Cisco this week expanded its smart grid portfolio for utilities with a reference architecture, products and services intended to modernize the electric grid

Cisco unveiled the GridBlocks Architecture, a blueprint for integrating digital communications and the electric grid, including support for legacy utility communications networks. Cisco also rolled out field area network (FAN) equipment and transmission and substation switches and routers. The company is offering services to help utilities plan, design and optimize their new grid infrastructures.

Cisco’s GridBlocks Architecture is designed to give utility operators a holistic view of their grid communications infrastructure while also enabling them to focus on particular elements of the network that may have unique requirements. It’s intended to be adaptable to these requirements, such as support for legacy infrastructure or regional compliance regulations. 

The FAN combines smart grid metering, distribution, data collection and utility software from Itron with Cisco’s IPv6-based routers and switches. Cisco and Itron announced an alliance around IPv6-based smart grid infrastructure back in 2010. 

The FAN includes a new ruggedized IPv6 router line from Cisco: the 1000 series Connected Grid Router. The router comes in models for outdoor pole-top mount – the CGR 1240 -- and indoor DIN-rail mount with the CGR 1120.  Each supports 2G/3G, WiMAX and RF wireless mesh connectivity.

The FAN also includes new endpoints, device management and network management systems such as the Cisco Connected Grid Network Management System, which is designed to provide end-to-end monitoring and control for up to 10 million endpoints.

For transmission and substations, Cisco unveiled modules for its 2000 Series Connected Grid Routers that support wireless 4G/LTE, ISDN WAN and DSL networks.  Cisco also enhanced security on the 2000 series with intrusion prevention / intrusion detection, and support for SCADA signatures. In addition, the Cisco 2000 supports source-specific multicast for transfer and sharing of data across utility boundaries.   

For implementation, Cisco developed the Connected Grid Visualization and Design tool to allow engineers to visualize in a single interface the energy delivery network CIM diagrams, the IEC 61850 protection schema for intelligent electronic devices, and the communications network.  This helps engineers to design, model, and simulate all three networks, and standardize designs across hundreds or thousands of substations.

Sony PlayStation Network releases exclusive games

Sony Computer Entertainment America this week will begin rolling out exclusive new games as part of a strategy to lure players with fun titles only available on its PlayStation Network (PSN).

An "Only On PlayStation Network" program will kick off Tuesday and showcase videogames made by studios backed by a $20 million publishers fund set up by the Japanese entertainment titan.

"Our strategy from the very beginning, and even dating back to the PlayStation One, was to bring original brand content to our platform," PSN senior director Susan Panico told AFP.

"Now, we are wrapping this all into a program," she said.

PSN is an online venue where PlayStation 3 console users can obtain games software and play with or against one another.

Every Tuesday in October, the PlayStation online shop in North America will introduce exclusive new games that can be downloaded. The titles to debut this month include "inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood" and "PixleJunk Sidescroller."

Introduction of the program is to be marked by discounts and promotions.

The move is part of a plan by Sony to win more PSN fans by providing enticing games unavailable at rivals such as Xbox Live.

"We are looking now to double-down on this strategy," Panico said.

Sony PlayStation Network releases exclusive games

Sony Computer Entertainment America this week will begin rolling out exclusive new games as part of a strategy to lure players with fun titles only available on its PlayStation Network (PSN).

An "Only On PlayStation Network" program will kick off Tuesday and showcase videogames made by studios backed by a $20 million publishers fund set up by the Japanese entertainment titan.

"Our strategy from the very beginning, and even dating back to the PlayStation One, was to bring original brand content to our platform," PSN senior director Susan Panico told AFP.

"Now, we are wrapping this all into a program," she said.

PSN is an online venue where PlayStation 3 console users can obtain games software and play with or against one another.

Every Tuesday in October, the PlayStation online shop in North America will introduce exclusive new games that can be downloaded. The titles to debut this month include "inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood" and "PixleJunk Sidescroller."

Introduction of the program is to be marked by discounts and promotions.

The move is part of a plan by Sony to win more PSN fans by providing enticing games unavailable at rivals such as Xbox Live.

"We are looking now to double-down on this strategy," Panico said.

Playstation Network announces weekly downloadable PS2 game program

As if there weren’t enough great games arriving on shelves over the next few months, Playstation is kicking off a new program offering classic PS2 games as digital downloads on the Playstation Network.

The “Only on Playstation Network” campaign kicks off this week, and will feature a set of PS2 titles (as well as the occasional exclusive) available each Tuesday as digital downloads. Playstation Plus members will get 20 percent off each game, and anyone who spends more than $60 in October will get a $10 credit for November.

Speaking to Industry Gamers about the program, Senior Director of PlayStation Network Susan Panico said, “This strong initial content offering, combined with the day one discounts for PlayStation Plus subscribers and the ‘Spend $60, Get $10 Back’ promotion, makes PlayStation Network the premier destination for digital content,”

So far, the schedule of titles is as follows:

October 4 – Eufloria and Rochard (pictured) October 11 – Sideway: New York October 13 – Sodium Collection October 18 – Okabu and RocketBirds October 25 – inFAMOUS: Festival of Blood and PixelJunk Sidescroller

Asia Pacific world biggest social network market, Europe the most engaged

The Asia Pacific region is home to the world's biggest but least engaged social networking markets, according to a report released this week by internet analysts comScore.

Google+ social network opens to the world

Google opened its Google+ social network to the world on Tuesday, dropping the need for an invitation to join the Internet giant's rival to Facebook.

How to share a single printer on a network without using a Print Server

In today’s modern times, all offices is now using printer for creating a hard copy of a document. Every office can have multiple computers for every employee that needs them. But when it comes to printer, it seems strange that not every employee can have them. What wrong which this scenario? Well there nothing wrong with this scenario. Yes almost every employee in an office or institutions can have his/her own computer but no his/her own printer, the reason for this is because in every printer there is these item that needs to be replenish or change once it’s empty or if we do not change it then the printer becomes useless. This item is called the INK. Computer or PC do not have ink in order to work, it does not have a consumable part that needs to be replace every week or month to keep it working. But printer do, this item is the INK, and keeping a close watch on how every employee use these resources is very important.

Compute these is a small office has ten employees and every employee has its own computer and printer and printer ink cost has not really gone done despite having a huge demand for it. Every ten printer needs is own ink supply, the cost factors would certainly be off the roofed just for ink alone. So having one or two printer is much cost effective by having both printer shared on a network without using a print server. Please watch the video to get a better understanding of how to proceed with this procedure on sharing a printer or two on a small network.

Again these video has no voice over instructions, just watch and simply follow the procedure as seen for a simple sharing solution.

To summarize the video instructions, on the computer where the printer is installed open the printer and fax folder. Select the printer to be share if there are many printers installed, and then right on the printers to be shared and look for the sharing tab and click it. Then when inside the sharing tab choose the share this printer option then you can leave the default name or change it, this item is completely in your control. The last step would be to click the OK button to close the sharing tab.  Notice on the printer and fax folder under the printer that you have chosen to share a hand with an open palm has appeared, these only means that you have successfully shared the printer.