#23513 Re: Boom Swagger Salon New Routers

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Good evening-

I was hoping we could set up a time to have you come install those new routers you were telling us about. Our internet has been working, however it is working slowly. We did a spectrum speed check and everything was fine, so I’m guessing further router issues. We also did install the new Clover for credit card processing.

We’d love to have you come fix our router issue when you had time.

Thank you,

Morgan Hollis

On May 11, 2023, at 10:33 AM, Artichoke Support - Peet <[email protected]> wrote:

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On Thu 05-11-23 10:33 AM, Artichoke Consulting commented:
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Hola,

Just letting you know that after looking more at your issue, I came across this:

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Nighthawk-Wi-Fi-5-AC-Routers/R8000-Router-Ongoing-DNS-Issues/m-p/2189485

It looks like that model of Netgear router is plagued with DNS resolution issues. I won't dive too into the weeds, but what it comes down to is that it doesn't respond to DNS requests on the same protocol that it receives the request on. Maddeningly frustrating when troubleshooting.

The final solution was to configure the router to provide communication on IPV6 as well as IPV4. With that setup, your computers don't need to have the DNS servers manually configured in their network settings. I implemented the changes for you last night and tested connectivity. Checking again today, BOOMSWAGER001 resolves "[management.saloniris.com](http://management.saloniris.com/)" correctly and Daysmart Salon does not appear to be throwing any errors.

Cheers.Peet

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Artichoke Support - Peet
[Ticket History - 23440](https://artichoke.consulting/r/t/?RST-67959873)
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Morgan,

Sorry for the delay in getting you a proposal for your network and managed services. I was out of town for a memorial and was hit with more than average issues Monday/Tuesday.

Attached are two estimates for the hardware. The only difference is one has two wireless access points (U6-Mesh) in case we need to use one as a wifi booster/extender for your upstairs.

They both include a Unifi Dream Router, U6-Mesh AP for the front of house WiFi Coverage, a USW-Lite-8-PoE to provide wired network at reception as well as power over ethernet for the U6-Mesh. I've also included an ethernet lightning arrester which would hopefully block a lightning surge from the Charter hardware. And a USP-Strip, a connected Unifi surge protector that has the ability to automatically power cycle your Charter modem if it detects that your network is offline.

I have the core devices (the router, switch and AP) on hand and could configure deploy them for you as early as Friday afternoon. There should be minimal/virtually no down time and should only be the disruption of replacing the switch and finding a space on the reception desk for the AP (it has a tiny footprint, think a slim seltzer can for size).

I've also attached my Manged IT one-sheet. It's a simplified overview of what I do for my manage clients. The main takeaways are: All support, monitoring and maintenance (both onsite and remote) on your existing systems and infrastructure is included in the monthly price. It also includes device patching and security software and monitoring as well as new workstation setup. I never want folks delaying replacing workstations because of a perceived added cost for setup. IT assessments and planning is also included and can happen as often as quarterly, and I'll always be available to fill the role as a trusted advisor for all things IT. Add, change, move and project work is charged hourly at a ~55% reduced rate.

The bespoke aspects of Managed IT for Boom Swagger would come into play by ensuring your DaySmart Salon is deployed in the best possible way on-prem vs cloud. Also addressing ownership of your communication identities (e.g. moving to a Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for email and identity management). And securing your staff's access to the local workstations to reduce the risk that a bad click on a site or an email logs you out of your computers and DaySmart.

I normally have a 5 FTE minimum, but understand that even though your IT is core to your business running smoothly, the daily productivity of the 10 (or so) staff at Boom Swagger doesn't hinge on IT running well ... Well maybe if the Sonos isn't working and there's no music :D. I'd be happy to take care of your Managed IT at a rate equal to 4 FTE/mo, or $600/mo.

If we start for June 1, any work done for this network upgrade would be at the lower contracted rate.

Cheers.Peet

Hi Peet-

Thanks for getting back to me. If we could move forward with invoice #1032 I would greatly appreciate it. If you are available Friday that would be great also. It is a quieter day in the salon and would be easier to have service disconnected intermittently throughout the day.

Please let me know if you are still available and we can move forward.

Thank you,

Morgan Hollis

On Wed, May 24, 2023 at 1:52 PM Artichoke Support - Peet <[email protected]> wrote:

After thinking about it I realize I didn't quite explain the two estimates correctly. I'd assumed we'd try without the extra device upstairs ... and if all was good then you'd be set with the single AP. With 1033, I wanted to show you the total hardware cost in case we needed it.

Because of the availability of parts, this will likely have to be a two-visit install, but only this Friday should have any notable down time. The second visit will only be for the smart surge protector and lightning arrestor, which will only require a router and modem reset, so ~5 minutes without internet.

