What is Administrative Distance & Metric Distance?

I just had an email from a student asking, "what is administrative distance and Metric Distance?".  I will give a brief answer here, but if any of you want more detail, please let me know.

When a Cisco router has more than one route to a particular destination and those routes come from different route sources (directly connected, static, and/or dynamic routing protocol(s)), the router ios uses the administrative distance to decide which of those routes to place in the routing table (the best route(s)).

Whereas, the metric value is used when there is more than one way to get to a particular destination and all of the routes to that destination come from a single route source (i.e. RIP dynamic routing protocol).

As we discussed in class, the metric used by the routing protocol will be different, depending on the routing protocol. RIP uses hop count, Cisco’s OSPF uses bandwidth; EIGRP uses bandwidth and delay by default (but can be configured to include load and reliability).

The administrative distance value is set by Cisco and not an actual standard. However, other vendors do use it. The route that has the lower administrative distance will be preferred over the router with the higher administrative distance and will be added to the routing table. The term “trustworthy” is commonly used when defining administrative distance. The lower the administrative distance value, the more “trustworthy” the route.

I hope this helps - Joanne

Network Security Engineer, Chicago, IL

Hi Joanne!

I am in the process of looking for my replacement. I need a network security engineer that meets the following job description:

Must have a solid understanding and working knowledge of networking, security, server hardware and operating systems as well as the interdependencies between them. Additional Responsibilities: May be responsible for day-to-day coaching, providing on-the-job and formal training, reference materials, procedures, and system documentation. May interface with other stakeholders including vendors, application development and technical support staff. May provide inventory and asset management resources to the IT security operation, including office administrative supplies, security specific resources such as SecurID cards or cryptographic key management, specialized security software, etc. Must possess working knowledge of Security Vulnerabilitiy assessments; Information Security Standards and Practices; firewall technology and administration; knowledge of Intrusion Detection system technology and adminstration; public-key infrastructure technology. Windows and Unix Administration is a must.

If you know anyone who would qualify and is interested please pass this on. It is hard to find someone with this background in Chicago so I am reaching out to you.

Thank you!

Scott Otocki CISSP

Network Engineer Specialist

630-854-8204

Opportunities through Network Data Systems

Here are the positions I am currently working on:

Senior Cisco Voip Engineer for FTE assignment preferred location Illinois, 30% travel outside Illinois, CCIE preferred other High Level UC certifications will be considered.

Also high Level Cisco R/S FTE candidate with Nexus. CCIE R/S preferred, FTE, Illinois based candidate best, 30% travel.

Android Engineer - FTE, Illinois preferred, 30% travel.

• Must be able to develop/debug Linux kernel drivers and Android OS code and applications

We also have positions available in our NOC. Ask me about details.

Lynn Tryon
Senior Technical Recruiter
OFFICE 847-385-6795

CELL 630-346-0332

FAX 847-385-6790

EMAIL ltryon@network-data.com

Twitter lynntryon

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/lynn-tryon/3/933/779

Summer Work Opportunity

Joanne

We have some summer work at my current employer, Catalyst Schools Chicago, and I am hoping you might have some students looking for work. It would be starting in Mid-Late June and going through August 1, probably around 40 hours a week with the pay being $11 an hour. If you know of anyone that might be interested please have them e-mail me at pwebb@catalystschools.org with a copy of their resume and my boss and I will get back to them ASAP. We are looking for about 15 people and they don't need a lot of experience it will be mainly following a checklist of software uninstalls and installs, as well as actually placing the computers in the classrooms along with printers and phones in addition to cleaning off the existing physical equipment that has gotten dust covered over the past year.



--

Paul M. Webb

Networking and HelpDesk Specialist



Phone: 630-447-9354

Website: www.paulmwebb.com

More on NOC Engineer Position

Joanne,

Here is the position description, full-time, full benefits, let me know if you know of someone that is interested. As I mentioned we need a seasoned CCNA, we've been disappointed with the last 2 interviews. Thanks.

Career Opportunities: NOC ENGINEER

This is an exciting new opportunity at TransUnion to participate in the growth of the company and to gain the work experience that will take your career to the next level. This position will have a chance to build valuable data networking skills and technical proficiency while working with best-of-breed platforms such as Cisco's Nexus 7000 Data Center switches, Catalyst 6500 and 3750 switches, ASR 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers, ISR and ISRG2 Integrated Services Routers, ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances, and F5's BIG-IP Local Traffic Managers. Eventually, the incumbent for this position will also gain exposure to IP Telephony systems.

Generally speaking, this position will be responsible for the support of incident, change and minor problem management pertaining to TransUnion's Networking, Security, and Load Balancing infrastructure. The position will act as Tier-1 24/7 shift support for the TransUnion Network Operations Center.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Responsible for resolving production network incidents by working with internal and external technology support organizations. Is accountable for owning the incident and driving thru to resolution.
2. Performs advanced troubleshooting techniques in to resolve network incidents. Escalates using official escalation procedures when appropriate.
3. Responsible for managing service requests and executing standard changes with no supervision.
4. Ensures both the customer and internal management are notified of impacting outage situations using official communications procedures.
5. Ticket management. Open, update and close incidents, requests and RFC's as per official company policy and guidelines.
6. Responsible for executing daily, weekly monthly operations monitoring and reporting.
7. Responsible for executing moves, adds and changes (M/A/C) in the environment.
8. Required to participate in 24/7/4 (3) shift rotation. Is expected to possess advanced technical knowledge and capability to handle most incidents/issues that may arise. Proactively puts procedures in place to prevent and reduce severity of outages.
9. Responsible for developing and writing operations processes and procedures.
10. Follows structure change management process.
11. Coordinates activities with vendors as required
12. Performs other related duties as assigned.


