Samsung Kembangkan Memory Card 128 GB

Fino Yurio Kristo - detikinet

Seoul - Raksasa elektronik Korea Selatan, Samsung Electronics memaparkan rencana besarnya mengembangkan memory card atau kartu memori dengan kapasitas penyimpanan terbesar yang pernah ada.

Berkenaan dengan hal ini, Samsung dalam pernyataannya yang dilansir AFP dan dikutip detikINET, Selasa (23/10/2007) menyatakan bahwa mereka telah mengembangkan NAND flash memory berkapasitas 64 GB pertama di dunia. Perusahaan inipun mengklaimnya sebagai sebuah kemajuan besar dalam bidang teknologi penyimpanan flash.

Keberadaan flash memory memang memudahkan karena tetap bisa digunakan untuk menyimpan data digital meskipun tidak mendapatkan pasokan daya apapun. Aplikasinya antara lain terdapat di memory card dan USB Flash Drives.

Dengan perkembangan ini, Samsung nantinya akan menciptakan memory card atau kartu memori berkapasitas 128 GB. Jika diilustrasikan, kapasitas sebesar ini bisa digunakan untuk menyimpan sekitar 80 film DVD atau 32.000 musik MP3.

"Produk ini punya kapasitas penyimpanan terbesar di dunia," demikian klaim dari Kwon Hyosun, manajer senior di Samsung Electronics. Produksi massalnya direncanakan akan dimulai tahun 2009.

Diproyeksikan, produk ini akan menghasilkan pangsa pasar baru bernilai miliaran dollar Amerika, dengan diaplikasikan pada berbagai produk multimedia seperti ponsel, kamera digital ataupun pemutar musik MP3. ( fyk / fyk )

Recycle bin hard drive stores your deletions, mimics a trash can

Posted Aug 26th 2007 8:20AM by Darren Murph

We'll admit, it does seem a bit unnecessary to purchase an external hard drive that reserves its space for your deleted files, but if it looks this good, we can't help but be awed. Designed by Franco Cagnina, the Tempo concept is a 250GB hard drive that somehow resides in a trash can-shaped enclosure, and as expected, stores every single byte that you (haphazardly or otherwise) direct to File 13. The standout feature, however, are the blue LEDs that creep up the can as you add more and more junk to the heap. Well played, Franco, well played.

[Via TechnaBob]

Flexible displays created by stretching crystals

Posted Aug 24th 2007 6:18PM by Darren Murph

As researchers continue to forge ahead in their quest to create commercially viable flexible displays, a new team from Canada has apparently unearthed a breakthrough of sorts. Reportedly, the crew has been able to conjure up a full-color display which boasts pixels made from photonic crystals, and by "bonding them to an electroactive polymer that expands when a voltage is applied to it," the colors of the pixels change. According to André Arsenault of the University of Toronto, the newfangled devices "can be viewed just as well in bright sunlight as in indoor light," and if all goes as planned, we could be seeing a whole lot more of these promising units "in as little as two years" when the startup Opalux looks to fit these bendable creations into billboards, handheld gadgetry, and anything else it deems fit.

[Image courtesy of MSNBC, thanks Alan]

Festo's fluidic muscles make us all look weak

Posted Aug 24th 2007 10:29AM by Darren Murph

Yeah, we've seen some pretty fancy robotic arm work already this year, but Festo is out to show 'em all up with its fluidic muscle-packin' Airic's_arm. This robotic prosthesis sports a "bone structure" which mimics that found on a real live human, and can be moved via the 30 "muscles" built within. Essentially, Festo's approach to movement relies on "an elastomer tube reinforced by aramid fibers, which contract quickly and exert a pulling force when they're filled with a blast of compressed air or liquid." Of course, you'll notice it doesn't offer quite the same range as less bionic alternatives, but this thing's pretty accurate, indeed. Check it out for yourself, the video's right down there.

First all-electric police car takes to the streets

Posted Aug 24th 2007 8:31AM by Darren Murph

C'mon, fess up -- you'd be a lot less intimidated by a whisper quiet, all-electric squad car than one with a roaring V8, but it's hard to argue the fuel savings that would accrue if an entire precinct resorted to using the former. Such a car has now been loosed by the Connellsville Police Department, which had its combustion engine removed and replaced by a "pure-electric" alternative. The modified Chevy Impala will reportedly cruise for eight hours on a two-hour charge from a 240-volt outlet, but can't chase down baddies in heavy rain for fear of water "destroying its electrical circuits." Furthermore, Coherent Systems International (the car's converter) will be monitoring its effectiveness over the next two years as it aims to "work with other state agencies" and create more alternatively-fueled automobiles for public service.

