Solving the Problem

       Many device or network problems are straightforward to resolve, but others yield misleading symptoms. If one solution does not work, continue with another. A solution often involves: Upgrading software or hardware (for example, upgrading to a new version of agent software or installing Gigabit Ethernet devices) Balancing your network load by analyzing:• What users communicate with which servers• What the user...

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Identifying and Testing the Cause of the Problem

      After you develop a theory about the cause of the problem, test your theory. The test must conclusively prove or disprove your theory. Two general rules of troubleshooting are: If you cannot reproduce a problem, then no problem exists unless it happens again on its own. If the problem is intermittent and you cannot replicate it, you can configure your network management software to catch the event in progress.      ...

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Understanding the Problem

      Networks are designed to move data from a transmitting device to a receiving device. When communication becomes problematic, you must determine why data are not traveling as expected and then find a solution. The two most common causes for data not moving reliably from source to destination are: The physical connection breaks (that is, a cable is unplugged or broken). A network device is not working properly and...

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Recognizing Symptoms

       The first step to resolving any problem is to identify and interpret the symptoms."Recognizing Symptoms" The first step to resolving any problem is to identify and interpret the symptoms. You may discover network problems in several ways. Users may complain that the network seems slow or that they cannot connect to a server. You may pass your network management station and notice that a node icon is red. Your...

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Troubleshooting Strategy

How do you know when you are having a network problem? The answer to this question depends on your site's network configuration and on your network's normal behavior. See"Knowing Your Network" for more information. If you notice changes on your network, ask the following questions: Is the change expected or unusual? Has this event ever occurred before? Does the change involve a device or network path for which you already have a backup solution...

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Best Practices for Change Management Process

This is to provide Best Practices for Change Management Process. Change requests for Mission Critical or Significant applications, systems that contain or access High Integrity or Very High Integrity data, systems that contain or access Classified or Confidential-Restricted Access information, and infrastructure components that support these applications and systems must be documented via a Reporting Unit approved change request form. That change...

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How To Prioritization for Incidents

What is a incident?An Incident is a system bug or error, user question, or routine administration request. Defect Categories Defined – High      Incident of highest relative urgency. Essential Suite may be severely impacted and end-users require immediate assistance. The situation meets one or more of the following criteria:      1. Any issue that significantly increases the likelihood of a safety...

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Best Practice to contact an end user

       Best Practice to contact an end user when a trouble ticket is open and assigned to the analyst.  This suggests an obligation on the part of the customer to be available to troubleshoot the issue.  We must give the customer every opportunity to be available for said troubleshooting -- within reason... Tips and Pointers Try multiple methods of contact to ensure that every effort has been made to connect...

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Network Recovery Strategy ~ BCP

       This is to show example for Network Recovery Strategy ~ BCP for network part that can be applied to your business. The network and operations facilities at data center provide business application systems for your business and include: Core Network Services: (Exchange Email, File and Print Services, Internet / Intranet) Business Applications: (ERP, Financials, A/R, A/P, AM, billing), Mainframe printing. User...

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GUIDELINES FOR SITES WITH < 512K AVAILABLE DATA-ONLY TO DC PROMO

      I would like to share the GUIDELINES FOR SITES WITH 512K AVAILABLE DATA-ONLY CONNECTIONS and PROPOSE TO DC PROMO THIER LOCAL DCs. For sites which plan to install and promote (locally) an AD domain controller, a 512K available Data-only connection is the strong recommendation. And the only connection I am quite confident will succeed and not require additional support and effort.   If the site has a link...

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Application Service Provider Checklist Examples

       The purpose of "Application Service Provider Checklist" is to obtain background information for those external vendors (3rd parties) that are currently providing or plan to provide external application hosting services for your business. Items Service Provider Response A1 Provide the name of the Application Service Provider (Outsourcer) and business address. ...

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New Infrastructure Systems

       This article contains the processes for New Infrastructure Systems.  The information contained within this document applies to sites that range from newly acquired sites to established sites.  These sites may range in size from small sites (0-300 PCs), medium (301-500 PCs), or Large (501-1000 PCs up). Refer to this article if: Your site is currently not on the planed, namespace, and you plan to...

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Data Center Fire Sprinkler System

       This standard operating procedure template provides guidelines for Data Center Fire Sprinkler System, operating, inspecting, and maintaining the fire sprinkler system at your site(s). This will be achieved by a workforce including, but not limited to, contractors, vendor partners and employees who consistently apply safe work practices. Safe work practices, including emergency procedures in the event of disasters,...

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Data Center Access Policy and Guidelines

       This procedure provides Data Center Access Policy and Guidelines for the process of providing short term (visitor) and long term data center access. This will be achieved by a workforce (i.e. anyone conducting work including, but not limited to contractors, vendor partners, employees, etc.) who consistently apply safe work practices, including emergency procedures in the event of disasters, to meet your business...

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Best Practices of RAISED FLOOR

       The purpose of this article is to provide a basis of "Best Practices of RAISED FLOOR" for data center management and infrastructure. This can be applied to your data center. Insuring that the raised floor is structurally sound, well grounded and maintained in a proper manner contributes not only to the overall reliability of the data center; but, to safety as well. Design       The following...

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Infrastructure Equipment

       The purpose of this article is to provide a basis of "Best Practices of Infrastructure Equipment" for data center management and infrastructure. Local business reasons, local governmental code or other circumstances may mitigate the implementation of these best practices.        It should be understood that the implementation of "Best Practices of Infrastructure Equipment" may...

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