What is the AllJoyn Router Service on Windows 10?

I’ve been running Windows 10 at home for a while now but it seems that I find more details of the new OS when a client brings in a device and asks their questions. One client brought in a brand new laptop running Windows 10 and complained they were no longer able to get on to their WiFi at home and confirmed that they were also not able to get on WiFi at my office. They were not getting any IP information from the network, so I checked that antennas were turned on, network connections were enabled, and tried a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to the same results. While checking that the DHCP client service was running in Services.msc, another service caught my eye.

I did not recall seeing the ‘AllJoyn Router Service‘ service before and it has the following description:

The description made me very suspicious at first. With ‘messages’ and ‘routing’, it certainly sounded like a third party IM client that was trying to do too much and took over this laptop’s networking ability. (I’ve seen it before…) I compared services with another Windows 10 device that was working and found the AllJoyn service was there as well.

I refocused my efforts on tracking down the laptop’s problems. With the timeline of when the WiFi was working to when it stopped, I found that a piece of adware was installed and in conjunction with a McAfee trial that came pre-loaded with Windows, was blocking Internet access. I uninstalled the adware and McAfee and then rebooted. Upon coming back up, I was able to connect to WiFi and get Windows Defender up to date.

Piquing my curiosity, I wanted to look into that AllJoyn service to learn more about it. It turns out that AllJoyn is a component of the AllSeen Alliance, run by the Linux Foundation, to enable the “Internet of Things” with devices talking to each other. Windows 10 certainly wants a future in that, so the service allows it to talk to other AllJoyn devices for home automation and many other future tasks embracing the IoT router service.

From the AllSeen Alliance site: 

AllJoyn® is a collaborative open-source software framework that makes it easy for developers to write applications that can discover nearby devices, and communicate with each other directly regardless of brands, categories, transports, and OSes without the need of the cloud. The AllJoyn framework is extremely flexible with many features to help make the vision of the Internet of Things come to life.

For more information on Microsoft’s efforts with the Internet of Things, you can see their AllJoyn page on the Microsoft IoT GitHub site or the Microsoft Open Technologies site which had an announcement for AllJoyn implementation in Windows 10 in November 2014.

Router Solution

Router

A router is a physical network device that facilitates and establishes a connection between a local network and the Internet by passing information to and from packet switching networks . Performs this function by analyzing the header of a data packet that contains the destination IP address of the packet.  Based on the data packet, the router determines the most efficient route to the destination address. Simply put, a router routes information between connected networks router solution. 

Functionality

Physically, a router is connected to the modem and other devices. The router establishes a private network upon receiving Internet data from the modem, which is provided with a connection via cable, DSL, or other wired connections from an Internet service provider. Routers have several ports from which connections can be made to devices to distribute the Internet connection. By mediating the connection between modems and devices on a local network, the router facilitates communication with the Internet and within the network. The router provides network-level connections of a system and, therefore, operates on the third layer of the OSI model.

This device also acts as a dynamic host configuration protocol ( DHCP ) by distributing private IP addresses to devices connected within the network.  Home or office routers have a private or local address that is taken from a reserved range of IP addresses. Devices within the network can have a private IP address identical to that of a neighbor's house devices. This is not a problem, since the devices are connected separately to different routers with a specific public IP address. Therefore, a private IP address only works so that a router can identify a device.

Routers rely on a routing table to identify where a packet of data should be sent. The routing tables contain information about the destination, the next hop, the interface, the metrics and the routes, which can be used to guide the data packet through the communication lines and to its destination. 

1. Destination - The data packets contain a header that contains the IP address of their final destination. This information is vital as it indicates where a package should be delivered.
2. Next hop - Based on the destination IP address in the data packet header, the next hop refers to where the data must be forwarded to reach its destination.
3. Interface - Refers to the type of network interface that must be implemented to send the data packet to its next destination.
4. Metric - Refers to the efficiency of possible routes for the data packet. This is calculated to assign the data package to the most efficient and cost effective line.
5. Routes - Refers to the lines through which data can travel to reach the destination address.

There are 2 methods by which routing tables are maintained and kept in order. This can be done dynamically or statically. The static method involves manually updating the routing tables. On the other hand, dynamic routers automatically exchange information with devices through different routing protocols. Based on that information, the routing tables are updated automatically. The dynamic roadmap is also called adaptive roadmap. 

