Independant Software Vendor (ISV) - The Systems, A Snapshot in Time and Memory

The unexpected break in the Processes and Systems discussion ends now, with a simple list of the Systems that I have implemented. Much is available via Microsoft programs, such as MSDN or the Partner Action Pack. I have learned and been kept abreast of various technologies through these programs. As for technologies, often it is a new abbreviation for an age old technique. Also note: while I appreciate SAAS availability, for various reasons, I do not partake.

  1. Microsoft Office 2010/13/16 for Communication, Documentation, Testing etc
  2. Visual Studio 2015 for Development
    1. OS to run it: Windows 10
    2. OS to test Product: Win 7/8.1/10
    3. .NET Framework version differences
    4. Terminologies
      1. References
      2. Resources
      3. Windows Forms
      4. Windows Presentation Foundation (Blend)
      5. Windows Universal
      6. Linq
      7. Installer
  3. Team Foundation Server 2015 (Configuration Management, Project Scope & Planning
    1. Team Project Collections
    2. Team Projects
    3. Processes, templates. Much structure for one developer
    4. Task Board (Trello!)
  4. Databases
    1. SQL Server
      1. 2016 (+ R Server for fun stuff!);
      2. 2012, 2014, SQL Server Express for various client & test configurations
    2. MySQL because who can resist Free. Ref. MyPhpAdmin to visually manage
  5. Physical machines to host the above (Self Built for update ease & control, except for Laptops)
    1. Typical Machine components
      1. CPU Intel, i7  xxxx-K
      2. RAM DDR3 & DDR4 16Gb Min So I’m not waiting
      3. Graphics: Depends on purpose. Remote access machines have limited need
      4. Mother Boards: Depends on Purpose; Single slot CPU, Standard Size, as many Network ports as possible
      5. Hard Drives (4) Standard 1Tb in RAID 10 config + System SSD, Min 240Gb. Always have spares on hand for each!
      6. Power Supply Units (PSU): Gold/Platinum efficiency (less fan noise), 750W Min
      7. Cases: Full tower or 3U Rack. Volume = Less stress on connectors, cleaner look inside, less fuss for changing hardware, adding cooling, etc.
      8. Hot Swap cages, Drive & card readers – depends on machine purpose
      9. External Hard Drives
    2. Reliability stuff: RAID / Backup Drives & Locations / Battery Backup, Power cleaning. As I write this, the Power is, in fact out from last night’s storm.
  6. Physical Network
    1. Modem -> Broadband, Upload & Download speeds
    2. Routers
      1. DNS ->
        1. IP Addresses
          1. Static / DHCP, …
          2. Internal use
          3. Externally assigned
        2. External DNS (Now using service like OpenDNS)
        3. Dynamic DNS Services (DuckDNS, DynDNS, etc) so you can get to your machines when travelling
      2. Port Forwarding / Triggering to deal with ISP DHCP
      3. Firewall Technologies (NAT, Ping,…)
      4. Wireless Security (SSID, Encryption, Channels, …)
      5. QoS
    3. Switches, Managed & Unmanaged
  7. Servers (for Team Foundation, File Management, User management, Client Infrastructure &  Scenarios)
    1. Physical Machines to manage the network & Network Services aka ‘Servers’
      1. CPU: Intel XEON (X5)
      2. Rack (1U, 2, …)
      3. Cages, Bays, Hot-Swap
      4. UPS (Battery Backup) and what to connect to it.
        Doesn’t do any good if a monitor isn’t ‘on the line’!
    2. Server specific OS
      1. Windows 2012 R2
      2. Windows SBS 2011
      3. Windows 2016
      4. Licensing: Open / Volume / OEM
      5. Roles & Features – to name just a few
        1. Hyper-V, Host & Guest Operating Systems
          1. Virtual Switches
          2. Virtual Drives
        2. File and Storage Management
        3. Print Services
        4. IIS
        5. DHCP
    3. Technologies
      1. DNS / Active Directory
        1. Domain Controller (Read-Only, Read-Write)
      2. Authentication Certificates
        1. Certificate Authorities
        2. Code Signing
        3. Server
      3. Encryption – well, at least the names & appropriate uses
      4. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
  8. QuickBooks

A daunting list, to be sure. As one looks over these, keep in mind that they did not all come into necessity or even awareness all at once. I merely put this in one long list because I needed to – as I disclosed at the very beginning of this series.

There will be more: those evaporated by the mists of time, those forgotten, those yet to be discovered. Future encounters with the joy of discovery.

The list of learning does not sleep.

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