HP's MediaSmart Home Servers get a release date

Posted Aug 22nd 2007 6:03PM by Joshua Topolsky

If you're keeping abreast of the Windows Home Server proceedings (and we suspect you are) then you're probably somewhat familiar with the HP EX470 / EX475. Furthermore, If you've been eyeing the two, drive-filled towers and been hoping to know when you might get your hands on them, you may be in luck. According to reports from retailers like Amazon and PCMall, the $599 EX470 (clocking in at 500GB) and and $749 EX475 (1TB) will begin shipping on September 15th. As you'll recall, the servers rock 1.8GHz AMD Semprons and contain four drive bays, plus tout four USB ports and one eSATA port -- for additional external expansion. As the supposed launch date for WHS draws ever nearer (or further... it's hard to tell) it's at least nice to know that we'll have some options when it does eventually land.

[Via DailyTech, thanks Mark]

Ageia announces PhysX 100M processor for gaming laptops

Posted Aug 22nd 2007 4:32PM by Darren Murph

Although it's been well over a year since the Ageia PhysX processor made any noise at all over on the desktop front, the firm is taking full advantage of the exposure provided at the Games Convention in Germany to unveil the PhysX 100M processor for "high-performance" gaming lappies. According to the company, this new device aims to provide "the most intensely realistic gaming and entertainment experience to PC gamers" on-the-go, but the nitty-gritty we were hoping for simply hasn't been divulged just yet. Of course, it's fairly safe to assume that we'll only be seeing this unit packed within beastly gaming laptops that can't stray far from an AC outlet, but only time will tell which manufacturer takes the bait first.

[Via ExtremeTech]

Baterai 'Kertas' Siap Hidupi Gadget Masa Depan

Fino Yurio Kristo - detikinet

Baterai 'Kertas' (BBC)

Jakarta - Baterai 'kertas' fleksibel bisa memenuhi kebutuhan sumber daya energi gadget masa depan. Demikian klaim para peneliti dari Rensselaer Polytehnic Institute. Mereka membuat contoh baterai yang hanya sedikit lebih besar daripada kertas perangko. Baterai ini bisa mengeluarkan daya sebesar 2,3 volt, cukup untuk menghidupkan cahaya kecil.

Ambisi mereka lainnya adalah untuk memproduksi baterai kertas yang suatu hari nanti bisa menjadi sumber daya mobil.

Profesor Robert Linhardt, salah satu peneliti menuturkan bahwa baterai kertas ini bisa jadi merupakan masa depan penyimpanan daya. Berbeda dengan baterai konvensional yang mengandung berbagai komponen, baterai kertas ini mengintegrasikan seluruh komponen baterai dalam struktur tunggal.

Baterai tersebut mengandung carbon nanotube sebagai elektroda dan dalam keadaan terpotong atau terlipat, baterai ini masih bisa berfungsi. Karena hanya mengandung kertas dan karbon sebagai unsur utama, pengaruhnya terhadap tubuh juga diklaim tidak berbahaya seperti baterai biasa yang bisa mengeluarkan racun.

Meskipun daya output yang dikeluarkan untuk sementara ini masih berukuran kecil, Professor Linhardt optimis energi yang dihasilkan oleh produk ini mudah untuk ditingkatkan.

"Jika kita menumpuk 500 baterai kertas bersama-sama, voltasenya juga meningkat 500 kali. Sesederhana itu," klaim Profesor Lindhart seperti dikutip detikINET dari BBC, Kamis (16/8/2007).

Namun, Profesor Daniel Sperling, seorang pakar sumber energi alternatif dari University of California mengatakan bahwa penemuan ini masih belum meyakinkan. "Saya kira, belum akan ada perubahan drastis akibat penemuan ini. Mereka juga harus memikirkan soal biaya," tegasnya.

Carbon nanotubes memang sangatlah mahal. Baterai kertas untuk mendayai mobil misalnya, mungkin juga tidak akan terjangkau. Profesor Lindhart sendiri pun mengakui baterai kertas ini juga masih membutuhkan waktu untuk bisa dipasarkan secara massal.
(ash/ash)

Pocket-sized PC runs Linux

May 14, 2007

Parisian startup Linutop has started shipping a compact, Linux-based computing appliance said to draw less than six Watts. Linutop's "Linutop" can serve as a standalone PC or Linux terminal, and targets web surfing kiosks in libraries, schools, offices, hotels, hospitals, Internet cafes, and family rooms.

