30 Days of Geek – Day 03 – What does your day job involve?

#TODO – Insert picture of Ergon Building when not cloudy

I am contracted out to Ergon Energy to their Communication NOC (Network Operation Center)  which manages both private and commercial networks sold by Nexium.

Problem Solving. The key element of my job is problem solving. As a Network Communication Technician, may primary role is ensuring that all network elements are in good working condition, operable and manageable. Along with trouble shooting issues, configuring new services and devices and updating documentation.

Breaking down complex network layers and working out which layer, what element, and how it failed, along with when and why. Managing the networks within Ergon isn’t as simple as rebooting your home DSL connection. Problems can occur at many different layers and locations within the network, and finding the information you require during an outage can be problematic and hard at times. A typical problem may have one or more of the following issues:

  • Ethernet
  • Fibre and Cable faults (Backhoe Fade)
  • 802.1Q
  • IP
  • IPSec
  • PPP
  • MPLS
  • SDH / PDH
  • ATM
  • DSL
  • GSM/3G
  • OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP
  • Power, Aircon, Security
  • Backhaul or third party

My job basically involves using problem solving to find the issue, fix it and finally report on it, which is something I really love to do. No network can have 100% uptime, you just have to plan for outages and ensure you are ready for when they happen.

Networking and Communication is something that I really love, and I think I’ll be in the Communication industry for quite some time.

This post is not affiliated in anyway to Ergon Energy or Nexium.

Eeek… Moving out of home…

Oh crap…

Getting the job in Rockhampton was the easy part, and I am now onto the hard job of moving away from home and into a rental (once i find one). Surely it can’t be that hard, that’s not a lot to worry about…

List of things to do:

  • Find a place to stay
    • Close to an ADSL 2+ exchange
    • Air Con
    • Security Screens
    • Lockup Garage
    • Good area
    • Under $300
  • Find a decent Internet Plan
  • Move all my stuff
    • PC and MacBook
    • Computer parts, routers and switches
    • Clothing
    • Stero
    • Various Stuff from Mum/Dad
      • Fridge
      • Washing Machine
      • Tables and Chairs
      • ect..
  • Purchase Items
    • A few Lack Racks
    • Bed
    • Tupperware – noting down part numbers for future purchases to ensure that most lids fit most things
    • Microwave
    • Lawn mower (dependant on lawn)
    • Asian Slave
  • Level up in some skills
    • Learn to cook
    • Learn to clean
    • Learn to pay bills
    • Learn to tie shoe lacers
  • Pay for
    • Electricity
    • Water
    • Internet
    • Rent
    • Food
    • Asian Slave
    • Asian Slaves Food