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Reddit SystemAdmin. Thanks @reddit2telegram and @r_channels.
What are your IT pet peeves?
I'll go first:
* When end users give as little details as possible when describing a problem they are having ("Can you come help XYZ with his computer?" Like, give me *something*.)
* Useless-ass Zoom meetings that could've been like 2 emails
* When previous IT people don't perform arguably the most important step of the troubleshooting process: DOCUMENT FINDINGS
* When people assume I'm able to fix problems in software that are obviously bugs buried deep in proprietary code that I have zero access to
* Mice that seem to be designed for toddler hands
* When people outside of work assume that when I go home I *eat*, *breathe*, and *sleep* computers and technical junk. Like, I come home and play Paper Mario on my Wii and watch It's Always Sunny
* Microsoft
https://redd.it/1kz96qi
@r_systemadmin
Many Thanks to All of You
I just wanted to reach out and thank this community. 6 months or so ago I created a post asking about migrating our on-premise email server to a different solution. The helpful comments and recommendations were much appreciated! Decided on Microsoft Business Standard. We did the cutover last weekend. Everything went fairly smooth and seems to be working great.
Only have about 50 users and had to migrate manually due to what I am guessing was our old Mdaemon setup. No longer routing through Hornet, currently using the built-in Defender. Might have to investigate this a bit more. No worries.
Many thanks, bless you all
https://redd.it/1kz37da
@r_systemadmin
Living and dying with Azure
I was looking to go into Cloud and living and dying with Microsoft. For the cats that did it, what has your journey looked like and what's next for you?
https://redd.it/1kz1ejd
@r_systemadmin
When did you know you were getting let go or fired?
Let's hear it.
https://redd.it/1kyvdom
@r_systemadmin
Insane amount of work responsibilities or am I overreacting?
I work as an IAM Engineer" in healthcare, started at a company around 3 months ago. They're a medium size outfit of 3000 users or so. During the interview they mentioned that both Engineers left to " greener pastures together" which seemed like a red flag. So basically, the IAM department was taken over by other admins as a side duty. Anywho who, i've been in this role for awhile and there's virtually zero to no automation, I have my work cut out for me. (where to start) I really think its a two person job and I'll explain why in a little bit. My manager hasn't expressed any desire to hire another Engineer or Analyst and the people that "trained me" are stepping back and just letting me have ownership of this mess. Typically in my previous IAM roles, engineers just worked on application integrations or matters pertaining to IAM related tools like SailPoint, it was a very specific scope of responsibilities. At my current place basically ANYTHING that has a login... I'm responsible for it.
So far those responsibilities are:
Uploading daily feed files to SailPoint (okay no big deal, they should be automated via connector, need to work on this)
Okta Administration( this is within scope)
Manually on-boarding users in our EHR system ( this sucks the most as there is no bulk importation feature) Literally one tab for a User Account at a time which takes hours to do.
New-Hire onboarding ( this is the worst aspect of it. Within a week we get notice of like 10-15 new-hires being onboarded, and I have to drop everything and pivot to that)
Administration of Google Workspace ( I felt like this one was "thrown over the fence" to me. Basically, I do everything from account creation to now document retrieval, like okay?
Working the ticket que for general service requests, etc. (within scope)
Application integrations with vendors, SAML, Oauth, etc. (within scope)
To me, it just seems like ALOT of bouncing back and forth. I'm finding it difficult to get any automation done on projects like a typical IAM engineer would on a project board. My last position had 3 IAM engineers doing this in a very siloed manner. I get the impression that effectively nobody wants to do this position, otherwise one of the other Tech Support guys wouldn't be scaling back his support ( he has more knowledge of the intricacies than I do) but now has resorted to passive-aggressive behavior and has effectively washed his hands of the major duties of the position.
Has anyone had advice or dealt with this before? My manager just says " he's concerned" during our 1 on 1's.
https://redd.it/1kyl0ku
@r_systemadmin
Do you all block ads org-wide?
I currently have multiple layers of web-filtering, and on each layer I check the box to block ads.
Cisco Umbrella, Cisco Meraki Firewalls, Sophos endpoint protection, all blocking ads.
I want to keep it enabled, but there have been occasions where people complain (especially the folks who want to click sponsored Google results - I often get the "why is this website blocked?" type tickets when they simply are clicking the sponsored links.)
Also our Marketing team complains that they need to verify our paid for ads are working as expected.