Now that's a Pocket PC (Click to enlarge)

Linutop claims that its Linutop PC draws "less than 6 Watts" -- less energy than many computing appliances such as printers and scanners dissipate in standby mode. The device measures 3.7 x 1.1 x 5.9 inches (9.3 x 2.7 x 15 cm), and weighs 9.9 ounces (280 grams). Its compact wall-wart-style power supply incorporates a European-style plug.

Linutop is based on a 433MHz AMD Geode LX 700@0.8W processor. It has 256MB of RAM, and comes standard with a 1GB USB flash key as its main storage device. The lack of moving parts contributes to a long life cycle that generates less waste than less robust designs, the company said.


At 6 Watts, the Linutop is no hotplate
(Click to enlarge)
The Linutop's I/O includes four USB 2.0 ports and audio, along with a VGA port and 10/100 Ethernet, with USB WiFi optional.


Linutop desktop
(Click to enlarge)
On the software side, the Linutop PC is based on Xubuntu, a version of Ubuntu that eschews complicated, slow-moving window environments like KDE and Gnome in favor of Xfce. Interestingly, Xfce was also selected by Zonbu for its low-power, Via C7-based Zonbox, announced earlier this month along with a "carbon offset" program.

Other pre-installed Linutop applications include Firefox, AbiWord, Evince, Gaim, Totem, XDMCP (for interoperability with the Linux Terminal Server Project), and Etherboot. The environment is simple and easy, and users can surf the web within minutes of receiving their device, the company said.

Availability

The Linutop is available now, for European power outlets, in two configurations. A single Linutop with a 1GB USB stick is priced at 280 Euros (approx. $380). A pack of eight Linutops, each with a 1GB USB stick, is priced at 2,100 Euros (approx. $2,850).

Adapter does 200Mbps networking via AC wiring

May 17, 2007

Actiontec Electronics has released its next-generation powerline networking kit based on the HomePlug AV standard for distributing large multimedia and data files around the home without Ethernet cabling. "MegaPlug AV" adapters can network computers, set-top boxes, and other devices at 200Mbps over existing home electrical wiring, according to the company.


MegaPlug AV connection diagram

Spread the word: digg this story

According to Actiontec, use of the latest HomePlug AV technology enables throughput speeds that are more than twice as fast as the previous generation of HomePlug technology -- "at least double that of 802.11g wireless connectivity," and approaching wired-Ethernet levels. As a result, the network is suitable for high-speed transfer of data files as well as HDTV programs, movies, or other rich media. In addition, the new HomePlug standard provides enhanced 128-bit AES security, the company says.

Each MegaPlug AV kit comes with two Ethernet adapters that can be used either to build a new home network or to extend an existing network to areas of the house that are difficult to reach with Ethernet cabling or wireless signals. One adapter is needed for each device to be networked.

Setting up the network, according to Actiontec, is simple -- users simply plug one MegaPlug AV adapter into a power outlet near the broadband home router, plug the other into a power outlet near the PC or other Ethernet-equipped device, and connect both the router and the device to the respective adapters with the Ethernet cables included in the package. Each adapter measures 2.25 x 3.25 x 2 inches, making it small enough to be used without interfering with adjacent sockets, according to the company.

In addition to the two adapters and Ethernet cables, each kit includes a quick start guide, an installation CD, a user manual CD, and instructions for changing the encryption key.

The adapters are compatible with any wired- or wireless-broadband router or gateway and any PC, regardless of OS, the company says.

The Kit can be purchased from the company's website for about $170.

Big Blue boasts of "fastest chip ever"

May 21, 2007

IBM claims to have doubled the performance (or halved the power requirements, depending on your point of view) of its top-end processor for servers and mid-range systems. The dual-core "Power6" processor clocks to 4.7GHz, has 8MB of L2 cache, and breaks four widely used Unix performance benchmarks, according to the company.

The Power6 chip will appear initially in "System p 570" systems with two to 16 cores. The p570 reportedly broke SPEC 2006 benchmark records for integer, floating-point, Java, and transaction-processing, marking "the first time a single system has owned all four categories," IBM said.

IBM plans to roll out the Power6 processor in its "System p" and "System i" mid-range systems. These have traditionally run IBM's proprietary AIX version of UNIX, while also supporting multiple virtualized Linux servers running simultaneously alongside AIX.

The "thumbnail-sized" Power6 chip is built on 65-nm process technology, and integrates a generous 8MB of L2 cache, along with a pair of cores based on the Power6 architecture and connected by an SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) fabric.


