"Last but certainly not least, how many mainframe guys know IP networking. You provide me a list?Answer is very few. "
Not where I work. I know and have worked with quite a few "mainframe guys" (and at least one extremely knowledgeable mainframe gal - although I'm not sure she'd appreciate the term) who are also quite comfortable with IP (i.e. to CCNP level at least, although they don't all have the certs). ALL of the mainframe comms people I work with, and probably all of the mainframe OS people as well, have at least a basic understanding of IP networking. After all, these days mainframes run IP. The mainframe world hasn't stood still over the last twenty years, any more than the IP world, and anyone with ten year old mainframe experience is likely to be lost in a current mainframe environment. I'd be quite happy about somebody with twenty years network experience - or 3 months, for that matter - applying a network change without first lab testing - *in certain circumstances*. I have done it myself several times, because in those particular situations, testing in a lab environment wasn't feasible and wouldn't have picked up the most likely problems anyway. What I *wouldn't* be happy about would be somebody (of any experience level) doing so if they hadn't had their plans and design well checked, hadn't weighed up the risks, couldn't say what their post-install checks would be, what their monitoring plans were, and what their contingency plans were. In my opinion common sense beats both certs and experience hands down, and fortunately none of them are mutually exclusive. Pity common sense isn't easily tested for (and anyway, even the most sensible people tend to have "what the hell did I do that for" episodes occasionally). JMcL Important: This e-mail is intended for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is confidential, commercially valuable or subject to legal or parliamentary privilege. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that any review, re-transmission, disclosure, use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited by several Commonwealth Acts of Parliament. If you have received this communication in error please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this transmission together with any attachments. Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=44674&t=44653 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
