[SOLVED] IT ideas help

tech-it-^ · 02-09-2009, 05:52 PM

Hello,

This is not only a problem but a request. I need to think of a thesis for my company and... I'm drawing a blank. I work for a hospital, our customers are doctors, nurses, RN's, Techs etc... Now, I'm not asking for someone to do all the work for me. NO WAY, but it would be nice to have some help thinking of something that would benefit the company.

I work in a server group and am studying computer engineering. It's just we've done so much, it's kind of hard for me to think outside of our environment. I googled new advancements in the IT industry, and for the most part I either can't do it (costs) or it doesn't apply to my major.

We run a mixed environment (active and eDirectory). We have software deployment and management tools (ZenWorks for the most part) and its to bad but we already started implementing something I really love, and thats VMWare. So thats a no go. We have diagnostic tools (Dell openManage, it works, unless there's something better) and now... I'm stuck.

Of course there's more than what I listed. I'm just in need of something that we can implement that would help the company. If you could throw out an idea or two, that would be great. If not, I understand. I'm not looking to take anybodies ideas, and I will give credit of course. I just need something to do for my project. Thanks.

tech-it-^ · 02-17-2009, 05:39 AM

Alright, well... I may have one idea. We have 3 systems that manage our PC inventory throughout the corporation. I'd like to put this all into one. Know of any such software? Any other ideas are accepted to. Thanks

Mikhalkov · 02-17-2009, 02:35 PM

Microsoft Access might be good for inventory

tech-it-^ · 02-18-2009, 04:51 AM

I'll get some info at some point about the three systems and then relay that info to you guys so you can see what kind of environment were working with. Thanks

**bilbus** · 02-18-2009, 10:20 AM

TrackIT?

tech-it-^ · 02-18-2009, 10:41 AM

hmm it sounds really nice. Though, I need to see if it can integrate with some of our other systems. WHICH, I will have on here once I get the report form a co-worker. Thanks.

tech-it-^ · 02-26-2009, 01:00 PM

Well I am studying to become a CE. Does anyone know of any good redundancy hardware implementations? Even software implementations?

**bilbus** · 02-26-2009, 03:18 PM

What do you mean by that?
good redundancy hardware implementations?

tech-it-^ · 02-27-2009, 08:51 AM

For instance, RAID configurations so when say a drive fails the server doesn't fail. Teamed NICS, clustering, etc... A DR environment basically. Thanks.

**bilbus** · 02-27-2009, 01:45 PM

clustering requires a shared storage device, aka a san.

Any hardware raid card will give you drive mirroring.
teemed mics will save you from a failed cable, or a port on a switch from going bad.

DR is not cheap.

louisghenschel · 02-28-2009, 02:27 AM

Disaster Reocver across a large, remote Scale

CITRIX -- learn it and love it -- great technology -- remote access, published printing and applications.

Sorry , not really sure what you are asking -- but if you are looking for interesting things to look into -- that is it --but very expensive.

pass over info and i will throw ideas -- i am a IT director for a large marketing firm

we implement new techs all the time

louisghenschel · 02-28-2009, 02:29 AM

Also, Server Virtualization is fun to play with but a BIG security risk if not controled.

Onmly if DMZ's come into play -- but endless opportunities -- testing -- development --

tech-it-^ · 03-01-2009, 02:28 PM

Yes thanks you! Those are all great ideas! Although, we already implement all of those ideas. We have implemented server virtualization with VMware. We have already implemented the CITRIX system, and yes, it is amazing! The examples I gave above were just a few things that we already implemented (hardware wise). I was just wondering if there was other things as well (which no doubt there are).

So all in all great suggestions, its just that we already implemented all of them. Any other ideas would be great. Thank you very much.

tech-it-^ · 03-24-2009, 03:40 PM

Alright, found my thesis. I want to implement some sort of server monitoring tools. I looked at a few out there but I'm not sure which ones would be the best. Any of you know of any tools that work for you? We need something that can notify us via SMS, page, or email about a server being down, a drive going bad, or a memory stick degrading... I know thats pretty specific but what we have now gives us no notifications whate-so-ever. We just walk back in the server room and see some blinking lights. So, any server monitoring software you recommend?

