TechLahore

We recently learned quite a bit about IT practices in effect at tech companies in Pakistan by talking to some of the employees there. We asked questions about Control, Routine Services , Communications, Environment and Uptime Management.

Here is how we defined each of the areas:

1) Control. In particular, the use of technologies to monitor usage or to limit employee access to applications or parts of the web

2) Routine Services. Things like backups, virus scans (central or distributed?)

3) Communications. Bandwidth available, VoIP, PABX, method of international communications, Video Conferencing etc.

4) Environment. Type of OS, Servers, Desktops (thinclients/PCs etc.), do they have a proper datacenter? and

5) Uptime Management. UPSs (what equipment do they cover, what uptime do they provide), connectivity redundancy etc.

We’ve collected preliminary data, but would love to hear from you about the practices in place at your company!

Systems Ltd.

Control: Proxy in effect; BitTorrent and YouTube blocked, but general web surfing and IM allowed. We were told no firewall is implemented, which seems pretty strange.

Routine Services: Backups (Server) – Desktop backups happen monthly, but mostly by demand, and backups are stored on CDs and HDDs. Virus Scans are also implemented with central definition updates.

Communications: Bandwidth: NA, Telephony: Panasonic PABX system, VoIP is generally available.

Environment: Windows XP/Vista (about 700 desktops in Pakistan), Servers all Windows, plan to move to Linux

Uptime Management: UPSs (APC on servers – 5-10 min backup max) and Backup Generators

FiveRivers Technologies

Control: Firewall and Proxy in effect; BitTorrent and YouTube blocked, but personal email and IM allowed.

Routine Services: Backups (Server and Desktop); Server: daily, Desktop: weekly. Virus Scans (central logs, central definition updates)

Communications: Bandwidth: 3 x 1MB (PTCL), 1 x 1MB (Cybernet), Worldcall (Backup 512K?), Telephony: PABX, VoIP (Vonage and Skype), Videoconferencing over IP (Beamer?)

Environment: Windows XP/Vista , Linux (for LAMP projects) [~ 50 desktops?], Servers all Linux, ClearCube Blades (50+ Blades in rack?)

Uptime Management: UPSs (mostly local; APC on servers) 3-4 hr backup. UPS support all desktops, servers and lighting.

Netsol

Control: Firewall and Proxy in effect; BitTorrent, YouTube blocked, Personal email (Gmail etc.) blocked, all employee web activity logs kept.

Routine Services: Backups Servers: Weekly, Desktop backups are done by developers themselves (!!). Virus Scans are handled with central definition updates.

Communications: Bandwidth: NetSol has its own ISP and their building close to Bhatta Chowk also serves as ISP HQ; Telephony: PABX, VoIP is available in select conference rooms.

Environment: Windows XP/Vista (about 5-600 desktops) Servers all Windows, plan to move to Linux

Uptime Management: UPSs (APC on servers – 5-10 min backup max) and Backup Generators

Other: Employee time logs (Badge in/Badge out)

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