Name: Chris “The Centaur” Dunn
Worked at ServerCentral since: 2011
Years of experience: 40+
Tell me about a day in the life of a Data Center Ops Technician.
CD: *BUZZ* Please replace this broken hard drive.
*BUZZ* Please interconnect these two rack switches that are in the same rack.
*BUZZ* Please see why my server won’t boot.
*BUZZ* Please interconnect these two rack switches that are across the room from each other.
*BUZZ* Please hook a KVM spider to my server and make sure its turned on.
*BUZZ* Please interconnect these two rack switches that are in different computer rooms.
*BUZZ* Please help us figure out why this switch port does not work.
*BUZZ* Please interconnect these two rack switches in different data centers.
*BUZZ* Please construct this 20-cab cage and have it ready in 4 days for a deadline.
*BUZZ* Please configure all the rack switches so they talk to each other and have good link lights.
*BUZZ* Please replace this broken hard drive.
What kind of experience or natural curiosities does it take to be successful in DC Ops?
CD: It helps to not only see the blinking lights blink, but to know why they are blinking and when they shouldn’t. In other words, it’s good to know why something works at all.
Tell me something most people don’t know about working in Data Center Ops at ServerCentral.
CD: There are three people named Chris in DC Ops, and 6 total in ServerCentral. There is occasional confusion.
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
CD: There is always something new to do or learn. And you never know what you will find under the raised floor.
What about the most challenging?
CD: One of the more interesting challenges, and one we take pride in, is helping some customers figure out the best way to accomplish what they are trying to do.
What’s the best prank you’ve pulled on a fellow tech?
CD: Showing up for work. 😉
Cats or dogs?
CD: Cats.[1]
Biggest pet peeve?
CD: Sloppy people.
[1] The views and opinions expressed herein do, in fact, reflect the views of ServerCentral.
