Proposal to Create a Manual for

Provisioning Windows and Red Hat Linux

Servers
Problem
New servers are provisioned from the Enterprise Servers group nearly every month, often at the
same time. Each server is built to specs by a different server administrator, who is also be
responsible for handling day to day troubleshooting and upkeep of other servers handled by the
group. This can result in a lack of uniformity between servers, and occasionally causes
significant delays in application deployment. When a required feature or application is
overlooked, the administrator must revisit the server in order to correct the mistake, taking their
attention away from other projects. Application managers often require the guidance of an
external vendor technician during the installation of their application. Should the missing feature
be required to complete the installation, an application manager may be forced to abort the install
and reschedule the technician once the server administrator corrects the mistake.
Solution
Creating a guide for server administrators to follow would help prevent mistakes and ensure each
machine is created to match the required specifications in a timely manner. Increasing
uniformity between systems also helps to simplify the continued management of servers under
the Enterprise Systems and Infrastructure Services group, and reduces confusion for application
managers.
Sections
The manual will consist of two main parts, provisioning Windows servers, and provisioning Red
Hat Linux servers. These sections will include the following procedures:
Preparation for Physical Machines
Acquiring OS and hardware specifications, and networking requirements from
Application Management Team.
Completing purchase order procedure for server hardware.
Communicating with Operations group to verify server location and installation date.
Requesting network cabling, IPs and DNS records, and firewall modifications from Data-
communications Team.
Preparation for Virtual Machines
Acquiring OS and virtual machine specifications, and networking requirements from
Application Management Team.
Requesting IPs and DNS records, and firewall modifications from Data-communications
Team.
Requesting virtual machine from VM Services Team.
Installing Windows Server
Installing the Operating System.
Joining Active Directory.
Installing required windows features.
Installing required base applications and agents.
Configuring local firewall rules.
Adding necessary users and groups and allowing remote access.
Turning server over to Application Management Team.
Installing Red Hat Linux Server
Installing the Operating System.
Running base configuration from Satellite server.
Installing required packages.
Creating necessary users and directories.
Creating IPTable rules.
Turning server over to Application Management Team.
Budget Estimate
The table below provides an estimate for the cost of producing a hardcopy manual. The cost I
have allotted for writing and editing the manual reflects the time I will spend working on this
project during regular salaried office hours, not additional cost. The cost of the physical manual
will only amount to $16.10.
Task Quantity Cost
Writing and editing the
manual
80 hours @ $20.80/hour $1664
Printing 90 pages @ $0.09/ea $8.10
Binding 1 manual $8
Total $1678.10

Qualifications
I have been a System Administrator with the Enterprise Systems and Infrastructure Services
group for four years, and have intimate knowledge with the environment in which the group
functions. I have also helped develop some of the procedures which the group currently uses to
provision and maintain servers. During my time with the Enterprise Systems and Infrastructure
Services group, I have created documentation for a number of other procedures and services. I
am also currently enrolled in a Technical Writing course at UNT in order to further hone my
ability to write user-friendly documentation.
Conclusion
By standardizing the approach to creating Windows and Red Hat Linux servers, the Enterprise
Systems and Infrastructure Services group becomes more efficient, improves their reputation for
providing quality services, and prevents project delays which can cost the organization hundreds
of dollars. I am eager to undertake this project and help the Enterprise Systems and
Infrastructure Services group become more efficient and organized.

Regards,

Alex Schatz
10428 Unicorn Lake
Denton, Tx 76209
(940)555-3925
alexschatz@my.unt.edu