cable modem provisioning question...more toward work stuff

[mojo]

i'm posting this question here because it's a question regarding work...or getting a job really.

there's an employer that's pretty local that's asking for experience provisioning modems. they're asking for a few years experience doing it, but i don't get the big deal.

now, i've given the info from an enduser's standpoint like a bazillion times (where bazillion equals "more than 5, and probably a lot more than that"). i'm familiar with dhcp and static, and the info i've given has just been the ser# and the MAC-daddy address. then of course it's a bunch of modem cycling and whatnot. i also know stuff like the sequence by which the modem picks up the lan signal and requests the config stuff and stuff like that (typically).

so i'm wondering if there is a bunch more stuff that the employer would be looking for to do this? i'd like to apply for the job, and i've done tech support for mad long...so i know those routines. so is there some stuff that goes on from the providers' standpoint that i'm missing here?

thanks in advance.

your friend, and i know he's mine,
mojo

ps
i think you left the iron on :eek:

[caribiner23]

I believe "provisioning" involves getting the address of the modem and downloading a config file to the user's end. I am certain there's a process to give the new modem routes to the cable company's network, but beyond that I can't imagine what else would be involved.

ATTBI has this entire process automated, at least from the user's end; when you plug in a new cable modem, you go to a web site for your region and press the button that says "provision new modem" or something like that. The config is automatically downloaded and seconds later you're able to surf.

I highly doubt this is rocket science, and based on the people I've met and spoken to at cable companies if you have DHCP and other networking skills, you are ahead of the game already.

Good luck!

[mojo]

yeah, that's pretty much where i am with it. i'm wondering why they specify so much that i need to have that much dsl experience with provisioning when...i do have general tech support experience and have that routine down and stuff...and have used cable modems enough to know that stuff. i mean what's the big secret here that they can't just show me specifics and call it a day?

[caribiner23]

Are you speaking with anyone in particular? If so, is it a hiring manager or an HR person?

If it's a hiring manager, s/he sprobably want to see if you know your stuff, and you should be able to dazzle him/her with your other networking knowledge and tech support experience.

If it's an HR person, tell him/her that you believe you have the experience they're looking for and ask for an interview with the hiring manager. HR people rarely know what they're talking about-- they only read the requisitions.

If you're reading an ad, go straight to the recommendation immediately above. It's probably meant to screen out the people who are really unqualified.

[mojo]

all the nerds here and nobody knows this one? i don't believe it :dodgy:

oh, and i guess i shoulda said "dsl" and not cable modem...