Power6 die layout
Claimed Power6 features include:

• 300GBps processor bandwidth -- claimed to be 30 times greater than Intel's Itanium
  
• First UNIX microprocessor able to calculate decimal floating point arithmetic in hardware
  
• Low-voltage operation, for processor blade applications, and high-voltage operation for SMP server operation
  
• Separate power supply "rails" for circuits that can't support low-voltage operation
  
• Voltage/frequency "slewing"
  
• Dynamic clocking
  

Additionally, the Power6 chip offers virtualization capabilities said to support live migration of virtual servers between physical hardware platforms without downtime.

Pricing and availability were not disclosed.

Mini Linux distro features X-free OpenGL graphics

May 01, 2007

A minimalistic Linux distribution that can run OpenGL-based applications without X is now available from New Zealand based hacker Zeljko "Zelko" Aksentijevic. Zelko said his "MyOS Miniature OpenGL development system" shows that Linux development systems can be simple.

Zelko said MyOS has been "stripped down of everything, but core necessary files to compile and run OpenGL/C code." It is distributed as a 12.8MB ISO image, and fits on a 1.44MB floppy disk when OpenGL development tools are removed, according to Zelko.

Zelko said MyOS offers "really all one needs to learn OpenGL." Additionally, applications written on MyOS can run on "any Linux," he said.

In order to run OpenGL applications without X, MyOS makes use of SciTech's interesting GPL-licensed SNAP/MGL drivers. The drivers use a portable, cross-platform, HAL (hardware abstraction layer) with an OpenGL API.

In addition to serving as a teaching tool, potential applications for MyOS listed by its creator include: USB key-chain Linux implementations, rescue Linux, secure information storage and processing systems, and embedded applications, such as mobile phones, PDAs, media players, public computers, ATMs, and "other systems or terminals that need to run safely without 'Hard Drive' or entirely from ROM chip."

MyOS could also serve as the basis for building a graphical windowing system on top of OpenGL, Aksentijevic suggests.

In addition to the SciTech drivers, other components of MyOS are said to include a stripped down and modified GNU GCC compiler, diet libc, Necromancer's windows manager, and of course, busybox.

Linux-powered gateway crams into USB key

A tiny, Linux-based gateway has won an award for hardware innovation at the 2007 Embedded World conference in Nuremberg this week. SSV Embedded Systems's "Tux/Stick" interfaces between USB-enabled PCs and various industrial and embedded networks, including LANs, WiFi networks, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), and in-car networks.

The Tux/Stick looks like a typical USB memory stick. And, one end does plug into a USB port, just like a memory stick, drawing power from the host PC and booting a tiny ARM9-powered processor running Linux.


SSV Tux/Stick
(Click to enlarge)
Beneath a removable cap on the Tux/Stick's other end, though, is a "miniature plug" of an unspecified nature. This plug accepts "media couplers" that provide various interfaces. Available interfaces include 10/100 Ethernet, SPI, USB host, and serial UART interfaces.

SSV says the Tux/Stick comes with "special USB drivers" that make the device look like an Ethernet connection or a serial UART to the host computer, while supporting the device's various communication profiles. The device can establish connections in an "ad hoc" fashion, according to the company.

Marketing Manager Jorg Neumann stated, "This award confirms the importance and market need for small and innovative embedded hardware products that enables a huge range of communication."

What's under the hood?

The Tux/Stick is based on SSV's tiny DNP/9200, a miniature ARM9-powered SBC (single-board computer) that comes preinstalled with Linux. The DNP/9200 processor module measures 3.2 x 1.1 inches (82 x 28mm), and fits into a standard JEDEC DIL (dual-inline) socket with 64 pins spaced at 0.1 inches.


DNP/9200 module
(Click to enlarge)
The DNP/9200 SBC, in turn, is based on an Atmel AT91RM9200 clocked at 180MHz, and has 32MB of SDRAM and 16MB of flash memory. On-board interfaces include two UARTs, SPI, SSI/I2C, USB host and device, an 8-bit bus interface, and 20 GPIO lines.


DNP/9200 diagram
Additionally, the DNP/9200 SBC offers a "dock" that supports a Sony/Ericsson GSM/GPRS modem. Additional details can be found in our previous coverage, here.

Availability and pricing details for the Tux/Stick were not available by publication time.

Microsoft-Yahoo Siap Bersatu Jegal Google?

