Archived News:

Previous Seminars and Workshops

Current News and Event Information is available here.

 
   


HIGHLIGHTS OF OLD NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES:

 
Chesapeake NetCraftsmen was at Cisco Networkers World of Solutions.
Jul 22-26, 2007

Chesapeake NetCraftsmen exhibited at the World of Solutions as part of the Cisco Networkers conference. We thank everyone who stopped by to say hello.

Two of our senior consultants presented lab sessions at Cisco Networkers:

  • Dr. Pete Welcher presented the session "LABCRT-2208: Configuring MPLS VPNs" on July 22 and 23.
  • Carole Warner Reece presented the session "LABCRT-2209: Configuring Basic MPLS Traffic Engineering Tunnels" on July 23

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Introduction to Cisco Network Access Control (NAC) Article
Jun 22, 2007

Pete Welcher provides an introduction to Cisco's Network Access Control (NAC) this article. Some of the topics he covers include:

  • What is Cisco NAC?
  • Overview of the CIsoc NAC Framework
  • Overview of CIsco NAC Appliance

To review the article, please click here.

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Data Center Segmentation
Feb 25, 2007

Pete Welcher looks at Data Center Segmentation in this article. Some of the topics he covers include:

  • Some Words About Data Center Design
  • Get Those Servers Organized
  • Data Center Segmentation
  • Role-Based Access Controls
  • Server to Server Controls
  • Managing Segmentation

To review the article, please click here.

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Cisco University on IOS Network Management Capabilities
Feb 1, 2007 (Herndon, VA)
Feb 2, 2007 (Columbia, MD)

Pete Welcher from Netcraftsmen discussed the many Cisco IOS network management capabilities. The talk primarily discussed the IP SLA capabilities (formerly SAA or RTR), also NetFlow and NBAR. The objective was to show how these technologies can answer such questions as:

  • What are my biggest traffic sources and sinks?
  • What ports does this server use? What traffic is using my WAN link bandwidth?
  • How good is my MetroEthernet or MPLS VPN service?
  • Does my WAN carrier drop packets, or have occasional high delay or jitter?

In addition, Bryan Bradley from Cisco presented Cisco Infiniband and Praveen Bahetjhi of Sjyline will review FCAPS and network management.

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IPv6 Introduction - Part 3
Dec. 3, 2006

n this third article on IPv6, Dr. Pete Welcher focuses on covers the various migration from and co-existence with IPv4 techniques. He discusses several topics including:

  • Co-existence on IPv4 and IPv6
  • Overlay Tunnels for IPv6 Traffic
  • Issues with IPv6

To review the article, please click here.

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Cisco University on MPLS Managed Services
Dec 1, 2006 (Columbia, MD)
Dec 5, 2006 (Herndon, VA

Pete Welcher from Netcraftsmen discussed MPLS Managed Services as part of the December Cisco University in Herndon, VA and in Columbia, MD.

In addition, Karl Rabb from Cisco presented Application Acceleration and Chad Westendorff reviewed Stroage Trends including MDS.

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IPv6 Introduction - Part 2
Nov. 11, 2006

Dr. Pete Welcher continues his introduction to IPv6 in this article, and introduces the technical basics of IPv6. covers several topics including:

  • IPv6 Address Basics
  • IPv6 Address Types
    • IPv6 Unicast Address Information
    • Anycast Address Information
    • IPv6 Multicast Address Information
  • Required Addresses
  • Routing IPv6
  • Operation of IPv6
  • IPv6 Security

To review the article, please click here.

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Cisco University on IP Telephony
Nov 3, 2006 (Columbia, MD)
Nov 6, 2006 (Herndon, VA)

Bruce Enders from Netcraftsmen discussed a Cisco IP Telephony Case Study providing real world input from his experience with many IPT implementations as part of the Nov Cisco University in Herndon, VA and in Columbia, MD.

Randy Benn from Cisco presented new features of CallManager 5.0 including SIP integration.

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IPv6 Introduction
Oct. 9, 2006

This article is a quick introduction to IPv6, and reviews why you should care about IPv6. Dr. Pete Welcher covers several topics including:

  • Why Should You Care About IPv6?
  • How Does IPv6 Impact My Network?
  • Deploying IPv6

To review the article, please click here.

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New Tips and Tricks are Available
Sep 21, 2006

Latest tips discuss Cisco summarizes on device performance, VLAN Trunking Protocol Issue, GRE Decapsulation Vulnerability, Dell laptop battery recall, the latest Firefox browser update, practice of BGP dampening no longer recommended, .... Other tips include failure of some compact flash cards in Cisco devices, sniffing VLAN packets with a Dell laptop, plus other helpful information.

