F.A.Q.
Following are some of the more frequently asked questions that I am asked.
Click on the question to see the answer. If you also have a question please
e-mail it to me via the contact page.
Q:
Isn't it unusual to move from, between, and perform both Systems Analysis/Development
and Networking roles?
A: With my employer having just been through
a Management Buyout the efficiency of the operations were vital for cash-flow.
The visions that I had prepared for the systems to assist this required a networking
infrastructure which I then proceeded to design, sell the ideas to the Management
Team and finally implement it before I could continue onto the next phase of
the strategic plan of the Report Generator System.
Q:
You have implemented complex networks and succeeded in achieving recorded continuous
network uptimes in excess of 270 days, and taking other networks from daily
downtimes to running for months on end. How do you do it?
A: Theres not one "magic pill" but a combination
of my understanding of systems at all levels (gained from my Development and
System Analysis skills) plus my working methods, goals and high standards that
I set myself. Being "knowledgeable" is fine however it restricts your
working area. Understanding helps me work outside of those limiting parameters.
My R&D background also formed an excellent grounding in system testing,
continuous documentation and the attitude that you only get one chance at taking
a system to the "live" status.
Q:
Having CCNA/CCDA is bit "trendy" isn't it?
A: Having conceived, and implemented the
BICERI network from a green field site I obviously knew every "nut and
bolt and cog", and could pass that information onto the Support Teams through
the documentation that the systems were designed around. The connection of the
network to the Internet therefore required the attachment of the ISP's Cisco
router. This was just another piece of hardware which had to supported and documented
so the CCNA qualification was a natural progression to assist in understanding
and so documentating appropriately. As my skills are geared more to design and
implementation rather than 1st/2nd line support the CCDA permitted me to focus
on the design side.
Q:
Why did you specify and implement OS/2 LAN Manager when Novell was the networking
OS of the time?
A: Simple answer is business requirements.
Although from a career perspective Novell experience would have been the wise
choice, technically OS/2 LAN Manager was the better choice for the heterogeneous
environment that the business dictated and also for the very projects that the
network infrastructure was actually being implemented to support in the future.
Q:
I know about ISO-9002 standards but what is BS-7799 and how have you been involved
with it?
A: BS-7799 is the British Standard for Information
Security. At BICERI the company's service/product that it sold was fundamentally
information back to the customer as to how their product performed under strictly
controlled environments. At the time BS-7799 was in "Guide line" rather
than "Standard" form, however with industry pressure to turn it into
a British Standard, coupled with one of the key contributors to the guide lines
(Shell Ltd) being a major customer it made sense to participate in the Public
Forums of the ratification process and aim to conform to the guidelines in preparation
of the final standard.
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Last Modified:
08-Jun-2002
By: Nigel Kitcher