JimCharles · 03-27-2009, 01:08 PM

For alerts I would recommend you look at SCCM and OpsManager:

http://www.microsoft.com/systemcente...s/default.aspx
For an interactive Enterprise Dashboard (allows you to filter any user or computer in your organization and kick off any tool or script) I would go with Maven:
http://www.overall.ca/maven

Regards,

Jim.

JeKyL · 03-27-2009, 02:12 PM

Try checking out Nagios: www.nagios.org we use it in our business and it alerts the engineers when a server is down etc. SO as soon as there is a problem we have it setup to alert us via pager or cell phone. just a suggestion.

JeKyL

tech-it-^ · 03-30-2009, 01:26 PM

Thanks guys I'll look into these tools. I appreciate the recommendations. Betting these tools integrate with more than just a Windows environment right? I'll find out. Thanks again!

JeKyL · 03-30-2009, 04:18 PM

I know Nagios is a monitor for all our machines. Linux and windows boxes and servers.

tech-it-^ · 03-31-2009, 05:03 AM

Great! How's the interface? Are you familiar with IPSwitch WhatsUpGold? It's a little buggy and the interface isn't very intuitive. The reporting is slightly flawed. It gives pretty inconsistent live feedback on resource utilization's (CPU utilization, Memory, Disc Space etc...). Can this system integrate with Dell's OpenManage Server Admin software? We like OpenManage given its very specific hardware monitoring capabilities but it's notification features are awful. Just a blinking LED doesn't help us if this server has been in the faulty state for a while without notifying us via email or page.

JeKyL · 03-31-2009, 11:28 AM

No, sorry im not familiar with IPSwitch. Check this out: http://www.nagios.org/about/ it will probably be a better description then what I can describe.

02-09-2009, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	[SOLVED] IT ideas help Hello, This is not only a problem but a request. I need to think of a thesis for my company and... I'm drawing a blank. I work for a hospital, our customers are doctors, nurses, RN's, Techs etc... Now, I'm not asking for someone to do all the work for me. NO WAY, but it would be nice to have some help thinking of something that would benefit the company. I work in a server group and am studying computer engineering. It's just we've done so much, it's kind of hard for me to think outside of our environment. I googled new advancements in the IT industry, and for the most part I either can't do it (costs) or it doesn't apply to my major. We run a mixed environment (active and eDirectory). We have software deployment and management tools (ZenWorks for the most part) and its to bad but we already started implementing something I really love, and thats VMWare. So thats a no go. We have diagnostic tools (Dell openManage, it works, unless there's something better) and now... I'm stuck. Of course there's more than what I listed. I'm just in need of something that we can implement that would help the company. If you could throw out an idea or two, that would be great. If not, I understand. I'm not looking to take anybodies ideas, and I will give credit of course. I just need something to do for my project. Thanks.

02-17-2009, 05:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help Alright, well... I may have one idea. We have 3 systems that manage our PC inventory throughout the corporation. I'd like to put this all into one. Know of any such software? Any other ideas are accepted to. Thanks

02-17-2009, 02:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mikhalkov Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 415 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: IT ideas help Microsoft Access might be good for inventory __________________ "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." -1957 "Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons." -1949

02-18-2009, 04:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help I'll get some info at some point about the three systems and then relay that info to you guys so you can see what kind of environment were working with. Thanks

02-18-2009, 10:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
bilbus TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 965 OS: OS2 Warp	Re: IT ideas help TrackIT?

02-18-2009, 10:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help hmm it sounds really nice. Though, I need to see if it can integrate with some of our other systems. WHICH, I will have on here once I get the report form a co-worker. Thanks.

02-26-2009, 01:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help Well I am studying to become a CE. Does anyone know of any good redundancy hardware implementations? Even software implementations?

02-26-2009, 03:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
bilbus TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 965 OS: OS2 Warp	Re: IT ideas help What do you mean by that? good redundancy hardware implementations?

02-27-2009, 08:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help For instance, RAID configurations so when say a drive fails the server doesn't fail. Teamed NICS, clustering, etc... A DR environment basically. Thanks.

