Ralph Porter

TheVtamGuy@comcast.net

630.263.6422

 

I am a senior level Communication Systems programmer.  Specialized in SNI, APPN, LU6.2, NCP and all TCP/IP components under z/OS in a Parallel Sysplex environment, including USS.

 

Security Clearance: National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) 03/01/2005

  Provided by Director of Defense Security Service (DSS).

 

SOFTWARE:

Communications: VTAM and TCP/IP: Communications Server to version z/OS V1R9,

                NCP V7R8, EP, SSP.

 

Network:      Tivoli NetView for z/OS to V5R2, NetView AON, NTuneMon, CiscoWorks 2000

 

Diagnostic:   Tivoli NetView Performance Monitor, Computer Associates NetSpy

 

CISCO:        CISCO CIP, DLSW+, STUN, SNA Switching, IOS version 12.x

Comms/OS

Routing:      OSPF, RIP-2, IGRP, EIGRP, IPX/SPX, HPR, DECnet, AppleTalk.

 

MVS:          OS/390 V2R4, z/OS to V1R9, Parallel Sysplex, JES2, TSO, OSA/SF, HCD,

              Redhat Enterprise Linux 5, Unix System Services,

              CL/SuperSession V147, CA-TPX V5.1, Tivoli AF/Operator, IBM Tivoli Systems Automation z/OS, Tivoli Omegamon XE

 

Printing:     IBM InfoPrint, Levy Ray & Shoup VPS V1R7, VPS/TCP/IP V1R8,

              Xerox XPAF V3R0.

 

Languages:    REXX, CLIST, Python, ISPF, Assembler, JCL, Cobol, DB2/SQL, Fortran, C++

 

SNA:          LAN/media protocols (Token Ring, Ethernet), APPN (LU6.2), SNA/SNI

 

TCP/IP:       VIPA, Dynamic VIPA, Enterprise Extender, Sterling Connect:Direct (NDM), FTP, Secure FTP, Open SSH FTP.

 

Trace/Dump:   VTAM Trace Facilities, IP Packet Traces, CTrace

 

PC Network:   Attachmate to v7.1, IBM Personal Communications

              Manager to v5.7, Microsoft SNA Server,

             Microsoft Host Integration Server 2004

 

PC General:   Microsoft Office 2004, Project 2002, Visio 2003

 

HARDWARE:

Mainframes:   IBM Enterprise Server zSeries 990, z9

And Midrange: S/390 Parallel Enterprise Servers 9672, IBM 3090-600 J, 4381,

              ES9000. Stratus, IBM System36, System38, AS/400

FEPs:         IBM 3745/46, 900, 610, 410, 170, 150, 3725, 3720.

MVS:          OSA, OSA-2, OSA-Express, ESCON, BUS and TAG.

Misc.:        Sniffer, various LAN protocol analyzers.

 

Routers

Switches:     CISCO (Catalyst 4000 & 6000 series 2600 & 7600 routers)


Job History:

Confidential Clients, June 2005 - Present

 

Responsibilities:

 

§       Support z/OS Communications Server TCP/IP in a large production and development environment.

§       Senior Network Design.  Re-hosting, acquisitions, CEC consolidations.

§       Deprecate legacy IBM front end processors (3745s)

§       TCP/IP configuration changes

§       Create network infrastructure for new LPAR builds

§       Perform level III problem diagnostics and resolution.

§       New product installations and customization.

§       Develop and communicate IT standards.

§       Document changes in the Mainframe Network environment.

§       Provide training to Command Center personnel.

§       Implement changes to the production environment in accordance with the Enterprise Computing Services rules regarding the change process.

§       Support major infrastructure improvement initiatives (project work).

§       Use performance reports/metrics to identify improvement opportunities.

§       Research and assess new technology for potential deployment. 

§       Conduct change inspections; determine associated risks and readiness for implementation.

 

 

Great American Financial Resources, Cincinnati Ohio, 2005

 

Position: Consultant.

Responsibilities: Provide consulting services for z/OS Communications Server.  Host Integration Server, Connect:Direct.

 

§       Worked with clients LAN/WAN group to design communications solution for transfer of HIPA compliant data from clients trading partners.

§       Installed communications link to AT&T Global network. (AGNS).

§       Installed and configured Microsoft Host Integration Server 2004.

§       Installed and configured Sterling Commerce Connect:Direct.

 

 

 

United States Department of Agriculture, New Orleans Louisiana, 2005

 

Position: Consultant.

