Devices and their places in the world

Hello all! It's been a while since I last posted on here, and I came across a good idea to blog about that's been on my mind for roughly a few years now. Let's get started!

My feelings on computing devices and operating systems vary drastically from one to another. Something important I've realized, however, something that's an odd concept that I'm not sure many think about. One of the most basic (and important) things to consider when mass-deploying devices across any size business is the combination of the user's needs and abilities. I would like to provide come insight into my thoughts on which devices belong where. It's going to be tough to spell it out for me, but let's see how I do.

We'll start off with a very popular device: iPads. Now I know that I previously wrote a post about deploying iPads and how they're probably not the best devices to use in a business, but I realize that my thinking may a little too black-and-white and not enough gray shades. If you have a large mobile workforce, a few iPads are probably not a bad idea at all. My thinking? Mobile workers usually don't have too much easy access to outlets, and chances are good that their laptops' batteries are probably not the best if they're constantly plugged on when they're at the office or at home. iPads boast great battery life and if your users are properly trained on how to use these devices, the battery life can be even better than one might expect (teach them how to close an app all the way when they're done with it and not as much power is used; inform them it's best practice to simply press the power button when they take a break from a meeting; little things like these go a long way). If they're away on a two-week business trip, make sure they know to charge it when they first get back to their hotel room, for example, and to check it before they go to sleep. Also, once it's fully charged, turn it off and then remove the charger once it's fully turned off. These basic steps allow the batteries to last much longer.

Let's move onto another device family: Android devices. I have a Droid 4 by Motorola, and I'm also a big technology guy (duh). That being said, they aren't the best devices to have in an enterprise environment for one basic reason (please remember: this is only my opinion and I'm open to corrections): they're not the easiest or friendliest devices for the most technology-challenged users. I love the idea behind the operating system and how anybody with a few weeks' time and some researching skills can develop an app. Like I said earlier in this post, it's important to be practical and consider who is going to be using the devices you buy. While Android devices may be perfect for IT staff, they may not be so great for someone in the payroll department, for example. IT staff are usually more comfortable with poking around a device to figure out what's going wrong, whereas most "basic" users probably aren't. I can't stress this point enough: have your IT staff put themselves into others' shoes and then it's easier to decide what's a good device for users.

Another common family is Windows devices. The vast majority of the world uses Windows operating systems. With the end-of-support coming for Windows XP, people are getting a little bit nervous about how business will be conducted. Windows 7 is still readily available on a small scale, but it may be harder to obtain a Multiple-Activation Key (MAK) from Microsoft (usually with some kind of contract) for Windows 7. Contact your local Microsoft dealer sooner rather than later for information if you haven't already. At the risk of sounding paranoid, I would avoid Windows 8/8.1 for a while with all the NSA information that has been leaked. Even national governments around the world are warning companies to avoid this latest operating system from Microsoft. (More info here).

Linux operating systems are becoming more and more popular for a few reasons: price, security and functionality. A vast number of these distributions are free (this list is pretty good) and most are stable and secure, provided you verify they are directly from the organization that writes them. My personal favorite is Ubuntu. I also like Fedora. These are really the only two that I've had any experience with. These systems are also great for running server-side applications to manage your business (FOG for computer imaging, OpenLDAP for authentication) and free versions of commonly used client-side applications (OpenOffice, Firefox web browser [avoid using Chrome if possible]).

So, as an IT manager, you need to consider what your users need and how you will address their needs. Integrate various devices in your network. Just be sure to make sure everything will work ahead together ahead of time!

Enjoy your day!

A side note--I know I'm a day late for this, but it's still important to say: if you know a veteran, please thank them for all they do. I personally cannot thank them enough for all that they risk and sacrifice for people like myself who are so undeserving. I hope at least one veteran sees this and that they know I sincerely mean it.

iPads in an Enterprise Environment

Just a note: I'm not an Apple "fanboy." I just thought I'd give my two cents on iPads. That being said, let's get to to the post.

If you've ever used an iPad, chances are pretty good you most likely like it. They're beautiful devices that serve their purpose which is exactly what you want in a consumer-based item. They're great for games/apps, movie-watching and other media, but let me ask an important question: who has time to do that all day long? Surely most "average joes" certainly don't; we work (or go to school), some have families while others just get bored of watching movie after movie after movie. Let's look at a few reasons why they're not the best devices to use in your enterprise (encompassing governments, schools and retail/corporate environments).

Durability: These devices aren’t the most durable items in the world. Being made of glass, something falls on it and it’s most likely going to get broken. There goes (for a bare-minimum iPad) at the very least $500 USD. That’s a hefty chuck of change and I don’t think that your IT department is going to like having to shell out that money for a new one. This brings me to my next point.