But I see ads as a risk to our org, like some of the things in this article:
The Argument for Enterprise-Wide Ad Blocking
So, do you guys do it? How do you handle the people who complain?
https://redd.it/1kylyff
@r_systemadmin
Am I being too harsh on the new guy?
Hello,
I wanted outsider perspective. We hired a Tier I net/sys admin 3 months ago. This associate is much older than I am. He has certifications such as CISSP, CCNP which I would consider higher tier certs than just your run of the mill beginner certs. He also ran his own business, and should have tons of experience by virtue of how long he has been in IT. Our environment is not complicated and is all windows based, VMware. I feel like he is struggling to understand our infrastructure, constant reminders on how to access management services/interfaces, and just feel like he focuses on the wrong things to learn outside of his job scope.
He is always welcome to ask questions and dig into any documentation we have. Heck he even has admin access to most of the management platforms. I don't believe he is restricted in any way from exploring and learning what he needs to explore. He admitted that he got comfortable at his old government jobs where he essentially was contracted to just do password resets, so he has been stagnant for a while.
My question is am I being too harsh on him and expecting more than I should at the 3-month mark? Is there something more I should be doing to help him progress? I am worried that if I try to help more, I am just holding his hand and enabling the behavior.
https://redd.it/1kyghnu
@r_systemadmin
WHfB deployed, now users keep forgetting their passwords
After switching users over to WHfB (PIN, fingerprint, etc.), users just straight up forget their real password. Like, completely wiped from memory.
Then they hit a VPN prompt, new device login, RDP session, whatever, and boom: no clue what their password is. Some go through the reset loop EVERY SINGLE TIME. Others just pick something they know isn’t secure, because “at least I’ll remember it this time.”
Throw in a user base that isn’t super technical and a not-so-friendly self-service reset flow… it’s becomes a bit of a circus.
Is this just part of the WHfB learning curve?
https://redd.it/1kyeub0
@r_systemadmin
Leadership wants all departments implementing "Agentic AI", even my Infrastructure team.
Our CEO has told all department heads that she wants to see 10 agentic AI deployments every month across the company, so each department needs to be working on something to show growth for the overall department.
My team will use different AI tools to generate powershell, presentations, or code at times, but we're not really sure where to start on agent building when it comes to server/network management.
Anyone else dealing with this type of push-down request and has anyone found decent agents worth doing? Or are we about to put on another show to check the boxes.
https://redd.it/1kyctdd
@r_systemadmin
What’s your time off benefit?
Time off, PTO, Vacation, sick days, etc are part of the compensation IMO. Whatcha you guys got? I have 35 PTO days, hit the max. We have all the stock market closure days which totals out to 12 days. 2 Fridays off in July or August of your choice. And office is closed Xmas to NYD which is 6 days. Brings my total available days off to 55 days.
https://redd.it/1kyabyp
@r_systemadmin
What are you best aliases ?
I love aliases, they make the best routines. What are the ones that add the most value to you ?
Here are some of my favourites:
# execute interactive bash or shell in k8s pod
kex() {
local pod=$1
local ns=$2
local namespacearg=()
if [ -n "$ns" ]; then
namespacearg=(-n "$ns")
fi
if kubectl exec -it "${namespacearg[@]}" "$pod" -- /bin/bash 2>/dev/null; then
return 0
else
kubectl exec -it "${namespacearg@}" "$pod" -- /bin/sh
fi
}
# docker aliases
alias ddown="docker compose down -v --remove-orphans"
alias dup="docker compose up --build --force-recreate"
https://redd.it/1ky5t72
@r_systemadmin
Leaving for a new role
I’m posting here because I need a little support on this one lads. I know what many of you will say and I need to hear it.
I’ve been in my current role for 4+ years now. All but the last year I’ve been a 1 man show. Running all of our internal IT + managing our cloud operations for our SaaS platform. I’ve genuinely enjoyed my role and most of the company is great. Software devs are a blessing and a curse all at once.
There’s a lot of conflict between my co-worker, who was brought on to help with my workload, and our CEO. We both report directly to him. Things got bad, they do NOT get along. I’d been working for months to try and change things so they don’t interact as much. Trying to move myself into a leadership role to place him under me and take away their direct contact.
That was in progress and then he called and told me he’s taking another offer and would be leaving in about 6 weeks.
