Server Relocation

Early in 2019, the Smarter Hands team were asked to relocate 2 servers from one Sydney Datacentre to another just around the corner. As this changed between 2 datacentre vendors, it wasn’t as easy as using onsite Smart Hands. This project also involved changing the IP addresses as the servers moved.

Smarter Hands were asked to do a quick audit of the servers already in the allocation in the days leading up to the move and label the servers ahead of the move. The audit turned up a server which should have been decommissioned years prior. We removed the cancelled server and made it available for the customer to collect from the datacentre at their convenience. We also took photos and noted where cables were connected.

The customer signed off on a date and time for the move, but last minute we had to delay for an hour due to a long running backup. Once the time rolled around for the move to start, the customer completed their changes and shut the servers down ready for us to complete the move. Once the servers were safely powered off, Smarter hands unracked them, noted for damage (none present), and transported them to the new site. They were then racked in the new rack, cabled and then powered up in the customers chosen order.

While the servers were booting, Smarter Hands tidied up the cabling, snapped some photos of the equipment and sent the details to the customer. This wasn’t something requested, these are just the things that Smarter Hands do for our customers.

The servers both came up without issue on the new IP addresses, but we were in position with a crash cart already at the rack awaiting instructions if something had gone wrong.

From the time the servers shutdown, to be back online was 47 minutes. How about that for speedy service!

Do you have a similar project you need a hand with? Why not get in touch with us today and see how we can help

A simple RAM upgrade

Last week, the team from Smarter Hands were contacted about completing a RAM upgrade to a server in Brisbane. Nothing too crazy, old RAM out, new RAM in.

Sadly the team onsite at this particular datacentre were unable to complete it as it was considered “interior” works to the server and as such, would not complete it.

We were able to assist as, it was just a RAM upgrade! We had the RAM shipped directly to the datacentre by the customer, picked it up and let the customer know we were good to go. Our customer shut the server down safely and we got to work.
Sadly the server didn’t like 1 of the sticks of RAM throwing an error. We were able to isolate which stick and replace it.
We booted the server to BIOS, made sure all RAM was showing and then booted the server back to the Operating System for our customer.

All in 25 minutes, most of which time was spent waiting for the server to initialise and test the RAM as part of POST.

Our customer was very happy with the outcome (more-so that someone could do it without a fuss). For this customer we chatted on Skype and gave them updates the whole way through the process.
We finished this case off by shipping the RAM back to the customer using his preferred courier.

Do you have a similar project you need a hand with? Why not get in touch with us today and see how we can help