For more details on these Tips and Tricks, please click here.

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NetFlow Webinar
(How to Boost Network Performance with Cisco IOS NetFlow and ReporterAnalyzer)
Aug. 22, 2006

Rick Burts of Chesapeake NetCraftsmen presented with Fluke Networks a webinar providing an in-depth discussion on the kinds of information NetFlow produces and the background, functionality and benefits NetFlow provides. The topics included:

  • About NetFlow
  • Understanding Flows
  • Capturing NetFlow
  • Using NetFlow data

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Best Practices for IP Multicast
Aug. 7, 2006

IP Multicast Best Practices and Control of IP Multicast are the focus of this article. This month Dr. Pete Welcher covers several topics including:

  • Popular IP Multicast Applications
  • Why Control IP Multicast?
  • IP Multicast Design Best Practices
  • IP Multicast and Access Lists
  • How to Control IP Multicast

To review the article, please click here.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Exhibited at Cisco Networkers Conference
June 19 - 23, 2006

Chesapeake NetCraftsmen exhibited at booth #235 at Cisco Networkers Conference in the World Of Solutions. We thank all of you who stopped by and said hello!

In addition to the exhibits, Dr. Peter Welcher presented a lab session on Configuring Simple MPLS VPNs (session LABCRT-2208) on Monday and on Friday

 

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The Basics of Working wih CiscoSecure ACS and AAA
June 6, 2006

This month's article is a pictorial guide to the basics of working with CiscoSecure ACS 4.0, complete with screen captures. Dr. Pete Welcher discusses why use AAA, setting up AAA Authentication in Cisco IOS as well as with Cisco Secure ACS, and troubleshooting AAA.

To review the article, please click here.

 

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New Tips and Tricks are Available
May 25, 2006

Latest tips discuss that BGP dampening is no longer recommended, an upgrade for the Cisco VPN client for Windows, a new version of Sendmail, an interface traffic utilization grapher utility, .... Other tips included new versions of Firefox, failure of some compact flash cards in Cisco devices, sniffing VLAN packets with a Dell laptop, plus other helpful information.

For more details on these Tips and Tricks, please click here.

 

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"Enterprise Buyer's Guide to MPLS-VPN Services” to be Presented at MPLScon
May 25, 2006

Dr. Peter Welcher presented an "Enterprise Buyer's Guide to MPLS-VPN Services” at MPLScon based on his experience with enterprise customer situations. He reviewed the key questions, decisions, and considerations required to be an informed consumer of MPLS VPN services. 

He also discussed how MPLS VPN differs from classic Frame Relay and ATM WAN Services.

 

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A Smorgasbord of Small Topics
May 7, 2006

Dr. Pete Welcher from Chesapeake NetCraftsmen discusses several topics in ' A Smorgasbord of Small Topics'. This article includes:

  • Deploying QoS in the Real World
  • Hidden Connectivity Failures
  • Things Application Developers Ought to Know (But Apparently Don't)
  • What Do You Do When You Outgrow Your T1

To review the article, please click here.

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Securing IPv6 Networks
May 4, 2006 (Herndon, VA)
May 5, 2006 (Columbia, MD)

Ron Trunk from Chesapeake NetCraftsmen discussed ' Securing IPv6 Networks' as part of the May Cisco University in Herndon, VA and in Columbia, MD. His talk included:

  • Protecting your IPv6
  • Understanding vulnerabilities of IPv6
  • Develop practical strategies for mitigating IPv6 threats
 

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Cisco Channel Partner Specializations Have Been Revamped
Apr. 6, 2006

Dr. Pete Welcher discusses updates to the Cisco Channel Partner Specialization program. This article looks at why you might care, and what are the most important changes. Summaries on Foundation Express and other specializations are included.

To review the article, please click here.

 

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Deploying and Implementing 802.11 Wireless Networks
Apr 6, 2006 (Herndon, VA)
Apr 7, 2006 (Columbia, MD)

John Stone from Chesapeake NetCraftsmen presented 'Deploying and Implementing 802.11 Wireless Networks' as part of the April Cisco University in Herndon, VA and in Columbia, MD. His talk included:

  • Deployment Considerations for 802.11a/b/g
  • Site Surveys
  • Installation Recommendations / Best Practices

Other speakers presented"Cisco Wireless LAN Security" and "Tech Tips".

