Computer Operations Management

Rating:
Summary: An old friend that has aged gracefully
Review: Although this book is showing its age it remains one of the very few available books on data center operations. The foundation is three timeless concepts: (1) data is a resource, (2) data processing (or in more contemporary terms, systems management) is a service function, and (3) data processing is a production business.

Despite the slant towards "Big Blue" platforms and operating systems and the non-automated processes provided in this book, there are still valuable practices that can be gleaned, given a modern facelift and incorporated into client/server and e-commerce operations. For example, Section Two contains a wealth of information on achieving stable production processes that are as applicable in a modern data center as they were when this book was written. The best piece in this section is on component failure analysis, which is one of the most cogent approaches to building a high-availability foundation that I've come across. I also like the emphasis on problem and change management. Although the processes are manual, they are well thought out and are a good model for a most up-to-date and automated solution.

The section on production controls is on the mark from the standpoint of process, but out of date with respect to examples. However, you can glean a lot of information and ideas from the basics and build upon them using today's technology. The fundamentals and concepts are sound.

Overall, this book is something of a paradox - on the one hand it is nearly quaint, and on the other it contains practices that I fear are being quickly lost, yet still sorely needed in order to effectively manage operations in a large enterprise. I bought my copy when it first came out in 1989 and still refer to it from time to time. Considering how many obsolete books that I've donated to local libraries while steadfastly refusing to give this one up. I'm strongly recommending it despite its age, but am giving it 3 stars because of its age.

Rating:
Summary: An old friend that has aged gracefully
Review: Although this book is showing its age it remains one of the very few available books on data center operations. The foundation is three timeless concepts: (1) data is a resource, (2) data processing (or in more contemporary terms, systems management) is a service function, and (3) data processing is a production business.

Despite the slant towards "Big Blue" platforms and operating systems and the non-automated processes provided in this book, there are still valuable practices that can be gleaned, given a modern facelift and incorporated into client/server and e-commerce operations. For example, Section Two contains a wealth of information on achieving stable production processes that are as applicable in a modern data center as they were when this book was written. The best piece in this section is on component failure analysis, which is one of the most cogent approaches to building a high-availability foundation that I've come across. I also like the emphasis on problem and change management. Although the processes are manual, they are well thought out and are a good model for a most up-to-date and automated solution.

The section on production controls is on the mark from the standpoint of process, but out of date with respect to examples. However, you can glean a lot of information and ideas from the basics and build upon them using today's technology. The fundamentals and concepts are sound.

Overall, this book is something of a paradox - on the one hand it is nearly quaint, and on the other it contains practices that I fear are being quickly lost, yet still sorely needed in order to effectively manage operations in a large enterprise. I bought my copy when it first came out in 1989 and still refer to it from time to time. Considering how many obsolete books that I've donated to local libraries while steadfastly refusing to give this one up. I'm strongly recommending it despite its age, but am giving it 3 stars because of its age.