Rirhandzu Olindah Khosa
Network Engineer
Centurion,Gauteng
Summary
An experienced IT Network Engineer with significant design, support, administration and implementation experience of network projects. Over 15 years of IT experience with full life cycle ICT project experience. Thrives in a customer focused, multi-site environment. Always meets client demands and develops good long-term customer relationships.
Have vast knowledge , proven experience and success with LAN, WAN, design and implementation as well as with network capacity planning, network security principles, and general network management best practices.
With the necessary drive and determination needed to resolve complex networking issues. Possessing effective organizational skills and excellent working knowledge of networking technologies and having a commitment to keep up to date with the latest developments. Experienced in providing motivation, guidance and a up to date networking consultancy service to both colleagues and clients.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
11
11
Certifications
Work History
Network Engineer
Organisation
Centurion, Gauteng
07.2013 - Current
- Managed SLA reports for clients on monthly basis.
- Managed, tracked and coordinated problem resolution and escalation processes.
- Established robust infrastructure and data capacity for new applications and communication between sites.
- Monitored network capacity and performance to diagnose and resolve complex network problems.
- Logging the service request on the ITSM7 / ARS System
- Implementing the new Data line for Government Departments(SITA Clients
- Create GPRS Account for the Government Department and assign the static IP Address for them using Cisco ACS System
- Grant /Deny Internet Access to hosts and network subnets using Putty
- Upgrading and Downgrading the Bandwidth of existing sites
- Involved in outdoor and indoor move for Clients site and SITA Switching centres
- QA and Closing of newly completed Service Requests to ensure that the correct information is populated on the ARS
- Responsible for Network projects for clients
- WAN Operational, support and maintenance knowledge and experience. Understanding of: Network Management; VPN technologies and concepts; Modems
- Carrier technology; LAN Principles; Cabling Principles; Network Operating Systems; Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)
- Monitored network capacity and performance to diagnose and resolve complex network problems.
- Initiated and managed network test facilities to verify network hardness and resilience.
- Provided network support services for devices such as, routers and other hardware.
- Provided complete end-to-end engineering and installation of route-based IP network solutions.
Network Engineer (NOC)
SITA
Centurion, Gauteng
01.2010 - 06.2013
- Monitored and maintained network and software components according to established guidelines and best practices.
- Provided regular status updates to customers regarding open tickets.
- Coordinated and documented preventive, proactive and corrective maintenance requirements.
- Responsible for the proactive monitoring of the NGN Core Network
- Analyses complex network events and incidents
- Reports any abnormalities to the relevant Support Structures, i.e. WAN Support, NMS, OSIS and Switching Centres.
- Diagnoses all complex network related faults up to level 3
- · Sends out an SMC communication in case of major outage
- · Performs Network Performance Analysis and provides a weekly production report for the NGN Core, Distribution, RAS and Access
- · Assists with customer logged calls on request
- Attends all NETCOOL and customer logged calls on ITSM7
- Performs level 1 – level 3 diagnosis on incidents.
- Responsible for the proactive monitoring of the Distribution and Access network.
- Updates the customer about the status of pending calls
- Tests with Telkom and escalates directly to the regional WAN Support if the need arises.
- Resolves all outstanding calls on ITSM7 within the minimum timeframes
- Follows the agreed NOC Procedure to report, diagnose and resolve service outages.
- Escalates to Tier 2 for complex network related faults
- Provides daily VPN status reports to the responsible BPM
WAN Change Controller
SITA
Centurion, Gauteng
05.2006 - 11.2010
- Responsible for all Network related application requests
- Verifying of information on applications for change management
- Conducting verification of all physical addresses With Telkom
- Checking for duplicate applications, logging application on Network Change Management System as per users guide
- Preparation of change projects and client progress reports
- Handling Of minor client queries and handling of approvals Of non-Intricate applications.
- Capture network service requests on the Acc Database (ARS System)Ensuring the processing of network service requests.
Providing client liaison and reports In terms of enquiries related to network service requests - Approving service request for clients
- Logging RFQ request for client and giving feedback
- Responsible on sending Telkom letter for planning
Desktop Support
Gijima AST Group
Centurion, Gauteng
03.2003 - 04.2005
- Ensuring availability to take calls during operating hours of the desk as defined by the Department of Justice
- Resolving user requests for help over the telephone or providing diagnosis and troubleshooting before dispatch function
- Conducting first line diagnostics for all support calls, where applicable logging IMAC’s, Problems, queries, feedback and requests on the Help Desk
- Ensuring that ticket details are accurate and concise
- Ensuring that all outstanding tickets are updated daily
- Ensuring that assignment and ticket ownership is clearly and accurately executed
- Managing tickets according to service level agreement
- Adhering to escalation processes applicable to Department of Justice
- Undertaking on-line diagnosis for calls of a long duration as defined by team working practices
- Performing case call backs
- Participating in the customer satisfaction survey
- Monitored network performance and provided network performance statistical reports for both real-time and historical measurements.
