subject: Can't Afford To Go Down? Spare Up [print this page] Can't Afford To Go Down? Spare Up Can't Afford To Go Down? Spare Up
Ok, I've yet to meet a Network Administrator who will acknowledge that his/her network going down is no big deal. Of course, your network is critical to your company and even a temporary loss of service can cost you customers and money. So, what do you do when a critical piece of network hardware fails?
Yes, if you have an on site maintenance company you can call them. Typically, they will quickly send an engineer, if you're lucky. Hopefully the engineer will be able to diagnose the problem, will have a replacement unit, and get you back up and running without too much of a service interruption.
If you have a manufacturer's service contract, like a Cisco Smartnet, you might have spent a small fortune to get 24x7x7 coverage; or, maybe you couldn't afford that in your already tight budget so you went for the 8x5xNBD contract. Even under the best of circumstances you will have to call or go online and complete a ticket for a tech to get back with you and tell you to try certain things that you might have already tried. The usual best case scenario is a 4 hour turnaround. That's quick but not quick enough for a critical application.
So what other option do you have?
My suggestion is that you buy redundant equipment for your most critical components. In that way you can have them configured by your own tech people, tested on site in your own network in actual in-service conditions. Then put them on a shelf waiting for the day that you might need them for instant deployment. In that way you cut your downtime to an absolute minimum.
You can also have your trusted supplier keep a list of your equipment, complete with memory specs on file. Make sure they give you an emergency phone number and should any of the non-critical components of your system fail they can FedEx them to you; or if needed quicker, they can put them on the next flight and have a courier take them from the airport to your door. If they are a top tier supplier (like a NetworkEquipment.net) they will have worldwide relationships and even get one of their trading partners in your city to deliver equipment to you from a local emergency source.
To make this situation especially cost effective you can even purchase refurbished equipment as your redundant or spare equipment. By purchasing refurbished (used) equipment as your spare you will typically have a 1.5 2 year breakeven period vs. even the least expensive service contract; and your breakeven time might even be less depending on the level of service contract you might have purchased.
Oh, and BTW, when you decide to upgrade your equipment you will have these spares available for sale or trade-in to offset the cost of any new/updated network equipment.
