Iteration On Storage Area Networking

By Author: Sherry Roberts
Total Articles: 81
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Plan
Before I would begin my internship in Vision Technology, I made a visit to the company and got a brochure to help me have an overview of what the company did. I was to work as an intern in storage area network administration, and so I had to plan early for the orientation session. I had a look at the document and realized that much was in requirement, and I also had a general overview of the company structure. I wanted to understand in this iteration on orientation, how the company operated, how the business processes took place in the company and the general working conditions. I had the plan to understand how the company worked to meet their goals, vision, and mission as well as their general objectives.
I made a simple plan concerning the things that I would like to have more understanding on during the orientation session. The personal plan would help me to make the necessary inquiries and develop more attention to the vital elements regarding the company functionality. I planned to have an understanding of the way the management of the business worked and what type of structure of the enterprise. I planned ...
... to find out if it was a line organizational structure, divisional organizational structure, functional organizational structure, matrix organizational structure or hybrid. The knowledge of the organizational structure would help me to understand how it functioned and how the reporting of issues takes place.
I planned to acquire knowledge during the orientation session on what the company required of me as a storage area network administrator and how I would help them accomplish their goals. I also planned to know the ethical standards that were in place in the company so as to know how I would operate as an intern in the company. I wanted to know the warmth of the relationships that existed in the company and if the management were friendly or dictatorial. That insight would help me know how to approach them and how to handle issues minus any conflicts with the managers and other employees.
Action
At eight on the dot, I was at the administration reception of the company ready for the orientation task that was to take the better of the whole week. I had somebody top lead me through to the human room where the orientation was to begin. I realized that the orientation entailed two phases: the theory part and the practical part. The theory part of the orientation was to be in the room where the various company features were would have an explanation by the relevant company staff and management. The theory part of the orientation would involve the walking around the company and making observations of the structure and the processes. The human resource manager later joined, and other interns in the room and with her were some five staff members.
The human resource manager explained to me about the general company structure and the way they worked. She talked about the interns’ obligation for the company and tried to emphasize that the interns were as essential as other employees except for the payments. She explained the interns would operate with high ethical standards both in the company and the society at large because the company had an obligation to the community and the state. The company was to pay back to the society to help them grow and prosper, and it was also to abide by the government regulations and code of conduct as well as working conditions. She said that the preservation of a clean environment was one of their core values.
The other staff also who were in the orientation helped me to understand the company structure and my obligation as a storage area network administration. The system administrator said the company information was vital and my I would have to handle it with care as required by the company. We went round with the employees also to have a glance at the company processes and the various staff and administration offices. We had an introduction to various company top managers and their functions in the company. The orientation ended with the HR giving us a breakdown of the next iteration so as to prepare well for it.
Observation
I observed that the company had a staff and organizational structure with the line functions being production as well as marketing. On the other hand, the staff functions were personnel, research and development, quality control, accounting, and finance. The functions had a clear division so as to avoid any conflicts that might arise due to the lack of clear definition of the lines of authority. I also observed that the employees had good organization and were smart, and that made the company’s reputation to be high and commendable to the community and also to the state. I observed that the company carried out consultation services across the globe, and it had clients from all over the world. They did not even know all their clients physically, but they had much value for them.
I observe that the company was always on toes in finding new ways of doing business and every department had an obligation to devise new and better methods of carrying out their responsibilities. I also made an observation that the IT department was very vital in the organization as it was the one to carry out the automation of the processes in the company. They had to make use of the latest technology to carry out marketing and another business process as they knew that it would keep them in the market. I also observed from the notice board that the company received some rewards in the past years in the light of their deployment of the latest technologies in their business processes.
I observed that the company compound was very clean, and there were litter disposal bins all over and even outside the compound. In also observed that the interns make the company shift some of the roles of the employees to the interns so as to ensure that every employee is busy throughout. I also observed that some managers did not arrive in the right time although the employees had to arrive at least seven thirty in the morning. I also observed that the company valued their clients very much despite the fact that they did not know many of their clients physically. The company always had contact with their esteemed clients and sometimes they gave a discount to them so as to motivate them.
