PACE-IT: Supporting Configuration Management (part 1)

Supporting configuration management I.

Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College

Areas of Expertise Industry Certifications PC Hardware Network

Administration IT Project

Management

Network Design User Training IT Troubleshooting

Qualifications Summary

Education M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University

Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues into efficient and effective solutions. Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse workforces, improving processes, analyzing business needs and creating the solutions required— with a focus on technology.

Brian K. Ferrill, M.B.A.

Supporting configuration management I.PACE-IT.

– Configuration management.

– Documentation.

Configuration management.Supporting configuration management I.

Even fairly small modern networks can get very complex very fast.

Configuration management (CM) is a discipline that is used to evaluate, coordinate, approve, deny, or implement change in or to an IT system.CM plays a vital roll in any network beyond the most simplistic. It helps to ensure that the network runs efficiently and smoothly. Network administrators and support staff will play a vital role in developing and implementing any CM systems or processes.


Documentation.Supporting configuration management I.

Documentation plays a key role in any CM systems that get developed.

In the CM process, documentation is used to help evaluate and plan proposed changes. Documentation is also used to help in asset management, network maintenance, and vendor evaluations. Much of the time, the documentation that is created will depend upon the complexity of the systems under consideration. However, even if your organization doesn’t implement a true CM style, some documentation should still be kept to reduce the burden on network personnel.



– Policies and procedures.» Polices are a set of guidelines that establish how the

network is to be configured and operated. They also set the expected behavior of the people within the organization.

• As a general rule, policies are put into effect at the mid to upper management level.

» Procedures are a set of documents that detail how the policies are to be implemented.

• As a general rule, procedures are set by the management of the level affected by the policy.

– Asset management documentation.» Broad category of documentation often used to help in

the change management process.» Detailed information on what assets are present.

• Also includes the maintenance history for those assets.

» Often used to help track update and upgrade cycles.


– Physical network diagrams.» A map or diagram of all network devices and how they

connect.» Specifies the cabling, connectors, and physical cabling

runs.» Cabling management documentation is a subcategory.

• A wiring scheme establishes the types of cabling and the connectors used. It also defines the allowed standards (e.g., T568A or T568B).

– Logical network diagrams.» Similar to a physical network diagram but more

detailed.» Details IP addresses, ports, protocols, etc.» Details connected networks (e.g., LANs, VLANs, and

WLANs).» Details IP address utilization.

• IP address utilization can greatly affect the efficiency and performance of the network.

» Physical and logical network diagrams may be combined into a single document.


– Vendor documentation.» A broad category of documentation that can include:

• The approved vendor list.• The vendor approval process.• Purchase order documentation.

– Common vendor documents.» Memorandum of understanding (MOU): an

agreement between two or more organizations that details how those organizations are to undertake some common course of action.

» Statement of work (SOW): a detailed document that specifies what work is to be performed, the expected outcome, and the timelines to perform the work.

» Master license agreement (MLA): a legal agreement between two entities in which one agrees to pay the other for the use of a specific piece of software (or software package) for a specified period of time.

» Service level agreement (SLA): an agreement that details the allowable amount of response time the vendor has to resolve an issue or problem. Most commonly is associated with a service contract.

What was covered.Supporting configuration management I.

Configuration management (CM) is a discipline that is used to evaluate, coordinate, approve, deny, or implement change in or to an IT system. In the CM process, documentation is used to help evaluate and plan proposed changes.

Topic

Configuration management.

Summary

Documentation is used to help in asset management, network maintenance, and vendor evaluations. Policies are a set of guidelines established by mid to upper management. Procedures are a set of documents used to determine how policies will be implemented. Asset management documentation is a broad category of documents that provide detailed information on the assets that are present. Physical network diagrams detail the physical structure of the network. Logical network diagrams detail the specifics of the network (e.g., ports, protocols, IP addresses, and VLAN configurations). Vendor documentation is a broad category of documents that are used in vendor processes.

Documentation.

THANK YOU!

This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call 425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about the PACE-IT program. For any additional special accommodations needed, call the SSD office at 425.640.1814. Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship, marital, or veteran status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.

PACE-IT: Supporting Configuration Management (part 1)

Education

Transcript of PACE-IT: Supporting Configuration Management (part 1)