| Remote hands is a service that allows you to do | | | | ears and fingers for your service, but the service |
| simple tasks with your server without actually having | | | | generally doesn't guarantee the results. You're still |
| to drive down to the location. What this means is that | | | | responsible for the actions that are taken by the |
| you can call your colocation provider on the phone and | | | | remote hands technician. |
| ask them to work on your machine for you. Tell them | | | | Some colocation providers offer remote hands free of |
| what you want done and a designated technician will | | | | charge as part of their service. In this case your |
| physically go to your server and perform the task that | | | | provider may put additional restrictions on what they |
| you need completing. | | | | will and will not perform. Some providers will give you a |
| Examples of remote hands tasks include: pressing a | | | | time limit of about 15 minutes per task or up to a |
| button, flipping a switch, hooking up a monitor and | | | | designated amount of time per month. |
| reporting what's on the screen, typing in commands | | | | Other colocation providers will charge you an hourly |
| that you supply, power cycling equipment, swapping | | | | fee. If you give notice of 24 to 48 hours the fee will be |
| tapes, securing cable connections, selecting items with | | | | less than if you need emergency remote hands |
| a mouse, mounting equipment and escorting people to | | | | assistance. In the case of paid service, the provider will |
| shared rack space. These tasks are generally things | | | | usually perform more tasks than those providers who |
| that anyone can perform and do not require special | | | | do not charge for the service. |
| training. | | | | All-in-all, remote hands is an excellent service. It's a |
| Remote hands services generally do not include | | | | convenient way to get simple tasks done without |
| configuring your equipment or doing anything that | | | | having to take the time to drive all the way down to |
| requires specialized knowledge or training. | | | | your colocation provider- all you have to do is pick up |
| When using a remote hands service, it's important to | | | | the phone and tell the technician what needs to be |
| remember that sometimes equipment fails or doesn't | | | | done. |
| work properly. Remote hands acts only as your eyes, | | | | |
