• Someone (unregistered)

    The real WTF here is that it was in a men's room. Clearly sexual discrimination at its worst

  • (cs)

    I have seen worse places to put a server. Whenever I put a server someplace unsecured like this, I do a few things to secure it as much as possible.

    First, I unplug the keyboard and mouse, and lock them in a nearby cabinet. That way, people can't mess with it, either on purpose or accidentally. Another things is to tape a note over the power switch, so it does not get accidentally turned off by the cleaning crew. Also, tape the plug to the outlet, and tape the network cable to its outlet, so people know they should not remove them. You can put a note there saying that too.

    I do like how they put it on a raised platform, so if the toilet overflowed it would not ruin the server.

  • Hooyaster (unregistered)

    The Real WTF is that they are using windows on a server.

  • Moi (unregistered) in reply to Hooyaster

    Presumably the PM had heard that it uses a pipeline architecture, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing..

  • Zost (unregistered)

    The real WTF is the empty toilet paper tube...

  • (cs) in reply to Hooyaster
    Hooyaster:
    The Real WTF is that they are using windows on a server.
    A "server" made by Dell, even.
  • Not the real WTF (unregistered) in reply to Zost
    Zost:
    The *real* WTF is the empty toilet paper tube...
    Not really. Loook again, there's a roll on the floor.

    I think the real WTF is that it is dangerously close to a toilet that the construction workers use. I doubt they care if their piss's splash will sprinkle onto the server. And I definitely wouldn't want to touch, much less maintain that computer after some time set up like this.

  • Usher (unregistered)

    OK.... The Real, Real, Real, Real WTF is the ADA compliant handrails in a construction trailer!

    Captcha: caecus - sounds vaguely appropriate for a toilet :)

  • Not the raised flooring (unregistered)

    If you look at the last picture you can see that it is raised on a platform.

    Where I used to work in the 80s, they had a list of worst sites. I never went there, but reportedly there was a vax system where they had the processor and all the tape drives in one well secured room, but the console terminal was balanced on the back of the toilet in the mens room off of the lobby. The customer was a diamond importer which meant that getting to the secure side involved signing into security, and getting a pat-down on the way in and out. It meant for a slow installation process.

  • (cs)

    it being secure only works if it's protected in a sarcasm bag.

  • (cs) in reply to Not the raised flooring
    Not the raised flooring:
    If you look at the last picture you can see that it is raised on a platform.

    Where I used to work in the 80s, they had a list of worst sites. I never went there, but reportedly there was a vax system where they had the processor and all the tape drives in one well secured room, but the console terminal was balanced on the back of the toilet in the mens room off of the lobby. The customer was a diamond importer which meant that getting to the secure side involved signing into security, and getting a pat-down on the way in and out. It meant for a slow installation process.

    I've worked at a diamond importer/retailer, and there was never a pat-down involved. Even getting out of the diamond room was no more involved than opening the door. Getting in was trickier, though.

    What, exactly, were they trying to find with a pat-down? It's not like they'd be able to feel that diamond you've put in your pocket.

  • Mr. DOS (unregistered) in reply to lolwtf
    lolwtf:
    Hooyaster:
    The Real WTF is that they are using windows on a server.
    A "server" made by Dell, even.
    TRWTF is that it looks like they didn't even bother to do a clean install of the OS. A turnkey Dell? You're kidding, right?

    --- Mr. DOS

  • That Guy (unregistered)

    Get that machine to work and have it operate the hand dryer!

  • (cs) in reply to TopCod3r
    TopCod3r:
    First, I unplug the keyboard and mouse, and lock them in a nearby cabinet.

    I'll bring my own keyboard and mouse. Either that or preconfigure a wireless router and slide it in under something next time you convince the construction guys you "have to go". Then you can sit comfortably at the cafe next door.

    A sign almost never works, because in order for someone to want to tinker with it, they would have the intention anyway. You think a sign will stop them from doing anything ?

  • m0ffx (unregistered) in reply to TopCod3r
    TopCod3r:
    I have seen worse places to put a server. Whenever I put a server someplace unsecured like this, I do a few things to secure it as much as possible.

    First, I unplug the keyboard and mouse, and lock them in a nearby cabinet. That way, people can't mess with it, either on purpose or accidentally. Another things is to tape a note over the power switch, so it does not get accidentally turned off by the cleaning crew. Also, tape the plug to the outlet, and tape the network cable to its outlet, so people know they should not remove them. You can put a note there saying that too.

    I do like how they put it on a raised platform, so if the toilet overflowed it would not ruin the server.

    Is that really you TopCod3r? That post actually makes a lot of sense. It'll do nothing against a serious hacker, but will at least stop Joe Bloggs treating it as a public workstation.

    Of course there's still the issue of Joe Bloggs full of John Smith's treating the server as a public toilet.

