The Fresh Air Time

In the realm of information technology, configuring systems is a major task. It is well understood that performance and security issues often arise from configurations that are either erroneous or carried out without adhering to established standards. Such deviations can have profound implications, particularly when subsequent changes are made to a system or infrastructure.

Once there was an incident when configuring a router, as there are syntax differences in models and versions. To get the configuration done as required, we had to utilize a considerable amount of time for research. We had to go through the user manual documents, other research materials, and even generative AI, but we were not successful.

Determined to find a solution, we switched to the command line interface (CLI), hoping to accomplish the task. However, we quickly discovered that this approach was unsustainable, as the configurations were not saved and reverted to default settings after every router reboot. Frustrated but not defeated, we embarked on further research to resolve this issue.

As time passed, we found ourselves stuck in the same loop, our minds stuck on a limited set of solutions. In such situations, it’s easy to become trapped in a narrow perspective, unable to see beyond the immediate obstacles. The need for a breakthrough became increasingly apparent.

We were not successful. We believed this should not be this hard and we discussed to have our magical “Fresh Air Time.” The Fresh Air Time is a little break that we usually take to refresh ourselves with natural fresh air outside the building where we usually work.

Through these discussions, I have come to appreciate the diverse perspectives people bring to the table, shaped by their experiences, knowledge, and skills. Having worked in the IT industry for many years and in various roles, I have realized that while individuals may have different viewpoints, we are ultimately dealing with binary code—1s and 0s. Therefore, it is crucial to translate these diverse perspectives into actionable technical solutions.

As our frustration grew with each failed attempt, we decided to take our "Fresh Air Time." Stepping outside, the crisp air and natural surroundings provided a much-needed respite, allowing our minds to clear and refocus. It's remarkable how a simple change of environment can lead to renewed clarity and insight.

Upon returning to the office, we redirected our attention to other tasks. However, the unresolved router configuration issue lingered at the back of my mind. Compelled to give it one last try, I decided to revisit the problem. As I hovered the mouse pointer over a particular section, a help box suddenly appeared, displaying the correct configuration syntax. Astonishingly, the solution had been right in front of us the entire time, yet it had eluded both the user manual and generative AI tools we consulted.

This unexpected discovery underscored the importance of user-friendly documentation, as the information we needed was not clearly presented in the manual. Nonetheless, we succeeded in configuring and deploying the router, achieving the desired outcome. This experience reinforced a valuable lesson: when faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, taking a "Fresh Air Time" can provide the breakthrough needed to see things from a fresh perspective and ultimately find a solution.