Microsoft-Yahoo Siap Bersatu Jegal Google?
Dewi Widya Ningrum - detikInet

Jakarta, Kabar Microsoft akan mencaplok Yahoo kembali merebak setelah keduanya disinyalir tengah memasuki taraf negosiasi jual beli. Untuk menjegal Google-kah tujuannya?

Seperti dilansir New York Post, Microsoft disinyalir tengah bernegosiasi dengan Yahoo. Bahkan Microsoft dikabarkan telah mengajukan tawaran senilai US$ 50 miliar guna bisa membeli perusahaan web portal tersebut beberapa bulan yang lalu. Saham Yahoo pun langsung bereaksi positif dan naik lebih dari 17 persen menyusul merebaknya kabar ini.

Sementara itu menurut Wall Street Journal, diskusi antara Microsoft dan Yahoo sudah berlangsung sejak beberapa bulan terakhir ini. Negosiasi itu disinyalir masih dalam tahap awal dan belum membuahkan kesepakatan yang jelas, apakah Yahoo akan diambil alih secara penuh oleh Microsoft atau membentuk joint venture.

Demikian rangkuman laporan Vnunet yang dikutip detikINET, Minggu (6/5/2007). Mengenai kabar merger ini, baik pihak Yahoo maupun Microsoft enggan mengomentari hal ini.

Posisi Yahoo dan Microsoft di bisnis mesin pencari internet saat ini, masing-masing bertengger di peringkat kedua dan ketiga setelah Google.

Akuisisi ini, jika terjadi, memungkinkan Microsoft untuk menghadapi rivalnya Google di bisnis pencarian online. Akuisisi ini juga akan menjadi yang terbesar yang pernah dilakukan Microsoft.

Beberapa analis bersikap skeptis menanggapi kabar ini. "Menurut saya, ini (akuisisi) tidak akan terjadi," kata analis Matt Rosoff dari Directions yang mempelajari bisnis Microsoft.

"Saya tidak tahu apa yang akan diperoleh Yahoo dari transaksi ini, termasuk orang-orang yang tidak mau bekerja untuk Microsoft," lanjutnya seperti dilansir AFP.

Sebenarnya kabar Microsoft akan mengakuisisi Yahoo ini sudah mulai terkuak sejak setahun lalu. Saat itu salah satu sumber terdekat Microsoft yang enggan disebutkan namanya mengatakan bahwa Microsoft tengah melobi Yahoo agar pihaknya bisa membeli saham penyedia mesin pencari itu.

Akankah keduanya melebur dan bersatu menjegal Google?
(dwn/rou)

India Kejar Laptop Rp 100.000

India Kejar Laptop Rp 100.000
Wicaksono Hidayat - detikInet

Jakarta, Laptop dengan harga US$ 100 (sekitar Rp 909.000) saja sudah dianggap mimpi yang nyaris mustahil, kini India justru berani mengejar laptop US$ 10 (Rp 90.900). Mungkinkah?

Impian yang mungkin dianggap tidak mungkin itu dicanangkan oleh Kementerian Tenaga Kerja India. Dua buah desain telah ditelaah oleh kementerian itu.

Satu desain dari Vellore Institute of Technology dan satu lagi dari Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Demikian dikutip detikINET dari Times of India, Sabtu (5/5/2007).

Apakah rancangan itu sudah cukup murah? Sejauh ini, tanpa biaya buruh, biaya pembuatan laptop termurah yang bisa dirancang adalah US$ 47.

Namun seorang pejabat India mengaku optimistis. "Biaya yang terlihat cukup membesarkan hati. Kami berharap bisa turun hingga US$ 10. Kami juga akan mencari kemungkinan perusahaan India yang memproduksi komponennya," tutur sang pejabat.

Sebagai bandingan, proyek laptop termurah saat ini adalah US$ 100 yang dikedepankan oleh Nicholas Negroponte. Itu pun harganya sudah naik menjadi US$ 175.

Di sisi lain akademisi di Amerika Serikat sudah mulai mengembangkan ponsel US$ 10. Ponsel itu akan dikembangkan untuk penyebaran teknologi di negara berkembang.

Laptop US$ 10 yang 'dikejar' India kemungkinan akan menggunakan komponen lawas atau yang sudah tidak digunakan pada laptop model terbaru namun masih menumpuk di gudang. (wsh/wsh)

MacBook hacked in contest at security event

VANCOUVER, B.C.--Shane Macaulay just got himself a free MacBook.

By Joris Evers, CNET News.com

Macaulay, a software engineer, was able to hack into a MacBook through a zero-day security hole in Apple's Safari browser. The computer was one of two offered as a prize in the "PWN to Own" hack-a-Mac contest at the CanSecWest conference here.

