SUMMARY: Sys Admin(Changing Job) Starter Guide !

From: Levi Ashcol (leviashcol@hotpop.com)
Date: Thu May 01 2003 - 12:24:33 EDT


Thanks to:
Bradley White,Colin Bigam , Jim Winkle, Tim Kirby,
David B Harrington, Martin hepworth, Brian Dunbar,
Ken McKinlay, sisiro, ttg(Tim), Kevin Korb.

Sorry for the late SUMMARY but changing job is a headache !
  
I came up with some sort of checklist and here it is:

  1- Technical:
        Operating System:
        -Installation Methods(CD-ROM, Network-Jumpstart, Flash).
        -Filesystems Map (/, /usr, /var,..).
        -Kernel Parameters.
        -Patch Installation Policy.
        -Drivers For Added HW (NICs,HBAs.)(CDs/Manuals
       /Special settings and requirements)
        -Startup Scripts.
        -Added OS packages and Administration tools (SunVTS,
         SunForum ...Freeware tools?).
        -Logical Volume SW/Configuration
        -Backup HW/SW/Schedule/Policies/Storage
        -Crontab Jobs
        -NT/UNIX ineroperability(Samba/Syntax..,Xserver emulation)

        Applications:
        -Installation Methods(CDs/Centralized)
        -Special Settings and environment variables
        -Startup scripts locations
        -Essential services/daemons to be run for the application
        -Licencing(floating/Keys)
        -Support Contracts
        -Fixes/Special Patches for the applications

        Network:
        -IP Settings (Static/DHCP)
        -Network Map/Topology (Masks/Gateways/VLANs)
        -Network Speed(Auto/Forced)
        -Proxy/Firewall settings
        -Directory/Naming Services(NIS/NIS+/LDAP/DNS).
        -Network Services enabled (NTP/HTTP/FTP,.).
        -Shared Filesystems/Mount options.

  2- IT Management Related.
        -IT servers room access control and saftey standards.
        -Daily Operational routine tasks.
        -Change Management Policy.
        -System Security Policy/Standard/SW/HW
        -System monitoring SW/Policy.
        -Documentation Methodology.
        -Service Level Agreements.(uptime expectations,
       problem tracking, escalation procedures,how do customers raise
problems)
        - System Inventory(Servers/Workstations/Disk Arrays/
          Automated Tape Libraries/Special Interfaces and
          their support contracts/contact list.
        -Role in Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans.

  3- Job Related
        -Company Code of Ethics.
        -Performance Indicators.
        -Personal Development Plans.
  4- Misc
        -Politics: Be very careful to keep your opinions on coworkers
         and vendors to yourself.
        -Find out who the people(DBAs, NetAdmin) you'll be working with
         are, and what the lines between you and them.
        -The teamwork will develop as they begin to trust you and
         you begin to trust them.
        -Any alternate people available, so you can go on vacation.
        -Practice your smile, relax, and get ready to enjoy your
         new job(Where is the Snack/Soda machine?)

Bradley White recommended reading
"The Practice of System and Network Administration" by Limoncelli &
Hogan.

Cheers !

Levi

-----Original Message-----
From: sunmanagers-admin@sunmanagers.org
[mailto:sunmanagers-admin@sunmanagers.org] On Behalf Of Levi Ashcol
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2003 3:06 AM
To: sunmanagers@sunmanagers.org
Subject: OT: Sys Admin(Changing Job) Starter Guide !

Hi all,
I will be moving shortly to another company as a senior SUN Solaris
system admin.
Being responsible of a site that is totally new for me is a nightmare !
I am also afraid not to find teamwork sprit and cooperation from other
sys admins in the new company !

My question is:

Anybody has a draft starter guide for the sys admin whom are about to
change his company ?
I mean what should I first ask for or need to know?

I am thinking about things like:
 - HW/Network/SW (Inventory, Configuration, licenses, support
contracts).
 - Backup HW/SW/Policy/Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans.
 - Daily Routine tasks.
 - Logical Volume SW/techniques.
 - OS/Application/Fixes/Patches installation/application policy.
 - Change Management Policy.
 - System Security Policy/Standard.
 - System monitoring SW/Policy.
 - Documentation Methodology.
 - Service Level Agreements.

Did I miss something ? Anyone had a detailed document/URL/Checklist that
can be useful ?

I will appreciate any pointer and will indeed summarize.

Thanks

Levi.
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