SAMMY YOKA
Nairobi
Summary
Results-driven Network Engineer with 9 years of expertise designing, deploying and maintaining robust data communication networks and systems, specializing in adapting business networks to emerging work realities in LAN, WAN, Data Center and Cloud environments
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Network and Systems Specialist
Planet Earth TV, LLC
Shelby, NC 28152, United States
03.2020 - Current
- Built and implemented an automated monitoring solution for the NOC, tracking vendor feed SLAs, network and systems uptime and managed escalations, reducing fault detection and resolution from a matter of days down to minutes, improving service availability by over 90%
- Automated service failover to standby resources for production systems, reducing downtime by almost 95%
- Overhauled the production network, implemented multicast routing and optimized overall network performance
- Implemented a central authentication framework for internal Linux systems
- Optimized resource usage by implementing containerization technologies, freeing up resources that would then be repurposed for high availability, failover, and disaster recovery
- Constantly finding innovations to fix or improve on the current technical limitations the internal systems experience.
Senior Network Engineer
BRCK
Nairobi, Kenya
02.2019 - 03.2020
- I played a key role to facilitate the smooth transition of EveryLayer and Surf networks, processes and software systems to BRCK
- Enhanced BRCK's Moja mobile hotspot offering (a service with 300,000 active users and 3.7 million impressions) through the integration of EveryLayer's systems, tools and methods for broadband deployment
- Architected the integration of IP based LTE data network into the production network as BRCK ventured into LTE deployments with the focus on cheap LTE solutions based on the opensource Magma platform
- Served as lead network architect for network expansion projects, and design and networks for deployments into new countries (recently the DRC)
- Constantly optimizing network functions and infrastructure for the Moja platform deployed in Kenya and Rwanda.
Network Operations Manager
EVERYLAYER
Nairobi, Kenya
06.2017 - 02.2019
- Set up the NOC department, defining NOC engineer job descriptions and hiring and training a NOC team
- Designed specific escalation processes for detected faults, defining response hierarchies to promote optimal outcomes.
- Developed and documented network policies, procedures and standards.
- Maximized system availability through development and testing of contingency plans.
- Devised scripts and automation tools to improve system efficiency.
- Trained both field and NOC engineers on certification curricula, helping most of them to attain CCNA and CCNP certifications.
Network Engineer
EVERYLAYER
Nairobi, Kenya
06.2016 - 02.2019
- Co-architected EveryLayer's network solutions to create technically robust and scalable designs that are simple to deploy, mostly tailored to the low-cost/low- power needs of emerging broadband markets
- Built, trained and overseaw the Network Operations Center, serving in capacity as a NOC engineer and later manager myself in EveryLayer’s subsidiary (Surf Kenya) with the goal to streamline and simplify ISP management for the service which built and deployed systems offering disruptive new ways to deliver and monetize hotspot Internet
- Assisted the technical aspects of the successful Express WiFi collaboration with Facebook to roll the service out across Kenya, which saw the network grow to 1200+ hotspots and 200,000+ monthly active users across 22 cities in Kenya
- Worked in R&D in collaboration with Facebook under this role, contributing to the development, deployment and integration of multiple new products for testing a cross the vast countrywide networks
- Most notable was the pilot for Facebook’s Project Terragraph which involved a self-organizing mesh AP system for agile deployments in urban areas to greatly reduce infrastructure deployment costs
- This IP has been deployed as Facebook Terragraph and also licensed to Cambium for their Mesh WiFi Product line
Managing Director and Co-Founder
Fortin Limited
Nairobi, Kenya
08.2015 - 08.2017
- Led change and transformation across business areas to deliver benefits and align company resources.
- Prepared annual budgets with controls to prevent overages.
- Negotiated new annual contracts and service agreements with vendors to achieve prime pricing.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Collaborated with the Strathmore Energy Research Center with the sole responsibility of maintaining Strathmore University’s 0.6MW Online Solar Grid system which powered the campuse’s entire electrical system, with the surplus sold to the national grid.
NOC Engineer
EVERYLAYER, Surf
Nairobi, Kenya
06.2016 - 06.2017
- Monitored and maintained network and software components according to established guidelines and best practices.
- Kept detailed documentation on each support ticket and added lessons learned to knowledge base.
- Exceeded SLA standards for response times and problem resolution.
- Troubleshot routers, layer 2 and 3 switches, and network firewalls.
- Scheduled infrastructure upgrades and software update rollouts around high traffic times to maintain network availability.
- Updated internal customers regarding open tickets and status of resolutions.
- Configured IP assignment, core network configuration, and DNS setup for new users.
- Designed, tested and implemented network servers, infrastructure and software.
- Coordinated with technical support, service provisioning and sales teams to deliver network services at or above SLA requirements.
- Led preventive and corrective network and infrastructure maintenance requirements.
Computer Lab Technician
Strathmore University
Nairobi, Kenya
06.2015 - 03.2016
- Carried out maintainance and configuriation of workstation terminals across 8 computer labs with a capacity of over 500 workstations used by both students and staff for lectures, research and intra/internet resource access
- Managed network, hardware, software and Active Directory systems to maintain optimal functionality
- I also played a key role in the deployment and commissioning of 400 new workstations as part of the laboratory upgrade lifecycle
- I earned commendations for teamwork, flexibility and work excellence in providing IT support to students and faculty.
Director of Technical Operations
Clem Creative Computing Company
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2013 - 08.2015
- Handled and delivered technical solutions to clients including network design, computer and network installation, maintenance and repair and consultancy on systems specifications and procurement.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Telecommunications
Strathmore University
Nairobi, Kenya2016
Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert Routing And Switching (CCIE-RS) - Network Engineering
Self Study
Mikrotik Certified Inter-Networking Engineer MTCINE - Network Engineering
Self Study
Huawei Certified Datacom Associate - Network Engineering
Strathmore University
Nairobi, KenyaHigh School Diploma -
St. Peter’s Mumias High School
Kenya2010
Skills
- Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
- IP Traffic Engineering
- Routing; OSPF, BGP, ISIS, EIGRP
- WAN/LAN/Carrier Network Architecture
- Network Device Monitoring
- Data Center Architecture
- Telecommunications Systems
- Network Configuration; Cisco, Arista, Juniper, Ubiquiti, Mikrotik and many other platforms
- Network Operations
- Firewall Functionality
- Remote Work Support
- Fixed Wireless Networks
- Software Defined Networking
- Virtualization; VMWare, Xen, XCP-NG, Proxmox VE
- Containerization; Docker
- Automation; Ansible
- Linux System Administration
Languages
Swahili
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
German
Elementary
A2
Timeline
Network and Systems Specialist
Planet Earth TV, LLC
03.2020 - Current
Senior Network Engineer
BRCK
02.2019 - 03.2020
Network Operations Manager
EVERYLAYER
06.2017 - 02.2019
Network Engineer
EVERYLAYER
06.2016 - 02.2019
NOC Engineer
EVERYLAYER, Surf
06.2016 - 06.2017
Managing Director and Co-Founder
Fortin Limited
08.2015 - 08.2017
Computer Lab Technician
Strathmore University
06.2015 - 03.2016
Director of Technical Operations
Clem Creative Computing Company
01.2013 - 08.2015
Bachelor of Science - Telecommunications
Strathmore University
Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert Routing And Switching (CCIE-RS) - Network Engineering
Self Study
Mikrotik Certified Inter-Networking Engineer MTCINE - Network Engineering
Self Study
Huawei Certified Datacom Associate - Network Engineering
Strathmore University
High School Diploma -
St. Peter’s Mumias High School