Travel - Checklist before your trip

Travel Checklist
- destination weather report
- passport expiry check
- visa validity, work permit
- ticket & flight schedule
- medical - pills, Panadol, mytancid
- vaccination, certification
- 1st-aid kit, cotton pad
- Cross, Jesus pic
- locks - for bag and hotel room
- cheques travellers
- local cash, exchange rate
- credit card usable limit, expiry
- coins for tips & public phone
- hotel name - address, phone no.
- hotel pickup, limousine, bus route
- name card - address
- maps of destination, local transport map, google map
- friend's address & phone no.
- SOS card, emergency dial back no.
- insurance coverage
- camera, film & battery
- digital camera, MS, CF, SM, SD cards
- cloth, dress suit to bed
- sewing kit, travel mini tool
- slippers
- card photos for visa ... etc.
- lipstick, lotion
- ointment, white flower oil
- alarm clock, spare battery
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- compass, thermometer
- watch, mini-torch LED
- phone, roaming check
- power plug converter, charger
- small umbrella
- nail cutter, razor
- driving license, special pass
- spare bag, purse, packet for foreign $
- pda, ipad, tablet & spare battery, charger, games
- ISP roaming a/c, dialup no.
- security ID - token, fob
- family notice, last will doc, where you go, date

Storage test Checklist

Checklist for SAN test

01 verify redundancy of fans, power supplies, processors ... etc. included
02 switch redundancy fail over
03 Raid disk fault tolerance
04 HBA fail over
05 FC cable failure
06 LUN / volume expansion (OS side, SAN side)
07 LUN failover
08 zoning method - soft/hard zone
09 SAN backup
10 Data synchronization (Mirroring) on the same SAN or to a remote SAN
11 Snapshot date backup

Example
HBA - Host Bus Adapter
FC cable - fibre channel cable
switch (port),
switch - Brocade
SPA
SPB
 

IT Relocation Checklist

a. Server
- server inventory / separation
- server license
- server rack
- backup license
- backup options
- ups

b. Network / Cabling
- cabling - vertical, horizontal
- floor box, ports required (% growth)
- hubs
- switches
- router
- VPN
- RAS
- Firewall
- lease line
- Video Conference - ISDN
- business broadband
- lead time

c. Telecommunication
- PABX
- Fax
- lines forwarding, IDD, DDI
- DDI line range separation
- lead time

d. Admin. Facilities
- conference room
- store room
- pantry
- common access area
 

Managing Your Boss

How to Manage your Boss ?
You should ...

Understand your boss and his context

1. Goals and objectives
2. Pressures
3. Strengths, weaknesses, blind spots
4. Preferred work style

Develop and maintain a relationship that

1. Fits both your needs and styles
2. Is characterized by mutual expectations
3. Keep your boss informed
4. Is based on dependability and honesty
5. Selectively uses your boss's time and resources

Manager Checklist

Management Checklist
- track/trace
- performance monitor
- PO management
- alert management
- settlement management
- barcode management
* daily status on selected customer (performance)

Approach How to solve problem
1. be objective
2. quantify the situation
3. see for yourself
4. use single analysis tool
5. KISS  keep it simple and stupid
6. brainstorm
7. open minded

How to work/ways to work
- drive with the strategy
- work according to the policy
- implement with standard

Make a choice => FIT
- Friendship/relationship
- Interests/benefits
- Truth

weekly tasks
1 sys,
2 lang,
3 sys,exer,
4 lang,
5 sys
6 sing,exer,
7 review

TOP MAN

Time,
Occasion,
Place,

Money,
Authority,
Need from the rest people 

Server Management Checklist

Server Management Checklist
- server - software audit/metering
- server bundle
- server closet
- physical access log
- remote control / log
- security policy - intruder alert /ACL
- server monitor/event management (cpu, mem, disk space, snmp trap)
- how to make patch level
- asset inventory
- virus scanning
- statistics report / mrtg
- data backup
- disaster recovery plan
- prepare ERD
- apps monitor/counting/listing
- meeting minutes

Server Specifics
- hardware brand, HP, CPQ, Dell
- platform, Windows, Unix, Linux
- SQL for db server
- Exchange for mail server,
- IIS for web server
- service pack/patch level
- cpu , 1 or 2
- NIC - dual
- IP address, subnet mask, gateway
- WINS, DNS, DHCP
- RAM
- virtual memory
- swap file size required
- hard disk, hot plug
- disk I/O consumption importance
- hard disk access speed
- RAID 1, 5
- partition information C, D, E
- security check, patches
- backup drive type, DDS, DLT, SDLT
- backup software/license
- backup open file options
- db agent
- ups
- performance monitor, agent

SLA - Data Center
- maintenance contract
- contact list - corporate vs local vendors
 

Development Project and Database

Development Project requirements;

a. Hardware and Software Requirements, Platform selected
b. Functional Specification
c. Database Specification - flow chart and relational tables structure
d. Configuration details for Testing environment
e. Reporting (if necessary) functional template and criteria
f. Implementation Schedule / Roll-out timeframe
g. User Acceptance

Database Size Consideration

1. small database (less than 1,000 MB) : Access, mdb format
2. medium database (between1,000 - 5,000MB) : MySQL, MSSQL Server or Oracle
3. large database (over 5,000MB) : MSSQL Server or Oracle
4. security issue : Oracle / MSSQL Server