Reflection
The orientation had a good conduction with the persons in charge of orientation coming at the right time. The company had a well organization, and there were clear lines of authority, thus, avoiding conflicts. The company environment was clean and the litter bins were in proper disposal areas including outside the gate. The company employees were also very smart, and that kept their reputation to be commendable. The human resource manager was somebody approachable, and she was friendly to the employees. The staff that was orienting us also was very close and helped us wherever possible. That made the orientation process to end within the time allotted for it with everything handled as planned. The company employees also kept time as they always arrived at work early in the morning to prepare for the day’s activities.
The company also valued their clients very much as they always had contact with them. On top of that, the company employed very nice promotion strategies by giving their clients some discounts on their products and services, and that increased their loyalty. The company also applied business intelligence and maintained well their customer relationship system to ensure clients remained loyal and that they got the services to their best interest. All the systems in the company had a perfect coordination of tasks, and the faults mitigation did not take much time to have mitigation because of the experts in place. There were clear guidelines for reporting of issues in the company, the issues that would endanger information and asset security.
There are few things that did not go well as per my examination of the company during the orientation period. For instance, some of the managers arrived late for work despite the fact that the employees and the human resource manager arrived in good time. The company valued their clients more than they valued their employees. That was because the management did not have such programs as the rewarding ceremonies and the giving of a gift to their employees as they did to their clients. There was also not much value attached to the interns as it was the case for the company’s employees due to the lack of giving of wages to interns just like employees.
 
Iteration 2: training
Plan
From the training timetable given to me from the previous iteration, I had some know-how on what this iteration would entail and due to that I would prepare appropriately. I developed my goals for the session that was to take two weeks, and those goals were in the line of the training session timetable. I had a look at the timetable and realized that some of the items on it I had a good amount of knowledge but I wanted to know the new things that the training would entail. I carried out some research by revisiting my notes on the areas that were familiar with so as to remind myself of what I learned earlier in school.
I also had a review of the other areas that I was not familiar with by consulting various sources such as books, magazines, and the Internet. That gave me a good basis on which to begin so that I would not be ignorant of many things, and yet it was my area of specialization. I also had a look at the company rules so as to be familiar with them. I had a look at the company website and familiarized myself in the way they conduct their business across the globe. I had a look at the various techniques in place for the company to ensure that its information systems are safe and secure from the information security incidents. I also had a look at the various ways and technologies the company deploys in data storage.
I planned to have more knowledge in the area of system administration as I did not have much knowledge of it especially the practical knowledge. I planned to acquire a quality of knowledge from this session and the subsequent ones that would help to back up the theoretical knowledge that I had from class. I planned to pay attention to the technical areas that were problematic ion class and the areas that the project would entail. I planned to prepare for the project assignment from this session so that I would handle my project with less difficulty. I planned always to be attentive during the session and make any queries as would be necessary so as to enhance my understanding of the technical areas.
Action
I ensured that I was punctual on the material day of training as I arrived in the company compound by seven thirty just like other employees of the company. I had somebody guide me to the training room, and there I met several other interns ready for the training session. We had a share of knowledge amongst ourselves, and I learned some new things from my fellow interns that helped me to make some projections for the session. The training started at exactly 8 O’clock in the morning. There were various trainers among them being the system administrator and the project coordinator.
Training on storage systems
There was an introduction done on the storage environment beginning with various tools for storage. The company’s SAN administrator taught on the EMC tools like the Integrated Cached Storage Array and the open systems storage array. He trained on the configuration of the EMC CLARiiON storage system so that it would have an attachment to the SAN volume controller. He taught how to carry out the configuration with Access Logic installed and without the same installed, the models that the CLARiiON supports and the way to carry out the maintenance of the CLARiiON systems. He also taught on how to migrate from the EMC TO Hitachi online storage whereby you have the current SAN system running on DMX having VM and physical servers. He taught on how to determine the best approach for the migration, the best tools for host-based migration. He also taught on how to set up a storage array and its maintenance.
