Alt+Ctrl+Start

Before I start on this post, make sure you check out https://altcontrolstart.wordpress.com/2024/08/20/how-i-prepare-for-a-meeting/ and https://altcontrolstart.wordpress.com/2024/08/20/documentation-examples/. These are previous posts are indirectly related to this next post.

In my line of work, I utilise different tools and apps to perform various pieces of work. For example, I connect and remote in to both Linux and Windows servers. If I need to log into 10 Windows servers and 7 Linux Servers, opening individual RDP (windows remote desktop app) and Putty sessions, will overwhelm your screen pretty quickly. You will have multiple windows opened and it can clutter your desktop. In order to manage multiple remote server sessions I utilise tools like Remote desktop Manager (Windows) and SuperPutty (Linux). These tools are a all in one tool which you have the one screen but you can navigate between multiple remote server sessions.

Have a read below of the tools mentioned already and some other tools I use to manage my work

• SuperPutty (https://superputty.org/)
  • I use this tool to manage my Linux server access
  • I manage roughly 20-30 Linux servers for my employer
  • The quick setup for ssh is efficient
• Remote Desktop Manager (https://devolutions.net/remote-desktop-manager/)
  • Similar to SuperPutty, I use this to manage Windows server access
  • With this tool I can create groups / sections to divide my windows servers
    • I can also remote into these groups opening multiple windows sessions at the one time, rather logging in one by one
• KeyPass (https://keepass.info/)
  • Unfortunately in this day and age, multiple passwords can be a hassle to deal with 🙂
  • Utilising the one password for multiple systems is not recommended and creating multiple passwords is not easy to manage
  • Store all your passwords securely in this secure password tool to better manage multiple passwords
    • There other tools similar to Keypass and yes I’m aware 2FA is the norm. However in situations where 2FA is not configured, securely storing passwords in secure storage passwords apps is the next best thing
    • It should be emphasised that you need to ensure access to this app is for the user / individual only.
    • You also need to take into account what happens if you no longer have access to your Keypass app (i.e. gets accidentally deleted, forget the password/keyfile to open the password storage app etc)
• Using the browser to access emails
  • Most IT users would use some sort of email client on their desktop.
    • The most common mail client I’m used to using is MS Outlook
  • As a personal preference, I utilise the Chrome browser to access my emails.
    • The MS Corporate Office suite can be accessed via the browser (speak to your IT administrator if you want to access your MS Office via the browser).
  • If I don’t have my work phone or laptop handy, I can enter the generic url to the MS office interface on another device (https://www.office.com/, then click Login), enter my username and password and open my emails.
  • This is an alternate way to access emails and calendar if you don’t have the traditional app to open or be available.

Summary

• Research tools that may add efficiency to your work
  • If you need to do something over and over, like opening multiple server sessions check online if there are tools to make to easier and efficient to open these sessions.
• Make sure you spend time learning the tool
  • Document some steps to get yourself familiar with the tool
    • I.e. 1. Open the app, 2. Click login, 3. After logging in, click open session, 4. After opening session enter password, 5. After opening session, click ‘view’ in toolbar to view status of the server etc
    • As you grow confident this may become second nature
    • You can then share this with your colleagues as well and use it as a training knowledge base
  • You may just end up using 10-15% of the tools functions. That is ok.