Serviceability: Unless you’re a trained Apple technician, you probably won’t have the ability to fix them in-house (especially if you are managing hundreds of them), let alone the time. Two options at this point: buy a new one (expensive) or send it to Apple to be repaired (also expensive). In reality, most enterprise environments have some sort of IT department. Chances are that they aren’t working for free or out of the kindness of their hearts. Who wants to pay an in-house technician and Apple to fix your devices? That’s pretty much paying for the same thing twice and, last time I had heard, the point of a business was to make money.

Manageability: iPads aren’t the easiest things to manage. They’re not like PC’s where, when something goes wrong, it’s pretty easy to fix. Let’s face it folks: Apple devices most certainly do fail, despite what Apple tells their customers. There really is only Apple’s software (Configurator, I believe) to mass-deploy them. Apple lets very few others, if any, control their devices because they want your money. And to even use the Configurator, I believe that you need a Mac (correct me if I’m wrong, please). Ask yourself: do you really want to be that limited?

So in retrospect, why should businesses buy iPads? I really can’t think of any good, solid, concrete reasons. You’re paying a boatload of money to buy the device, then to mass-deploy them, then to repair them when the inevitable happens. iPads (and Macs, for that matter) are made from the same parts as Windows- and Linux-based devices, so they ultimately will fail and that’s something you need to count on. Seriously, everything’s all hunkey-dorey when they work, but a huge part of any massive investment is knowing how to keep it going for years and years to come. No CEO is going to authorize the purchase of 10,000 iPads with the hopes that everything will just work forever. That’s a whopping $5,000,000! That’s more than a lot of IT departments’ entire budget! Who wants to shell out everything they have with no backup plan?! Certainly not me.

That’s just my two cents on Apple devices with the main focus being put on the iPad. If I think of more, I'll post it later, but now I'm hungry (and my head hurts from listening to the Dropkick Murphys on full bass and high volume. Great band, by the way, just very loud!)

Enjoy your weekend!

My Home Network

Ever wondered about what geeks do in their free time? Before your mind hits the gutter, be realistic. Most  people around the world probably can't wait to get away from their job at the end of the day, have a nice dinner and just be with family. IT people are the same. Some like leaving work at work. Crazy idea, I know. Some people, on the other hand, can't wait to get home and work on their own personal network/computer/whatever. I'm one of those people.

I work for a school district's technology department. I love my job, but most nights after work I'm exhausted. That doesn't stop me from being on my computer for...well...the rest of the time that I'm awake. This stuff is how I make my living and, more importantly, how I enjoy myself. I like solving problems, fixing stuff and building things from the ground up (mainly networks, of course). All that being said, prepare for the nightmare that is my basement.

This first picture is an overview of what my home network looks like. (To me, it's the most amazing thing in the world. Not really, but whatever.) From the top left to the bottom right, the first item is my router. It's a Cisco Valet Plus M20 running DD-WRT. Great router, never really had any huge issues with it. It just sits there and works, passing packets right along. Cost me $60 USD on clearance.

Next up (top right): my NETGEAR GS724T Gigabit switch. This switch handles all the traffic in my house. It's basically what you would call an MDF (Main Distribution Frame).

Next shelf down on the left is my patch panel. Nothing special there, but it was a steal: the panel itself cost no more than approximately $25 USD and the bracket holding it cost about $20, so $45 total (no duh, Sherlock). It's Cat5e and that's where all the Ethernet wires around my house feed from. The color code is basic: black wires = standard, non-PoE ports, all Gigabit; the yellow wires are standard PoE ports for my access points; the orange wire is the VLAN for my family's laptop; finally the gray wire is the port outside (disconnected from obvious reasons). Also on this shelf is my UPS, which literally powers my entire network and is connected to the server to shut it down in the event of a power outage. Finally on this shelf is my Motorola SB6121 modem.

Moving down one more shelf is my server (in the picture there is an external drive running backups): this thing is a beast. 16GB RAM, two quad-core Intel Xeon processors, two 80GB 7200rpm drives (RAID 1) and two 1TB 7200rpm drives (RAID 1 as well). It's running two virtual machines (one for FOG imaging and the other as a second DNS server). It's my pride and joy and cost me a whopping $339 USD. Also, my outside access point is on top of the server just chillin' out.

The final shelf in the picture is my wireless system, consisting of an Aruba Networks controller (model 200; cost $325 for the controller and 8 access points) and a Nortel 10/100 PoE switch (model 460-24T-PWR, cost $50). Yes I know it's overkill, but I justify it by saying it is learning experience for later on in life. Also, when my tax return comes in, I'm probably going to upgrade to 802.11n access points (Aruba model AP125 is my target) and ditch the PoE switch; I'll most likely just use the 2 Gigabit PoE injectors and buy a third. Not the best method for powering wireless, but it should hopefully work.

Some close-ups: 

 Nortel & Aruba units

 Dell F1D server

 Patch panel and my crappy wiring system

Cisco Router and NETGEAR Switch, with a side of UPS (sorry for the horrible joke)

That's it for this post. Hope you enjoyed the virtual tour. I'll post as this changes.