Chapter 20: How to Stay on Top of Your Network and Keep Its Users Off Your Back


Anetwork manager has a rotten deal. Users come to you whenever anything goes wrong, regardless of whether the problem has anything to do with the network. They knock on your door if they can't log on, if they lost a file, or if they can't remember how to use the microwave.

This chapter shows a few basic rules to simplify your life as a network manager.

Train Your Users

After you first get your network up and running, invite all the network users to Network Obedience School so that you can teach them how to behave on the network. Show them the basics of accessing the network, make sure that they understand how to share files, and explain the rules to them.

A great way to prepare your users for this session is to ask them to read the first three chapters of this book. I wrote those chapters with the network user in mind, so they explain the basic facts of network life. If your users read those chapters first, they're in a much better position to ask good questions during obedience school.

Here are more ways to make the training process painless for you and your users:

  • Write a summary of what your users need to know about the network-on one page, if possible. Include everyone's user IDs, the names of the servers, network drive assignments and printers, and the procedure for logging on to the network. Everyone needs a copy of this Network Cheat Sheet.

  • Emphasize the etiquette of network life. Make sure that everyone understands that not all free space on the network drive is personal space-it's shared, and it should be used sparingly. Explain the importance of treating other people's files with respect. Ask users to check with their fellow users before sending a three-hour print job to the printer.

  • Don't bluff your way through your role as network manager. If you're not a computer genius, don't pretend to be one just because you know a little more than everyone else. Tell users that everyone is in this together and that you will do your best to try to solve any network problems that may come up.




Networking For Dummies
Networking For Dummies
ISBN: 0470534052
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 254
Authors: Doug Lowe

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