Use This 10-Step Checklist Before You Ship That System

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Are there any worse words to see when you’re trying to ping a router/switch/firewall you shipped out pre-configured?

I could be a bit sloppy and overconfident when I started out in this career. I do a lot of device configuration in a central office and then ship out the equipment to be physically installed by somebody else. More then once I’ve had to have the local tech console in into my device to fix a careless oversight on my part. I do my damnest to make sure that doesn’t happen any more.

I now use a quick checklist before I ship something out to make sure that anything that may affect my device’s connectivity is set up correctly.

1. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE – Write mem, copy run to start, save; take your pick. Save your config!
2. Turn up all necessary interfaces – A must with all Cisco devices. Double check which  interfaces need to be in use and no shut ‘em all. Don’t forget to turn up any VLANs!
3. Default gateway – Is it in the config? Is it right?
4. Local passwords – If somebody does have to console in for me, and least I’ll be able to get them to a prompt .
5. Tunnel settings – Using any tunnels? Are any shared keys you’re using correct? How about the IKE settings? Is the hostname right?
6. Console port dial settings – If I’m lucky enough to have a dial-in line for backup there, do I have my system correctly set up to take a call?
7. Right Cables – I don’t care if they (supposedly) have the right cables on site I’m still sending all the necessary cabling for this device to work. A power cord, console cable, and patch cable is going out. You’ve probably figured out I’ve been screwed by this more then once.
8. Save, Save, Save – Save that configuration file again!
9. Confirm the shipping address – Yeah, I’ve sent something to the wrong place before.
10. Get another set of eyes – Despite all of this double-checking, my brain might just not be working up to par at that moment. I try to have somebody else give the system a quick look just in case I missed something obvious.

What do you think, am I missing anything that should be on the list?

Jason