What are the things you WISH you could do for your network? No holds barred, no budget restrictions, but outside of that it would be fun to see your practical ideas to make life better for you & your peers and your clients. Some things I'd wish for:
- Budget to place enough network switch ports in every Network Room so that every data drop could be patched. Why? Because then I could patch every port with a custom length cable, make every switch front and patch panel front beautiful and Velcro'd in place, and no one would ever have to begin building spaghetti messes in there again. Because no one would need to enter the Network Rooms except to add or remove network hardware. Of course I'd have NAC in place, so there'd be no security holes. Anyone could patch in anywhere, and they'd automatically be put in the appropriate segment depending on their device's security patching, anti-virus signature status, corporate access requirements, BYOD definitions, etc.
- All the SolarWinds modules. SLX licenses, plenty of hardware to support it all the right way. And staff to learn the applications and services, who are devoted to getting a great single-pane-of-glass for the NOC and SOC and Help Desk and everyone in IT to use. With the end goal of cutting down the amount of time to troubleshoot problems, and of reducing/preventing problems.
- A dedicated job position for me to be the Orion Ambassador to all departments, so I could become familiar with all their apps and hardware and needs--and match them up with great views and reports in Orion modules that cater to their specialties.
- A great Network Architect to join us and ensure we're doing it all the right way. Collaborating deeply with every department, and especially with Security. So ACI and ISE and FirePower/SourceFire/ASAs/ACS/Splunk/Everything worked the way it's supposed to.
- A corporate wireless policy to forbid or limit staff from using the corporate wireless Guest network for personal use. Yah, I'm a bit of a hard case there. I'm paid to do my work at work, and I ought to be using my wireless data plan for my personal things on breaks. Instead, I see pretty much everyone's cell phones killing the wireless resources and Internet pipe every time their manufacturer has an OS update. I'd make 'em do it at home, but I'm sort of work-oriented. My apologies--please don't flame me. I just want a fast, and reliable, and secure, and great wireless experience for the folks who actually need mobility to do their jobs--and for our customers. But whoever thought wireless was fast and reliable and secure sure hasn't a clue about reality.
- Triple my current staff level, so we can better deal with all the requests for new or changed networking needs, all while following industry and security best practices. It's mighty hard to keep up with what's new and improved when you're understaffed and worried about the spinning plates falling off their poles.
- A work environment that folks are clamoring to join. Sometimes I see things in other companies that seem pretty fun and desirable. I'd like to think my company was so excellent that we'd have no problem hiring anyone we need, when we need them. Instead it typically takes eighteen months to find and hire a new Network Analyst. It's funny--the pay's great for the region, and the region's amazing for things to do outside.
What would make your network life better, if you could get for some practical things that appear impossible for you now?
Swift packets!
Rick S.