The role of a Help Desk within the organization

Management of a Help Desk:

The function of the Help Desk is to provide users with a single point of contact through which their needs related to the use of resources and services of technological platforms are resolved and channeled, always according to a standard adopted by the company. Among the objectives of a help desk are desktop support description:

• Answer all calls received.
• Solve a high percentage online.
• Online follow-up of derivative cases.
• Reduce recurring calls over time.

Definition:

The Help and Support Desk is a work team, a point of contact between the users of the company and the standard technologies adopted by it, and whose main objective will be to respond in a timely, efficient and high quality manner to the requests that said users perform, in relation to the various aspects of Information Technology.

Scope:

The scope of a Help Desk is very wide. Some of the categories in which we could group their various functions are the following:

• Services
• Report Attention
• Usage Policies
• Training
• recommendations
• Advertisements
• Publications

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Benefits:

This service provides the following benefits for users and for the organization:

• It provides a unique contact number where users can channel their queries or problems.
• A centralized administration of all the requirements and problems associated with the IT platform is provided.
• Constant support availability.
• Increase the productivity of users, preventing them from requesting help from their co-workers, generating downtime and solving a high percentage of the requirements within minutes.
• Relieves a very demanding problem to the computer science areas, who are the ones who usually assume this role, allowing them to devote themselves to their core activity.
• Provide information and recommendations periodically to take continuous improvement actions.

Components:

• First Level of Support : This role represents the first point of contact with the user. The first level of support is made up of personnel in charge of solving simple and / or procedural requests by telephone, based on previously relieved procedures for first instance resolutions.
• Second Level of Support:  This role corresponds to the groups of technicians responsible for resolving requests that require a higher degree of specialization. The second level of support is made up of more specialized personnel and they act on the basis of predetermined procedures according to the respective specialty of each one.
• Supervision:  With the purpose of administering the service, the figure of the Supervisor is understood as the one who will be in charge of ensuring and controlling compliance with the predefined solution time standards for all calls received, as well as monitoring and control. of the correct fulfillment of the standards of solution times for all problem reports, as well as of the commitments assumed by the resolution units regarding the terms of solution of these reports. The Supervisor will then act as the first level of escalation for cases not resolved within the specified time.

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Analysis unit:

The function of an Administrator or Analyst of the Help Desk Software, will be to carry out a monthly analysis of Indices and Data, whose objective is to evaluate the behavior over time of all the Indices defined in advance in the detail of procedures, according to agreements of service, timely warning of deviations that may occur, and generating proposals for corrective actions. In addition, it must have the user survey service according to its sector, which includes the realization of semiannual surveys to all users associated with the Help Desk service, in order to identify weaknesses in care and establish continuous improvement. The survey format can be developed in conjunction with the client.

Reports:

It is part of the service of a Help Desk, the delivery of periodic Reports, which reflect the historical activities and the level of compliance with them. Likewise, these reports allow us to visualize situations to improve for both the Client and the Help Desk and make the necessary changes. The report identifies the requirements according to their scope, type of report, mode of attention and statistical graphs, as well as a list of the reports generated most frequently in the month. As attached information, the various results analyzes regarding the periodic management delivered by the Fault Registration Administration system must be included in these reports.

Implementation:

In each implementation of a service of these dimensions, the following activities are carried out:

- Induction of technical support personnel in the culture, objectives and business processes, typical of the client.
- Periodic training of human resources provided by the Help Desk.
- Analysis and implementation of the Help Desk Administration system, procedures, methodology and controls, as well as a feedback or feedback from the client for the continuous improvement of said Administration system.
- System definitions: Categorization of problems, Adequate and efficient allocation rules, Impact Levels, Prioritization of cases according to criticality, Adequate Escalation Policies so that requirements are reassigned according to their complexity in combination with minimum waiting times for the end user, Notifications and alarms of active servers and equipment, Solutions Documentation to apply to future resolutions (knowledge base).

- Model test according to the above.
- Documentation of procedures, methodologies, controls, model design and use of requirements management software.
- Installation and commissioning of the requirements management software.
- Generation and documentation of management reports that the client requires for the purpose of evaluating and measuring the level of service.

