Is this busy work or normal?

Every other day or when there is downtime, I'm given the Symantec AntiVirus Logs by my supervisor.
(I've already gripped about downtime previously)

Anything that is over 7 days in terms of an update, I'm told to go that desktop and log in and update Symantec.

9/10 out of the reason, the virus update is over 7 days, is because the desktop is off or something. (Someone is on vacation or there is a vacancy)

Yet, the minute that someone logs into that computer, the antivirus is going to be updated anyways.

So, is there a purpose, that I don't understand of me having to manually go to that desktop and power it on or force an update?

Someone with a greater understanding, explain that to me.

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ITSec14

TheFORCE wrote: »

Whats wrong with that? Green light means "all systems go". Isn't that the reason we do these jobs?

Nothing wrong with that. Just seems like the manager is wasting time on something that's going to automatically get done anyway when someone logs in (as he stated). If updates aren't getting applied because of a different reason, you find a way to automate it so Daneil can focus on bigger things.

mbarrett

ITSec14 wrote: »

To me, it sounds like he wants the green lights on his dashboard.

To what end? Any technical manager with half a brain knows that in reality, you never get close to 100% for a multitude of reasons. It's pretty petty to expect a row of pretty green light all the time, unless someone from the corner office is pushing for it to happen - in which case, there might be reasons why they want to have a pass from reality. (It doesn't make it right, but they usually control who gets paid so you might want to keep them happy.)

Daneil3144 wrote: »

And; FYI, he tells the user base to shut off PCs so they can receive group policy updates.

This doesn't pass the "smell" test - it's been a while since I mucked around with Windows administration, but you should be able to schedule GPO pushes...it's often a good idea to leave the machines on so that they can receive patches, software updates, etc. while nobody is using it.

ITSpectre

Daneil3144 wrote: »

FYI, he tells the user base to shut off PCs so they can receive group policy updates.

There is no reason to Shut down a PC because that makes no sense. Updates are usually pushed to the PC and then they have to either restart or it will automatically restart after the update push

ITSec14

mbarrett wrote: »

To what end? Any technical manager with half a brain knows that in reality, you never get close to 100% for a multitude of reasons. It's pretty petty to expect a row of pretty green light all the time, unless someone from the corner office is pushing for it to happen - in which case, there might be reasons why they want to have a pass from reality. (It doesn't make it right, but they usually control who gets paid so you might want to keep them happy.)

See my next response above. I totally agree you have to make higher up's happy. I just believe that if you REALLY want to make them happy, you find a way to automate it, save the company time and money and move on to more productive tasks.

NetworkingStudent

Daneil3144 wrote: »

Every other day or when there is downtime, I'm given the Symantec AntiVirus Logs by my supervisor.
(I've already gripped about downtime previously)

Anything that is over 7 days in terms of an update, I'm told to go that desktop and log in and update Symantec.

9/10 out of the reason, the virus update is over 7 days, is because the desktop is off or something. (Someone is on vacation or there is a vacancy)

Yet, the minute that someone logs into that computer, the antivirus is going to be updated anyways.

So, is there a purpose, that I don't understand of me having to manually go to that desktop and power it on or force an update?

Someone with a greater understanding, explain that to me.

How many computers do you have to log into? Are you logging into the same computers, or is it different ones each day?

Why can't you shut down the computers that are not being used by an end users?

I would check in with your boss and see if you can communicating with the end users via email about leaving the computer for updates. Maybe communication needs to be sent to the managers of the individual departments. If there is no communication sent between IT and the end users, then I can definitely see you chasing your tail trying to find all these computers that aren't logged in.

DatabaseHead

TechGromit wrote: »

Yes there is, but it doesn't protect pulling the power plug.

Or taking it off the dock......

Panther

Daneil3144 wrote: »

Every other day or when there is downtime, I'm given the Symantec AntiVirus Logs by my supervisor.
(I've already gripped about downtime previously)

Anything that is over 7 days in terms of an update, I'm told to go that desktop and log in and update Symantec.

