Toni Noble

Interactive Network Inc - Pioneering Wireless Gaming

Interactive Network, was a successful startup, focused on research and development, and held patents in high regard. Although the company was relatively small in size, it had a national reach.

I was introduced to a vibrant network environment, one that was growing rapidly. The network spanned across various operating systems, including Novell Netware, Windows, Apple, UNIX and Solaris. My role involved managing servers, network protocols such as IPX, IP, and AppleTalk, and implementing and maintaining the network using a combination of repeaters, stackable switches Alantec Power Hub and Kalpana/Cisco switches for efficient trunk aggregation. Through Novell Netware OS, servers supported Network Loadable Modules (NLM) mounting Network Filing Service (NFS) for UNIX native files and Apple Filing Protocol (AFP) for Apple native files and Novell Directory Service (NDS) for account authentication. In addition, NLMs supported backup and antivirus. I learned to design and build networks to support game production labs and corporate departments’; executive, finance, marketing, software and hardware development, production, operations, warehouse, and information technology.

As the company rapidly expanded, I had the unique opportunity to scale our network infrastructure and gain Greenfield experience. We underwent three building moves, each time upgrading our technology stack to keep up with the demands of a fast-growing startup. Our buildings were multi-story with catwalks between floors, and we utilized fiber connections between the buildings. I was closely mentored by a very senior engineer from a Nuclear Energy Plant, who served as a guiding light in my early years.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

Network General - Mastering Network Management Solutions

Network General was a medium-sized company, but it was rapidly expanding, focusing on research and development and it was nationally and internationally recognized.

My role at Network General introduced me to a more extensive network environment and was multifaceted, aligning with the focus on network management solutions. I managed a full enterprise network, similarly, including Novell Netware, Windows, Apple, UNIX and Solaris servers with network protocols such as IPX, IP, and AppleTalk supported by NLMs. Complexity grew as we integrated multiple remote sales offices using Frame-Relay, ISDN, and dial-in remote access, and upgrading server hardware to RAID drives. I delved deep into the company's product of Distributed Sniffer Servers located in each IDF and MDF. Detailed documentation and network diagrams were essential for efficient operations. I supported development labs and corporate departments, including executive, finance, marketing, software and hardware development, production, operations, and information technology.

I became well-versed in protocol analysis, traffic analysis, and network diagnostics. I grasped the intricacies of managing a medium-sized company's network, and it marked a significant progression in my career.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

NASA Ames Research Center - Advancing into the Future

In this role, I was immersed in advanced networking technologies, with a full scientific network. Our network was connected to the Multimedia Backbone (MBone), NFSNET, Arpanet, and the Federal Internet Exchange (FIX). I became competent in managing Cisco-switched VLANs, Network Probes, and implementing multicast switching with PIM sparse mode and IGMP on the Multimedia Backbone (MBone) to support a custom multimedia application for video, audio and white board worldwide project development for local UNIX and Apple Systems. In addition, implementing SNMP, to support the Security Operations Center, with a global reach and equipped with large screens displaying worldwide network maps.

It was here that I witnessed how advanced networking technologies supported groundbreaking scientific missions. My skills and knowledge were expanding rapidly as I ventured deeper into the realms of advanced technology.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

Computer Curriculum Corporation - Nurturing Education through Technology

CCC was a well-established medium size company, owned by Simon and Schuster and Viacom. All three company’s enterprise networks were interconnected. CCC had a national reach.

The educational sector introduced new complexities, especially when dealing with large-scale learning software networks for K12 schools. This experience provided a fresh perspective on the vital role that network engineers play in diverse industries. Again similarly, a full enterprise network Novell Netware, Windows, Apple, UNIX and a legacy mainframe with network protocols such as IPX, IP, and AppleTalk supported by NLMs and network infrastructure services DHCP and DNS. Complexity grew with a dual FDDI Ring spanning fiber cables between 5 clustered buildings and T1 WAN links between 3 distanced buildings. Additional frame-relay connections to 5 remote sites for network access and reverse telnet tunnel printing for the legacy mainframe. A Perimeter Network for Internet access with a firewall and DMZ for webservers and external DNS. Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDFs) and Main Distribution Frames (MDFs) were essential components of our network architecture. Developer desks where cabled to access both lab and corporate networks through the IDFs.

In addition I obtained more Greenfield experience, when 5 buildings where total gutted and the employees moved to trailers for a complete remodel. The newest Cisco catalyst switch and router models came straight out of the box and new IP Addressing schemes were designed.

