[OPLINTECH] Selecting a backup solution for my position

[Chad Neeper]

I totally second what Nathan just said.

Whenever I take on a new client I always plant myself off in an out-of-the
way corner somewhere with a network connection and take all of the
print-outs, post-it notes, and every other scrap of information I can get
the staff to dig up and use it to flesh build up my own notes. (Actually, I
do that paperwork in the office.) I then spend the entire day (sometimes
two and even three) poking around the network and discovering as much as I
can about all the bits and pieces that the staff DON'T have any information
on (or often even know is there) and how the devices/software interact with
each other. Even at a single-branch library with a modest network and good
documentation, there is never more than half of the picture documented in
any sort of way that is found and handed over to me. The rest, I'm on my
own to divine.

When I start with a new client, I always tell them that I'm going to do
this and not to worry; I'm not billing the library for the first few days!
I do this because I'm starting a very long-term relationship with the
client and I want to learn the details of their network. To Nathan's
comments, though, the point is:  even in a network that is well-documented,
there is always a lot of important information that is left in the cracks
that maybe even the netadmin doesn't know or think about or manage to get
in writing.

If it's one of those little bits that fell through the cracks that is
causing your network to fail soon after your IT guy was knocked-off, you
could be in for some rough times. But having the documentation *in a
thoughtful and useful format* and ready to hand to your random IT person is
the best investment in time you can make.

That being said. As an IT guy, I know it totally sucks to try to remember
to write down all the important things and keep them updated. As an IT
consultant, however, those that know me will attest to the fact that I have
a cool clipboard that almost never leaves my side. (All the time, I both
get asked where I found my clipboard and get razzed about carrying it
everywhere.) That clipboard contains everything I know about that network.
If I make a config change...it gets written down right then and there. When
I get back to the office, I eventually enter my updates into the database I
use to print out my notes and print out an updated set.

Those detailed tech notes are priceless.

Chad

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools*

On Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 3:51 PM, Nathan Nguyen <nnguyen at ghpl.org> wrote:

> One of the best things you can do for a "hit by a bus situation" is
> document EVERYTHING.  In that case some other sys admin off the street
> should be able to walk in day 1 and have a reasonable chance to keep things
> going.
>
> Grandview is part of a consortia and luckily the IT people have been able
> to help each other out when something unexpected happens. You might want to
> just ask around other libraries in your area, I'm sure they wouldn't mind
> having you as a backup in case their IT person bites it. :)
>
> n8
>
>
> Nathan Nguyen
> Technology Coordinator
> Grandview Heights Public Library
> nnguyen at ghpl.org
> 614-486-2954
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:
> oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] On Behalf Of Tim Burns
> Sent: Monday, September 8, 2014 9:43 AM
> To: oplintech at lists.oplin.org
> Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] Selecting a backup solution for my position
>
> In Fred's question - two scenarios are posed.
>
> 1. out on vacation - this can be planned for. Training and notes about
> regular (scheduled and non-scheduled) tasks should be available, with the
> responsible party identified in the protocol.
>
> 2. unscheduled absence- with contact - many things go on hold, or are
> handled remotely.  For the exception that don't work by these two
> solutions, see 2x.
>
> 2x. unscheduled absence - without contact (some form of termination, quit,
> die, fired, ... or just a coma ) - so this one is a bit trickier? I suspect
> that an IT support person would be identified at another library, and
> contracted to help out, until the position is refilled or you return.
>
> It might be worthwhile to develop something within our realm for just this
> purpose? Say- Fred gets hit by a bus, and the Auglaize Director needs help
> reformatting his Google Spreadsheet. It might be handy for him to just call
> OplinIT-R-us and get the first hour free, and every hour after $100.
>
> Tim
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