We'll cover:

• The various tradeoffs regarding how to stem p2p and bandwidth abuse
• Recommendations for curbing RIAA requests
• Demo of the new NetEqualizer network access control module
• Lots of customer Q&A and information sharing on how Pacific Lutheran University is using the NetEqualizer, including some hands-on probing of a live system

When: Wednesday, January 13, 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Pacific Lutheran University
12180 Park Ave.
Tacoma, WA (Specific campus building and room number to come)

This technical user group, which in addition to our hosts includes invitees and NetEqualizer customers such as Everett Community College, the University of Puget Sound, and Northwest University, will be a great opportunity for current users and interested potential customers to learn more about the issues and challenges facing network administrators while also seeing the NetEqualizer in action.

Furthermore, the seminar will feature the input of Pacific Lutheran University students who will give first-hand accounts of the NetEqualizer end-user experience. For years, NetEqualizer has been a leader in network optimization technology that meets the needs of administrators, but also prioritizes the experience and privacy of Internet users.

If you're in the area, be sure not to miss this seminar! For more information, contact us at admin@apconnections.net.

While we get our fair share of leads from casual conversations with NetEqualizer users, we've decided to make telling your story a little more enticing. So, we're offering a limited number of $25 gift certificates to any operator willing to tell us of the notable Internet users that have experienced the NetEqualizer simply by being a guest on their network. Good rumors welcome! :)

Dropping Packets

One of the simplest methods for a bandwidth controller to enforce a rate cap is by dropping packets. When using the packet-dropping method, the bandwidth controlling device will count the total number of bytes that cross a link during a second. If the target rate is exceeded during any single second, the bandwidth controller will drop packets for the remainder of that second. For example, if the bandwidth limit is 1 megabit, and the bandwidth controller counts 1 million bits gone by in 1/2 a second, it will then drop packets for the remainder of the second. The counter will then reset for the next second. From most evidence we have observed, rate caps enforced by many ISPs use the drop packet method as it is the least expensive method supported on most basic routers.

So, what is wrong with dropping packets to enforce a bandwidth cap?

The time has come to announce this round's winner.

And the winner is...Randy Hursh of the TV Association of Republic.

Congratulations, Randy! Please contact us within 30 days at admin@apconnections.net or 303-997-1300 to claim your prize.