Compu-Tech Intl.

Top Factors to Consider When Selecting a Custom Control Center Designer

October 23, 2017 by · Leave a Comment 

Summary: If you want your IT team to be more efficient, you’ll want to ensure that you command center is designed appropriately.

With so many organizations and businesses looking to remodel, upgrade, or build new command centers, standards are thrown out the window and even the laziest design seems feasible to many. If you’re one of the many businesses looking to establish a command center with a gorgeous showpiece video wall, this article will help you understand the gravity of this type of project.

The Budget

Your investment boils down to what custom designer you’re planning to use. For instance, say you go with a remodel project and you’re starting with a blank slate. You’ll obviously ask questions regarding what the designers are envisioning. Then, you’ll jump into the fray and give them input on what you’re picturing in your head. There cannot be any disconnect between the two of you. If you have a firm budget laid out in your head, don’t keep extending it to the point where it becomes ludicrous. See what these designers can do with a number laid out in front of them. This is where you start separating one from the other.

The Decision

One it’s time to make a decision, how do you make sure that you’re selecting the right consoles or other accessories? The key factor behind this is quality. Now, be honest with yourself, you already know that every manufacturer out there is going to consider themselves “the best in the business”. It only takes the right salesperson to draw you into their business. Be mindful that not every custom control designer has the same mentality when it comes to your project. Lay out a sufficient amount of ideas and goals that you have and provide it to some of the designers that you are interested in. After all, it’s their job to provide you with a customized center that can handle every aspect of your business. Not only do they need to understand your wants and needs but they’ll also need to make it happen.

Basic network documentation

October 8, 2017 by · Leave a Comment 

A common practice in the IT world is to build out infrastructure quickly. As soon as an issue arises, the tendency is to firefight and move on. The problem with that approach is that too many potential issues, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, fall through the cracks. The biggest issue is when you take this practice to the data center. As we migrate more and more of our infrastructure to a Los Angeles data center, more and more tasks require remote assistance. What happens when you need to move a network cable? You need proper documentation or even the best network infrastructure in the world will not help you. Here is a list of the bare minimum documentation every server admin should create:

Network connections

The primary diagram you need is one with all the network connections. Note the port numbers, the orientation of the ports and any other information that might help during a crisis. Also, document the ISP-side details of network connections. Data centers like Rack Alley have several carrier connections in-house so make sure to note such details.

VLAN

Most applications, servers, and routers run on individual virtual networks within a physical network for security reasons. Document the different VLANs, VLAN ID’s, paths, and the addresses of all the devices on each VLAN.

Labels

Another important part of documenting your network is to label every component. Label each server, router, and switch with easy to read labels that include names, addresses, mac, and VLAN. Label cables on both sides with identifiers or use a numbered cable and indicate both sides in a separate document.