The duties and responsibilities described above are the essential functions of the job. The qualifications below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

2 - 3 years Information Technology experience
Good understanding of data communication protocols focusing on TCP/IP, SNA and asynchronous
Knowledge of Cisco routers and switches in an enterprise corporate infrastructure.
CCNA level Cisco IOS and Cisco router, switch, firewall configurations.
Experience with Load Balancer (F5 and Cisco Content Switches) a big plus.
Good understanding of MPLS, Frame Relay, Leased line and ISDN.
Good understand of network security practices and tools.
Experience with monitoring tools such as CA Spectrum, CA eHealth, Netflow Collectors and Netscout.
Experience with mainframe products: CICS, VTAM, NCP a big plus.
Bachelors Degree in a related technical field, or demonstrated real world experience.
Good written and verbal communications skills.
Demonstrated ability to execute and perform timely follow-up to ensure customer satisfaction.
Experience in the use of project management tools and methodologies to manage project plans.
Ability to represent TU in a positive manner when interacting with customers.
Forward thinker with ability to instill quality in every aspect of the job function

We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, a business-casual environment, and a convenient downtown location as well as a free on-site fitness center.

To be considered for employment with TransUnion, you must be able to pass our standard background check.

TransUnion is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer; M/F/D/V. TransUnion values the advantages gained from a diverse workforce.

NOC Engineering Position, Chicago, IL

Joanne,

How are you? I'm checking in after a few years. I just wanted to ask if you knew anyone interested in filling a NOC Engineer position downtown, full-time, full benefits. We would need a very seasoned CCNA level person. Let me know if somebody comes to mind. Thanks!

Jobs in CIT CCNA

Question:

You wrote back to me about where I can look to find jobs in CIT CCNA and I have some more questions. I had taken the first class at the College of DuPage to get a CCNA and I plan on taking the next class.

I really want to get a job in this and not just spend money and time taking classes and get a CCNA and then no job. Is there still a demand for CCNA engineers in this economy? And if so, do you think the demand will grow for a CCNA engineer?

Reply:
There is a demand for qualified, certified network engineers, James. Do a search on ‘network engineer’ on the web. Try http://www.indeed.com; http://www.careerbuilder.com; http://www.monster.com; http://www.dice.com; http://www.usa.lucidjobs.com; http://www.ilworkinfo.com; http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/tch.


Question:
What I got out of reading what you wrote to me was that a CCNA engineer can work in a lot of industries. Am I correct? These companies and organizations hire and need someone with a CCNA and not just a manager because you wrote manager. Am I correct? (The reason I ask that is because as someone who would be new with a CCNA, I would not be a manager.)

Reply:
Yes, you are correct. A networking engineer can come from any one of the many vertical markets, I mentioned. IT is everywhere!

Question:
Here is what you wrote me: "IT managers across all vertical markets, government, healthcare, education, finance, insurance/securities, wholesalers, and retailers in the production and distribution of products, law, entertain/sports, real estate, etc. hire our graduates. Depending on the individual student’s background, he/she may find a career in any of the following fields with a degree or certificate from CIT: network administrators, system support specialists, system administrators, technical support specialist, network support specialist, computer support, security specialist, convergence specialist, or VoIP support specialist. And of course, there are also many opportunities and careers in security, not only as a career but as a network professional in the IT departments of any of the above mentioned industries."

Reply:
I did not say that you are limited to becoming an IT manager, James. I said that IT managers from all these vertical markets hire our graduates. That, of course, is no guarantee that you will take our four CCNA prep courses and be guaranteed a job. It doesn’t work that way.

Question:
You also wrote that it would be a good idea to get an internship while working on getting my CCNA. I agree and I want to do that. In getting an internship, I can look at state and local governments, schools --high schools, insurance companies, stores like Macy's and Sam's Club and Walmart, factories, and Lawyers. Am I correct?

Reply:
Yes. In addition, internship opportunities exist for currently enrolled COD students completing a program of study through the Cooperative Education and Internship Program. You can go online to register, and check current internship openings at www.cod.edu/intern. Also, students may call 630-942-2611 for an appointment for more information.

Question:
I am confused as to the different fields you wrote, such as, network administrator and technical support specialist. It's confusing to me because at the college we learn how to be a CCNA engineer. How do we become those that you mentioned?

Reply:
James, I highly suggest that you do some research on your own. You can ‘google’ these different fields to get an understanding of each. In addition, you can search on them through the links I listed above, and take a look at the different job descriptions for each. You also have the COD library resources available to you.

Question:
I am also confused as to what I can write on my resume and tell these people in these industries about what I can do for them as an intern.

Reply:
You write the truth – your current and past job experiences. There is a wealth of information in our library on resume writing.

Closing Comments:
Thank you Joanne for all your help as I look to continue in the CCNA classes. Please let me know your thoughts.

Reply:
You are on the right track, James. That CCNA certification is the first step!