Understand and document what you are responsible for including storage,hosts,networking.
Document the dependancies of apps on the above.
Verify backups and that they are backing up the right information and that they are immutable until their lifecycle is complete.
Verify your critical infrastructure has two power sources. Most equipment have two power supplies and I make sure they are independently powered. (UPS and line/generator). Do not rely on just UPS because it will fail you.
Make sure your datacenter has redundant A/C. Cooling failure will kill you as certainly as power failure just more slowly.
Know your facilities contacts especially the after hours emergency numbers and make sure they are current.
Know your IT support contacts. Sysadmins are somewhat jack of all trades master of none. Call the masters and use them when needed. No shame at all in that.
Don’t be a dick. Relationships are important.
Above that go out of your way help people even if it’s not in your wheelhouse.
Be aware of your long term stress level and well being. Your responsibility is to your people and you can’t do that effectively if your are not mentally able.
Communicate with your boss and make sure you are getting the support and tools you need to do your job. If you need it ask for it.
KISS - Don’t be sucked into complexity where it’s not warranted. Simpler is more reliable than complex if you don’t understand the complex.
Don’t automate unless you completely understand the process you are automating and all the dependancies.
Don’t offhand just trust vendors or their promises. Verify.
Document the dependancies of apps on the above.
Verify backups and that they are backing up the right information and that they are immutable until their lifecycle is complete.
Verify your critical infrastructure has two power sources. Most equipment have two power supplies and I make sure they are independently powered. (UPS and line/generator). Do not rely on just UPS because it will fail you.
Make sure your datacenter has redundant A/C. Cooling failure will kill you as certainly as power failure just more slowly.
Know your facilities contacts especially the after hours emergency numbers and make sure they are current.
Know your IT support contacts. Sysadmins are somewhat jack of all trades master of none. Call the masters and use them when needed. No shame at all in that.
Don’t be a dick. Relationships are important.
Above that go out of your way help people even if it’s not in your wheelhouse.
Be aware of your long term stress level and well being. Your responsibility is to your people and you can’t do that effectively if your are not mentally able.
Communicate with your boss and make sure you are getting the support and tools you need to do your job. If you need it ask for it.
KISS - Don’t be sucked into complexity where it’s not warranted. Simpler is more reliable than complex if you don’t understand the complex.
Don’t automate unless you completely understand the process you are automating and all the dependancies.
Don’t offhand just trust vendors or their promises. Verify.
Pay extra for good hardware.
Read HN
In no particular order.