technologies deliver, they could reduce corporate reliance on the proprietary, higher-priced, storage hardware and software sold by industry giants such as EMC Corp., IBM and Hitachi Data Systems Inc., not to mention a host of smaller players.

The Technologies

The first technology enabling this new storage platform is open-source storage software. (see “Open source software takes the storage stage“) This can be in the form of tools for specific storage functions, such as the Amanda open-source backup and the Darik’s Boot and Nuke (DBAN) disk-wiping utility. It also includes network file systems such as Lustre, OpenAFS and SAMBA, which can form the foundations of entire storage infrastructures.

The second technology is distributed grid- or cluster-based storage architectures from start-ups such as Cleversafe Inc. and established services such as MozyPro from Berkeley Data Systems Inc.

The third enabling technology is the use of industry-standard servers and disk drives in lieu high-end storage arrays in these architectures.

Berkeley Data Systems, for example, bases its MozyPro online backup services on its storage clustering and file serving software running on “white box” (unbranded) servers running in the Berkeley Data Systems data center that store data on their internal drives. The price: $4 per month charge for each desktop or server using the service and 50 cents per month for each gigabyte of data stored. Unlike other online storage providers that safeguard customers’ data by storing multiple copies, Berkeley’s software saves 33% of the original data, from which it can restore the complete original if needed. This means it must store only 33% more data than a customer sends it, compared to other storage providers who must store 300% of the original data, says Vance Checketts, vice president for products.

Cleversafe, a 29-person start-up that is alpha-testing software it will offer to other companies to build open-source, Web-based distributed storage architectures, goes further. Its software uses algorithms to split encrypted data into 11 “slices,” which are stored on distributed servers and must be combined to yield any usable information. Using the same algorithms, the software can recreate the original data from any of the original slices. By eliminating the backup, archiving and restoration of entire files, Cleversafe reduces the amount of “extra” data a company must store to protect critical information from the current 300% or more of actual data to 130%, according to CEO Chris Gladwin. He also claims the data slicing is inherently secure because no one storage node contains an entire copy of any file, making it harder to steal or corrupt. Availability is also assured because any five of the 11 nodes can fail, and the software can still recover the data, he says.

The Planet.com Internet Services Inc., a Houston-based hosting firm, is investigating Cleversafe as a way to use older servers to create low-cost storage grids. “Instead of going for three years or four years, with the proper upgrades in disk drives, we could get five to six years of life out of them, and at the same time, offer storage to our customers,” says Chairman and CEO Doug Erwin.

Stelios Valavanis, president and founder of onShore Networks LLC, a Chicago-based networking consultant, thinks that the security, rather than any cost savings, offered by Cleversafe could make it attractive to his clients.

Both he and The Planet.com are waiting for Cleversafe to deliver new features later this year, such as further reducing the amount of “extra” code stored on a Cleversafe grid and allowing users and applications to see the grid as a network drive, before deciding how to proceed.

Perhaps the biggest online player is Amazon.com Inc. (see “Amazon.com Unveils Data Storage Service“) Adam Selipsky, vice president of product management and developer relations for Amazon Web Services, says its S3 service is provided by “multiple arrays of storage servers at multiple locations, storing multiple copies” of customers’ data. It is aimed at developers who can experiment building innovative applications because of its low cost: 15 cents per month for each gigabyte of data stored, 10 cents for each gigabyte uploaded, and between 13 and 18 cents for each gigabyte downloaded. Selipsky declined to describe the technology used in S3 except to say it includes “multiple arrays of storage servers at multiple locations, storing multiple copies” of data and that Amazon “predominantly uses open-source software” throughout its infrastructure.

Move over, EMC?

John Webster, an analyst at Illuminata Inc., says the combination of open-source software and grid storage technologies could pose a real risk to vendors of copy, backup and disaster recovery software. “If this approach really works, it’s a game changer” by fundamentally simplifying storage management, he says.

Some other observers, however, predict users will keep buying proprietary products for their most critical applications.

One reason is the inherent latency and unpredictability of the Internet, which a storage manager cannot tweak for rock-solid reliability and predictable response times. Security is another concern. Jeff Pieper, president of Pieper & Associates Inc., a Torrance, Calif., marketing design firm, is the type of SMB customer being courted by the online storage vendors. But he says he has to sign a multipage nondisclosure form with many of his customers and plans to keep their data on his 4TB SAN from Hitachi to be sure it’s safe.

However, customers who build their own grids in-house would have control over their networks, and thus might be able to use them even for primary storage, says Webster.

Then there is the question of actual savings. Reichman says upfront costs for distributed storage are undoubtedly far lower than for in-house storage hardware, but it’s still unclear how long-term management costs will compare. Gladwin says it’s too early to discuss specific pricing for Cleversafe grids, but he says customers should see savings “at least proportional” to the reduced disk space, power, floor space and management they will require.

Reichman says the major storage hardware vendors will inevitably lose some business as customers move storage from in-house hardware to Web-based providers. But he says vendors that also sell servers could “make up some of the revenue” by selling low-priced servers and other “building blocks for the grid.”

Stelios believes grid-based storage could even be a boost for those vendors. “Even though Cleversafe allows you to use less expensive hardware, the reality is that big companies building grids in their IT departments will not tolerate buying cheap disks. The corporations who are buying EMC now and want to build on a grid model, who are they going to buy their disks from?” he asks.