Training on the SAN communication technology
The SAN administrator took over from the system administrator and taught on the communication technologies for SAN such as the fiber channel topologies, bus adapters, hubs, bridges, switches, and routers. He taught on how to carry out various configurations on the fiber channel and the main ones being point-to-point, FC-SW and the fiber channel arbitrated loop abbreviated as FC-AL. He showed us how to carry out zoning, SAN port naming, LUN masking and SAN storage considerations. He also taught on the various was to backup data and how to carry out disaster planning. He also taught on how to carry out effective server maintenance.
Training on project and assignment
The Project coordinator touched on the various methods of developing software and how to manage software development. He taught on all the phases and how to carry them out effectively. After the training, we received an assessment test for examining our understanding of the session. The project coordinator also said that the assessment is what would determine the type of project we would be working on in the project assignment and coding iteration.
Observation
Training on storage systems
The training on the SAN storage systems was very enriching. The system administrator handled it well due to his long experience of 11 years in the field. I observed that he was knowledgeable in his area of expertise and that he was a humble man that was always ready to respond to my queries. I observed that there are many types of storage devices available, and the company normally utilized those tools from EMC and Hitachi for san storage. I observed that it is technical to carry out the configuration of the EMC CLARiiON, and somebody has to be careful about how to do it with and without the Access Logic. I observed that a single mistake in configuration would culminate in the failure of the system.
Training on the SAN communication technology
I observed that SAN communication technologies and topologies made use of fabric connections. I observed that the company makes use of the fiber channel network connected using different topologies. I observed that to be an SAN administrator you needed to have knowledge of the point-to-point topology, FC-SW and the fiber channel arbitrated loop topologies. I observed that the knowledge of the technology would help you at some point as you would have a need to apply any one of them anytime during SAN system administration. I also learned that server maintenance is essential as it is the one controlling every activity in the company.
Training on project and assignment
The training on the project essentials made to observe some things. I observed that the company did not rely on only one method of software development, nut they used various methods depending on the project requirements. I also observed that they gave the interns the project assignment that would make them apply the simplest SDLC development methodology. I also made an observation that they gave the interns an assessment test to find out the areas that the various interns understood well and assigned a project on that.
Reflection
Many things in the training session went well as planned as I noted the timetable I had from the previous session. The trainers had good coordination, and they were able to switch between sessions in a harmonious way. The other trainers were available even when they were not the ones handling a session. The employment in the company also took place in the right way as it had its basis on merit. The qualified people only got jobs, and the promotion had a basis on the performance of an employee rather than the academic qualifications. Those made the company thrive and grow explicitly.
The trainers ensured that they touched on every area in light of the SAN administration and system administration at large. Response to security incidents that would be risky to the information security took place quickly, and it reduced the impact to the damage of the company’s information system. There were also good data security mechanisms in place so that all the storage systems remained safe and under strict surveillance. The company made use of the best technology in all their operations, and this made the company stay at the top of the competition in the market.
The way the project assignment took place was also impressive as it had a basis on an individual’s score. It meant that the intern would have active involvement in the choosing of the kind of project that was in his/her best interest as per the assessment scores. The allowance for the interns to apply the development methodology of their own was also something impressive in the company. The session went on well as I anticipated from the beginning, and all my objectives had an achievement.
Iteration 3: Project assignment and coding
Plan
From the scores o the assessment test, the project coordinator gave me a project to develop an employee directory mobile app. Before commencing on the project, he gave me three days to prepare before the coding took place. He explained to me about ten importance of the importance of the project and he told me to work hard on the project because it would be a market-oriented mobile app on Android platform. He told me to revise the work from the training session on mobile application and to ensure that I was conversant with the development environment and to make the necessary inquiries where necessary. The mobile application was to allow the human resource manager, for example, to look up an employee name from an SQLite database.
He told me to plan on how to develop the app so as to allow one to view employee details, call, text or email and employee from within that app. I would also plan on how to navigate up and down through the company’s chart. In preparation for the project, I also revised on the SDK tools for Android development and how to install them plus the ADT plug-in for Eclipse. I planned to use the best of my knowledge to design an app that would be professional and the one that would have market orientation. I knew that many of such developments were in the line f computers, and so it would be marketable as it would be one of such mobile applications.
