2009/12/26

The Myths and Facts of Protocol Testing


 always wanted share some of the thoughts of so called Protocol Testing, thanks to web log which has provided me a podium to share this. Forget about common man, many in the IT arena itself, professionals think that protocol testing is hard to understand and that is the only reason people tend to obstinate from pursuing this as their favorite career. Let me clear some of the doubts for those people who wish to pursue this as their long term career.
Myths:
Am not from CS/EC engg background and hence this is not my cup of coffee. Its hard to learn. Should know every TDH of Computer Communication. Done software testing course and know only application software testing and hence finding this as difficult. Don’t know what the heck this protocol means. Should be expert in scripting languages like Perl, Tcl, etc. Should be sound in C Programming. Have sound knowledge in Protocols but don’t have testing experience and hence my profile doesn’t match the requirement. Not finding any institutes offering this course….. and the list goes on…
Facts:
Though CS and E&C background is necessary for this profile it is not mandatory, I have seen many guys from Electrical, Mechanical,IT, streams who are doing very well in this field. I think it is just a matter of preference. You don’t have to know every networking concept on this earth.
I have been in this field for more than 3 years and i never find it difficult to learn albeit nothing comes without hard work. If you are already did your software testing course then you are half done, now read all the networking basics and put in your resume. You don’t have to know each and every protocol in networking technology just make sure that you know at least 3 protocols (like RIP,OPSF,ISIS,BGP,SNMP,IPSEC etc). You don’t have to be expert in scripting but atleast brush up the Tcl/Tk basics, i think it will take around 3-4 days if you know C program.
Even if you are not good in programming don’t worry, all good programmers will be there to write codes. We are here to test and for testing you don’t have to know programming although it helps in exploring new test cases. I have seen many people complaining about don’t having testing experience but knowing in and out of protocols functionality, my advice for them is to get enroll in one of the testing course institute. I know, not many institutes are offering protocol testing course. My suggestion is just hang on with Google you will get everything, again it entirely depends on acumen of your searching.
Cisco Certifications do matter a lot if your planning for a long term career. Certifications not only helps you in enhancing your skill/knowledge but also get you recognition which is priceless, esp when you did with your Certifications such as CCIE,CCSP..etc.
Finally, knowing all the above said things will sometimes put you in soup, unless your CV matches the requirement. At this point of time i urge you to write your resume with utmost care, get sample resumes from Google do lot of groundwork before coming up with your final resume.
I have tried my best to clear some of the doubts, do let me know your comments if you have anything to suggest/share.
Source:bestarticle.org

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