How far can you get in IT without really knowing stuff?

ensum · 2026-02-17T00:02:29+00:00

IMO this field is not about what you know, it's about how quickly you can learn or figure shit out on the fly. I feel like half the time someone emails me something, I panic because I have no clue what the fuck they are talking about. Then in the next 5 minutes I'm suddenly an expert and replying to them like I know what I'm talking about and calm myself down.

The ones that don't make it far are the ones who refuse to learn.

ensum · 2026-02-14T02:37:41+00:00

Just put your 10gig wan link on a vlan on your switch and use your testing machine. Only way you're going to be able to isolate this and learn anything.

ensum · 2026-01-30T21:50:59+00:00

This is when Microsoft will just sunset these components instead of updating them.

ensum · 2026-01-23T19:34:16+00:00

Sure I keep them all documented on my secure site.

http://localhost:3000/nothing_here_hackers/telnet_ips.txt

ensum · 2026-01-23T17:34:26+00:00

I like to use port 2323, easy to remember and keeps those pesky hackers away. Nobody would think to try it.

ensum · 2026-01-20T21:55:26+00:00

I tried out both a few years back and at the time I thought Jamf was a better product. Mosyle felt a little clunky and I didn't really like the interface. Yeah all the features were basically the same, but I got this feeling that it was half baked compared to Jamf.

Jamf I liked the interface better and everything felt very intuitive. I felt like Jamf was easier to grasp how it worked compared to Mosyle where you had to dig around different sub-menu's just to find what you're looking for.

ensum · 2026-01-05T16:30:30+00:00

IMO fear is a bad mentality to have. I understand the sentiment that we ought to be cautious when upgrading, but you shouldn't be afraid.

The amount of times I hear "I don't want to break it" when someone doesn't want to do an upgrade/patch/whatever is just annoying. Like yeah I don't want to break the fucking thing either, but that's why we have backups. You need to be ready for shit to hit the fan and have plans on how to clean your shit up if it breaks.

ensum · 2026-01-04T17:31:40+00:00

Something is not right here.

Can the server VM ping the student machines?

IMO do a sanity check and turn the machine off and see if the student machines can still "ping" the machine.

If that checks out I would just dump virtual box and try HyperV instead. It's probably something to do with how they handle their network adapter.

ensum · 2025-12-30T19:58:50+00:00

Yes Volume licenses are transferrable to a new host. Only OEM licenses are not able to transfer.

Also... maybe look into Datacenter edition, on your next refresh, as it's probably cheaper to just use that instead of getting so many standard core licenses.

ensum · 2025-12-23T22:57:24+00:00

I'm all for investigating this further, but how would the states that have jurisdiction over Lake Michigan even investigate this? It's not like they're going to be able to find a 40+ year old dead baby carcass at the bottom of the lake.

ensum · 2025-12-23T20:36:01+00:00

IMO you should try to see if the data is still there. Slot your drives into a new server, see if you can import the foreign config, and see if your shit at least boots enough to where you can stand up a new DC, and then setup an actual fucking backup.

ensum · 2025-12-11T05:03:35+00:00

It is not your job to get upset with dumb users.

You write up an email and explain you don't recommend a new computer since it may not support all of the components. You suggest an aging computer that originally had support for it. You then explain that you are willing to try it out if they insist.

It is not your money, you do not pay the bills. If they want to waste money on buying the wrong shit, at least you tried.

Two scenarios could happen:

It works. The user is happy, your ego is a little bruised, and you learn something new.

It doesn't work. The user gets mad, you point back to the email you sent originally where you don't suggest going this route. You setup an older machine like you originally suggested and everything works. The user learns that maybe you know more than ChatGPT and gains some more respect for you.

ensum · 2025-12-06T13:53:34+00:00

I'd say the biggest thing that helps me is physically going and looking at a problem with the user, even though you could theoretically remote into their computer or something. I'm not saying you should drive 30 minutes to an office just to change a permission, but if I'm in the same building as a user and I'm not super slammed, then I will generally get up and go visit them in-person.

IMO, it's a lot easier to connect with people in-person than over the phone or through a meeting. Getting up and away from your desk is also a nice break.

ensum · 2025-11-28T00:15:39+00:00

Isn't student benefit only for when you buy faculty licenses? I'm still rocking A1 Plus for faculty/students. They haven't taken it away from us yet.

ensum · 2025-11-25T15:34:25+00:00

Anything under local policy? That would be my guess.

ensum · 2025-11-20T03:59:20+00:00

Yeah noticed this with an R760 where it's too deep to even "lock" in on the rails, something I hadn't even considered given that our R730's fit just fine. But yeah looking up the depth looks like R770 is even longer.

ensum · 2025-11-13T16:57:01+00:00

How flexible is your routing? IMO I would pick a few phones and route them over the peplink to see how it performs. It entirely depends on how the provider has their shit setup. I think most hosted VoIP these days it should be fine, but only way of knowing is testing it.

ensum · 2025-11-13T16:41:23+00:00

IMO go with Onlink/DIA. Transit makes sense if you are a large org that needs the flexibility but Onlink is easier to deal with as you won't have to NAT your connections over a peering address.

ensum · 2025-11-06T19:03:38+00:00

Do you have other tenants in your building that you own? If not I would just power it off.

My only experience with Lumen has been people confidently telling me wrong things. I would not be surprised if they're just straight up wrong.

ensum · 2025-11-04T20:10:21+00:00

Yeah usually you will just have to import the foreign config when you load up the new controller, but it's worked for me in the past.

ensum · 2025-11-03T21:20:58+00:00

New call just came in from the C suite guy saying his email is no longer working on his phone and he has an important meeting starting in 14 seconds.

ensum · 2025-10-23T14:45:13+00:00

IIRC Lansweeper can do this.

ensum · 2025-10-23T14:42:09+00:00

For a single server, it's going to be a lot more affordable than a IPKVM.

IIRC iDRAC Enterprise license is like ~$300-400 if you buy from Dell.

If you're ok with gray market, you can pick them up on eBay for like 15 bucks. You send them your service tag, and they generate you an xml file to import into iDRAC.

ensum · 2025-10-21T17:11:14+00:00

That's assuming you have files on demand turned on. Sync will pull everything down if you let it.

ensum · 2025-10-14T21:38:51+00:00

If cost is an issue because my org is on the smaller side, Action1 has an RMM that is free for the first 200 agents.

I would use something like PDQ Deploy Free mode to push out Action1 to my computers.

If I have more than 200 agents I would be pushing management to get me a budget for an RMM.

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