02-27-2009, 01:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
bilbus TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 965 OS: OS2 Warp	Re: IT ideas help clustering requires a shared storage device, aka a san. Any hardware raid card will give you drive mirroring. teemed mics will save you from a failed cable, or a port on a switch from going bad. DR is not cheap.

02-28-2009, 02:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
louisghenschel Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Vista 64bit	Re: IT ideas help Disaster Reocver across a large, remote Scale CITRIX -- learn it and love it -- great technology -- remote access, published printing and applications. Sorry , not really sure what you are asking -- but if you are looking for interesting things to look into -- that is it --but very expensive. pass over info and i will throw ideas -- i am a IT director for a large marketing firm we implement new techs all the time

02-28-2009, 02:29 AM	#12 (permalink)
louisghenschel Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Vista 64bit	Re: IT ideas help Also, Server Virtualization is fun to play with but a BIG security risk if not controled. Onmly if DMZ's come into play -- but endless opportunities -- testing -- development --

03-01-2009, 02:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help Yes thanks you! Those are all great ideas! Although, we already implement all of those ideas. We have implemented server virtualization with VMware. We have already implemented the CITRIX system, and yes, it is amazing! The examples I gave above were just a few things that we already implemented (hardware wise). I was just wondering if there was other things as well (which no doubt there are). So all in all great suggestions, its just that we already implemented all of them. Any other ideas would be great. Thank you very much.

03-24-2009, 03:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help Alright, found my thesis. I want to implement some sort of server monitoring tools. I looked at a few out there but I'm not sure which ones would be the best. Any of you know of any tools that work for you? We need something that can notify us via SMS, page, or email about a server being down, a drive going bad, or a memory stick degrading... I know thats pretty specific but what we have now gives us no notifications whate-so-ever. We just walk back in the server room and see some blinking lights. So, any server monitoring software you recommend?

03-27-2009, 01:08 PM	#15 (permalink)
JimCharles Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: IT ideas help For alerts I would recommend you look at SCCM and OpsManager: http://www.microsoft.com/systemcente...s/default.aspx For an interactive Enterprise Dashboard (allows you to filter any user or computer in your organization and kick off any tool or script) I would go with Maven: http://www.overall.ca/maven Regards, Jim.

03-27-2009, 02:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
JeKyL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York / Virginia Posts: 211 OS: Vista SP2, Win7 RC, Ubuntu 9.04 & 9.10, XP SP3	Re: IT ideas help Try checking out Nagios: www.nagios.org we use it in our business and it alerts the engineers when a server is down etc. SO as soon as there is a problem we have it setup to alert us via pager or cell phone. just a suggestion. JeKyL

03-30-2009, 01:26 PM	#17 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help Thanks guys I'll look into these tools. I appreciate the recommendations. Betting these tools integrate with more than just a Windows environment right? I'll find out. Thanks again!

03-30-2009, 04:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
JeKyL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York / Virginia Posts: 211 OS: Vista SP2, Win7 RC, Ubuntu 9.04 & 9.10, XP SP3	Re: IT ideas help I know Nagios is a monitor for all our machines. Linux and windows boxes and servers.

03-31-2009, 05:03 AM	#19 (permalink)
tech-it-^ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 320 OS: XP Pro, Vista Business, Suse Linux, Win98 SE	Re: IT ideas help Great! How's the interface? Are you familiar with IPSwitch WhatsUpGold? It's a little buggy and the interface isn't very intuitive. The reporting is slightly flawed. It gives pretty inconsistent live feedback on resource utilization's (CPU utilization, Memory, Disc Space etc...). Can this system integrate with Dell's OpenManage Server Admin software? We like OpenManage given its very specific hardware monitoring capabilities but it's notification features are awful. Just a blinking LED doesn't help us if this server has been in the faulty state for a while without notifying us via email or page.

03-31-2009, 11:28 AM	#20 (permalink)
JeKyL Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New York / Virginia Posts: 211 OS: Vista SP2, Win7 RC, Ubuntu 9.04 & 9.10, XP SP3	Re: IT ideas help No, sorry im not familiar with IPSwitch. Check this out: http://www.nagios.org/about/ it will probably be a better description then what I can describe.