Responsibilities:  Provide recommendations to USDA’s National Finance Center in redesigning legacy Systems Network Architecture (SNA) to incorporate Advanced Peer-to-Peer Networking (APPN) and take optimal advantage of IBM’s evolving communications capabilities.  Provide solutions that will provide predictability in network modifications.  Customer has two z900s with 8 LPARS and two Parallel Sysplexes.

 

§       Identified current state of NFC SNA Network.

§       Identified and reprioritized SNA components requiring transition, migration or deletion.

§       Installed APPN with one Interchange Node and two end nodes.

§       Installed OSA/SF.

§       Determined customers LAN requirements in provide OSPF capable routers to support the new VIPA addressing.

§       Installed Enterprise Extender to provide SNI replacement.

§       Created recommendations for implementing security with EE and APPN.

§       Created high-level transition plan for retiring SNA resources (equipment, software licenses, maintenance agreements, service contracts).

§       Created high-level project plan including estimated costs and resource required for implementation of network redesign plan.

 

 

 


FileTek Inc., Rockville Maryland, 2005

 

Position: Consultant.

Responsibilities:  Provide consulting services for z/OS Communications Server.  Retire 3x74 communications controller and replace with Enterprise Extender (HPR/IP) solution.

 

§       Configured z/OS TCP/IP for VIPA addressing and Enterprise Extender support.

§       Configured z/OS TCP/IP for OSPF area and routing.

§       Created and configured z/OS OMPROUTE daemon for OSPF routing.

§       Created VTAM definitions (XCA and Switched Major Nodes) to support MS Host Integration Server 2004.

§       Configured Microsoft Host Integration Server 2004 for LU2 terminals and LU6.2 application traffic.

§       Decommissioned 3x74 controller.

 

 

Novant Health Care, Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte North Carolina, 2003 - 2004

 

Position: Consultant.

Responsibilities:  Provide consulting services for z/OS Communications Server.  Participate in a project to move customer from a single site, two- processor (9672-x27s) and no disaster recovery to a two site, three-processor environment with GDPS for disaster recovery.  Finished customer site comprised of three (3) z990 processors, (two in Fort Mill NC, and one in Charlotte) seven LPARS and two Parallel Sysplexes.  GDPS functions provided by host in Charlotte.  Migrate customer from CA-Jobtrac to Tivoli System Automation for z/OS.

 

§       Migrated subarea network to APPN.  Created One Interchange Node (ICN) and two Migration Data Hosts (MDH).

§       Replaced Channel-to-Channel (CTC) connections with Multipath Connections (MPC).

§       Established SNA over Coupling Facility for backup to MPC connections.

§       Created TN3270 solution, incorporating CL/Supersession to replace SNA gateways.

§       Migrated SNI links off 3745 Front-End processor to OSA-E subarea solution.

§       Decommissioned 3745 Front-End Processor.

§       Migrated z/OS TCP/IP on from static environment to OSPF.

§       Worked LAN support staff to design and implement an OSPF area to support TCP/IP routing from mainframe.

§       Created and configured z/OS OMPROUTE daemon for OSPF routing.

§       Implemented Dynamic VIPA solution in two separate Parallel Sysplexes.

§       Installed IBM Tivoli System Automation for z/OS.

§       Assisted Novant systems staff in converting from CA-Jobtrac to Tivoli System Automation for z/OS.

 

 

Harris Bank and Trust, Chicago Illinois, 1997 - 2003

 

Position: Consultant.

Responsibilities: Provide consulting services for z/OS Communications Server.  Project management of specialized projects.  Support member of Infrastructure Support Group.  Support disaster recovery testing. 

§       Migrated mainframe terminal access and host printing from SNA gateway connections to TN3270E access and enterprise wide IP based printing.

§       Installed IBM InfoPrint IP printing solution.

§       Converted 60 SNA based printers to InfoPrint IP printing.

§       Migrated Token Ring attached resources to Cisco based switching infrastructure.

§       Migrated mainframe IP traffic from Front-end processors to OSA Express.

§       Designed and managed a new network solution for a spin-off of Harris’s Corporate Trust division to a third party.

§       Migrated mainframe IP traffic from IBM 3172’s to 3745/900-frame.

§       Installed Cisco TCP/IP/IPX ISDN solution for remote banks in Arizona.

§       Installed VPS over IP for Xerox printer replacement.

§       Upgrade system software to Y2K supported levels;

§       Installed NetView AON and coded operations monitoring systems using S390/REXX execs, CLISTS and JCL.

§       Coded VTAM user exits in Assembler for security issues, performance and systems initiation.

