WINDOWS IN THE ENTERPRISE
Taking on Windows configuration management
Harris Kern, Contributor
05.10.2007
Rating: -3.82- (out of 5)
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For IT managers, Windows configuration management is possibly one of the least appealing tasks on their to-do lists. Still, documenting hardware and software configurations is one of the most critical tasks in Windows configuration management because it provides documentation for what you've done and a roadmap for what needs to happen.
The problem is that Windows configuration management isn't easy. Technically brilliant personnel historically lack the talent or the desire, or both, to clearly document the complexities of their work in a simple, succinct manner. Still, with upgrades to Windows Vista on your to-do list in the next 12 months, a Windows configuration management plan is a must.
What is configuration management?
The formal definition of configuration management is a process to ensure that the inter-relationships of varying versions of infrastructure hardware and software are documented accurately and efficiently.
As it pertains to the infrastructure, configuration management refers to coordinating and documenting the different levels of hardware, firmware and software that comprise mainframes, servers, desktops, databases and various network devices such as routers, hubs and switches. It does not refer to application software systems in production or the verification of various levels of application software in different stages of development, testing and deployment
Infrastructure hardware, such as Windows servers, come in different models, requiring different levels of operating syst
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em software. As models are upgraded, so also may the operating system need to be upgraded. Similarly, upgraded operating systems may require upgraded versions of database management systems software, like SQL Server 2005 and, eventually, upgraded applications software. So, when you are thinking about upgrading to Vista, take into account that it will sweep through your entire hardware, firmware and software configurations.
Keeping the various versions of hardware and software accurately updated is the primary responsibility of the owner of the configuration management process. In addition to the hardware and software of the data center, network equipment also needs to be documented in the form of circuit diagrams, network configurations and backbone schematics.
There are seven practical things you can do to improve Windows configuration management planning:
Harris Kern is the author of 44 IT and self-help books. He is recognized as the foremost authority on providing practical guidance for solving IT management issues. Harris challenges industry leaders to build a competitive IT organization by re-focusing resources, people, process and performance. He combines the experiences of an IT executive, self-help/performance expert and management consultant. Harris is the founder behind Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute and the best-selling series of books published by Prentice Hall. The series includes titles such as IT Services, IT Organization, and CIO Wisdom. Harris can be reached at harris@harriskern.com.
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