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Review of Cisco ACS (Access Control Server) v4.0
Mar. 11, 2006

Dr. Pete Welcher and Peter Mello review Cisco Secure ACS (Access Control Server) for Windows version 4.0. This article looks at why you might want it, and what are the most important new capabilities. Several screen captures are included.

To review the article, please click here.

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Should You Be Outsourcing Your Optical Network?
Feb. 23, 2006

Chris Rose, a Senior Optical Technologies Consultant at Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, discusses whether 'Is it Time to Stop Outsourcing Your Optical Network?' in our recent newsletter. He covers:

1. How optical networks have changed

2. What to consider

  • Technical skills needed
  • Hard Costs
  • Soft Costs

3. Will insourcing improve your bottom line?

To review the newsletter, please click here.

If you would like to register for our e-mail newsletter, please click here. (Note: We do not sell or share our e-mail list information.)

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Configuring Optimized Edge Routing
Feb. 6, 2006

As a follow up to last month's article on the basics of Optimized Edge Routing (OER) Dr. Pete Welcher reviews configuring OER in this article. He covers his lab configuration, and provides show command output..

To review the "Configuring Cisco Optimized Edge Routing (OER)" article, please click here.

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Case Study on IP Communications Planning and Design
Feb 2, 2006 (Herndon, VA)
Feb 3, 2006 (Columbia, MD)

As part of the Cisco University series, Bruce Enders from Chesapeake NetCraftsmen will present a case study based on a fictitious bank that wants to deploy a Cisco IPC solution across its branch network and replace an existing PBX solution. This session goes through the analytical process of planning and designing against the bank's telephony requirements. Other speakers will present Successful VoIP Contact Center System Management and Cisco Call Management Solutions Update.

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Overview of Optimized Edge Routing on Cisco Devices
January 11, 2006

Dr. Pete Welcher discusses Optimized Edge Routing (OER) on Cisco devices in this article. He provides an overview of what OER is, what OER does, OER design topologies, and how to use OER.

To review the "Basics of Cisco Optimized Edge Routing (OER)" article, please click here.

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Ways to Increase Network Availability
December 20, 2005

Ron Trunk, a Senior Consultant for Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, covers some ways to increase network availability in this newsletter. He discusses:

1. Documenting the network
2. Implementing Change Management
3. Testing changes before deployment
4. Monitoring your network performance
5. Focusing on your people

To read about about increasing network availability, please click here.

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A Bit More on Quality of Service (QoS) on Cisco 6500 Switches
December 10, 2005

Dr. Pete Welcher and Carole Warner Reece provide another article on QoS on Cisco 6500 switches. The article looks continues last month's discussion, and looks at trust and WRR.

To review the "A Bit More 6500 QoS " article, please click here.

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What Drives a Top NetPro?
December 7, 2005

Rick Burts, a Senior Consultant at Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, has been named a Top NetPro by Cisco. This interview looks at his expertise and background, and why he values the NetPro experience.

To review the "Interview with Top NetPros - Rick Burts " article, please click here.

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New Tips and Tricks are Available
November 27, 2005

Latest tips discuss an interface traffic utilization grapher utility, free Sniffer Portable offer for CCIEs, enhancements to control the login procedure on Cisco routers, 12.2 SXF support in hybrid mode, power calculator for some Cisco devices, announcement of the embedded event manager for Catalyst 6500, and a hidden EIGRP command. Other tips included new versions of Firefox, failure of some compact flash cards in Cisco devices, sniffing VLAN packets with a Dell laptop, plus other helpful information.

For more details on these Tips and Tricks, please click here.

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Information Secruity Policies Essentials
November 17, 2005

Bill Young, a Senior Security Consultant for Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, discusses some essentials for impementing security in this newsletter. He discusses:

1. Developing security policies
2. Management buy in supporting the policy
3. Building an implementation and remediation plan
4. User education and processes
5. Regularly revieiwng the policy

To review the newsletter, please click here.

If you would like to register for our e-mail newsletter, please click here. (Note: We do not sell or share our e-mail list information.)

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Update on Quality of Service (QoS) on Cisco 6500 Switches
November 4, 2005

Dr. Pete Welcher and Carole Warner Reece provide summary on QoS on Cisco 6500 switches. The article looks at the big picture of QoS on 6500s, and offers a quick review of QoS. They also provide a summary table of QoS functions detailing what commands can or can not be used on specific 6500 ports.

To review the "QoS for the Cisco 6500 (Revisited)" article, please click here.