Like other online vendors, Berkeley Data Systems founder and CEO Josh Coates sees MozyPro replacing tape-based backup more frequently than high-end disk. He says customers are abandoning tape systems “like hot rocks” because they are slower, less reliable and more complicated than online storage services offered by Berkeley and competitors such as Carbonite Inc.

Even Gladwin sees Cleversafe as a complement to, rather than a replacement for current storage offerings. While backup is built into a Cleversafe grid by virtue of how data is stored, he still expects many customers to continue to do, for example, snapshots to capture the state of their data at a given point in time.

Reichman predicted that small to midsize businesses will likely be first to use such services, to avoid the “tremendously difficult” job of managing their own storage. As these new technologies are proven, Reichman sees larger companies moving more secondary storage to such third-party vendors. Others may adopt such technologies internally, he says, allowing them to reap the cost savings while maintaining control over their own storage. Some banks are already evaluating such a move, he says.

Amazon’s Selipsky argues there’s a place for Amazon S3 in the enterprise because, like smaller organizations, they “want very simple, very easy to interact with, very easy to integrate, highly reliable services.” He also says many departments or groups within large companies lack the budget or organizational ability to fund large infrastructure projects, but “might have $500 or $5,000 or $50,000 to mess with during a quarter, to prove a concept, to try something out.”

No Rush

Any move to grid storage won’t happen overnight, nor does it have to. A dramatically new approach such as Cleversafe’s needs evangelization, says Stelios, as well as “understanding the technology to a certain extent.”

Gladwin also points out that IT organizations generally replace hardware every four years or so. If someone just bought a brand new architecture…they’re not going to scrap is six months later,” he says. In two to three years, though, Gladwin expects “that distributed architectures will become often used for large data archival applications.”

By that time the pioneers, on both the customer and the developer side, will have a much better idea of how big a storage revolution they have on their hands.

Storage 2.0: How Big a Deal?

• What It Is: Storage services delivered over the Web, using open-source software, grid or clustered storage architectures, and/or low-cost standard hardware.
• Pluses: Very low cost, easy manageability, very high levels of scalability.
• Minuses: Lacks the performance and reliability required for very high-end applications. Security will be a concern for some customers.
• Bottom Line: Worth evaluating at least for secondary applications such as backup and archiving. May also be worth deploying inside the corporate firewall . . .

A slow-running network was the only sign that anything was wrong at a Chicago-area financial company. But when the company looked into the problem, it discovered something unnerving: Its computers had been infected with a “controlbot” software program that was secretly searching for spreadsheet files containing dollar signs and sending them via the Internet to a “botnet” operator in the Balkans.

Steven Kent

Mr. Kent’s team determined that the virus originally infected the personal laptop of the company’s chief accountant, who had brought it from home and plugged it into the company’s network. The bug infected more than 60 desktop computers. It took Mr. Kent and his team days to re-format the drives on each computer and block the botnet operator’s access to the network.

Botnet operators are one of the biggest threats to company databases these days, Mr. Kent says. They try to extort money from companies by threatening to distribute the stolen information or to use the machines under their control to launch a large-scale computer attack.

The problem could have been prevented by having stronger filters on outgoing traffic, instituting stricter policies against connecting outside devices to the network and installing intrusion detection systems, Mr. Kent says. “Companies gamble that a security breach will cost less than the ongoing costs of proper security monitoring. Frequently, they lose this wager.”

Click here to download press release.

Chicago, Illinois — January 11, 2007 — onShore Networks, LLC, completeIT® services, today announced it has earned certified status in Microsoft Corp.’s Partner Program recognizing onShore Network’s expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Certified Partner, onShore Networks has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven their ability to meet customer needs. Microsoft Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, that give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

onShore Networks has been providing technical services to the Chicago area since 1991. They are experienced with all facets of technology for business. Their Network Integration team is fully versed with the Microsoft solutions they incorporate into recommendations provided to their customers. onShore Networks is a full-service Internet Service Provider. They provide connectivity via T1′s, T3′s and OC3′s, which they manage and monitor, to their customers. onShore Networks recently upgraded their core network to an OC48 which will allow them to continue to provide the level of service their customers demand. Finally, onShore Networks has a full-service Managed Security Services team which allows them to provide a high level of security expertise to properly manage potential security threats to their customers networks.

“Only companies that have demonstrated high levels of customer service, proved their experience and attained advanced certification receive the designation of Microsoft Certified Partner,” said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. “Today, Microsoft recognizes onShore Networks for its skills and expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology.”

“We are extremely pleased to have earned certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. The certified status allows us to clearly promote our expertise and relationship with Microsoft to our customers,” said Nick Valavanis, Vice President at onShore Networks. “The benefits provided through our certified membership will allow us to continue to enhance the offerings that we provide for customers.”

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The Microsoft Partner Program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners’ businesses be successful.

onShore Networks, LLC is a leading provider of computer network integration services to the Chicago area. Its expertise includes designing and implementing local and wide area networks (LANs/WANs), network security monitoring and management including Managed Security Services, onSite technical support and internet connectivity (ISP) services. In addition to its network integration business, onShore designs and builds multi-tenant data networks (MDNs), for delivery of data and video services, in high-rise buildings.

For more information, press only:
Nick Valavanis
onShore Networks, LLC
1407 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60622
312-850-5200 x126
nick@onShore.com