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Education => Certifications and Careers => Topic started by: config t on September 01, 2020, 12:08:53 PM

Title: Working with older gear
Post by: config t on September 01, 2020, 12:08:53 PM
From a hiring standpoint, am I going to be at a disadvantage when I move on from my current role if I have been working with older gear? My networks consist of 3850 and 3750 switches, 3900 and 3800 series routers, a couple Nexus 9k and one or two ASR 1000.

The domain is small but it is complex. I could write a few paragraphs describing everything we have going on.
Title: Re: Working with older gear
Post by: Otanx on September 01, 2020, 12:52:36 PM
I wouldn't say so. Especially as that gear isn't that old. 3850s are still current. Same with the N9K. If you were using 2611XMs, and CAT/OS that would be a concern. Also consider that not everyone is on the most current hardware. Especially with network gear. Life cycles of 10 years isn't unheard of if there is no other reasons to upgrade. It is more important you are familiar with the OS. IOS hasn't changed much. Licensing is the big one, but nobody understands Cisco licensing anymore anyways.

The vendor is important. Cisco vs Juniper, but I don't care what specific hardware you were using. I am more interested in how you used the hardware. i don't care if you implemented 802.1x on a 3850 vs a 9200 vs a 3750. I care you understand how 802.1x works.

-Otanx


Title: Re: Working with older gear
Post by: deanwebb on September 01, 2020, 01:52:58 PM
Do you know how to follow change control? Do you know how to answer the on-call phone at 3AM? Are you a team player?

Answer yes to all three, and I'll be happy to have you read PDF manual files while we wait for stuff to break. :D
Title: Re: Working with older gear
Post by: config t on September 06, 2020, 11:05:43 AM
I appreciate the input. This confirms a lot of what I already thought was true. A lot of it comes down to understanding technologies, people skills, and being both willing and able to learn.
Title: Re: Working with older gear
Post by: Dieselboy on September 06, 2020, 09:38:27 PM
I suggest to try and look at it from the perspective of what you've achieved and how you achieved it.
Title: Re: Working with older gear
Post by: config t on September 08, 2020, 04:13:24 AM
Quote from: Dieselboy on September 06, 2020, 09:38:27 PM
I suggest to try and look at it from the perspective of what you've achieved and how you achieved it.

This is a great way to look at it.