9/10 out of the reason, the virus update is over 7 days, is because the desktop is off or something. (Someone is on vacation or there is a vacancy)

Yet, the minute that someone logs into that computer, the antivirus is going to be updated anyways.

So, is there a purpose, that I don't understand of me having to manually go to that desktop and power it on or force an update?

Someone with a greater understanding, explain that to me.

Can you find out why that 1 time it's not working?

So if 9/10 times it working, what's wrong with that 1 time. Make that your challenge/goal.

Edit: I'm late to the responses. I guess I don't see it too unreasonable what's being requested by the boss.

TheFORCE

Panther wrote: »

Can you find out why that 1 time it's not working?

So if 9/10 times it working, what's wrong with that 1 time. Make that your challenge/goal.

Edit: I'm late to the responses. I guess I don't see it too unreasonable what's being requested by the boss.

You are misunderstanding the 9/10. Its the opposite of what you state. 9 out of 10 are not working because pc is off. The 1/10 is not updating because of other reasons.

Daneil3144

mbarrett wrote: »

To what end? Any technical manager with half a brain knows that in reality, you never get close to 100% for a multitude of reasons. It's pretty petty to expect a row of pretty green light all the time, unless someone from the corner office is pushing for it to happen - in which case, there might be reasons why they want to have a pass from reality. (It doesn't make it right, but they usually control who gets paid so you might want to keep them happy.)

This doesn't pass the "smell" test - it's been a while since I mucked around with Windows administration, but you should be able to schedule GPO pushes...it's often a good idea to leave the machines on so that they can receive patches, software updates, etc. while nobody is using it.

Yes. The other reason he tells the users to turn off the desktop is that the computer can remove the "gunk"(term he uses) that they have accumulated over the day.

If a computer/laptop is acting up for a reason that isn't obvious; that's his go to question, "How often do you turn it off?"

NetworkingStudent wrote: »

How many computers do you have to log into? Are you logging into the same computers, or is it different ones each day?

Why can't you shut down the computers that are not being used by an end users?

I would check in with your boss and see if you can communicating with the end users via email about leaving the computer for updates. Maybe communication needs to be sent to the managers of the individual departments. If there is no communication sent between IT and the end users, then I can definitely see you chasing your tail trying to find all these computers that aren't logged in.

It can be anywhere to 10 to 80. It's different ones. And they can't be shut down, because they'll be on the Symantec, not receiving update lists. That e-mail wouldn't fly, since he wants them to turn it off for reasons I stated above.

TheFORCE wrote: »

You are misunderstanding the 9/10. Its the opposite of what you state. 9 out of 10 are not working because pc is off. The 1/10 is not updating because of other reasons.

Yes, and other 1/10 is normally some kid unplugged the network cable.

I appreciate the input, it's what I figured. I'll just keep doing it his way, to make him happy. I just didn't want something ingrained in me, that would give me a wrong perspective at my next employer. Especially at the amount they are paying me, just looking for the correct answers.

TheFORCE

Is he your supervisor or your mamager? Do you report to him or does he only supervise?

You might want to bring it up to other higher ups in the orga, those in more senior or leadership roles in IT department.

Daneil3144

TheFORCE wrote: »

Is he your supervisor or your mamager? Do you report to him or does he only supervise?

You might want to bring it up to other higher ups in the orga, those in more senior or leadership roles in IT department.

I report to him, he's my supervisor, even though our 'job title' is the same.

It's just me and him, excluding corporate IT 1000 miles away.

It's OK, he'll be there long after I'm gone. (been there for 29 years) No need to make waves.

His corporate supervisor told me they didn't expect me to stay longer than 24 months during the interview after I get the experience, just because what needs to be done is so basic. If you're paying me 40K to turn on desktops...sure, whatever.