§       Maintained NCP for IBM 37xx controllers.

§       Installed VTAM Version 4.4; VPS 6.2.

§       Created various CLISTS/REXX Execs' for network automation. 

§       Created CICS 4.1 Year2k regions. 

§       Installed TCP/IP MVS and 3172(s).

 

 

Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Illinois. 1991 - 1997

 

Title: Senior Data Communications Software Specialist.

 

Responsibilities: Design, installation and maintenance of corporate wide area network.  Provide technical support and documentation for operations division.

 

§       Designed and implemented the replacement solution for a point-to-point SNA backbone network with Frame-Relay and Cisco router solution.  I participated in Frame-Relay vendor evaluation and selection.  I was responsible for design and coordination of implementation of both the Frame-Relay and Cisco router WAN network solutions.

 

§       Designed and implemented an APPN and APPC for the LAN/WAN.  Established corporate standards for the computer systems used by our clearing members (Paine Webber, Merrill Lynch etc.).  Design and implementation of migration paths of our currently installed SUBAREA WAN to a combination of SUBAREA/APPN WAN.  Directing the efforts of both CME staff and clearing member's staff in completing this task.

 

§       Developed Network automation and monitoring systems using S390/REXX execs, CLISTS and JCL.

 

§       Coded VTAM user exits in Assembler for security issues, performance and systems initiation.

 

§       Established corporate standards for 3270 terminal emulation from token ring attached PC workstations running DOS, Windows and OS/2.  Established communication links between network servers to IBM mainframe computers for the purpose of software distributions and maintenance.  Installed and developed operating procedures for the use of IBM's Netview Distribution Manager and DM/2 for both software and data distribution from the host to the PCs.

 

§       Day to day technical support responsibilities for SNA/SDLC and TCP/IP connected systems such as AS/400s, RS/6000s, Wang, DEC. and Personal Computers.  Support over one hundred such systems for Remote Job Entry (RJE), 3270 Emulation, 5250 Emulation and IBM's MQM LU6.2 transaction processing systems.  Also support the 3270 emulation for corporate token ring attached workstations and direct connected terminals.

 

 

 

Dominick's Finer Foods, Northlake Illinois, 1986 - 1991

 

Title: Network Specialist.

§       Maintained NCP for IBM 37xx controllers.

§       Installed and maintained OLTP credit authorization system

§       Installed and maintained Network switch system for external tender verifications of Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

§       Designed, Installed maintained IBM/SEARS Prodigy Network Interface.

§       Converted remote dial lines from BSC/SNA to SDLC/SNA leased lines.

 

Title: Senior Programmer/Analysis.

§       Developed billing file consolidation system using S390/REXX execs, CLISTs and JCL

§       Maintained credit card and check cashing card systems with Cobol and Assembler.

§       Installed and maintained AS/400 and associated applications.

 

Title: Store Systems Programmer/Analysis

§       Installed customized and maintained IBM 4680 Point of Sale Systems.

§       Designed installed and maintained software change management.

§       Installed and maintained 3rd party Point of Sale applications.

§       Personal management in the form of Team Leader Store Systems.

 

 

 

Formal Training and Education:

College of Dupage, (Illinois). A.A.S. Computer Science.

 

§       Redhat Linux – Essentials

§       PM – Essentials of IT Projects

§       PM -  Essentials of Cross-functional Project Management

§       Advanced Cisco Router Configuration.

§       Introduction to Cisco Router Configuration.

§       CISCO Routers Troubleshooting and Maintenance.

 

§       IBM VTAM/NCP Token-Ring Implementation and Tuning

§       IBM TCP/IP Networking Workshop

§       IBM AIX Version 4. Basics

§       IBM VTAM/APPN Implementation

§       IBM APPN Concepts, Architecture and Migration

§       IBM NETVIEW/DM - NETVIEW/DM2 Implementation.

§       IBM VTAM/NCP Implementation.

§       IBM VTAM/NCP Multi-System Networks Implementation.

§       IBM VTAM/NCP Multi-Systems SNI Implementation.

§       IBM CICS Basic Tailoring and Configuration

§       IBM CICS Product Planning

§       IBM CICS/ESA Security and RACF

§       IBM JES2 Facilities and Implementation.

§       IBM 4680 Planning and Installation;

§       IBM Cabling Systems.

§       Shared Financial Systems Training

§       STRATUS Systems Training

§       SRA Training; ATS Training; IBM Personalized Learning Services.

§       Various IBM short courses and seminars related to data processing and personal computer maintenance.