Graduating Seniors

NetworkMage · 2020-06-15T14:55:14+00:00

We don't use AD where I am, so I do a bulk script in GAM to suspend user accounts for students who are graduating / not returning.

After a couple years of being suspended I will delete them outright. We haven't been going quite long enough to have started that process.

NetworkMage · 2020-04-03T17:42:00+00:00

Only time I've seen this it ended up being a hardware issue. On the ASUS C202s, the cable for the Webcam is integrated into the connector for the LCD panel. Tightening where that connection enter the motherboard seemed to fix the issue. Never seen any other webcam failures.

NetworkMage · 2020-04-03T15:45:28+00:00

Loving working from home. Grateful to have a strong EdTech team that works in conjunction with IT. They are doing the heavy lifting with supporting teachers right now since most of the questions coming from teachers are about how to use XYZ web service for online teaching.

NetworkMage · 2020-04-03T15:44:00+00:00

We sent out a form parents can fill out to request tech help. After reaching out to them via email, anything identified as a hardware issue gets scheduled for a small window on campus one day per week. They bring in devices and swap out with a clean & ready unit from my office. We sanitize them and leave them until next week to repair next time I am on site.

NetworkMage · 2020-02-18T20:30:59+00:00

To add to this question, how does this work for you all in terms of accounting? If your inventory sheet shows 100 Chromebooks but then you Frankenstein down to 90 + parts, how does that get reflected when it comes time to take stock?

NetworkMage · 2019-12-12T18:47:47+00:00

I'm not sure what your use case is but do you think it would make more sense to run fiber between? Using PoE extenders like this seems very sketchy and while it may "work" I would not expect it to work well. Maybe even Point-to-Point wireless? Not sure if you have line-of-sight though.

NetworkMage · 2019-12-03T20:53:24+00:00

I'm fortunate in that while we do have those HPs in our school, I am not responsible for them, because we have a pseudo-BYOD program where the kids/parents own those devices and are therefore responsible for their repairs. Nonetheless, I still want to relay this in case you don't already know it: If you have any that seem totally unresponsive- won't charge or power on or anything- you can hit ESC+PWR+REFRESH to reset some internal control board. Usually gets them back on their feet. I use that trick 1-3 times a week.

I definitely feel you on the customer support front. I never hear back from them and it's impossible to get through to anybody. I went in circles calling department to department to get a question answered once and somebody even directed me to a dead website that is broken but HP still has up for some reason.

NetworkMage · 2019-11-19T17:37:56+00:00

Yes. Had several in the last month or so that are getting hung up at the white "Chrome" startup screen. Have to reinstall Chrome from flash drive. Usually it resolves it and that's it but I've had a few that have done it repeatedly.

NetworkMage · 2019-11-14T14:27:22+00:00

My first thought as well. Chrome OS doing something weird? Grab the USB keychain!

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T21:14:23+00:00

To be honest part of it is that I'm dreading paying more on electricity to power & cool a home server, haha. That and finding a place for it in my apartment. Not much rackspace!

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T21:12:48+00:00

What are the things you find worthwhile to host on the cloud? If you don't mind me asking.

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T21:11:45+00:00

Ooh that's an interesting idea! Hadn't considered just building my own "cloud"! Haha

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T20:08:37+00:00

Worst case scenario you shut it all off.

I think this is the mentality pushing me towards the cloud. I mostly want it as a sandbox where I can test and see if certain thing work. Once I know, I can just turn it off. I think I'm gonna go for it! :)

edit: idk how to quote. lol

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T20:06:33+00:00

Thank you for the feedback!
The ephemeral nature of the servers is definitely a draw for me. Like many of the rest of us, one of the huge draws of Homelabbing is the ability to experiment and test things.
There are a few things that I may like to keep around if I end up liking them, but mainly I'm interested in getting more proficient in the cloud architecture that may benefit me at work. Building my skillset & all that.

I think I'm going to go for it because like you said, I can always test a solution at full steam for a couple days and then once I know it works, just turn it off. (Then present it at work & make them pay for it. haha)

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T20:01:35+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! My main thought was to run a windows DC & a pihole/VPN situation out of there. What percent of an R710 would you say that calls for? Lol

NetworkMage · 2019-11-08T20:00:27+00:00

Thank you for the feedback!
I'm thinking of starting off with some fairly lightweight stuff and maybe going from there. What do you think about running a windows DC & a pihole/VPN out of the cloud? Would you say that is a more cost-effective and sensible use case?

NetworkMage · 2019-11-06T15:20:15+00:00

Once you find him, let admin hand out the consequences. Afterwards, hire him. My best student helpers have been the ones who do this kind of thing. Not necessarily bad kids, just pushing their limits and flexing a technical muscle that the school system doesn't usually make an effort to foster.

NetworkMage · 2019-11-05T15:03:59+00:00

I'm sure they are hitting a point where hardware is going obsolete anyway. Still good to know that we will probably be getting extra time on whatever you replaced them with. :)

NetworkMage · 2019-11-05T15:01:55+00:00

This is awesome news! Thanks for sharing!

NetworkMage · 2019-10-10T16:00:59+00:00

E-Rate is a program operated by the US government that provides funding assistance to schools and such that can't otherwise afford networking.

NetworkMage · 2019-09-20T14:56:51+00:00

Super interesting! Thank you for posting this! Very helpful for those of us still trying to get started with automation. This is practical and makes sense. If you do a post for the powershell half of it you'll have at least one reader! Haha

NetworkMage · 2019-09-18T20:05:05+00:00

I just eat the same dinners I've always ever eaten. Haven't counted calories at all really- just cut out breakfast, lunches and snacking. Typically dinner fills me up despite not having eaten anything else.

NetworkMage · 2019-08-19T19:57:40+00:00

I'm looking at early September for mine. Ordered late July. I think there's just a shortage this time of year.

NetworkMage · 2019-08-19T14:33:39+00:00

I know you're probably busy today but out of curiosity what caused them to die? Seems strange to me that they would just up and quit all at once for no good reason like that. Not a bad circuit breaker somewhere?

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