The network spanned many departments: executive, finance, marketing, software development, production, operations, legal, tech pubs, and information technology. My time at Computer Curriculum Corporation was a period of learning and growth. I thoroughly explored the complexities of children's software development, network design, and lab design.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

Applied Micro - Unveiling the World of Processors

Applied Micro (AMCC) was medium size and heavy into mergers and acquisitions. In addition, the company contracted with several foreign design development companies in Israel, UK, Romania, and India.

Again the network was a full enterprise network and spanned across multiple technologies. Our servers primarily ran Windows NT and Solaris systems. Complexity grew when we handled compute farming, load sharing, and clustering in High-Performance Computing (HPC) data center architecture. The network involved Cisco routers and gigabit switches, HA and redundant supervisor modules and complex configurations like Site-to-Site VPNs and High Availability (HA) firewalls. Companywide live streaming video meetings were run on Real Servers and Edge Cache systems. Remote access was established for Global Roaming.

My experience at Applied Micro was transformative. I immersed myself in the world of processor development, data centers, and distributed processing. Worldwide firewalls and site-to-site VPNs were no longer mysteries to me. I also gained a deep understanding of large computing power labs and their intricate designs.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

Wells Fargo - Venturing into the Financial Hub and Contract Projects

Wells Fargo was of a huge size and their focus was on maintaining security, precision, and uptime in a highly documented environment. Contract Project teams were used for quick implementation of new changes in technology.

The network environment was complex, featuring Frame-Relay and point-to-point connections, which supported 4500 bank ATM money systems on a national scale. The network routing protocols involved OSPF and BGP, and Configuration Control Management was a critical aspect of the role.

I was part of a team focused on upgrading a significant number of routers and Frame-Relay links with utmost precision and security. The role emphasized the importance of maintaining uptime in a highly documented environment.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

Samsung - Router Development and Testing, Contract Project

Samsung was a large company and focused on research and development. It was nationally and internationally recognized. Contract Project teams were used for quick develop of technology.

My role required network and security test engineering in a multi-vendor testing lab with a multitude of top performing routers and switches, including products from Cisco, Juniper, Foundry, and high-end network testing systems Ixia, and Spirent. The network technologies ranged from high-speed fiber connections to various T1 and T3 channelized and non-channelized configurations such as DS0, and DS3, Ethernet, and VLAN. The focus was on network routing protocols and hardware testing systems. Extensive testing, including network simulation with the IXIA system for layer 3 routing protocols, RIP v1 and v2, IGRP, OSPF AND BGP and tunneling protocols, GRE, and IPSEC and layer 2 and 3 multicast.

I gained insights into the intricate processes of router development. This was a world where innovation and new technology were the norm.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

California State Bar - Navigating the Legal Landscape, Contract Project

The California State Bar was small and not-for-profit company, serving only the one state of California. It had a reach of over 250,000 lawyers. Contract work was used for new architecture implementation.

In this role, I discovered the nuances of supporting a large offsite remote community and managing multiple security levels of DMZ traffic flow. This was also a lesson in creating a network architecture tailored for a not-for-profit organization. The network spanned dual sites, north and south intra state locations with Windows OS servers and Cisco Routers, Switches and Firewalls, forming the LAN, WAN, and Internet with load balancer supporting a vast network of remote lawyers with heavy DMZ usage.

This was a unique venture into the legal sector and the not-for-profit purchasing model.

05/2024 - Toni Noble

Intuitive Surgical, Inc - Revolutionizing Robotic Surgery

Intuitive Surgical was a highly successful medium-sized medical research and development company that held patents in high regard. The company operated on a national and international scale.

My time at Intuitive Surgical is marked by a deep dive into high-tech medical and robotic technology. The network environment was complex, encompassing enterprise and IoT networks, laboratories, manufacturing and research and development facilities. Here, I was introduced to the intricacies of regulatory compliance in a highly regulated environment. This involved verifying and validating requirements through rigorous testing and document control to secure regulatory approval, obtaining multi-departmental signature approvals, and ensuring the highest standards in robotics. I became well-versed in the workflow of requirements and detailed test writing which encompasses threat modeling, vulnerability analysis, and Pen testing. Additionally, I implemented the proven design and configuration into the production network.

My cross-engineering and multi-departmental communications were extensive, ranging from collaborating with the development team to participating in the biomedical team's validation testing of surgical safety and cybersecurity. This involved performing Pen testing on the networked robot IoT system, with a live pig on the operating table and a veterinarian by its side.

What distinguishes this phase is my significant immersion in the realm of integrating enterprise networking with robotics IoT. I've been actively engaged in comprehending and contributing to the dynamic evolution of networking and securing robotic surgery, a domain with vast potential to revolutionize healthcare practices.

05/2024 - Toni Noble