IT the importance of planing

IT the importance of a planning

I am going to touch on a subject which I have been bragging for long time. The importance of a plan.

I have come across many IT professionals, who start a task, to find thenselves in the middle without being able to a) proceed b) to go back.
That indicates a clear lack of planning.

I'll tell you a story, I am not going to name people and I am not going to give too many details, but the point will be made.
I asked one of the Sys Admins to move a server. It is a simple task, but depending on how the server is configured and how the network is configured, it may require some thought.

Let's say each server has 6 NICs.
Each pair of NICs is bonded and connects to different networks, separeted by VLANs.
Each NIC must be plugged onto a specific switch port and specific switch.

If you have knowledge of the network and has moved servers around many times, it is probably a simple task.

But lets say, you don't have much knowledge of the netwok, then you power the server off, unplug all cables, just to find yourself stuck trying to guess where each cable should be plugged.

What could be done differently in this case scenario is

1. Take a picture of the back of the server.
2. Take note of how many cables are connected
3. Where each cable is connected to
4. Familiarise yourself with the network
5. Try and get a Network diagram
6. A spread sheet with all the connections

Now think about if it is in the middle of the night, you cannot contact anyone and the server must be avilable by morning?

Things can be easier, if before you start doing the work:

1. You make a plan
2. Break down the task into steps
3. Gather necessary information to do your work
4. Get someone available in case you need help.
5. Think of what you need and prepare before starting the work
6. Check which services were running on the server
7. check the disks, lights, power supplies connected
8. Test the cables or just have spare cables available
9. If for any reason, halfway through, you cannot proceed just make sure you can at least get the server back where it was and how it was.

Let me make an analogy; if you borrow a phone from a friend, I think it is your duty to make sure you give your fried's phone back the way you received it.

Planning does take a bit of time, but in the end it will save you a lot of headaches.

Hope you enjoy this post

by Renato de Oliveira