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Update on Security Device Manager (SDM) and Adpative Security Device Manager (ASDM)
October 9, 2005

Dr. Pete Welcher describes the latest versions of SDM and ASDM which have some solid improvements, including that the NAT, VPN, and Firewall Wizards do some checking to help keep you from "shooting yourself in the foot". SDM is available for the ISR router series 850, 870, 1800, 2800, and 3800. ASDM is for some of the PIX models, and for the new integrated ASA devices.

To review the "Managing Cisco Devices with ASDM and SDM" article, please click here.

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Buying Network Penetration Services
September 29, 2005

Ron Trunk, a Senior Consultant for Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, discusses some considerations in buying network penetration service in this newsletter. He discusses:

1. Securing the perimter
2. Internal security
3. Looking at wireless networks
4. User education and processes
5. Penetration testing as part of a sec

To review the newsletter, please click here.

If you would like to register for our e-mail newsletter, please click here. (Note: We do not sell or share our e-mail list information.)

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Update on NetFlow and IPFIX
September 4, 2005

NetFlow is reviewed from configuration information, packet formats, traffic impact, and status of IPFIX. Check out this article updating Dr. Pete Welcher's previous discussions on NetFlow.

To review the "NetFlow and IPFIX " article, please click here.

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Five Ways to Ensure VoIP  Reliability
August 30, 2005

Ron Trunk, a Senior Consultant for Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, discusses ways to ensure Voice over IP reliability in this newsletter. He discusses:

1. Keeping your voice and data networks separate
2. Applying QoS consistently
3. Implementing backup power
4. Keeping your dialing plan simple
5. Documenting your network and your IPT System

To review the newsletter, please click here.

If you would like to register for our e-mail newsletter, please click here. (Note: We do not sell or share our e-mail list information.)

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New Features in Cisco IOS 12.4
August 15, 2005

In this article, Dr. Peter Welcher calls attention to new IOS features that he thinks are interesting, amazing, neat, or just plain useful. The focus is on 12.4 IOS.

To review the "New Features in Cisco IOS 12.4 " article, please click here.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Supports the Train the Trainer for Cisco 7600 Series Introduction
Aug 8, 2005

Carole Warner Reece from Chesapeake NetCraftsmen will be co-teaching the Train the Trainer/beta event for the soon to be released Introduction to Cisco 7600 Series Routers (7600R) 1.0 course on August 15 - 19.The five day course provides the student with a solid foundation of the 7600 components, configuration, and deployment guidelines. The course includes extensive lab work
Note: Carole is co-developer of the course.

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Buying Layer 2 Ethernet Services
July 8, 2005

If you are thinking about buying L2 services, this article by Dr. Peter Welcher in Enterprise Networking and Server Magazine discusses Ethernet service architectures, and some considerations you might want to think about before buying L2 services.

To review the "Buying Layer 2 Ethernet Services" article, please click here.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Exhibited at Cisco Networkers Conference
June 19 - 24, 2005

Chesapeake NetCraftsmen exhibited at booth #233 at Cisco Networkers Conference in the World Of Solutions. We were pleased to meet every one who stopped by! Press release here.

In addition to the exhibits, Dr. Peter Welcher presented a technical breakout session on MPLS VPNs, and also monitored remote labs on MPLS.

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L3 MPLS VPNs from the User's Perspective
June 13, 2005

If you are thinking about buying MPLS services, this article by Dr. Peter Welcher in Enterprise Networking and Server Magazine discusses what is different about Layer 3 MPLS VPN compared to traditional WAN services, and how those differences may affect you.

To review the "Enterprise Buyer's Guide to Layer 3 MPLS VPN Services" article, please click here.

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"Enterprise Buyer's Guide to MPLS-VPN Services” Presented at MPLScon
May 18, 2005

In his presentation, “Enterprise Buyer's Guide to MPLS-VPN Services,” Dr. Welcher drew from his experience with enterprise customer situations to discuss the key questions, decisions and considerations that are necessary to be an informed consumer of MPLS VPN services, and also discussed how MPLS VPN differs from classic Frame Relay and ATM WAN Services.

For slides of the speech, please click here.

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Recent Trends in Security
May 7, 2005

Dr. Peter Welcher posted his latest article from Enterprise Networking and Server Magazine on "Recent Trends in Security" which looks at security trends from a small and medium business persepctive. He discusses a recent trend of fewer worms but more virii. He also reviews VoIP and WLAN security.

To review the article, please click here.

