Isla needs ongoing help/support ??? [Archive] - ForumsHQ

[IslaScotts]

WARNING: Long message and complicated. (More of an ongoing discussion)

I am kind of being thrown into the IT position at my work. They understand I have a basic knowledge... more like I can maintain minor things.. make additions, deletions... troubleshoot a bit. Like I wiped a laptop and am customizing it for the company.. and making an SOP for future computer additions. Connecting it to the network.. setting them up for mobile access.. setting up his blackberry.. the like. Anyway.. I don't know much to even answer some of your questions I am sure you will have, but here goes.



Recently moved the office to a new location. We have two servers, the old and the new. Everything was migrated and exchange server 03 was put on. It is causing major problems. I can learn enough to maintain it, if this guy ever sets it up correctly. But 1) does anyone know how to setup OWA on 03 using a single server. Now the other server will be put in our research lab for a 2nd method of back-up for all the data. However we do not have any back-up method for our corporate office. Most of what we are needing to back up are some auto cad designs, research papers, exchange/outlook stuff, marketing material, graphics, and other office admin stuff. 2) What would be the best method for this? I was also thinking a fire safe for important, irreplacable documents/computer backups.. and the like. And finally, they do not expect me to learn everything all in a week.. and I might be able to get them to pay for some classes. I was thinking a class in exchange 03 since that is essential the heart of our office and maybe a general networking class. But aside from these what can I read... do... to start learning what I need to do to slide by as just an admin of the IT stuff? I already told them the things I will not do... I will not open any machine and physically manipulate shit... and I will not set-up or configure anything on the server side. The only exception being exchange because as I stated before it is THE heart of the company... without exchange server we are screwed as a company. And someone in house has to know exchange because of that. We are a tiny company, not to mention a start-up company. I have the dummy series of networking reference and I have a 247 series of exchange server.. and that last book is geared toward admins and maintainence.. that is why I bought that one and not more of a "how-to" guide. If you need more information, ask... I probably don't know and MAYBE could find out... this company has relied solely on contracting out so no one hardly knows what is going on either. I am very good with computers and am a really fast learner. I know a crap ton about the client side... I am super with client side programs and issues... back-end... I suck ass. So any help you guys can give me would be great. I am sure I will have a lot of questions... so if anyone is willing to be a "mentor" i would appreciate it. Thanks!

[ari]

...back-end... I suck ass.



Sorry, out of context quotes are fun. Of course, talking about a "rusty trombone" last night at work kind of made that stick out. Anywho...



As far as classes, someone correct me if I'm wrong but the first thing you should do is called A+, I think. It's likely all stuff you know already, and is really just the stepping stone to higher learning on the subject(s).



Of course, if you're not going to be opening/servicing anything, I'm not sure A+ is even really needed. I'm not an IT guy, either. Used to build/deliver/train people how to use them, but that was almost 10 years ago. Now I'm a software guy...you need something done in a program, I can figure it out. If you need a new IDE controller installed, well, I can try. But be prepared to buy a new computer. :P



Grats on your pseudo-promotion (I hope they're paying you more), and I wish you all the luck that is needed for the position you're in now. :)