Data Centre Checklist

File system consistency check.
Disk verification check.
Full system backup/Backup verification check.
Clean computer components, clean and oil fans.
Verify physical condition of network components.
Verify workstation connectivity.
Verify condition of Sunray equipment.
Verify physical condition of switches, clean/replace/oil fans if necessary.
Verify plug-ins are working properly and up to date.
Update system software if necessary.
Install patch updates.
Perform system security audit.
Perform scheduled upgrades to equipment.
Update inventory of equipment.
- CRAC Unit
- raised Floor System
- generator set
- FM200 Fire Extinguishing
- equipment racks
- structured cabling
- ups system
- water leakage detection system
- CIMS site monitoring system
- FIAMM (industrial batteries)
- computer grade air conditioning system
- electrical & power distribution system
- fire detection and protection system
- security & access control system
- central & remote monitoring system
- door access control, finger/hand scan

some reference;
www.ricom.com.hk
www.foundrynet.com
www.partner.com/symposium
www.s1tek.com (infor security)www.datasphere.com.hk
www.elibo.com.hk => e.g. sensaphone
- temperature sensor, water sensor, humidistat, smoke sensor www.jinchat.com
www.resilience.com
www.asiasoft.com.hk

How to be more Productive at work

Below are the tips - how to be more Productive at work

1. Get organised. The time you spend hunting for the right file or client contact information could be used for crossing off items on your to-do list. So invest a few hours up front to get organised, and make it a point to stay that way – it will reduce hassle and time wasted.

2. Delegate and share work wisely. Both managers and employees should focus on tasks that use their strengths. If you’re not an Excel? whiz, ask a more spreadsheet-savvy colleague to take on the task in exchange for one you’re more suited to. Utilising the right skills appropriately saves everyone time.

3. Give yourself strict deadlines. Set a timer for 60 or 90 minutes, and set about finishing a small project without interruptions. During this time you’ll only be focusing on the task at hand, not multi-tasking (answering the phone or responding to e-mail, etc.) You may be surprised at how much you can get done in a short period of time.

4. Manage your energy as well as your time. Don’t spread projects out over a few days – if possible, finish them in one sitting rather than in bits and pieces. This keeps your energies focused and saves time, and can improve the consistency of the finished product, too.

5. Come in early. Coming in to the office an hour before everyone else means you can get a jump- start on your day and work without distractions until the rest of your colleagues arrive and business begins as usual. A bonus: you might even miss the morning rush hour traffic!

6. Target your productivity “window”. Observe your working patterns for a day, and figure out when you seem to be most productive. Then, use that as your “optimal working time” and tackle the most difficult or challenging tasks during that time period each day.

7. Automate and outsource. If you own or manage a small business, remember that doing everything yourself isn’t always the most time- or cost-efficient option. Almost any task can be either automated or outsourced – from mailing to marketing to payroll processing – so investigate your options.

8. Know when to say no. Don’t overreach yourself; while many of us try to make everyone happy all the time, it's just not always possible. Don’t get into the habit of accepting last-minute requests if you can help it, and respect your own limitations.

 9. Obey the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule states that 80 percent of your results come from just 20 percent of your efforts. If you can identify and focus on the 20 percent that matters most, you can be more productive without increasing your workload.

 10. Beware of perfectionism. Does that weekly internal report that’s only read by two people really need to have detailed colour graphics and perfectly spaced margins? Most routine work doesn't need to be done perfectly, so just ask yourself if your effort is proportionate to the value of the task. Once you start putting these strategies into practice, hopefully you’ll be leaving the office earlier today and every day.
 

Common Security Alerts for Windows and Unix systems

Below are the Common Security Alerts for Windows and Unix systems:

Vulnerabilities to Windows Systems 

1. Internet Information Services (IIS) 
2. Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) -- Remote Data Services 
3. Microsoft SQL Server 
4. NETBIOS -- Unprotected Windows Networking Shares 
5. Anonymous Logon -- Null Sessions 
6. LAN Manager Authentication -- Weak LM Hashing 
7. General Windows Authentication -- Accounts with No Passwords or Weak Passwords 
8. Internet Explorer 
9. Remote Registry Access 
10. Windows Scripting Host 

Vulnerabilities to Unix Systems 

1. Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) 
2. Apache Web Server 
3. Secure Shell (SSH) 
4. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) 
5. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) 
6. R-Services -- Trust Relationships 
7. Line Printer Daemon (LPD) 
8. Sendmail 
9. BIND/DNS 
10. General Unix Authentication -- Accounts with No Passwords or Weak Passwords 

 

Tips for property viewing 物業睇屋注意事項

Things to note when viewing a property:

• Who are the Neighbours
• Plumbing, washing machine, wash basin, shower, water pressure, toilet water flush
• Any local water leakage or found any water stains
• Pay attention to the water meter and electric meter, Gas meter
• Extractor fan, cooker hoods
• Floors and carpets
• Wall corner, wall mounted items
• Any bad smelling, odor or rubbish smell
• The environmental hygiene, garbage and where is the refuse room
• Parking spaces
• The sun facing direction
• Any specific noisy area and direction
• Threshold, door locks, hinges
• Telephone, TV plug
• Electric stove, Gas stove, switch gear

去睇屋要注意事項:
• 鄰居是什麼人
• 水喉, 洗衣機, 洗手盆, 花洒, 水壓, 沖厕所水
• 有冇地方漏水 或 見到有水漬
• 留意水錶及电錶, 媒氣錶
• 抽氣机, 抽油煙机
• 地板和地毯
• 牆角落, 牆壁
• 有冇臭味
• 四處環境衛生 , 多少垃圾, 垃圾房
• 車位
• 太陽位及方向
• 噪音位及方向
• 門檻, 門鎖, 門鉸
• 电话, 电视插頭
• 电爐, 媒氣爐, 电掣