First Blog Post!

Written By Will Mason

First Post! My Project Prep

Updated: 4 days ago

Welcome to my first post. I decided to make a post of the habits and tricks that i use in my job. The project load i get varies, and while the majority of it is Azure related, it is rarely a consistent stream of green fields and CAF templates. A small list of projects i have recently done to show the variation:


  • Azure VMWare Solution - Existing Subscription, integrate with vWan Hub

  • Azure Landing Zone - CAF Template, Virtual Network Gateway, Transit Hub config

  • Meraki vMX - Integrate Meraki with existing VNG, ASA, route tables, function failover

  • Domain Upgrade- 2008-2022

  • Azure Migrations via Azure Migrate

  • Palo Alto VM100 - Clunky and not fun, LB and non LB

  • Various architected network setups for application security and data flow

  • Microsoft Bitlocker Config

  • AAD Tenant Configuration from scratch

  • Small Business stand up


Just looking at the list above you can see there is a lot of variance in projects. Changing hats can be pretty tough. You spend all day with a hammer, it can be hard to not hit everything when its time to pick up a paint brush.


  1. Have a note taking method

I use OneNote, it syncs with my O365 account so even if i have to blow away my laptop because, sh…stuff happens, I can get back to work relatively quickly. Having a tab specifically dedicated to connectivity and how to connect helps as well. Store passwords somewhere else.

2. Have a loosely defined Method of Approach

We all try to have everything in our heads, its human nature. For me i have found that defining and documenting loosly how your going to do the work help tremendously. It leaves your mind free to think about the smaller details. Allows you to deconstruct the Statement of Work in the event there are ”glossed over” details that may be relevant. For interacting with your clients, this also makes you look better and them feel more comfortable.

3. Try to have separate working environments

Assuming you have a computer capable of handling VMware Workstation or Fusion, build yourself small VMs that can be used to interact with the clients environments. Everyone has custom VPN clients, Certificates, and that one rando still trying to roll with a PIX. Not having it all segmented will raise your security risk profile, cause problems connecting due to conflicts with software versions, and a truckload of problems forcing you to have to rebuild your laptop. I run VMWare Workstaion Pro, have the VMs stored on an external NVME drive. To conserve storage space, i create a single vm, then make snaps for each ”VM” as needed.

4. Working out

While this is not intended to be a fitness blog, and if you knew me in real life you would see that i am not even close to the model of “in shape.” Still, there is some importance in having a fitness routine. I tend to go for cardio related activities. The post workout high also does a good job of getting me focused. Some of the best solutions and approaches to a problem came from a good high impact workout.

Will Mason