Hey everyone! I'm currently interning in IT at 21 and working with a range of Windows VMs on vSphere. I've been struggling to manage these machines effectively, and I've encountered a few recurring issues: untracked certificate expirations causing unexpected outages, lengthy audits for software versions like Java or Log4j, and difficulty diagnosing server issues when things go awry. I built a PowerShell script to help me manage this, which connects to vCenter, collects system data, and tracks VMs even when their names change. But I'm curious—do other teams have strategies or tools for better visibility and inventory management? What approaches have you found effective, and is there anything crucial I'm missing? Thanks for your insights!
1 Answer
A lot of us face the cert expiry problem. What works for me is setting a calendar reminder a month before they expire, so I can renew them without stress. At a previous job, we had our cert provider email us when renewals were due, which went to our ticketing system, making it easier to track. For inventory, I've used Action1 and Intune, which handle system info, software, and vulnerabilities really well. It's way better than maintaining massive Excel sheets! You might find tools like Qualys helpful for vulnerability scanning too.
Thanks for sharing your process! Using tools to automate tracking sounds smart, especially since certificates are becoming trickier with their lifespans shrinking to 90 days. I'm definitely leaning towards automation to keep everything in check.