Re: Common operational misconceptions

[Ray Soucy <rps () maine edu>]

As someone who was born in 1984 I respectfully disagree. ;-)




On Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 9:52 AM, -Hammer- <bhmccie () gmail com> wrote:
> Let me simplify that. If you are over 35 you know how to troubleshoot.
>
> Yes, I'm going to get flamed. Yes, there are exceptions in both directions.
>
>
> -Hammer-
>
> "I was a normal American nerd"
> -Jack Herer
>
>
>
> On 2/17/2012 8:29 AM, Leo Bicknell wrote:
> > In a message written on Thu, Feb 16, 2012 at 08:50:11PM -1000, Paul
> > Graydon wrote:
> > > At the same time, it's shocking how many network people I come across
> > > with no real grasp of even what OSI means by each layer, even if it's
> > > only in theory.  Just having a grasp of that makes all the world of
> > > difference when it comes to troubleshooting.  Start at layer 1 and work
> > > upwards (unless you're able to make appropriate intuitive leaps.) Is it
> > > physically connected? Are the link lights flashing? Can traffic route to
> > > it, etc. etc.
> >
> > I wouldn't call it a "misconception", but I want to echo Paul's
> > comment.  I would venture over 90% of the engineers I work with
> > have no idea how to troubleshoot properly.  Thinking back to my own
> > education, I don't recall anyone in highschool or college attempting
> > to teach troubleshooting skills.  Most classes teach you how to
> > build things, not deal with them when they are broken.
> >
> > The basic skills are probably obvious to someone who might design
> > course material if they sat down and thought about how to teach
> > troubleshooting.  However, there is one area that may not be obvious.
> > There's also a group management problem.  Many times troubleshooting
> > is done with multiple folks on the phone (say, customer, ISP and
> > vendor).  Not only do you have to know how to troubleshoot, but how
> > to get everyone on the same page so every possible cause isn't
> > tested 3 times.
> >
> > I think all college level courses should include a "break/fix"
> > exercise/module after learning how to build something, and much of that
> > should be done in a group enviornment.



-- 
Ray Soucy

Epic Communications Specialist

Phone: +1 (207) 561-3526

Networkmaine, a Unit of the University of Maine System
http://www.networkmaine.net/