Network Support

[gumbygaz]

Currently we've got an SLA with the LEA covering our switches (All procurves) - fault finding/config/warranties etc but its very expensive for what we get. Network config etc is bit beyond me (yup, really to need to plug that knowledge gap) so looking for a company to support us with them.

Anybody got any good companies they've used. We're based in Staffordshire?

 

Cheers

[yac2016]

Do you use VLANs?, Do you have VoIP? Do you have all the passwords for your switches?

 

If you don't have VoIP or VLANS you can easily manage them yourself, always good to have a spare switch handy. Not much config to it.

[NB9457]

It's really not too hard once you get into it.

 

Get a practice rig set up and make some VLANs and what not, you'll soon pick it up and probably end up saving a fair chunk. You could find with cancelling your support and replacing switches could be cheaper too.

[yac2016]

I agree. Spot on.

[synaesthesia]

Get some pricing details together re what you pay for all this, and put together a training action plan. Present this to your management. "We currently pay £x amount per year for network support, something we can do in house. I'm rusty or underknowledged in this area but a little training which comes to a one-off cost of only £y will help".

You get training & possibly a qualification, ticking a CPD box too. School gets on-site network support and saves money in the process. Everyone is happy. And to be frank, managing/maintaining the physical infrastructure isn't a particularly time consuming task unless it's badly set up in the first place!

[fiza]

Not to derail the thread but what would you guys recommend as a good course for learning about VLANs?

[NB9457]

Not to derail the thread but what would you guys recommend as a good course for learning about VLANs?

I'm more of a kinesthetic learner, so most times for me, I sit down, read up, watch videos and then build a test rig and keep playing till I eventually understand and learn how to do it.

 

Whether this works for you or not, I'm unsure, but if you go out and actually go on a course, I'd ensure they offer a practical part too.

[IrritableTech]

Currently we've got an SLA with the LEA covering our switches (All procurves) - fault finding/config/warranties etc but its very expensive for what we get. Network config etc is bit beyond me (yup, really to need to plug that knowledge gap) so looking for a company to support us with them.

Anybody got any good companies they've used. We're based in Staffordshire?

 

Cheers

 

Have you got a log of how many times you've needed them to do anything? Unless you have a complicated setup of vlans I bet they've barely done anything since it was put in. By the way, procurves are covered under a lifetime warranty - no need to pay anyone else anything as long as you're the first owner.

 

I'd echo what has been said. Take a bit of time out and look through a config (there may literally be nothing in it - or plenty which you can read up on). Edugeek is always on hand and you'll find a number of members who are confident in procurve configs (and others).

[maxrebo]

Is there any Virtual labs for the HP Procurve series? (or HP switches in general) To save all the hardware and trailing leads!.

I have looked in the past but only found Cisco Virtual labs. Dont mind paying a bit for one either

[supawat1]

The Open University Cisco Networking course is a good one. Read about it.

[gumbygaz]

Thanks, yeah it is a very basic setup no VLANs (which I want to implement) and no VOIP. And @Irritable Tech your right, we've barely ever needed to call support on them. One fail last year some time, and since procurve they replaced and just had to do the config.

Had a couple PM's about local companies, who I've messaged about support. But probably should be something as you've all suggested and get an old switch and have play around really and take it from there.

 

Cheers

[googlemad]

Personally networking is one thing that I never have quite got along with, I remember when we had Cisco switches my old line manager recommended using Cisco Network Assistant and to be honest it could do most of the stuff you would ever need to do in a nice graphical interface instead of worrying about memorising command line commands!

 

Not sure if HP have anything similar there, they have a web interface but I'm not sure how good it is...

[nikaso]

Currently we've got an SLA with the LEA covering our switches (All procurves) - fault finding/config/warranties etc but its very expensive for what we get. Network config etc is bit beyond me (yup, really to need to plug that knowledge gap) so looking for a company to support us with them.

Anybody got any good companies they've used. We're based in Staffordshire?

 

Cheers

 

If you wanted to save some money perhaps see if they will remove break/fix on the edge switches, keep some spares in stock and swap them out and flash them with the backed up config and you are back in business? I know removing break/fix from some of our switches saved thousands?

[Gibbo]

Backup your configs regularly, keep on top of firmware updates and that's all there is to Procurves.

 

If one fails, they ship a replacement within 24 hours. Upload your saved config to it and its done.