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Outsourcing:

Some of the problems faced by organizations and in particular IT departments are: - Being able to justify and reduce costs for IT services.
- Increase user satisfaction and productivity by focusing most of the time on their core issues and leaving the Help Desk the treatment and resolution of problems typical of the SW and HW tools used by the user.
- “Real” record of IT assets (fixed assets) as well as their use, location and accounting status.
- Solve repetitive problems and also implement updates and software patches that require too much time on seven occasions.

The Help Desk must make periodic proposals and warnings to its clients to reduce the cost of the operation and support, taking into account the following perspectives:

- Financial:  Control of own and rented assets, budget reduction, justification of value and return on investment in systems, transformation of fixed costs by variables.
- Security:  constant patch updates and effective compliance with external audits and information security and risk policies.
- Technique:  Diversity of products, constant updates, little time dedicated to business strategy.

Learn more about our Aranda Service Desk  solution  by clicking here

Source

Server maintenance

server maintenance jobs

A server is software hosted on a very powerful computer whose purpose is to store and manage information. The servers remain on 24 hours a day , because they are the ones that store the information that is required to have access at all times.

Servers , like anything else, need periodic maintenance , as well as software and hardware updating, since not all the information they store remains static server maintenance job.

Hardware

Servers should be kept in an isolated place at a low temperature Since they remain on all the time, they are more prone to overheating than a computer.

• Step 1 . To maintain them, you have to turn them off and unplug them .

• Step 2 . The maintenance person has to touch a metal surface to discharge static electricity.

• Step 3 . When they are turned off and unplugged, they must be cleaned inside with a liquid product or a foam  to remove dust and accumulated trash. It is important to check that all parts work properly and that the fans provide sufficient ventilation.

  software

  The servers contain sensitive information, so it is important to ensure that there are no unauthorized entries to your databases.
  • Updates . To avoid that and for the proper functioning of the server, it is important to keep the software, antivirus and firewall updates up to date .
  • Backrests . It is also necessary for the server to perform automatic backups from time to time , so that the information is not lost if the hardware is damaged.
  Servers are equipment whose assembly, installation and maintenance are different from those of a computer and, therefore, their maintenance must be performed by trained personnel .

What is a server and what is it for on the Internet?

Have you ever wondered where all the contents of your digital marketing strategy that you upload to your website are located?

It is, then, on web servers. These are essential for the Internet and if they did not exist, surfing the web would be very different from what we know today.

With the digital transformation and the increasing use of the Internet it was more than necessary to create servers that were capable of storing and issuing the (almost infinite) information library that we found on the web.

Imagine web servers as a "normal" office computer, unless in this case they are ready to be turned on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year .

Do you still have doubts? Do not worry, in this article we will answer what you need to know about web servers, keep reading!

What is a server?

A server (server) is a computer of great power that is responsible for "providing the service" to transmit the information requested by its customers server qualifications (other computers, mobile devices, printers, people, etc.)

Web servers (web server) are a component of servers whose main function is to store, in web hosting , all the files of a web page (images, texts, videos, etc.) and transmit them to users through browsers using the HTTP protocol (Hipertext Transfer Protocol).

What is a server on the Internet for?

The main role of a web server is to store and transmit the requested content of a website to the user's browser .

This process, for Internet users, lasts no more than a second, however, at the web server level it is a more complicated sequence than it seems.

To fulfill its functions, the server must have the ability to always be on to avoid interrupting the service offered to its customers. If this server fails or shuts down, Internet users will have problems entering the website.

How does a server work?

Communication between a server and its clients is based on HTTP, that is, the hypertext transfer protocol or its HTTPS encoded variant.

To know how it works, it is first necessary to know that the web server is permanently waiting for a request for information .

Also, keep in mind that every computer, smartphone or tablet has a unique and unrepeatable IP address that identifies it from another device on the network, this is how the web server sends the exact information that the Internet user is waiting for.

However, in order for the web server to fulfill its function, it is necessary to receive the request from a browser, in other words, an order is sent from an IP address to the IP address of the server that hosts the site's files in question.

Next, the web server searches its files for the information that is being requested, proceeds to interpret the lines of code and send the result to the browser whose IP address was the requestor.