The successful attack on the second and final day of the contest required a conference organizer to surf to a malicious Web site using Safari on the MacBook--a type of attack familiar to Windows users. CanSecWest organizers relaxed the rules Friday after nobody at the event had breached either of the Macs on the previous day.

Macaulay teamed with Dino Dai Zovi, a security researcher until recently with Matasano Security. Dai Zovi, who has previously been credited by Apple for finding flaws in Mac software, found the Safari vulnerability and wrote the exploit overnight in about 9 hours, he said.

"The vulnerability and the exploit are mine," Dai Zovi said in a telephone interview from New York. "Shane is my man on the ground."

Apple spokeswoman Lynn Fox declined to comment on the MacBook hack specifically, but provided Apple's standard security comment: "Apple takes security very seriously and has a great track record of addressing potential vulnerabilities before they can affect users."

Dai Zovi plans to apply for a $10,000 bug bounty TippingPoint announced on Thursday if a previously unknown Apple bug was used. "Shane can have the laptop, I want the money," Dai Zovi said. TippingPoint runs the Zero Day Initiative bug bounty program.

A TippingPoint representative said the company would pay, after looking at the vulnerability. "If it is an actual zero-day in Safari that's fine with us," said Terri Forslof, manager of security response at TippingPoint.

The successful hack comes a day after Apple release its fourth security update for Mac OS X this year. The update repairs 25 vulnerabilities.

CanSecWest organizers set up the MacBooks connected to a wireless router and with all security updates installed, but without additional security software or settings.

Keep DNS servers from contributing to a DDoS attack

Takeaway: How can a recursive query become a DDoS attack? It doesn't take much. Mike Mullins explains how an attacker can take advantage of a DNS server using recursion to perpetrate a DDoS attack, and he tells you how to prevent your organization's DNS servers from taking part.

Is your public DNS server just waiting to participate in a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack? If it's using recursion, then the answer is yes. DDoS and DNS attacks aren't new, but they're on the rise.

Using authoritative name service, DNS servers primarily advertise to the world the various records associated with the domain they serve. Because users prefer common names and networks prefer numbers, DNS servers handle the translation between what a user types in a browser—such as techrepublic.com—and the actual IP address the network understands.

The task of answering a query recursively is completely different. According to a US-CERT report, between 75 and 80 percent of all DNS servers can handle recursive requests.

Recursive DNS provide answers to queries for records by asking other DNS servers and providing that response to the client that made the request. Here's an example:

1. A user enters www.techrepublic.com into a Web browser.
2. The computer contacts its local DNS server to determine the IP address of www.techrepublic.com.
3. The DNS server looks up www.techrepublic.com in its local tables (i.e., its cache) but does not find it listed.
4. The DNS server sends a query to a root server for the IP address of www.techrepublic.com.
5. The root server replies with a referral to the top-level domain (TLD) servers for www.techrepublic.com.
6. The DNS server then contacts the TLD server to determine the IP address of www.techrepublic.com.
7. The TLD server replies with a referral to the name server for www.techrepublic.com.
8. The DNS server contacts the name server for www.techrepublic.com to determine the IP address.
9. The name server checks a zone file that defines a CNAME record, which shows www.techrepublic.com is an alias of techrepublic.com.com. DNS returns both the CNAME and the A record for techrepublic.com.com
10. The DNS server sends this response to the original client: techrepublic.com.com = 216.239.113.146 (with CNAME record www.techrepublic.com=techrepublic.com.com).

How can a recursive query become a DDoS attack? For the attack to work, the attacker needs to be in control of one DNS record.

He or she then populates the TXT field of that record with information. (The maximum size of the TXT field is approximately 4,200 bytes.) And then the fun begins. Here's how:

1. The attacker programs bots to continuously execute requests for this record against recursive DNS.
2. The bots spoof the source IP address of these requests, replacing it with the DDoS target.
3. The recursive servers take the record from the attacker-controlled zone, and send it along to the IP address they think the request came from.

Multiply this by the number of bots participating in the attack, and you've got a DDoS attack. If your DNS server is a target of this attack, your network will grind to a halt because none of its clients can resolve an IP address.

What's the solution? It's quite simple: Run two different DNS servers. Let the internal server handle all requests from your network (even recursive for your clients only).

On the external DNS server, disable recursion. With recursion disabled, the external DNS server won't send queries on behalf of other name servers or clients, which stops attackers from bouncing DoS attacks off your DNS server by querying for external zones.