I planned to work together with one of the Android developers for the company who would be my supervisor so as to come up with a quality app as required. I drew a plan on how to begin the app and had some field study to interact with Android mobile users so as to have some general know-how of what they would require. I made a plan consisting of a series of steps on how to go so as to complete the development within the allotted time of two weeks schedule given by the project coordinator.
Action
Setting up the environment and the layout
I installed the SDK and the ADT tools on the PC from where I would be working, and I also carried out the necessary configuration of the tools and the software. After setting up the necessary tools and configuring them, I began the development of the layout. I developed it according to some of the ideas in collected from the field and the use of my past knowledge while doing a consultation with the supervisor. I made the definition of the user interface for searching the employees with the best design as I learned from the training session on the characteristics of a good interface. I did it with the knowledge that the application would reside on a mobile device so it would not require having many graphics on the interface.
Coding
With the experience I had in Java programming, I embarked on coding of the interface and all necessary pages of the application. I added the list view component for the display of the employees list that would match the search criteria and made use often Array adapter to populate the list view. I made use of the SQLite database to persist the employees list and developed the necessary pages for querying the database so as to give results as would be in the requirement. I took advantage of Java’s database helper feature to create a class for opening of the database and also made use of intents to pass information between various database activities. I also made the required coding aid in calling, texting and emailing employees as well as navigating of the organizational chart.
Running and optimization
I had to install and run the device after the coding process on the real Android Device Emulator and debugged to ensure that the kit worked as I expected. I made use of the two approaches to running the application: the use of the command line and the running from the Android Studio. I made the necessary security measures so as to ensure that there would be no data modification by the wrong person and that the objectives were as highlighted.
Observation
Setting up the environment and the layout
I observed that there had to be proper installation and configuration of the Android development environment components for it to work as desired. Many times I had to repeat the process because it was not a straightforward task someone had to be careful when carrying it out. I also realized that the data collection is very vital as it gives you a direction on how to begin your development. I made some modifications to my plan because I did it before the collection of data and m I did not know clearly that time what the users would require. By my interaction with different Android mobile apps, I got an understanding of how to design layout of the interface and carry out the coding effectively.
Coding
I observed that this was the most challenging task in the development of the application. I had to do a lot of consultations with the supervisor and books on the coding requirements. Many times I would write the code, and it would fail to work as expected, so I spent much time trying to optimize the codes and make it output the required results as required. I observed that all the pages had to have the proper interconnection among them and the connection to the database for them to work as needed. I had experience with other databases such as Oracle, and I realized that the working with SQLite was somehow challenging, and a developer had to have knowledge of the same.
Running and optimization
I also observe that this was a very vital stage of the application development as it would help to uncover bugs in the developed device and enable the developer to make required corrections. It was the stage that would give the developer the confidence that the development was satisfactory and that there was the meeting of the requirements. I realized that you had to run the application from the interface and the Android Studio as this would show you how the application worked and if results are consistent. I also observed that to run from the Emulator you had to create the Android Virtual Device. The whole process was a difficult task, but I finished it within the scheduled time.
Reflection
The project development took place in the required manner with a few difficulties due to the lack of the vital knowledge and skills. The knowledge delivered during the training session was helpful to a great extent thought it was not specifically for such a kind of development, it was general knowledge. The assignment of the project assignment also took place in the required way as its basis was on the way one scored. I scored highly in the area of mobile development, and it is why the project was on that line. So that is something deserving a complement to the project coordinator. The project coordinator was also available to check the project progress and give the necessary motivation.
There was also the provision of the necessary and working tools that made it possible for the project to have completion within the required time with less difficulty. There were other project team members also who were available for consultation, and this made the project to be a success. The management also impressed me as they would provide some payments whenever I stayed behind after five in the evening to work on the project. I appreciated such arrangements because it took place without any partiality, be it the employees of the interns, we received the same share of payment when we worked for extra hours.
There are few things that were not impressive while carrying out the project assignment. One of them is that my supervisor was always away during the assignment and when I needed help I had to look for him or solicit help from other staff such as the project team members. His office was also far from the office where I was carrying out the project. In suggest that the supervisor be always near for consultation because that was because him being the supervisor for the intern’s project. I also suggest that the supervisor offices are near the place where the interns work from, or the intern working room resides near their supervisor for easy consultation.

