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A thorough handover is crucial for a smooth transition. Here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the process:
1. Documentation and Inventory
• System Architecture Diagrams: Understand the layout and design of the infrastructure.
• Network Topology: Details of network design, including IP address schemes and VLANs.
• Hardware Inventory: List of servers, switches, routers, firewalls, and other hardware.
• Software Inventory: List of installed software, licenses, and versions.
• Configuration Files: Backup of all critical configuration files (e.g., network settings, server configs).
• Service Documentation: Details of all critical services, applications, and their configurations.
• Change Management Records: History of recent changes, patches, and updates.
2. Access and Credentials
• Administrative Accounts: List of admin accounts and their credentials (ensure you update or reset passwords as needed).
• Permissions: Overview of user roles and permissions across systems.
• Access Control: Details of access to physical locations, data centers, and remote management tools.
3. Operational Procedures
• Daily Operations: Routine tasks and responsibilities.
• Backup and Recovery Procedures: How backups are taken, where they’re stored, and recovery procedures.
• Incident Response Plan: Steps for handling common issues or emergencies.
• Monitoring and Alerts: Tools and processes for monitoring system performance and alerting on issues.
• Maintenance Schedules: Regular maintenance tasks, including updates and hardware checks.
4. Security Practices
• Firewall and Security Rules: Current firewall rules and security policies.
• Antivirus/Anti-Malware: Software in use and its configuration.
• Encryption: Methods and tools used for data encryption (both at rest and in transit).
• Compliance: Any compliance requirements and how they’re being met.
5. Communication and Support
• Key Contacts: List of internal and external contacts for support (e.g., vendors, IT support teams).
• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Agreements with vendors and service providers.
• Escalation Procedures: Steps for escalating issues that can’t be resolved at your level.
6. Transition Period
• Shadowing: Opportunity to shadow the outgoing Sys Admin to observe daily tasks and operations.
• Knowledge Transfer: Scheduled sessions to discuss any specific details or nuances of the infrastructure.
• Ongoing Projects: Current projects and their status, including upcoming milestones or deadlines.
7. Final Checks
• Verify Documentation: Ensure all documentation is complete and accurate.
• Test Systems: Test access to systems and validate that all configurations are correct.
• Review Policies: Ensure you’re familiar with company policies regarding IT and infrastructure.
8. Miscellaneous
• Custom Scripts or Tools: Any custom scripts or tools used in daily operations.
• Licensing and Contracts: Check the status of software licenses and service contracts.
A successful handover ensures you're well-informed and ready to maintain or improve the infrastructure efficiently.
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