Winterize Your Network

Extreme weather during the fall and winter months can cause a wide variety of business-stopping events at your facility, but you can proactively protect your company’s network from the elements by following 3D’s Network Winterization Checklist:

1. Ensure your important machines are protected with battery backup units (UPS).
   
   
2. Check the batteries in each UPS.
   
   
3. Test each UPS to prove it will power your systems in case of a power outage. The only way to know if they will function when it matters most is by testing them beforehand.
   
   
4. Check that all your equipment is plugged into surge suppressors. A power strip is not a surge suppressor unless it is labeled as such (they look the same).
   
   
5. Verify that all your network equipment, switches, router, and firewall are protected by a UPS.
   
   
6. Make sure your servers are configured for and will actually do a clean shutdown during a power outage.
   
   
7. If you have a backup generator, make sure it is rated for electronic equipment.
   
   
8. Raise servers and other equipment off the floor if there is any chance of flooding from either outside or inside sources, such as a water heater.
   
   
9. If employees use portable heaters, make sure they are not on the same circuit as any computer equipment.
   
   
10. Check if any equipment has been placed near heater vents and move if needed.
    
    
11. If server rooms are on the same HVAC unit as the rest of the office, their temperatures should be monitored as they could actually become hotter in the winter.

In addition to checking the areas above, our 3DProActive clients can further winterize their networks by participating in our Fall 2009 Seasons of Service program. With the program, our engineers do a thorough inspection of backup media as well as a series of other updates to ensure continuous network reliability and security. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a 3DProActive client, visit our website at www.3dcorp.us.