All remaining components should be delivered by mid-week next week and I should have time next Friday.

For the core network replacement this Friday, I could be there between 8:30 and 9:00AM or between 12:30PM or 1PM. Early AM would likely work best for me, but either is good. The downtime should be about 10 minutes twice. Nothing like the previous troubleshooting.

Cheers.Peet

Hi Peet-

Ok, that makes sense. Friday morning would work out well. We open at 9am that day and usually a receptionist is here around 8:45am and can let you in.

I have to be in the Bitterroot to help with my parent’s house showing, however if you need me feel free to text or call me at 406-239-4272.

Thank you,

Morgan

On May 24, 2023, at 3:53 PM, Artichoke Support - Peet <[email protected]> wrote:

Also, in there a maintenance option where we have you come in quarterly? I don’t believe we run so much tech that we’d need a monthly maintenance package.

Thank you,

Morgan

On May 24, 2023, at 3:53 PM, Artichoke Support - Peet <[email protected]> wrote:

Morgan,

Your new hardware is in place and the network is successfully swapped over to the unifi hardware. I've setup your Unifi account under the business gmail ([email protected]).

The password can be accessed via this link for the next 14 days.

https://share.1password.com/s#jKHIrK94dpNJiaANhJ7W6vV4-kz5IIsWKtT0KA7jqmQ

There's an app for managing/monitoring the network

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/unifi/id1057750338

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubnt.easyunifi

The network can also be managed via browser @ https://unifi.ubnt.com from anywhere. And @ https://10.10.188.1 from your local network (or if your internet is down).

Your Unifi Dream Router (BSS-UDR) can run 2 Unifi applications, but you'll likely only be running "Network". So once you've logged into BSS-UDR, click network and you'll be presented with the Unifi network dashboard for Boom Swagger Salon.

I've transferred ownership of the network to [email protected] and ensured the automatic backups to that account are configured. Attached is also a backup of the console.

There are a few spare parts from the Mesh 6 AP that are labeled and in a ziploc bag by the new Unifi router. It's a mount incase you relocate the AP and a PoE injector incase it's relocated somewhere without a PoE switch like the USW-Lite-8-POE that's situated behind the cash drawer.

The upstairs space does seem to have adequate WiFi signal from the UDR and Mesh 6 AP in the salon. It's close, but not unreasonable especially considering the distance and building composition. It seemed to browse the internet at a snappy rate and was pulling okay speed tests. That said, if it doesn't perform as expected. Using another Mesh 6 as network extender should work, assuming we can place it where it is solidly connected to the existing WiFi.

The lighting arrester was delivered today, but the surge protector looks like it won't make it until after the holiday. Those two items just need to be attached to the wall and connected to the network. I should be able to that on another early AM install with minimal interruption. Just them time it takes for the UDR and Charter modems to restart.

As an aside and depending on just how much you want to protect against power/lightning issues. You may want to consider desktop battery backups for the front and back. Something like (https://www.costco.com/cyberpower-1500va900watts-simulated-sine-wave-ups-battery-backup-with-surge-protection.product.100822779.htmlhttps://www.costco.com/cyberpower-1500va900watts-simulated-sine-wave-ups-battery-backup-with-surge-protection.product.100822779.html Costco's price for these is really solid). An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) on BOOMSWAGGER001 would keep your DaySmart Salon database from being unexpectedly closed from a brownout/power outage which is a pretty common way for DB's to corrupt.

Also, in there a maintenance option where we have you come in quarterly? I don’t believe we run so much tech that we’d need a monthly maintenance package.

Scheduled maintain isn't part of my service offering. Modern IT management and security is a continuous process and cannot effectively be maintained with quarterly or monthly visits. A good example in your current setup is that your endpoint security software your computers is apparently expired. If your devices were only checked intermittently a serious security issue like this could be left unmitigated for months. I'm excited that nothing seems to have happened to your computers and your DaySmart Salon installation while there's been no security software subscription, but this is just one critical part of IT security and management that's covered with Managed IT.

I'll reach out when the final hardware is here and schedule a day to finalize the install.

Cheers.Peet

Just noting that the final pieces for the network were installed 6/1/23. The router and smart surge protector are mounted on the wall with the lightning arrestor. I have a final cable for the arrestor. It's not the most robust solution for a lightning arrestor but will work as a stop gap to ground the arrestor to the building electrical ground. The most robust/correct method of grounding an arrestor is to have an electrician or general contractor run a direct grounding wire out from the arrestor to a grounding rod outside.

That said everything is in place and working as expected.

Did you access the Unifi credentials and setup the app for managing the system?

Please let me know if you need help with that. Otherwise, I've sent a final bill for the equipment and installation. If you ever want to revisit managed IT for your systems, please let me know.

Cheers.Peet