 
Iteration 4: Checking the requirements and configuration of assigned mobile application
Plan
I planned to work with the project lead in the checking of the requirements of the assigned mobile application so as to ascertain how I satisfied those requirements ion the application. It would entail the checking of the way that the data collection took place and how the user suggestions were in integration on the developed mobile application. I planned to be keen so as to understand fully how the process would go on. I planned to have a thorough knowledge especially on the tasks that were a nightmare to me during the development if the application due to lack of intense knowledge. I planned to cooperate and ensure that the process ended within the allotted time.
I developed some documentation of the mobile placation so as to show to the project lead on how the application worked. I also made documented some sample outputs from the application and the processes that I followed in ensuring that the design would be the way I wanted. I carried out some research on how to justify a development methodology and the way to carry out project presentation as would be in the requirement. I revised again all the functional requirements as well as the user requirements and revised on the configuration requirements for the application so as to ascertain that all was inclusive. I made some inquiries from some team members on how the checking of the requirements takes place so that at least I have some clue on the iteration requirements.
I also liaised with the project lead to give a breakdown of activities in the good time so as to be easy for me to follow the process without any difficulty. The timetable the project lead gave me helped me by a great deal to make preparations for the session and to follow the activities closely during this iteration. It helped me to make a plan for the areas to develop more attention to so that I would understand more on those areas that I had difficult during the coding process. It would help me to execute my duties also in the future as a storage area network administrator and Android developer.
Action
On the first day of the requirements and configuration checking, I was there in good time ready to begin the day’s exercise. I waited for about an hour before the activity coordinators would arrive. I began be presenting the documentation to them, and they had a look at it before they would take over the stage and commence of the main agenda for the iteration. They also came with a copy of the requirements specification for the project that was different from mine because I was the one to develop it. They made a comparison of their copy with mine and found a wide difference between the two, so there would be many things to recommend for changes. They embarked on checking of the requirements.
They checked the interface to examine how it was in line with the good interface design requirements, and there was not much to need changes on it because I duly followed those guidelines. They checked all the coding and the configurations of the mobile application while noting the places that required modification. They checked all the functional requirements as well as the user requirements to ascertain how the design put those features into consideration. They examined the user-friendliness of the application in light of how easy it was to learn for a new person, especially for novice users. That entailed even checking for the terminologies used in naming the various interface fields. They found out that there were some terminologies that I wrote from an IT expert’s perspective and recommended for changes.
They also examined how the application worked when installed on the actual Android device. They checked the security requirements and checked on the way identification and authentication was in the application for that mobile application. They aided in making the modifications after checking, and that helped me to understand more about how to make the changes. I watched as they made the changes in preparation for the next phase that would be iteration. They made all the changes in the light of the requirements specifications on their paper and after that they prepared a report for the changes made on the application.
Observation
I observed that the development of any application required one to be very vigilant and not just to take it for granted. I observe that even a small mistake can be costly in terms of time when you are making changes. I realized that you had to go through the code and try to find where the mistake is, and this process was hectic especially when the code worked well and without any error. The requirements checking did not require only one person or a few to do it b because it entailed a lot of work going through the code, doing optimizations, reconfiguring, etc. That is the reason the two individuals lagged behind schedule as they failed to complete the task within the allotted time.
I observed that for any project you had to come up with a guideline on how to do it and in the end you had document the tasks required. The company required one to prepare a report when carrying out any project development or requirements checking. They believed in the documentation of activities, and they believed that was the only way to track activities effectively as well as ensure accountability. I observed that you had to make the interface as attractive as possible and make the proper mix of colors so as to have an attraction to users and have a clear meaning. One had to understand the environment for which the application was for and design in that direction.
I observed that the development of any software was not the working the application but doing what it should do. That is why there were changes made on the application although the code was working well. All the information security requirements were to be in the then most optimum way possible so as to ensure the security of the data and for users to have confidence on the app. The development of the application also had to entail having a look at the application from the users’ perspective rather than on the perspective of the developer. It needed to be ion such a way as that a manager would require it to be for easy management of the employees.
