Job Questions > How would you describe what you did at > Amazon.com > Derek's Answer

I'm proud to have worked at the world's largest online retailer. As a senior engineer in
the Network Architecture team, I was exposed to the cutting edge of computer networking.

Notable experiences include:

Lead architect for network monitoring and analysis projects

I wrote much of the software we used to monitor our global network. Created a network database
to track all equipment and provide a source of record for other monitoring tools. Regularly
wrote custom software to integrate existing monitoring software. Wrote graphing software to
display data about network metrics gathered by a collection agent I wrote. The agent was modular
to allow for any arbitrary collection module to be integrated, and I wrote the SNMP and automated
login module for the collector.

Actively involved in data center network designs

I was involved in creating standards and repeatable designs for rapid data center deployment.
Contributions to this project included IP allocation standards, device configuration standardization,
automation of monitoring for newly deployed equiment, and procedural documentation for datacenter
technicians who deployed new equipment.

Lead architect for all remote site VPN/WAN networks

Soley responsible for network design for all remote sites including remote offices, distribution
centers and customer service centers. Managed timelines and resources across multiple groups to
ensure timelines were met for our extremely aggressive schedule. Deployed over 50 remote sites in
one calendar year, which would not have been feasible without standardization I introduced.

Responsible for subnet assignment and management

I was solely responsible for all IP space at Amazon.com, and wrote software to manage both current
subnets and new allocations. The application would also monitor which subnets were found in router
forwarding tables and would display the information accordingly.

Administration of network monitoring servers (Unix and Windows)

I was our system administrator for our monitoring servers. Most servers were Linux or Solaris, but
a few were regretably running Windows.

At Amazon.com I was exposed to nearly all models of Cisco network equipment. I regularly evaluated yet-to-be-released equipment from various vendors, and provided buying descision guidance. I had daily interaction with load balancers, routers, switches, and firewalls.