- Real Interaction with Servers, Networking gears, and Data Center Components
- Working on real tasks.
Cabling
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- Terminate and test RJ-45 Ethernet cables (T568A / T568B standards)
- Fiber optic patch cable handling and cleaning procedures
- Structured cabling management (labeling, bundling, cable trays)
Power Drain & Safety
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- Proper shutdown and discharge procedures before hardware servicing
- Use of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) precautions
- Power redundancy awareness (UPS & PDU checks)
Part Replacements (Hot-swap & Cold-swap scenarios)
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- Replace Power Supply Units (PSU)
- Swap Hard Drives / SSDs in RAID arrays
- Install or reseat CPUs with correct thermal application
- Upgrade/replace RAM modules
- Replace or clean Server Fans
- Swap a faulty Motherboard / System Board
Rack Down Event (Hardware refresh/failure response)
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- Cable tagging & documentation before disassembly
- Proper removal of switches, routers, and patch panels
- Replacement of switches and validation of configuration restoration
- Rack re-cabling for efficiency and airflow optimization
Minimum Configuration Troubleshooting
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- POST (Power-On Self-Test) checks
- Booting with minimal hardware (1 CPU, 1 stick RAM, single drive)
- Diagnosing faulty DIMMs or cards via the elimination method
Firmware & BIOS Updates
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- Server BIOS/UEFI upgrade process
- Firmware updates for RAID controllers, NICs, and switches
- Best practices: rollback plans and version documentation
RAID Setup and Recovery
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- Configure RAID levels (RAID 0/1/5/10) in server management tools
- Replace failed disk in a RAID array and rebuild
- Monitor RAID health and log alerts
Network Connectivity Testing
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- Use of cable testers and loopback plugs
- Ping, traceroute, and nslookup for troubleshooting