I immediately said fuck it and started applying to other roles. I didn’t trust they would replace my co-worker, they still haven’t replaced the last one that left. This was nearly two weeks ago.
After some interviews they’ve asked me in to tour the office, do some meet and greets and provide an offer. That all got sorted last night.
Now today I’m told all the changes I presented months ago are going ahead because the CEO has realised the changes need to happen.
I still intend on taking the offer but damn I feel bad for my coworkers. They’re going to have a hard time replacing both of us back to back. I mostly feel that it’s too little too late and will be genuinely surprised if the changes do happen. I don’t trust the CEO to not do these things again the future. I just feel bad for my co-workers.
So, go on tell me to look out for me
https://redd.it/1kxxomu
@r_systemadmin
Identifying domains that are blocking us?
One of our users was successfully phished and a bunch of emails were sent out from his account. Some of our vendors blocked us as a result. I've been able to work with those who contacted us to unblock us. What I don't know is who else is blocking us.
As far as I can tell the emails we send are delivered but I'm guessing they are quarantined on their end (something I don't think I can see).
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
https://redd.it/1kxrtej
@r_systemadmin
Sales guy from yesterday. Got fired today lol
Hey all!
It's the sales guy from yesterday that posted "how to sell to IT?".
Even though it was barely my 2nd month there, (58 days) I got fired.
So everyone who was saying to not call or think or look in your way? I won't do that any longer! That's one good thing.
I'm now looking for job and I want to be in IT, as I hated every minute of sales job.
Any entry level job leads would be appreciated.
Everyone was pretty great yesterday, so thank you for that too.
https://redd.it/1kxmywp
@r_systemadmin
Do you remember the days before Power Shell?
I grew up on Unix, before Linux ever existed. Back then, before X Windows, everything was done with the command line, the shell. I remember when I first started using Windows, Windows for Workgroups, 3.11 I'm guessing, that there were so many things that I couldn't do in the DOS box. This morning I was thinking about that and it got me to wondering if there were DOS commands that I didn't know about, or if it was true and you had to use GUI programs for almost everything.
https://redd.it/1kxlpw6
@r_systemadmin
Am I Getting Fucked Friday, May 30th 2025
Brought to you by r/sysadmin 'Trusted VARs': u/SquizzOC and u/bad0seed with Trusted Telecom Broker u/Each1Teach1x27 for Telecom and u/Necessary_Time in Canada.
PMs are welcome to answer your questions any time, not just on Fridays.
This weekly thread is here for you to discuss vendor and carrier expectations, software questions, pricing, and quotes for network services, licensing, support, deployment, and hardware.
Required Info for accurate answers:
* Part Number
* Manufacturer/vendor
* Service Type and Service Location
* Quantity (as applicable)
All questions are welcome regarding:
* Cloud Services - Security, configurations, deployment, management, consulting services, and migrations
* Server configs and quote answers
* Storage Vendor options, alternatives, details and selection
* Software Licensing - This includes Microsoft CSPs
* Network infrastructure - overlay software, segmentation, routers, switches, load balancing, APs…
* Security - Access Management, firewalls, MFA, cloud DNS, layer 7 services, antivirus, email, DLP….
* User gear - Usually, you should buy the quote you have unless the quantity is +50 units
* Connectivity – Dedicated internet access, Broadband, 5G LTE, Satellite, dark fiber, ethernet services
* Voice - SIP, UCaaS, POTS Replacement etc.
https://redd.it/1kz7z8q
@r_systemadmin
Vacation without a laptop
Question for you solo admins out there. Would it he wise or smart to not take my laptop with me on vacation as a just in case? I have very good work life balance, and im in a very good spot all the way around, but im the only admin for the organization. I've been here the longest and am often pulled in on things just because I was around for something in the past. Point is, I want to have fun and be with my family and not work but I feel nervous not having my laptop with me on the off chance something major does come up. We have a few cyber, sharepoint, helpdesk guys but that's it. Trust me I do not plan to use it, but I'd also feel like shit if something major happened and I couldn't help. How do you all deal with this?
More context, I am salary. I'm the only admin who has access to certain network things and such while I did mention we have cyber and others, I was trying to convey im not wearing all the hats here but I do wear alot of them.
https://redd.it/1kz2esm
@r_systemadmin
Weekly 'I made a useful thing' Thread - May 30, 2025
There is a great deal of user-generated content out there, from scripts and software to tutorials and videos, but we've generally tried to keep that off of the front page due to the volume and as a result of community feedback. There's also a great deal of content out there that violates our advertising/promotion rule, from scripts and software to tutorials and videos.
