Hey everyone,
I'm looking for some advice on how to properly decommission a server or network room. I just started at this company and was tasked with removing some old network equipment and servers. The problem is, I've never done this before, and I'm not sure how to approach it. I'd really appreciate any advice or best practices you could share! Thanks!
5 Answers
It might also be a good idea to create an affidavit of sanitization to prove you wiped all data from the devices. This can help protect your company, too!
You could just load everything into your van and start a homelab! LOL just kidding—remember to lift with your knees to avoid any back strain!
Thanks for the advice!
If you're feeling really lost and there isn't someone above you to guide you, why not try an AI tool? Just ask it the same question and it can give you a detailed list of steps to follow for decommissioning.
I know I have people I can ask, but I want to do as much groundwork as possible before bugging the higher-ups! LOL.
First things first, find a reliable local electronics recycler. Make sure to remove all the hard drives from the equipment—there can be some tricky hidden ones, so be careful. Check if your company has specific policies for data disposal, and choose a certifiable recycling company to ensure everything’s handled properly. Once you’ve got that sorted, schedule a pickup or drop it off yourself! Just make sure all the stuff is out of use before you do this. Good luck!
Thanks! This sounds like a solid plan.
And don’t forget to open a change record! It’s crucial to notify all parties involved that you’ll be shutting down equipment. You don’t want to accidentally take down something important!
Yeah, I definitely don’t want to shut down anything critical. Fortunately, I think all major services are on the cloud, but better safe than sorry!
Thanks! I'm thinking of removing the disks and calling a shredding company to destroy them.