Practical Technology

for practical people.

April 22, 2020
by sjvn01
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How close are we to breaking encryption with quantum computing?

Quantum encryption cracking is on its way, so it’s time to start getting ready for it.

When famed Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynmann came up with the concept of quantum computers in 1982 in his speech and paper Simulating Physics with Computers, he probably wasn’t thinking about the effects it would have on cryptography. Today, we face the real possibility of quantum computers overturning the apple-cart of classical encryption and the promise of nigh-unto-unbreakable quantum encryption.

How close are we to breaking encryption with quantum computing? More>

April 22, 2020
by sjvn01
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NetApp to make stateful applications easier to do in Kubernetes

Most web applications are stateless. These don’t save client data from one session for the client’s next session. A stateful app is one that saves client data from one session to the next. There are advantages to both approaches. But it’s not been easy to run stateful applications in containers. NetApp wants to fix that with Project Astra, a Kubernetes storage and container platform.

NetApp to make stateful applications easier to do in Kubernetes More>

April 22, 2020
by sjvn01
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NordVPN unveils first mainstream WireGuard virtual private network

I predicted WireGuard, a revolutionary open-source approach to Virtual Private Networks (VPN), would rapidly be adopted by all VPN companies. It’s happening. One of the largest of the mainstream VPN companies, NordVPN, is rolling it out in NordLynx. Why? NordVPN’s own tests have shown NordLynx easily outperforms the other protocols, IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN.

NordVPN unveils first mainstream WireGuard virtual private network More>

April 21, 2020
by sjvn01
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Here comes Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2

Red Hat is kicking rump and taking names now that it’s part of IBM. Red Hat revenue was up 18% in the last quarter and up almost 50% over last year. Why? One reason, as IBM CFO Jim Kavanaugh said, was Red Hat’s been “leveraging IBM’s deep client relationships.” The other reason is that Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and the hybrid cloud built upon it have proven very popular. Now, the company is taking the next step in securing this business lead with the latest release of RHEL 8.2.

Here comes Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.2 More>

April 20, 2020
by sjvn01
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Where’s my check? COBOL’s role in delay of stimulus and unemployment payments

The last thing you need when you’ve lost your job is to be unable to file for unemployment. Or, if you’re short on funds, to be stuck waiting for your stimulus check. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what’s happened to many of us. Most of the blame for that has been piled onto the 60-year-old COBOL language. That’s because the underlying software for many state unemployment systems and the IRS is written in COBOL.

Where’s my check? COBOL’s role in delay of stimulus and unemployment payments More>

April 20, 2020
by sjvn01
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Open-source firmware turns CPAP machines into coronavirus ventilators

Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, we are woefully short of ventilators that can give the most gravely ill a chance for life. There are many efforts afoot to build more ventilators. Now, instead of building ventilators, a group of open-source developers has a new idea: Create a firmware update, Airbreak, which can transform common Constant Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines into non-invasive ventilators.

Open-source firmware turns CPAP machines into coronavirus ventilators More>