Reflection
The checking of the requirements went on well but in a few cases although many of the things were unsatisfactory as per my view. The team was very vigilant and ensured that they carried out the task intensely so as to cover all that entailed the specifications of the software. The arrangement of their tasks took place in the right way, and it followed the right order. The two coordinators ensured that they checked for everything as per their plan. The entire organization also gave the necessary morale and support for the coordinators to complete their work in good time. Although they were only two people, they tried to ensure that they accomplished their task as obliged by the company.

The team had laxity in carrying out their duties, and it was why they were not able to finish the activities within the schedule. They were also few and that work required more than two people to accomplish it in within the scope of time, resources, and quality. I suggest that the company should deploy a serious team in such a vital activity, and the team has to be a reasonable number so as to make sure that they complete their activity within the schedule. The team should also have the mandate to develop their timetable and schedule, the one with what they are flexible. With their time, they are flexible to work at their rate and deliver quality results. I also suggest that people with expertise in the different fields be in deployment to check specifications in their field of expertise rather than taking this task for granted assigning people anyhow.
 
Iteration5: Testing and resolving issues f the mobile application and implementation
Plan
The testing and implementation team met to brainstorm the way to go in having the implementation of the mobile application. They planned on how to reconfigure the features in the application so as to have the application working well without any mishaps. They planned to use the best testing and implementation tools to guide them through in setting up their coordination activities. They planned to make use of the Eclipse with ADT to test the application. They made the implementation checklist on how to go about with each step of implementation and effect the changes.
The project team is the one who handled carrying out tests and then create test cases that they presented to the Android developer and system administrator for review. The testing of the application would help to unfold many issues entailing performance, security, quality and several others for the resolution to take place. I planned to work with the team members so as to see how the testing takes place. In this phase of testing, I was eager to learn about how it takes place as I already understood that testing is an imperative step in the system development life cycle. I also planned to know more about how the team works to accomplish the testing of the application.
I also planned ask questions as the implementation process was taking place and to pay much attention to every step of the implementation plan. I ensured that I had a copy of the implementation plan and the implementation checklist so as to be able to observe every step of the implementation of the Android mobile application. Frequently the implementation process would not take them time to the testing phase because the implementing process does not entail a lot. They promised to me as the intern that they would ensure that I followed through the implementation process as that would help me learn more that I was not able to during the training session.
Action
Testing
They began with the interface, and they made use of various software testing approaches. They carried out the running of the application on the server without a display. They carried out unit tests as well as instrumented testing of the Java classes, making them unfold some errors. The Instrumented testing of the Java classes used the Android API. They carried out the unit tests, and they did that from the Gradle of the Android device, they also had to run the unit tests from Android Studio and produce the necessary test reports automatically. They also carried out the testing of the application from the Android framework whereby they made use of the Testing Support Library and the monkey runner. They also carried out some other tests such as the cross-component user interface testing, activity testing and testing of asynchronous processing.
Resolving issues
They made the changes noted from the testing of the application from the interface to the codes. They optimized the security of the application, and they made sure that it worked at an optimum level and had all the essential features. They made a division of the tasks in a way that each group had a specific task to carry out according to their expertise and specialization. They documented the application, and it had the review of the relevant team for reviewing before implementation would take place. The review team checked if testing took place in all areas as necessary and if the issues had a resolution. It is after they had the satisfaction that the process took place intensely and that the application was perfectly working without bugs or flaws that they allowed implementation to take place.
Implementation
The implementation took place after the thorough scrutiny of the application by the review team. They also provided the guidelines to the implementation so that the process would be smooth and effective as they desired it to be. The project team duly followed the implementation guidelines and carried out the process without much difficulty. They installed the system and tested it again after installation to see if it worked correctly on all the relevant devices and after ascertaining its workability they made plans on how to carry out the marketing of the application. They uploaded the application to the Google platform of Android Developers, and they also gave a copy to the human resource manager to make use of it for employee management.