Final thoughts

Open DNS recursion isn't the problem—it's a symptom of the problem. IP address spoofing is the real problem, and this spoofing provides a ready venue for DDoS, spam, and other headaches.

In my opinion, IP address verification is the answer, and the tools already exist to solve that problem. I know the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is looking at the issue, but it needs to stop investigating and take action.

Michael Mullins CCNA, MCP

OQO Model 02 arrives

Posted Jan 7th 2007 9:30PM by Peter Rojas

It's been pretty much exactly two years since we first hassled Jory about this, but OQO officially announced its latest handheld PC, the Model 02. This time they've improved pretty much everything, from the sleek, new black casing and backlit keyboard (with actual keys!), to the brighter LCD screen and integrated EV-DO. Specs have gotten a much needed bump across the board, with the most expensive model they're offering sporting a 1.5GHz VIA processor, 60GB hard drive, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 5-inch, 800x480 pixel display (with active digitizer for pen-based input), Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, integrated EV-DO (courtesy of Sprint), and even an HDMI-out port.

The Model 02 also has a few other slick features, like the ability to zoom to 1000x600 and 1200x720 interpolated modes, a sensor that automatically protects the hard drive in case of a drop, and an optional docking station with a DVD+-RW drive, HDMI and VGA video out, three USB 2.0 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

There are a couple of disappointment -- namely that battery life is a paltry three hours unless you pick up an extended life battery, it's only Vista-capable, not shipping with Vista (at least not initially), and there's no longer a slot for the stylus -- but overall this is the upgrade we've been waiting for. Click on for some more pics, as well as a shot of the OQO in the docking station.

Virtual Windows jalan tanpa modifikasi di Linux

Device drivers yang dikembangkan Novell dan Intel memungkinkan untuk menjalankan Windows Server 2000/2003/XP di lingkungan Xen virtual environments diatas SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 dan Intel® Virtualization Technology tanpa perlu modifikasi.

Best Linux Desktop

Dalam sebuah siaran pers, Novell mengumumkan SUSE(R) Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 telah meraih '2007 InfoWorld Technology of the Year Award' dinobatkan sebagai "Best Linux Desktop." Menurut InfoWorld, Novell telah mengangkat distribusi Linux desktop dan memoles dengan professionalitas berikut fitur-fitur useabiliti unik yang tidak ditemukan dari vendor lain. Alhasil SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 menyediakan sejumlah alasan yang kuat kepada 'business users' untuk menjadikan Linux sebagai 'enterprise desktops' mereka.

Samsung Luncurkan Pesaing iPhone

Dewi Widya Ningrum - detikInet

Jakarta, Samsung memperkenalkan jajaran ponsel Ultra terbarunya, Ultra Smart F700. Dengan disain minimalis layaknya iPhone, Ultra Smart F700 disebut-sebut sebagai ponsel revolusioner dan sebagai pesaing iPhone.

Dari segi fitur, Ultra Smart F700 dilengkapi dengan user interface (antar muka) layar sentuh dengan display berwarna 2.78 inci dan resolusi 440 x 240 piksel. Ponsel ini juga dipersenjatai dengan keypad full QWERTY slide-out dan teknologi VibeTonz, yakni sistem vibrasi (getaran) yang bisa menstimulasi umpan balik sentuhan terhadap tekanan touchscreen.

Tak hanya itu, Ultra Smart F700 juga dibekali dengan tombol navigasi untuk mempermudah pengguna mengontrol menu, music play list control, dan beberapa fungsi lain.

Perangkat genggam berukuran 104 x 50 x 16.4 mm ini juga dilengkapi dengan fitur HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) dengan kecepatan transfer data 7,2 Mbps. Dengan kecepatan seperti itu, perbandingannya pengguna bisa men-download lagu berukuran 4MB hanya dalam waktu sekitar 4 detik. Tak ketinggalan pula web browser full HTML, kamera 5 megapixel dengan auto focus, Bluetooth, WAP, Java, dan port USB.

Ultra Smart F700, seperti dilansir Tech Digest dan dikutip detikINET, Jumat (9/2/2007), rencananya akan dipamerkan di ajang 3GSM World Congress minggu depan. (dwn/dwn)

Software Bisa Menghemat Konsumsi Bahan Bakar

Ardhi Suryadhi - detikInet

Jakarta, Di tengah harga minyak dunia yang terus merangkak naik sehingga berakibat pada harga bahan bakar kendaraan, ilmuwan Belanda berhasil menciptakan software yang dapat mengurangi konsumsi bahan bakar di kendaraan.

