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TRUE IT BLOOPERS
Oops! True IT Blooper #153: A knock-out first impression!
Jennifer Luscomb
09.24.2004
Rating: -4.50- (out of 5)
Having existed as separate entities for years prior, both organizations were equipped with their own IT departments, including staff members and data centers. As with any merger or acquisition, the technical marriage was less than perfect, but the two companies made good headway. But for Data Center Administrator Ann Champion, this situation was particularly traumatic.
Ann found herself assigned with the task of visiting the central data processing facility of the new partner company. Being well versed in managing her companies' data processing and networks and having years of experience, she was confident that the visit would go smoothly. She arrived, was shown to the data center room, and left to take in the scene and become comfortable with the set-up and machines.
Once Ann was finished, she tried to exit the facility and realized that she was locked in. This did not come as a surprise to Ann, because doors to data centers are normally kept locked in order to protect the precious machinery and information that passed though the room. Ann saw the familiar red door release button that was in the same spot as it was in her own facility. She pressed it and waited to be let out of the room.
To Ann's dismay, the door did not open. But being trapped in the room was now the least of her worries. Instead of the simple click of the door unlocking, Ann heard a loud bang and the lights began to flicker. And then she heard it… The unmistakable low hum of EVERY power supply, fan and aircon unit in the data center shutting down.
Ann looked up at the red button she had just pushed, and her worst nightmare came true – instead of reading "Door Release" above the button, it read "Emergency Data Center Shutdown." And on top of it all, still not knowing how to open the door, Ann was stuck in the deteriorating data center.
As you know, bringing an entire data center back online isn't a snap-of-the-fingers task, but through teamwork and lots of overtime hours it was done. And luckily in this case, Ann DID get a second chance to make a first impression.
Lesson learned: double-check any big, red buttons you're about to press, especially if you're in the military.
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