I'm currently the only DevOps engineer at a small software company, and I've been tasked with setting up an on-premises infrastructure after the previous seniors left unexpectedly. The company plans to run a GitLab server and eventually move client projects from AWS due to high costs. However, I have only 7 months of experience, including my internship, and I'm feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of this project. My questions are: Should I choose a MacMini or a Linux server for the setup? How do I manage IP addresses and networking for these servers? I've also heard about FortiGate firewalls, but I'm unfamiliar with them. Where should I even start? I'm worried about my career since most companies are moving to the cloud, and I'm considering whether I should stay or leave this position.
5 Answers
Honestly, you might be in over your head without senior support. It sounds like your CEO dropped you into a complex situation with high expectations. My advice? Push for hiring a senior engineer to guide the process. If they won't budge, just document everything you do so your future employers understand the context if things go south.
Sure, AWS can be pricey, but building your own infrastructure can also drain resources. Have you considered optimizing your current cloud setup before making drastic changes? It might be easier to manage than jumping into a full on-premises architecture.
Linux is definitely the way to go for your servers. For IP management, stick to one static IP per server for simplicity. As for the firewall, start small with basic protections and research FortiGate as a long-term solution. Don't forget to establish strong backup and recovery processes right from the get-go.
Jumping into a whole IT infrastructure solo is a huge ask! Start by creating a solid plan with clear steps and timelines. Make sure you're involving management in the roadmap. Look into whether renting servers might be a more manageable option than going fully on-premise.
Being thrown into this level of responsibility is tough, especially at the start of your career. Whether to stay or leave depends on the company's support for your learning. If they genuinely provide the resources and you're not worried about job security with small mistakes, this could be a huge growth opportunity.
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