Starting new job ICT systems Manager & Facilitator November 5th

[psydii]

You've got CC4, definitely get yourself on a course to learn how to use it ASAP. It is going to be your primary tool for getting stuff done on PCs around your school.

 

You can learn the Windows'y stuff through the Resource Kits/ Training Kits and through Technet. Learning CISCO stuff really isn't that useful unless you are planning on being a packet shepherd.

 

After the CC4 basics and bringing yourself up to speed with Windows, understanding Service Delivery is really the next most important thing, and for that we have FITS.

 

Because I distracted myself with a four year degree, I didn't get a budget until I was 22, and quite frankly other than being able to model the early universe in 9 dimensions, gave me no experience that evolved my ability to deliver at that age from when I was 20. Since the education system these days contains more emphasis on collaboration and project work, you are already better tooled for the role that I was. The trick is to be a sponge - absorb and learn from everything you encounter. Model and test the technology as you read about it. Don't mess with live systems until you know it will work and how to roll it back. Be friendly and approachable. At that age we have the capacity to do anything, if the motivation is there (and "you're in charge, here's your budget - you make it work" is the best motivation there is). I cannot impress upon you enough how important being it is to be SMART.

Edited October 3, 2012 by psydii

[-sweet-]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks, I am definantly up for the job, it is only me as the ICT staff.... Not managing anyone! I will look at the technet site in due course.

 

I am fulling confident its just i want to be ready to go in and make the best impression first off! Ive decided not to take any training for at least 6 months.

Sorry for making it sound like im not going to be good for the job but like i say its just my idea of getting ready to be the best at the job!

 

In terms of knowing Ad i have used it in my current job that im leaving at the end of the month, I took over the role of Network Manager herer for 4 months whilst the currently NM was off sick. So ive learnt a bit and self taught, Like ive said previous ive got a VMware machine running at home with a mini network setup on there of 3 machines ( Sever and 2 clients) I am adding users etc and now moving on to Group Policies.

 

Hope this helps and shows that i am acutally not a jobs worth lol

 

Cheers again

[Ephelyon]

That sounds good!

 

What have you been doing previously?

[-sweet-]

ICT Technician in a special school. with 70 workstations and 30 laptops. my new network is 75 Laptops, and 30 workstations. 2 servers 1x Rm Curric 1x Vanilla Server 2008 Admin server

[Ephelyon]

Much experience with managing servers/switches before your VMware setup?

[-sweet-]

Yeah little bit at college

[Ephelyon]

It'll help that one of these servers is CC4 then. Just SIMS and stuff on the admin server I take it - are the two networks physically/logically separated?

[-sweet-]

Thats the sort of things ive got to find out when i visit on friday 2nd november

[simpsonj]

To be honest, I'd start with the absolute basics:

 

1, Find out what the administrator password is (and who knows it/uses it)

2, Set up your PC how you want it, and make any mental notes on what might need improving (I would need a dual screen setup ASAP)

3, Find out what email system is used, whether you administrate it, and get yourself an email account setup

4, You'll want to get a SIMS (or whatever MIS system your school uses) login with full system permissions so you can help troubleshoot with that

5, Check out the general 'feel' of the network. How long does it take to log into a student machine? Does DHCP and DNS look okay (Find out what your allocated IP range is)? Can you remote onto the servers from your desk? Have back ups been taken? What state are the computers in, do they need replacement keyboards/mice/monitors? Is the software up to date? From that, you can start to build your own priority list. Then talk to people and find out their needs (which I guess you'll be forced to if you're based in the staff room! Not sure if that is such a good idea, no one will use a help desk if they see you every break and lunch...)

6, Find out if there is any documentation about the network, or if you can contact your predecessor in case of an emergency - especially useful for usernames and passwords that were setup years ago that nobody else knows. Similarly, see if you can get a copy of last years budget, that will give you a good indication of what's expected.

 

And finally, my advice would be to not sweat the big stuff initally, concentrate on the small problems that you can tackle there and then, whilst keeping an eye out for the bigger picture. Don't be afraid to say 'I'm sorry, I can't help with that right now, but I'll look into it and get right back to you when I've got an answer.' should you not be able to fix a problem right there and then. Would certainly help to have a reference book on hand (I really relied upon Mastering Windows Server 2003 my first few years!) to help troubleshoot.

 

Good luck!

[-sweet-]

Just about to order Mastering Windows Server 2008! Looks a good book and looks to be the best one on the market atm!

[psydii]

Here's another +1 for Mastering...R2 its open on the shelf behind me, resting on top of the Practice of System Administration.

[clareq]

If you've got CC4 don't go adding users or altering GPOs in AD - that's what the RM Management console is for. It's fairly easy to find your way around, so get your head around that first - it will become your first port of call for most things.

[-sweet-]

Yeah, that's what i thought clareq. But that I'd get the book for the admin server mostly!

[timzim]

Get yourself on a FITS course.

[-sweet-]

Ill have a look