When you use a centralized server to store your enterprise log files, you’ll quickly discover that the system can become very big, very difficult to manage without using a good naming convention in the files names and the directory structure, If all your event and application logs from multiple systems and servers are simply dumped into some central repository then at best you’ll create an admin nightmare, at the worst you’ll lose data by overwriting log files accidently.
This is likely to cause a huge level of confusion, or even make the whole point of storing and archiving your log files pretty much pointless. To prevent this, there are three key steps that you must take:
1) Name Your Log files in an accurate and logical manner. Basically define a naming convention that suits your need – try and use descriptive names like gateway server or ticket proxies. You should also include all relevant information and try to consider future developments and allow scope for this. Make sure this is consistent and ensure that anyone who has access to the repository (be it human or application) uses this naming convention when adding files to the system.
2) Use a hierarchical directory structure on your file system to store the log files. It’s difficult to specify the exact method and structure you should use because it will vary depending on the requirements. For example you could start the top level with system name and then split lower down the directory structure by date, application or system whichever is appropriate.
3) Specify locations – it’s important to know which computers and server these logs are from. This might seem a very simple idea but it’s vitally important. Don’t rely on IP address or DNS names as these can change, indeed the best logs have hardware information which rarely change. High traffic computers like fast proxies will generate huge amounts of traffic and rarely be out of use.
There is no specific way to configure either of these two requirements simply because there are multiple variables needed to make the decision. However it is essential that some thought goes into these decisions as they are crucial to maintain your log structure and making a useable resource.
There is a certain level of personal preference in these decisions, however there are some steps that can be included before deciding on a structure. One of the most important things to do is to ask any users or analysts who need access to these logs – their own opinion. Many will need to run reports or look for logs based on certain criteria, you can make these tasks significantly easier with a logical and consistent structure which encompasses the information they need. Don’t assume that basing the structure or naming convention purely on names, systems or dates is the best option – ask the users.
Becoming a solo entrepreneur is a path that not many people choose to travel down. If you have the right set of beliefs, you’re confident about finding success. While, perhaps, you’ve found success already what is important is that you never let yourself stop learning. It is impossible to learn too much when you want to help yourself improve. You should already know how important it is to keep up to date with your industry. Eventually you will start to see that lots of the information feels familiar and even rehashed. It is vital that you do not ever stop reading because every so often you’ll stumble across something new and valuable that you can use.
The internet has really enabled this employment option, setting yourself up online is relatively simple and doesn’t require a lot of capital. There are many, many examples of small websites setup on a shoestring budget which become incredibly profitable purely through consistent hard work. That’s not to say success is guaranteed, far from it – far more people fail than succeed but it’s certainly possible. Imagine the possibilities – you can quit your job, take control of your time, work when and where you want.
The problem is that although it’s perfectly possible to create a full time income relatively quickly, most people don’t even get close. The internet is unfortunately packed full of ‘gurus’ and internet marketing experts who’s own income is derived from selling junk methods to people starting out online. From a $20 report and guide to a $10,000 course on ‘how to succeed’ – this is a huge market often preying on newcomers and their dreams. Be very, very wary of any product or guide that promises untold riches through internet marketing, 99% of the time they’re completely rubbish.
Solo entrepreneurs must be extremely budget conscious if they want to break into profit. As you may know already, when you’re in business it’s very tempting to purchase all kinds of tools and products. Just one more that looks really cool and helpful, and doesn’t cost much, can become a little addictive. If a certain product can do something important for you, ask if there’s not a cheaper (or even free) way to accomplish this. Is this product really relevant to your business, or is it something you want simply because it seems cool? There are many tools which can be of use to the online businessman but not all are appropriate for everyone. Take for instance these tools which hides your IP address such as the new range of elite proxies, for many online business people it’s worth it’s weight in gold, allowing them to access geo-specific web sites and indeed customers. Nowadays people also use them for watching TV from different countries bypassing all the blocks. However it takes a certain amount of technical knowledge to use, without that knowledge it’s pretty useless.
Before purchasing any such products, you have to be able to decide if it’s going to make any real difference to your bottom line. Many solo entrepreneurs have to learn to exercise self control when it comes to buying every new product they see. Some of the best products are ones you can use first in your business, like proxies for example. Then you get to test and verify them properly – only promote things you genuinely believe in.
Always keep alert for those people who can become a key person in your business or market. There are various ways to get to know such people, so be creative about it. There are both online and offline possibilities for interacting with these people. You may have difficulties when it comes to the most famous or successful people in your industry. Don’t expect to become this person’s new best friend overnight; you have to build up a relationship with them gradually, even if it’s on a forum or social network. Meeting even one such influential individual can have important consequences for your business.
Here’s something that may seem unimportant but one day it may become very important. Whatever your solo efforts may be, write down the essence of what you hope to accomplish and then learn more about it. It could be a short and to the point description of your current business or the business that you are hoping to work on. As you start to get out there you have no way of knowing who will be asking you more about your business. Every person has the potential to be significant in your future and you must be prepared to converse with each one of them. Being lucky isn’t really about luck, it is about being properly prepared for each situation.
There is a mindset that is required of every solo entrepreneur and once you’ve really worked on it, your life is going to be quite a lot simpler. You need to learn to trust yourself and to have faith that you will be successful. Stay positive, even when your business is going slowly, it is how you will continue working. Of course there is much more to this mindset, and you’ll figure it out if this is meant for you.
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