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Server Inventory ProjectBy Michael Gerhart – SUNY Brockport Supervisor: Jim Wenner Mentor: Chris Simard

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Agenda

Introduction1Internship Project2Observations: Excellus & IT3Internship Influence on my Future4

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Introduction

Excellus operates over 1300 Windows based servers

• Over 400 are on physical hardware

• Over 900 are virtualized

• Every server has over 40 attributes

Keeping track of these servers and their attributes is a difficult task

I was given the opportunity to create a new method to track all of these servers

The old method consisted of an outdated, shared access database located on a company share drive.

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Server Inventory

I came up with the idea to use a MySQL Database

• Converted the old database schema into a new MySQL database

• Re-organized and deleted unused data

To be user friendly I constructed a PHP GUI

• Used a variety of open-source tools

• Fully functioning user authentication system with encrypted user accounts

• Can be managed simultaneously by different users

• Many database operations can be completed with one click • (EX. Decommission a server)

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Final Comparison

• No User Authentication• Poor Data Integrity

• Must be reopened if other users make changes

• Can’t access from a web browser

Access Database MySQL/PHP Database• User Authentication

• Referential Data Integrity• No need to quit the application to

refresh• Can be accessed from any web

browser within the network• Ability to manage data and

execute batch operation using phpmyadmin

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Database login example

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Database Example

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Code Example

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Observations: Excellus & IT

• Security is a TOP priority

• Work is distributed very evenly between teams

• My coworkers are some of the smartest people I have met

• Everyone is always willing to learn/teach

• Excellus in general is a great place to work

• And, of course, who doesn’t like a game of ping pong?

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Internship Influence On My Future

• This internship has given me insight into the IT world

• Given me an idea of how IT in business functions

• Provided the tools to learn new skills

• Proven that I want to work with Distributed Systems/Systems Administration

• Created a solid framework for my career path