Where do I begin?

[timlza]

Hi

I have recently been appointed as IT manager for a division of the company
work for. My own background is development, and I have quickly discovered tha
the key to IT (as opposed to software dev) is networking

I need to get up to speed real quick. I have already installed WSUS, and a
ver
impressed by it. However, now I need to do things like assign the servers to
separate OU (so that they don't install and reboot), force downloads to user
computers, force downloads and updates when users log on, and star
formulatin
GPOs for different groups of people

Can anyone recommend me web sites / wikis / howtos on this kind of thing
i.e.
where does an absolute noob start

I am used to the dev environment, where almost any question you have will b
answered in one or other forum or a code example

Regards and thank

Tim

[John H.]

Hi Tim,

I sympathize with your situation. In 2000 I received a “battle field”
promotion from Sr. Software Engineer to Director of IT and immediately
discovered that networking was key. I promptly began taking night
classes and got an MCSE and then a CCNA. It does not sound like you
have time to do that so here are some thoughts.

Rule 1: A multitude of sins can be forgiven if you can recover the
data. Make sure you completely understand your network’s data backup
and recovery process. Make sure it is tested and verified. Make sure
you have backups off-site. This is the MOST IMPORTANT responsibility
that you have. You can delegate the tasks of managing backups, but
you cannot delegate the ultimate responsibility for this.

Rule 2: You can’t know everything. Establish a relationship with
local consulting company that has a large stable of certified
technicians. Use this company’s techs to fill in where you and your
staff have technical weaknesses. I good relationship with a company
like this can save your hide. If your e-mail (or whatever) is down
and a specialized tech can get you back up and running quickly, it
will be worth the $500-$1000.

Rule 3: Your biggest problems will not be technical. Technical skills
are important. Yes you need to develop them within yourself. But, in
the end that is what your staff is for. Don’t forget to develop your
management skills at this point. As a manager the toughest problems
you will face will probably be people problems, not technical
problems.

Good luck,
John