  • (cs)

    In plausible defense of "default install of windows on a server", the story explicitly states that the machine was installed prior to the guy arriving. Someone unboxed it, plugged it in, turned it on, and there it sat until he got there. Maybe he put a different OS on it, or reimaged it with some pre-prepared install.

  • Downfall (unregistered) in reply to TopCod3r
    TopCod3r:
    First, I unplug the keyboard and mouse, and lock them in a nearby cabinet.

    In this case, you could hide the key in the toilet basin, possibly tied to a string. Nobody ever looksi n there.

  • Tom (unregistered)

    Those weren't mouse turds all over the floor. They were bits of SPAM that started overflowing the minute they connected a default Windows install to a network.

  • J.R. Blood (unregistered)

    I can't believe the obvious WTF that everyone is missing. PC In bathroom Probably no password

    If that thing has internet access...

    Need I say more?

    Would explain the lack of TP.

  • Autocracy (unregistered)

    A client of my company had this exact same circumstance. They were a bank, and they stuck their core system in the publicly accessible bathroom.

    It was written up as a finding (auditor speak for "you done wrong, and this goes in your permanent file").

  • Newb (unregistered)

    Ways to increase security: 1 - Add a portable toilet outside with a constant supply of toilet paper. Never supply server room with toilet paper.

    2 - Make sure server room is clearly marked as the Men's Room. Switch to all female construction workers.

    3 - Paint keyboard to look stained and untouchable. If you wait long enough the paint won't be needed.

  • (cs) in reply to TopCod3r
    TopCod3r:
    I have seen worse places to put a server. Whenever I put a server someplace unsecured like this, I do a few things to secure it as much as possible.

    First, I unplug the keyboard and mouse, and lock them in a nearby cabinet. That way, people can't mess with it, either on purpose or accidentally. Another things is to tape a note over the power switch, so it does not get accidentally turned off by the cleaning crew. Also, tape the plug to the outlet, and tape the network cable to its outlet, so people know they should not remove them. You can put a note there saying that too.

    I do like how they put it on a raised platform, so if the toilet overflowed it would not ruin the server.

    Whenever I encounter an unsecured server like this, even though I don't have the authority to lock up the keyboard and mouse, I like to set a midget porn screen saver, or at least pull some up in a browser.

    I wonder what kind of CPU fan they have running - it could double has a hand-dryer... hygiene is important afterall.

  • (cs)

    "sites and setup their computer network" "saw no problem with this set up."

    Spot what's wrong with the above? Yep, "setup" and "set up" used incorrectly in both instances. Why do people have such an issue with this? "setup" = noun, "set up" = phrasal verb.

  • You-do-not-want-to-know (unregistered)

    Brings a whole new meaning to the term "core dump"..

  • Ocron (unregistered)

    First I would like to state I work in construction and almost always work out of these types of mobile offices. 1.Restrooms in job site trailers are for project management and staff only! Chemical toilets(porta-johns)are supplied for tradesmen. 2.In a mobile job site trailer there is no such thing as a secured location. The walls are paper thin w/ the exception of the exterior walls. A small determined child could break through the walls. 3.Depending on the size of the project dictates the trailer size. Small job, single trailer(2 offices). Large job, double wide(4 Offices). (I'm trying to give perspective to the lack of space available.)

    Besides the bathroom the only other spot is in one of the offices. Which means the lowest person on the totem pole is gonna lose space in a already cramped office. Id bet that after Don vacated the premises that server found its way back in that bathroom. I'm in no way saying that its a good spot. But when that mobile office becomes your work space for the next 1-2 years you make it as comfy as possible.

  • i r pr0 (unregistered) in reply to Ocron

    the real WTF is the poster claiming that crap server setup costs 15 grands. lol suuuuure.

  • Franz Kafka (unregistered) in reply to lolwtf
    lolwtf:
    Hooyaster:
    The Real WTF is that they are using windows on a server.
    A "server" made by Dell, even.

    Nah, Dell server hardware is at least decent (aside from the weird racking issues).

  • iToad (unregistered)

    So they put the server in the men's room? They are only one disgruntled employee away from the computer hardware cleanup job from hell.

  • t (unregistered)

    "Fortunately, Don was able to convince the higher-ups and get the server moved to a more suitable location."

    Did they move it to Women's Room?

  • pia (unregistered)

    That's perfect, admin can sit all day in the bathroom and play quake.

  • Anonymous Coward (unregistered)

    lol...

    windows + "server" + dell...

    where else to put it but in the crapper where it belongs?

    and no, dell hardware is not at all decent... the innards look like they're from the local computer wholesaler, and put together by the teenager next door in his garage... take a look at IBM and HP's offerings, and tell me how many cables you see dangling all over within the server box (admittedly my opinion is based on rack mount boxes.. who uses towers for anything but a deskside anyhow?)

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