Sonora Communications, Inc.

These are just a few notes about how we suggest you use your network-connected PC and where to store your data files. 

These notes pertain to normal use, not system administration.

Though it may sound harsh, in many companies, failure to comply with Acceptable Use Policies for your Local Area Network (LAN) and the Internet are reasons for termination! 

Though the average user may not understand why it is so important to adhere to a few simple rules, system administrators will readily understand the need.  Failure to adhere to these simple rules will ultimately and inevitably cost time, frustration and money.

Security

• always log in as yourself, never as someone else
• do not give your password to anyone else without a very good reason
  • the business owner or a computer technician may legitimately need it
• don't blurt out your password in public
• don't write down your password on a sticky and put it:
  • under your keyboard
  • under your mousepad
  • in your pencil drawer
  • or anywhere else!
• choose a significant password that can't be guessed
  • you might use two words connected by a number
    • ex: lamp9shade
• user groups are used to control access to network data
  • there is usually an 'everyone' group of all valid users
  • there may be groups defined for any other security grouping reason
    • such as 'acctng_users' or 'drafting_dept'

Backup

• network storage is generally backed up automatically every night
• files stored on workstations (PCs) are not generally backed up
  • workstations "fall down" all the time
  • servers are much more reliable
  • backing up workstations is generally not worth the expense and hassle

Storage

My Documents 

As a rule, you should never store any data files in your "My Documents" folders because when (not 'if') your workstation 'falls down', those files are very likely lost forever.  There may be exceptions to this rule, but you can find out only by asking your system administrator. 

Network Storage 

Most organizations organize their network data storage by 'shares', each with its own access restrictions.  There are infinite variations on this theme.  For example:

• 'company' share
  • all valid users have read and write privileges
• 'accounting' share

• contains sensitive data
• only owners and accountants have access

• home directory
  • your home directory is a 'private' share
  • generally, only you and the system administrator have access
  • used for storing private files

Our Mantra 

All files of any value whatsoever should be stored on the server where they get backed up every night.