We have received a number of requests for exemptions to the rule, and rather than allowing the front page to get consumed, we thought we'd try a weekly thread that allows for that kind of content. We don't have a catchy name for it yet, so please let us know if you have any ideas!
In this thread, feel free to show us your pet project, YouTube videos, blog posts, or whatever else you may have and share it with the community. Commercial advertisements, affiliate links, or links that appear to be monetization-grabs will still be removed.
https://redd.it/1kz0dpv
@r_systemadmin
It’s time to move on from VMware…
We have a 5 year old Dell vxrails cluster of 13 hosts, 1144 cores, 8TB of ram, and a 1PB vsan. We extended the warranty one more year, and unwillingly paid the $89,000 got the vmware license. At this point the license cost more than the hardware’s value. It’s time for us to figure out its replacement. We’ve a government entity, and require 3 bids for anything over $10k.
Given that 7 of out 13 hosts have been running at -1.2ghz available CPU, 92% full storage, and about 75% ram usage, and the absolutely moronic cost of vmware licensing, Clearly we need to go big on the hardware, odds are it’s still going to be Dell, though the main Dell lover retired.. What are my best hardware and vm environment options?
https://redd.it/1kyw8uq
@r_systemadmin
It's not you....register.com is having DNS resolution issues
Have a customer who started having connectivity issues to their VPN. DNS resolution timing out against 1.1.1.1, 8.8.8.8, 9.9.9.9, etc. Even doing an nslookup -q=ns domain.com was failing. Try to log in at register.com and takes me a few times. Finally get in, talk to support.....they have engineers working on their DNS issues. So yay!
I tend to look here first...maybe save someone a call/trip/etc.
https://redd.it/1kykmbv
@r_systemadmin
Outlook Signatures Just Get Nerfed?
I had to restart my Outlook client around lunch. I just went to write an email and my default signature didn't append itself. I then went to insert the signature manually, but none existed. I went into the View Settings > Account area and under Signatures I see a very basic blank RTF box allowing me to create a single signature and just two check mark boxes:
Automatically include my signature on new messages I compse
Automatically include my signature on messages I forward or reply to
There seems to be no option for an alternative reply signature anymore... This just me? Did Microsoft just brick Outlook Client and delete all my signatures?
https://redd.it/1kyjyfy
@r_systemadmin
The IT Jokes Thread
Hey guys, I googled "Reddit it jokes" and only r/sysadmin popped up. Since the other threads are old and locked I figured I would go first. Just thought about it while implementing zero-trust in Microsoft In tune:
My partner said I have trust issues. I told her I have Zero Trust issues. Now she wants to revoke my access credentials.
https://redd.it/1kyehmp
@r_systemadmin
New Dell Pro 14 Plus - "Lock on Leave" feature is a nightmare to disable properly
We just received a batch of new Dell Pro 14 Plus laptops, and they come with a feature no one asked for: the laptop locks itself if the user walks away for more than 30 seconds.
I found the setting in Windows under Lock on leave (see: Lock on leave - Windows | Microsoft Learn), but I can’t seem to find any reliable way to disable it via the registry or any other non-GUI method — without disabling the sensor service entirely.
I know my users, and they’re going to lose it if this is enabled by default.
So far I’ve tried disabling the following registry keys (with no luck):
HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\CapabilityAccessManager\\ConsentStore\\humanPresence
HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\CapabilityAccessManager\\ConsentStore\\proximity
HKLM:\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\CapabilityAccessManager\\ConsentStore\\presenceSensor
Best-case scenario would be deploying a fix during the my SCCM Task Sequence.
Has anyone found a reliable, scriptable way to kill this feature without disabling all presence sensors globally?
Update: I managed to disable it via Windows Settings under System > Power & battery > Screen and sleep > Turn off my screen when I leave.
Strangely, the option doesn’t show up in Dell Optimizer (it should be under Proximity Sensor settings).
Thing is, if this feature can be toggled in the Windows 11 Settings UI, there must be a corresponding registry key somewhere. Maybe I’m missing it, but I haven’t been able to find the correct one yet.
Sorry for not being more clear in my original post.
https://redd.it/1kydruf
@r_systemadmin
How did you break out of the helpdesk?
