Charles P. Dixon

Field Force Instructor - Optical Technical Accomplishments

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• 1830 PSS 4/16/32 Field Force World-Wide Courseware Deployment:

• We were approached by the ION group and GNPI to use the 1830 PSS courseware developed by Kurt and myself to be used world-wide.  Kurt and I already had PowerPoint slides, an exam question pool and a hands-on testing procedure for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 training.  (Level 3 became troubleshooting and advanced system configuration procedures.)  Working with our European counterparts, we developed region specific ANSI/ETSI versions of our training courses.  These versions are currently being used world-wide for all FF training.

• I performed a world-wide virtual presentation for the GMPLS/GMRE version of the 1830 PSS-32 system using the 1350OMS Management System.  I conducted 2 virtual presentations where there were 50 to 70 remote attendees. 

• I performed multiple classes for Field Force attendees from North America (NAM), South America (CALA) and Global 3rd party candidates.

• I conducted several Level 3 GMPLS/GMRE training presentations with the remote attendees from the NAM and South American (CALA Region) performing remote configuration tasks.

• I became involved with Kelley Bounds on the implementation of a VM 1830PSS-32 simulator.  Kelley had received an 1830PSS-32 simulator from our R&D team in NJ.  I worked with Kelley to understand the inner workings of the simulator.  This was an awesome opportunity since I had previous experience as a UNIX system administrator. I studied the 1830WIKI page and learned how to set up 1830 Virtual Machines.  Danny Hickman had received several obsolete HP server blades and a SUN microsystem Server blade.  I researched the HP and SUN blades and determined that they would be capable of running CentOS and the 1830 VMs.  I reconfigured the server blades loading CentOS and all of the software to support the 1830 SIMs using the 1830WIKI as a guide.  I was able to create several SIMs as ROADMs, TOADMs and linear systems.

• My UNIX System Administrator experience came in useful when Kelley's VM computer crashed after a power outage.  I used Redhat Linux manuals, created the CentOS recovery disk and restored the system.  I continue to operate Linux systems as a hobby in my spare time.  I recently used Oracles' Virtualbox to install Ubuntu Linux in a VM on my Windows system.
   

• 1830 PSS 36/64 Field Force World-Wide Courseware Deployment:

• The NOKIA (formerly Alcatel-Lucent) 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) supports next-generation DWDM multiservice, multilayer P-OTN  transport from access to core.

• The scalable switch lets you deploy services rapidly, drives lower TCO and extends network life cycles. The 1830 PSS  transforms traditional WDM into a flexible transport layer with managed agile photonics, multilayer switching and services, plus network intelligence.

• The T/ROADM platform supports a wide range of applications and services such as Metro and long-haul transport, Data center interconnect, Wavelength services, Carrier Ethernet, mobile/broadband backhaul and multicast video. With 1830 PSS platforms ranging from compact access to converged Optical Transport Network (OTN)/WDM core, operators can optimize multiservice networks to meet unpredictable traffic demands.

• I developed the 1830 PSS-36/64 courseware to be used world-wide.  I created PowerPoint slides, an exam question pool and a hands-on testing procedure for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 training.  (Level 3 became troubleshooting and advanced system configuration procedures.) 

•   These versions are currently being used world-wide for all FF training.
   

• 1830 VWM Courseware Development:

• Early in 2017, the 1830VWM CWDM/DWDM system was introduced.  This was sold to VZ and the first systems were being configured in Dublin, OH to be deployed at designated sites around the state.  At this time, there wasn't any 1830VWM training materials available and the sales group was caught off guard.  Never having worked with the 1830VWM, I flew to Dublin and observed over the weekend the hardware installation, rack configuration and system integration procedures.  Everyone involved was learning the 1830VWM for the first time.  I returned to Plano and over a one week span developed the first 1830VWM FF training course.  During this week I created the PowerPoint slides, exam questions and a hands-on procedure for loading the software.  (On one day I created 125 slides working into the wee hours of the morning.  This is another example of my self-motivation, ability to learn and my desire to succeed.)  I laid out the courseware into modules modeled after the EDU training courses.  I performed the first Virtual dry-run of the courseware with the installers that were initially at the Dublin site.  Using feedback from the dry-run, I finely tuned the courseware into 10 modules that covered 1830VWM introduction, small cell front-haul configurations, Level 1 software upgrade procedures and Level 2/3 advanced testing procedures.  I learned to use CPRI test sets, worked closely with the EDU group to order the system hardware and install the hardware in the training lab.  This courseware was also adopted world-wide by Armin Eigensee, GNPI and the FF installation group.

• I assisted in the OLCS document review for new releases of the 1830VWM manuals.
   

• All of the 1830 Courseware that I created can be found on the Nokia ION SharePoint website.
   

• I have trained over 1000 Field Force co-workers in NAM, CALA and world-wide on a variety of ION Optical and IP products.