CompTIA exam study guide presentations by instructor Brian Ferrill, PACE-IT (Progressive, Accelerated Certifications for Employment in Information Technology)
"Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53"
Learn more about the PACE-IT Online program: www.edcc.edu/pace-it
2. Page 2
Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College
Areas of Expertise Industry Certifications
PC Hardware
Network Administration
IT Project Management
Network Design
User Training
IT Troubleshooting
Qualifications Summary
Education
M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University
B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University
Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger
with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues
into efficient and effective solutions.
Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse
workforces, improving processes, analyzing
business needs and creating the solutions
required— with a focus on technology.
5. Page 5
Even fairly small modern
networks can get very
complex very fast.
Configuration management (CM) is a discipline that is used to
evaluate, coordinate, approve, deny, or implement change in or
to an IT system.
CM plays a vital roll in any network beyond the most simplistic. It
helps to ensure that the network runs efficiently and smoothly.
Network administrators and support staff will play a vital role in
developing and implementing any CM systems or processes.
Supporting configuration management I.
7. Page 7
Documentation plays a key
role in any CM systems that
get developed.
In the CM process, documentation is used to help evaluate and
plan proposed changes. Documentation is also used to help in
asset management, network maintenance, and vendor
evaluations.
Much of the time, the documentation that is created will depend
upon the complexity of the systems under consideration.
However, even if your organization doesn’t implement a true CM
style, some documentation should still be kept to reduce the
burden on network personnel.
Supporting configuration management I.
8. Page 8
Supporting configuration management I.
– Policies and procedures.
» Polices are a set of guidelines that establish how the network is
to be configured and operated. They also set the expected
behavior of the people within the organization.
• As a general rule, policies are put into effect at the mid to
upper management level.
» Procedures are a set of documents that detail how the policies
are to be implemented.
• As a general rule, procedures are set by the management of
the level affected by the policy.
– Asset management documentation.
» Broad category of documentation often used to help in the
change management process.
» Detailed information on what assets are present.
• Also includes the maintenance history for those assets.
» Often used to help track update and upgrade cycles.
9. Page 9
Supporting configuration management I.
– Physical network diagrams.
» A map or diagram of all network devices and how they connect.
» Specifies the cabling, connectors, and physical cabling runs.
» Cabling management documentation is a subcategory.
• A wiring scheme establishes the types of cabling and the
connectors used. It also defines the allowed standards (e.g.,
T568A or T568B).
– Logical network diagrams.
» Similar to a physical network diagram but more detailed.
» Details IP addresses, ports, protocols, etc.
» Details connected networks (e.g., LANs, VLANs, and WLANs).
» Details IP address utilization.
• IP address utilization can greatly affect the efficiency and
performance of the network.
» Physical and logical network diagrams may be combined into a
single document.
10. Page 10
Supporting configuration management I.
– Vendor documentation.
» A broad category of documentation that can include:
• The approved vendor list.
• The vendor approval process.
• Purchase order documentation.
– Common vendor documents.
» Memorandum of understanding (MOU): an agreement
between two or more organizations that details how those
organizations are to undertake some common course of action.
» Statement of work (SOW): a detailed document that specifies
what work is to be performed, the expected outcome, and the
timelines to perform the work.
» Master license agreement (MLA): a legal agreement between
two entities in which one agrees to pay the other for the use of
a specific piece of software (or software package) for a
specified period of time.
» Service level agreement (SLA): an agreement that details the
allowable amount of response time the vendor has to resolve
an issue or problem. Most commonly is associated with a
service contract.
11. Page 11
Supporting configuration management I.
Configuration management (CM) is a discipline that is used to evaluate,
coordinate, approve, deny, or implement change in or to an IT system. In
the CM process, documentation is used to help evaluate and plan proposed
changes.
Topic
Configuration management.
Summary
Documentation is used to help in asset management, network
maintenance, and vendor evaluations. Policies are a set of guidelines
established by mid to upper management. Procedures are a set of
documents used to determine how policies will be implemented. Asset
management documentation is a broad category of documents that provide
detailed information on the assets that are present. Physical network
diagrams detail the physical structure of the network. Logical network
diagrams detail the specifics of the network (e.g., ports, protocols, IP
addresses, and VLAN configurations). Vendor documentation is a broad
category of documents that are used in vendor processes.
Documentation.
13. This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the
U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was
created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S.
Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or
assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including
any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the
information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability
or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.
PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are
available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing
impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call
425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about the PACE-IT program. For
any additional special accommodations needed, call the SSD office at 425.640.1814.
Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion;
national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship, marital, or veteran
status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.