Hey all — curious to hear your stories. I started in IT at 30, landed a helpdesk role, and stacked up a bunch of certs trying to move into networking (had my CCNA), but that door never opened. During COVID, I went back for a Master’s in Cybersecurity since I didn’t have a CS degree. I learned to code, made some great connections, and really enjoyed it.
But despite all that, I’m still stuck in helpdesk roles. I tried hard to land a SOC internship, but nothing panned out. I’m grateful to stay employed, but I’m bored out of my mind.
If you were in a similar spot and found a way out, how’d you do it? Did I take a wrong turn somewhere?
https://redd.it/1ky7q71
@r_systemadmin
HUMOR - Starlink Ethernet Wire installation
HUMOR --- Not going to say much; just let you enjoy the ....... installation....of a starlink ethernet cable...
https://youtube.com/shorts/OSbuxUQD6bU?si=X1MSf10K9lfmtcNQ
https://redd.it/1ky66v0
@r_systemadmin
Thickheaded Thursday - May 29, 2025
Howdy, /r/sysadmin!
It's that time of the week, Thickheaded Thursday! This is a safe (mostly) judgement-free environment for all of your questions and stories, no matter how silly you think they are. Anybody can answer questions! My name is AutoModerator and I've taken over responsibility for posting these weekly threads so you don't have to worry about anything except your comments!
https://redd.it/1ky6xqd
@r_systemadmin
Anyone else dealing with shrinking teams and growing workloads?
Hey everyone,
It feels like the job market is getting out of control. We’re expected to do way more work for the same pay. A few years ago, my company had an IT Director, an IT Manager, two Sys Admins, and four help desk guys. I started as one of those help desk guys and got promoted to Senior IT Manager. Now, we’re down to just two help desk guys, one Sys Admin overseas, and no IT Director. I’m not even a director yet, and everything’s falling apart.
I’m already looking for jobs, but it feels like every single IT Manager role out there in the whole country has 500+ applicants for a single opening. It’s brutal.
Is anyone else seeing their teams shrink and their responsibilities explode? How are you all coping?
https://redd.it/1kxwt4p
@r_systemadmin
12:00 pm Noon Meetings
Don't you all hate people who schedule meetings at noon. Generally, for me is project meetings, follow up calls and team meetings or townhalls.
My days are packed with meetings with vendors, meeting with other department managers, visiting clients, catching up with emails and doing what I call "real work" that generally involves the action items from said meetings. I try to block from 12:00-12:30 to be able to have a break in the middle of the day and some lunch. But then a PM or a Director comes along and decides their meeting is more important than my break and there is no chance in hell I can skip those meetings.
As a result, poof goes my break and lunch time. I still swallow my sub while I attend one of the subsequent meetings and I run to the nearest washroom when miraculously my meeting ends early. By the end of the day, I feel like I have gone 10 rounds against Oleksandr Usyk (I had to look him up as I didn't know who the top boxer is these days).
</End of rant>
https://redd.it/1kxrcqz
@r_systemadmin
I want IT to be fun again
Hi guys!
Sysadmin/intune administrator here. I don’t know this is the correct place for this but i’m making a qualified guess.
I am almost 5 years in to working for a SMB MSP and i don’t know if it worth it anymore. I mean, the only thing i feel is stress. Going to work having imposter syndrome, feeling like i can’t keep up with learning, being afraid of making mistakes or missing an important change for my customers. And on top of this i am also on a streak of making crucial mistakes.
Anyone out there who has been in the same situation and made it out of the situation to make working in IT fun again?
Ps. I am not a native english speaker so there might be some spelling errors above, sorry in advance!
https://redd.it/1kxmpc2
@r_systemadmin
Seeking recommendation for the WORST DEVICE EVER!
Hello People,
I meant the printer 😁
We are planning to shift to a new office and want to get rid of of the current HP crap (MFP M283fdw) ones which doesnt allow us to completely turn off the 'Auto Off/Auto On Technology' (more about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/83xe6c/warning\_about\_latest\_model\_hp\_printersthey\_turn/). Not the usual sleep guys, THE 'Auto Off/Auto On Technology' which ends up coming as offline the next day in user's PC which has been a nightmare for us.
So we are looking something which works (for the most part because we know how these things are) but atleast something which doesnt have crazy restrictions like this. Thank you!
https://redd.it/1kxhng1
@r_systemadmin