Managing your network

Writing about technology has given me the opportunity to address many questions heard over the years, and hopefully create a better understanding of technology issues from various points of view.

We can add five syllable words such as collaboration to the mix, but that is simply a buzz word. It all comes down to a simple concept: sharing resources.

The role as a network administrator may not be considered a management position in many organizations because they do not supervise people. It is a management role in that they are the manager of resources.

The reason that any type of network exists is to share resources and the network administrator has the role of making sure that the resources are shared safely and efficiently.

All network administrators need to be communists. In terms of management, not politics!

I often roll with the stereotype of network administrators being control freaks to make a point with statements like, "of course I am a communist, if you manage a large number of workstations, if they are all configured the same way, or all use the same software, management is more efficient."

In a philosophical sense, communism is a social structure in which classes are abolished and property is commonly controlled. Goods are owned in common and available to all as needed.

In a non political, purely philosophical sense, the perfect computer network from an network administrators point of view is one in which all users have limited, but equal rights, and all property, as in workstations, are commonly controlled. Services are managed in common, and available to all as needed.

If you owned a fleet of cars, and you had to do all the maintenance and troubleshooting of problems with them, doesn't it make sense to have them all be the same make and model? It is easier to become proficient at maintaining them, and you can stock parts and supplies more efficiently as well if the vehicles are all like kind makes and models.

Using the automobile analogy usually leads to a productive conversation, and helps folks to understand why they all can't buy whatever brand of computer they want, and why technology is usually purchased as part of a larger plan.

Overcoming the stereotypes of the network administrator

Stereotypes exist out of ignorance, and unfortunately folks outside the IT profession don't understand that making sure resources are shared safely and efficiently demands a certain amount of control.

In a non political, purely philosophical sense, the "perfect" computer network from an network administrators point of view is one in which all users have limited, but equal rights, and all property, as in workstations, are commonly controlled. Services are managed in common, and available to all as needed.

Unfortunately network administrators are often labeled as control freaks. Managing resources used by people with diverse personalities and needs, using a logic based set of rules, requires a strong centralized system. The ability to maintain control of things is not a personality trait, it is a job requirement.