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May Cisco University Seminars in VA and MD
May 5 & 6, 2005

Bruce Enders and Rick Burts, two Senior Consultants from Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, presented at the May Cisco University in Herndon, VA and Columbia, MD. Bruce discussed IP telephony design best practices with a focus on securing your IP telephony deployment. Rick covered real world aspects of network design best practices, including case studies of interesting design elements and design gotchas he has seen deployed in client networks.

To see pdf's of our previous seminar presentations, please visit our seminars page.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Presented at the SMB Technology and Business Solutions Conference
April 27, 2005

Dr. Peter Welcher, a Senior Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Consultant, gave the keynote speech on security trends at the SMB Technology and Business Solutions Conference on April 27, 2005 in New York City. During the event, three advanced technologies (IP Telephony, Security, and Wireless) were highlighted. (Full press release here.)

To view the PDF of the speech, please click here.

To see pdf's of our previous seminar presentations, please visit our seminars page.

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How Secure is WEP, Anyway?
April 7, 2005

Dr. Peter Welcher posted his latest article from Enterprise Networking and Server Magazine on "How Secure is WEP, Anyway?" He summarizes what is going on that affects WLAN security, reviews WEP, and suggests that many folks need to tighten their security.

To review the article, please click here.

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Cisco Security Advisory: Cisco IOS Interface Blocked by IPv4 Packets
Arnold, MD, July 24, 2003
- Important security advisory - Cisco routers and switches running Cisco IOS® software configured to process Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) packets are vulnerable to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack. For a list of resources and suggestions relevant to this issue please click on the above link.

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FAA Choose Ches apeake NetCraftsmen for GSA Contract Based On Company’s Depth of Experience and Number of CCIEs
Arnold, MD, July 14, 2003
– The networking staff of the Federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ awarded Chesapeake NetCraftsmen a GSA contract on June 27, 2003 for extensive network consultation and migration implementation.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Awarded "IP Telephony Specialization" By Cisco Systems
Arnold, MD, May 1, 2003
– Cisco Systems awarded the “IP Telephony Specialization” to Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, a Cisco Premier Certified Partner specializing in IP Telephony network design and implementation.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Chosen for National Blue Cross Blue Shield Conference
Arnold, MD, March 23, 2003 - Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, Inc. has been chosen by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to make a presentation to the attendees of their National Customer Contact Center Conference being held in Philadelphia, PA, March 23-26.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Presented at Global Cisco Users' Group
Arnold, MD, March 16, 2003 - Chesapeake NetCraftsmen, Inc. presented at the sixth annual Cisco Powered Network Operations Symposium, held March 16-21, 2003 at the company's San Jose California headquarters.

Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Achieved"Premier Certified Partner" Status with CISCO
Arnold, MD, November 20, 2002
- The "Premier" certification level is Cisco Systems' designation for recognizing and rewarding business partners with established credibility in the marketplace.

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PREVIOUS SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS:

 

"Enterprise Buyer's Guide to MPLS-VPN Services” Presented at MPLScon
May 18, 2005
In his presentation, “Enterprise Buyer's Guide to MPLS-VPN Services,” Dr. Welcher drew from his experience with enterprise customer situations to discuss the key questions, decisions and considerations that are necessary to be an informed consumer of MPLS VPN services, and also discussed how MPLS VPN differs from classic Frame Relay and ATM WAN Services.

For slides of the speech, please click here.

To see pdf's of our previous seminar presentations, please visit our seminars page.

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Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Presented at the SMB Technology and Business Solutions Conference
April 27, 2005
Dr. Peter Welcher, a Senior Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Consultant, gave the keynote speech at the SMB Technology and Business Solutions Conference on April 27, 2005 in New York City. This event focusing on technology and business solutions aimed at the small/medium business. During the day, three advanced technologies (IP Telephony, Security, and Wireless) were highlighted. (Full press release here.)

To view the PDF of the speech, please click here.

To see pdf's of our previous seminar presentations, please visit our seminars page.

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CHESAPEAKE NETCRAFTSMEN CCIEs PRESENTED AT FEBRUARY CISCO UNIVERSITY SEMINARS
Feb 3, 2005 – Two Chesapeake NetCraftsmen Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs) were the guest speakers at two Cisco University seminars. Marty Adkins and Dr. Peter Welcher (who is also a CCSI – Certified Cisco Systems Instructor) addressed “Best Practices for High Availability Campus Networks” and “Best Practices for Wireless LAN Design” on February 3rd and 4th in Herndon, Virginia and Columbia, Maryland, respectively. (Full press release here.)

To view the PDF of the wireless presentation, please click here.

To see pdf's of our previous seminar presentations, please visit our seminars page.

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