Observation
Testing
I observed that testing consumed a lot of time in the SDLC. That is because testing helps in knowing whether a system or software can proceed to the next stage of implementation. After the testing, the team doing the testing prepares test cases that they avail to the review team for them to evaluate the testing process. Testing took some more time than anticipated because of the review process that usually consumed a lot of time. I suggest that each of the review team members discuss different parts or functionalities of the system separately instead of all of them concentrating on one section at ago. The group responsible for doing testing should be careful to carry out the tests on different scenarios so as to find out the behavior of the system in those scenarios.
Resolving issues
The intense testing of the application is what made the resolving of the issues to take less time and to have completion within the budgeted time. I also made observations that many of the issues would not have resolution without the proper expertise in the various areas of the application. There were those with expertise in interface design. Others were for coding, others implementation and many other areas as pertains to mobile application development. They also resolved all issues and made sure that the project worked well according to the project goals and objectives.
Implementation
I noted that there was a necessity for a checklist in the implementation process so that there will be the checking of the progress in line with the activities on the checklist. The checklist also helped the team to have a chronological step by step performance of activities as there are activities that depend on completion of others before you can proceed with them. It also came to my observation that each person understood their responsibilities in the implementation process that if anything went wrong in your section then you would explain why. For that reason, every team member endeavored to work smart and produce the desired quality of work. There was no lagging behind schedule as everything went on as required, and they finished the implementation process in the allotted time.
 
Reflection
The testing, resolving of issues and implementation phase just like the other previous phases enriched me with much insight into all the tasks required for an SAN administrator. My internship period ended with the conviction in my heart that I was ready to take any job about SAN administration and accomplish it with less difficulty. The good management of the company made my internship period to be enthusiastic, and it made me develop confidence in all that I do. I learned how to be industrious and to even meet tight schedules while not compromising quality results. I also learned how to do a clean job in any task vested on me. The project assignment gave me the necessary skills needed by an SAN administrator that is, problem-solving skills in light of the issues and technicalities in project management.
The mistakes that I made during the application development made me know how to avoid future mistakes of such kind. I was always ready to learn, and whatever I did not understand, I always enquired so that I avoid mistakes and errors as much as possible. I realized that there was a bit of overworking that can make someone make mistakes due to exhaustion, but all the employees carried out their duties with joy and enthusiasm. No one complained about the workload; neither were mistakes common as they had an enough experience each in their area of expertise. I desired to work for such a company in the future so as to take my career to the highest level of experience a possible.
I learned how to apply the Android development tools correctly and how be accountable, failure to which I ought to be accountable. I learned that any silly mistake in the execution of your duties such as lack of following the laid down rules and regulations was a punishable offense. I learned how to work under strict rules in the work environment and yet not violate any company rules. I believed beyond any reasonable doubt that whatever I learned in Vision Technology was all that it takes for an SAN administrator to be competent in their area of profession. There was no doubt that there was anything I did not learn in my area of profession. It also gave me a tenet that I might be the one they may take for employment as they always do for any intern that performs their activities satisfactorily well.

Plan
Before I would begin my internship in Vision Technology, I made a visit to the company and got a brochure to help me have an overview of what the company did. I was to work as an intern in storage area network administration, and so I had to plan early for the orientation session. I had a look at the document and realized that much was in requirement, and I also had a general overview of the company structure. I wanted to understand in this iteration on orientation, how the company operated, how the business processes took place in the company and the general working conditions. I had the plan to understand how the company worked to meet their goals, vision, and mission as well as their general objectives.
I made a simple plan concerning the things that I would like to have more understanding on during the orientation session. The personal plan would help me to make the necessary inquiries and develop more attention to the vital elements regarding the company functionality. I planned to have an understanding of the way the management of the business worked and what type of structure of the enterprise. I planned to find out if it was a line organizational structure, divisional organizational structure, functional organizational structure, matrix organizational structure or hybrid. The knowledge of the organizational structure would help me to understand how it functioned and how the reporting of issues takes place.
I planned to acquire knowledge during the orientation session on what the company required of me as a storage area network administrator and how I would help them accomplish their goals. I also planned to know the ethical standards that were in place in the company so as to know how I would operate as an intern in the company. I wanted to know the warmth of the relationships that existed in the company and if the management were friendly or dictatorial. That insight would help me know how to approach them and how to handle issues minus any conflicts with the managers and other employees.
