3. Where is Everybody?

Apparently, networking products aren't that interesting to the business IT buyers that Comdex is supposed to be focusing on, or at least that's the way it looks from which companies are actually at the show. About the only recognizable names on the show floor are SonicWall and MultiTech Systems , although neither company had any new product announcements to offer.

I was surprised, and pleased, to see that Linksys had a table at one of the Press events (and was supplying the only free WiFi Internet access that I've found at the show - don't get me started on that one!), but again, nothing new to show or talk about. Nothing new either from NETGEAR , who I met with in their hotel suite.

But at least one startup, Xincom , which makes a dual-wan router [reviewed here ], felt that Comdex was still important enough to plant its flag on the show floor, even though it was tucked away toward the back of the hall.