Roger McGrath

Background

About Roger McGrath

Iv been working in telecommunications for over 26 years and have seen many changes. From installing second analog phone lines to accommodate dial-up internet connections to rebuilding entire towns to allow super fast broadband and more recently installing optical equipment in full fibre networks to achieve 1Gbps speeds or higher. The tools have also changed along the way. From very basic analog telephone testers and simple RF meters to more advanced spectrum analysers. I currently use a combination of OTDRs, optical power meters and inspection probes and will normally login to either routers or versus optical equipment to verify ports and configurations. HFC. I proud to say if needed I could install a modem in a customers home, run the cable to the cabinet. Install and configure the amplifier. Align the forward and return path back to the fibre-node. Install and align the node. Build and splice the fibre joint if needed. Install and splice the tray in the headend and then run and setup headed equipment back to the CMTS/10k. I’d be happy fault finding and doing all aspects of maintenance on the network, while having the ability to setup and install enterprise routing equipment at the customer premises. Along with the normal Wi-Fi related issues. PON. Very similar to my HFC experience I can go from one side of the network to the other, building and splicing along the way to the PON cabinet. At which point I can splice the ODF/PAN, patch through the matrix. And do the final setup. Testing and inspecting the fibres as I go. PON networks are in many ways easier to manage but the issues with Wi-Fi at the customer end are the same, and again I’m very comfortable working on the CPE. Routing and switching. I decided in 2023 to move towards the network side and increase my knowledge of networking. For me it’s the next big challenge and It will complete my understanding. I have a home-lab and I’m in the process of completing my CCNA. I have a good understanding of routing protocols and entry level configurations, my knowledge is growing daily and I’m excited to see what the future holds. On a professional note I work with Cisco and juniper daily, installing and maintaining the physical equipment in the field and as time goes on I will be more involved configuration side of the network.