This result is shown to Internet users and is what always happens when browsing Internet sites. When this process is complete we can say that the web server has fulfilled its function.

What are the characteristics of a server?

As necessary features of a web server at the software and hardware level , we can find:

Software level

OS

It ensures that the hardware works and manages to interact with the services that the system runs. Some examples are:

• Unix,
• Linux,
• or Windows

File systems

It is a logical guide that allows the system to locate, sort and filter data on the hard drive, so that we can read, modify or delete them.

HTTP server software

They are the different types of web servers specialized in transmitting the content via web (Apache, Nginx, IIS, Caddy, etc.).

Virtual hosting

It allows that under the same web server and IP they stay in several different websites.

Dispatch of static and dynamic files

Static files provide support for hosting and dispatching files such as:

• JPG,
• GIF,
• PNG,
• BMP,
• CSS ,
• TXT,
• HTML,
• Javascript,
• MP3
• and MP4.

Dynamic files work for information in PHP, ASP, Python, Ruby and GO.

Network and Limit Monitoring

It allows monitoring network traffic, packets that come and go, as well as system services and hardware use such as:

• the use of Storage;
• RAM consumption;
• CPU occupancy rate;
• network speed;
• write / read performance on disk.

Security system

The security system of a server must:

• impose access limits per IP address;
• deny or allow access to certain files or URLs;
• request username and password for basic HTTP authentication;
• filtering insecure requests;
• Support to dispatch encrypted information with SSL security certificates via HTTPS.

Hardware level

Rack and cabinet

The rack refers to the place where the servers are physically housed and the cabinet is the frame that holds the hardware components of a computer.

CPU

It is the server's data processing center from which all the logical and mathematical calculations are performed so that the user can manipulate and access the data as needed.

RAM

It is used to store information and data temporarily depending on the user's demand through the operating system.

Storage units

The storage of web servers is done on hard drives, which allow you to store the information of the operating system, system services, and ultimately the data loaded by the user.

Network port

The bandwidth is what allows you to have enough volume to transmit information back and forth to and from your web server.

What types of servers exist?

There are many types of web servers, know which are the most used web servers today:

Apache

It is the most common and used in the world, however, it has lost popularity against Microsoft IIS and Nginx.

Among the advantages of Apache is that it is an open source, with free and cross-platform software , and among its disadvantages its low performance when it receives thousands of simultaneous requests (requests) in dynamic content processing or static files.

Nginx

Known and popularized as one of the best Apache alternatives . Nginx is a free and open source web server (although there is also a commercial version) that stands out for its high performance.

Among its benefits, a simple, light, fast and excellent configuration in terms of safety and performance stands out, it also allows it to be configured to integrate natively with almost any modern technology and programming language.

As disadvantages we can find that it does not support .htaccess (Apache) files, although it includes its own rewriting language.

LiteSpeed

It is an HTTP dispatch software developed by LiteSpeedTech, there is an open source version and a commercial version that includes different types of licenses.

Some of the benefits of LiteSpeed is that it provides large amounts of simultaneous connections with a really low resource consumption (even with demanding applications such as those that use PHP) and at the level of static files it lives up to Nginx.

Microsoft IIS

Internet Information Services or IIS has become popular to offer cloud services , mainly in Azure (Microsoft's Cloud Hosting platform).

In addition, its perfect integration with Windows (of course), Visual Studio and its tools made this web server position itself as the leading server in the business world.

Other known web servers

• Lighttpd ;
• Caddy ;
• Cherokee ;
• NodeJS ;
• Sun Java System Web Server ;
• Google Web Server (GWS), is Google's private server so it cannot be downloaded.

Each web server is indicated for certain functions, so choosing which one you are going to use will depend on what you intend to do with them.

In conclusion

Do not forget that when considering choosing a web server you should consider:

• how well it works with the operating system and other servers;
• its ability to handle server programming;
• security features;
• the particular tools of publication;
• search engine ;
• the creation of sites that come with it.

Web servers not only allow you to publish your site on the Internet, but also deliver the content to your readers. Knowing which one suits you and your readers is essential for the web server you choose to properly fulfill its functions.

Did you like the article and want to continue learning? So, be sure to read our blog about the types of programming language . It will be very useful!

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