Adalah John Kessels, ilmuwan dari Universitas Eindhoven yang mengatakan mampu untuk mendapatkan performa mesin yang optimal dan menghemat konsumsi bahan bakar hanya dengan menambahkan sekeping software ke komputer mesin sebuah mobil.

"Hanya dengan menambahkan sekeping software dan kabel sederhana, mobil dapat menghemat konsumsi bahan bakar sampai 2,6 persen," ujar Kessels, seperti dilansir Reuters dan dikutip detikINET, Jumat (9/2/2007).

Kessels menjelaskan, software buatannya ini bekerja secara dinamis dengan mengubah dinamo yang mengisi baterai mobil ketika dalam keadaan mati maupun hidup.

Penelitian ini merupakan proyek bersama antara Universitas Eindhoven Belanda dengan salah satu produsen kendaraan asal Amerika Serikat, Ford. Namun software ini tidak menjadi hak milik Ford, sehingga bisa digunakan di berbagai mobil yang memiliki komputer mesin dan secara umum merupakan tipe mobil modern, imbuh Kessels.

Penghematan yang bisa didapat secara maksimal bisa mencapai 5 hingga 6 persen jika mesin kendaraan dapat dimatihidupkan, tetapi dibutuhkan setelan tertentu untuk mesin mobilnya.

Sekedar informasi, efisiensi bahan bakar merupakan topik utama bagi produsen kendaraan seiring dengan perjuangan pemerintah di kawasan Eropa guna mengendalikan pemanasan global.(ash/dwn)

Dua Bugs Terpampang di Browser Firefox

Dewi Widya Ningrum - detikInet

Jakarta, Sebanyak dua buah celah terpampang di browser andalan Mozilla, Firefox. Celah ini disinyalir memungkinkan file yang disimpan secara lokal ringkih terhadap serangan dedemit dunia maya.

Keberadaan dua celah tersebut dilaporkan oleh SecuriTeam, salah satu divisi perusahaan keamanan Beyond Security.

Menurut SecuriTeam, celah pertama terbentang di fitur pop-up blocker Firefox. Fitur pop-up blocker memungkinkan pengguna untuk menentukan secara spesifik situs mana saja yang diperbolehkan untuk membuka pop-up windows, dengan cara mengetikkan alamat situs yang dimaksud dan meng-klik tombol "Allow". Melalui fitur ini pula, browser biasanya tidak mengijinkan situs untuk mengakses file yang disimpan secara lokal di komputer.

Ketika pengguna Firefox mematikan window pop-up secara manual, URL permission check bisa diubah, misal yang seharusnya diblokir namun malah di-allow. Akibatnya, penyerang bisa mengeksploitasi celah ini untuk mencuri file dan informasi pribadi yang disimpan secara lokal di komputer korban.

Skenario lain yang mungkin terjadi adalah, pengguna akan dijebak untuk meng-klik sebuah link jahat. Secara diam-diam penyerang telah menanamkan file jahat yang dilengkapi dengan kode eksploitasi pada hard drive komputer. Lalu akan muncul sebuah prompt yang meminta pengguna untuk mengijinkan sebuah pop-up tampil untuk memutar download atau file video.

Nah, melalui file itulah hacker kemudian bisa mengeksploitasi browser dan memungkinkannya mendapatkan privileges untuk membaca file lokal di komputer.

Seperti dilansir Cnet dan dikutip detikINET, Jumat (9/2/2007), celah tersebut kemungkinan hanya mendera Firefox yang versinya lebih lawas dari Firefox 2.0. Beyond Security sendiri belum mau angkat bicara soal versi Firefox berapa yang didera celah ini.

Kemudian celah kedua, yang ditemukan SecuriTeam selang beberapa hari setelah celah pertama, berkaitan dengan fitur perlindungan phishing pada Firefox. Melalui celah ini, seorang ahli phisher konon bisa mengutak-atik browser menjadi sebuah situs 'penipu' dengan menambahkan karakter khusus ke dalam URL situs. Celah phishing ini dikabarkan mendera Firefox versi 2.0.0.1.

Sampai berita ini diturunkan, pihak Mozilla masih belum mau berkomentar perihal celah tersebut.(dwn/dwn)

My Canon Pixma IP1000 has "Waste Ink Full"

My Canon Pixma IP1000 has "Waste Ink Full" by the blinking orange-led.

These steps works for me :

# 1: Disconnect the printer from AC power
# 2: Press and HOLD the POWER button, and connect the printer to AC power
# 3: Release the POWER button
# 4: Press the POWER button again