Trainer
Organisation Patcom College
Pretoria, Pretoria
01.2002 - 12.2002
- Train A+ (Hardware & Software),N+, Ms office
- Handling student registrar and setting up student exams
- Oversaw technical documentation, instruction and evaluation to meet IT education initiatives.
- Developed new training programs such as online modules, interactive software, language labs and online programs and provided ongoing training to staff.
- Compiled IT training and assessment resources based on understanding of technical processes and skills-development needs.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce in Information And Technology - Information Technology
MANCOSA
Centurion 01.2022 - Current
Diploma Networking Engineer - Information Technology
Torque IT Campus
Sandton 01.2003 - 12.2005
PC Engineering (National Diploma) - Information Technology
College Campus
Pretoria 01.2001 - 12.2002
Senior Certificate - Matric
Frans Du High School
Phalaborwa 01.1998 - 12.2001
Skills
Network Troubleshooting
Cisco IDS Network
Root Cause Analysis
LAN switching technologies
Network architecture understanding
OSPF routing
QoS/CoS expertise
Cisco router and switch security
BGP message types
MPLS VPN implementation
Networking and routing protocol expertise
Network device monitoring
Technical Support
Change Management
Remote work support
Subnetting expertise
Cisco switching expertise
Infrastructure solutions
MPLS routers
SNMP monitoring
Effective communication
Accomplishments
- Networking Engineer NQF Level 5 (ISETT SETA National Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Support)
- PC Engineering Diploma
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Certificate of Achievement)
- Business writing for 2nd Language English Speakers (Certificate of accomplishment)
- ITIL Foundation (Certificate of Attendance)
- CCNP(International Implementing Cisco IP Routing)
- CCNA (International Certified)
- MCSA 2000 Exchange (International Certified)
- MCP 2003 Exchange
- N+ (International Certified)
- HCNA (International Certified)
- Life Skills Program (Attendance)
Certification
MCSA 2000 Exchange (International Certified) Torque IT 2004 Information Technology (IT)
Projects Experience
- NPA Project -Current
- Eastern Cape Broadband Project
- SA Connects and Eastern Cape–Broadband Project – 2018- to date
- Broadband Project – Western Cape Govt. Depts. (2015 – 2016)
- DCS Rollout Project (2014-2015)
- Project team lead SITA Hackathon (ER#D.O.N.E) at GovTech 2017 – We define problem statements and come up with proposed business
- ITSM7 / ARS System Implementation for SITA clients ( 2013 – ongoing)
- Monitoring of NGN Core Network for SITA Clients ( 2010 – 2013)
- Network Change Management System (2006 -2010)
- WAN Support, NMS and Switching Centres. (2010 - ongoing)
Additional Information
Going extra Miles within SITA:
- Occasional standing in for my manager while on leave.
- Performing most of the duties on Network Engineer consulting .
- ConComm- Transferring Skills /Train WAN Engineers regarding ITSM7 System on How to complete change and closed change requests on the system
- Transferring Skills /Train Project Managers on how to use ITSM7 and NMS
- Creating documents with my environment on how to complete and perform QA on ITSM - on going
- Assisting CRM's on SLA Reports.
References
•Primrose Ramuageli – SITA Network Transport Tel 012 672 2977/ 0833760123
•David Cloete Manager - SITA NOC Tel 012 672 1990 / 0833768232
•Delinah Zitha - Gijima AST Group Tel 063 753 9865
Timeline
Bachelor of Commerce in Information And Technology - Information Technology
MANCOSA
01.2022 - Current
Network Engineer
Organisation
07.2013 - Current
Network Engineer (NOC)
SITA
01.2010 - 06.2013
WAN Change Controller
SITA
05.2006 - 11.2010
Desktop Support
Gijima AST Group
03.2003 - 04.2005
Diploma Networking Engineer - Information Technology
Torque IT Campus
01.2003 - 12.2005
Trainer
Organisation Patcom College
01.2002 - 12.2002
PC Engineering (National Diploma) - Information Technology
College Campus
01.2001 - 12.2002
Senior Certificate - Matric
Frans Du High School
01.1998 - 12.2001