IT Employment

Wow! There's a lot of questions here, and whole world of hurt just begging to be let in.

It seems to me that you're on the right track - you're asking questions and looking for something to fill that gap.

I have to disappoint you, though. You're not going to find it all in one place, and you'll not find an "Idiot's Guide" for any of this stuff.

Most of what you're asking comes down to simple experience - IMHO what you really need is someone who has been there and done it, if you know what I mean. That's the simplest option. Or, you can do what I did, and get out on the 'Net and dig around until you come up with four or five different answers. Then you amalgamate them all into something that looks like it's going to work - and you try it.

Another thing - don't let the technology get in the way. A lot of problems can be handled by non-technical simple business principles and leadership. You don't need a degree in marine engineering to know when a ship is sinking! Use your common sense.

For example - you ask about human resources per server/networking device - well - that depends on what exactly you're doing with it, what it's specifications are and what your network is like.
For my workplace, I know that our SQL Server is capable of handling another 200 or so users, but that our network infrastructure will break before we get to that. I also know that if we get another 200 users, I'll need another one maybe two support staff. (Gartner are a good place took for HR stats - eg you need roughly 1 support guy/gal for every 150 users - but you modify that depending on what environment you're in and the level of sophistication of the users..etc). A lot of this information can be found by spending some time researching on the internet.

Teh final suggestion I have is not to be taken lightly. It's almost an admission of failure, but sometimes you just have to do it, because there are simply no other options left. You call in a consultant. Don't go for one of the expensive, big guys - like IBM or people of that size - they'll fleece you rigid. Find a smaller systems house type that deals with the technologies you use and that have the accreditations with the manufacturers/suppliers - Cisco partners, Microsoft Gold partners etc. Talk to them beforehand and make sure you're sure that they know what they're doing - test them even!

I hope this helps, even if it's not an idiot's guide...