Action
At eight on the dot, I was at the administration reception of the company ready for the orientation task that was to take the better of the whole week. I had somebody top lead me through to the human room where the orientation was to begin. I realized that the orientation entailed two phases: the theory part and the practical part. The theory part of the orientation was to be in the room where the various company features were would have an explanation by the relevant company staff and management. The theory part of the orientation would involve the walking around the company and making observations of the structure and the processes. The human resource manager later joined, and other interns in the room and with her were some five staff members.
The human resource manager explained to me about the general company structure and the way they worked. She talked about the interns’ obligation for the company and tried to emphasize that the interns were as essential as other employees except for the payments. She explained the interns would operate with high ethical standards both in the company and the society at large because the company had an obligation to the community and the state. The company was to pay back to the society to help them grow and prosper, and it was also to abide by the government regulations and code of conduct as well as working conditions. She said that the preservation of a clean environment was one of their core values.
The other staff also who were in the orientation helped me to understand the company structure and my obligation as a storage area network administration. The system administrator said the company information was vital and my I would have to handle it with care as required by the company. We went round with the employees also to have a glance at the company processes and the various staff and administration offices. We had an introduction to various company top managers and their functions in the company. The orientation ended with the HR giving us a breakdown of the next iteration so as to prepare well for it.
Observation
I observed that the company had a staff and organizational structure with the line functions being production as well as marketing. On the other hand, the staff functions were personnel, research and development, quality control, accounting, and finance. The functions had a clear division so as to avoid any conflicts that might arise due to the lack of clear definition of the lines of authority. I also observed that the employees had good organization and were smart, and that made the company’s reputation to be high and commendable to the community and also to the state. I observed that the company carried out consultation services across the globe, and it had clients from all over the world. They did not even know all their clients physically, but they had much value for them.
I observe that the company was always on toes in finding new ways of doing business and every department had an obligation to devise new and better methods of carrying out their responsibilities. I also made an observation that the IT department was very vital in the organization as it was the one to carry out the automation of the processes in the company. They had to make use of the latest technology to carry out marketing and another business process as they knew that it would keep them in the market. I also observed from the notice board that the company received some rewards in the past years in the light of their deployment of the latest technologies in their business processes.
I observed that the company compound was very clean, and there were litter disposal bins all over and even outside the compound. In also observed that the interns make the company shift some of the roles of the employees to the interns so as to ensure that every employee is busy throughout. I also observed that some managers did not arrive in the right time although the employees had to arrive at least seven thirty in the morning. I also observed that the company valued their clients very much despite the fact that they did not know many of their clients physically. The company always had contact with their esteemed clients and sometimes they gave a discount to them so as to motivate them.
Reflection
The orientation had a good conduction with the persons in charge of orientation coming at the right time. The company had a well organization, and there were clear lines of authority, thus, avoiding conflicts. The company environment was clean and the litter bins were in proper disposal areas including outside the gate. The company employees were also very smart, and that kept their reputation to be commendable. The human resource manager was somebody approachable, and she was friendly to the employees. The staff that was orienting us also was very close and helped us wherever possible. That made the orientation process to end within the time allotted for it with everything handled as planned. The company employees also kept time as they always arrived at work early in the morning to prepare for the day’s activities.
The company also valued their clients very much as they always had contact with them. On top of that, the company employed very nice promotion strategies by giving their clients some discounts on their products and services, and that increased their loyalty. The company also applied business intelligence and maintained well their customer relationship system to ensure clients remained loyal and that they got the services to their best interest. All the systems in the company had a perfect coordination of tasks, and the faults mitigation did not take much time to have mitigation because of the experts in place. There were clear guidelines for reporting of issues in the company, the issues that would endanger information and asset security.
There are few things that did not go well as per my examination of the company during the orientation period. For instance, some of the managers arrived late for work despite the fact that the employees and the human resource manager arrived in good time. The company valued their clients more than they valued their employees. That was because the management did not have such programs as the rewarding ceremonies and the giving of a gift to their employees as they did to their clients. There was also not much value attached to the interns as it was the case for the company’s employees due to the lack of giving of wages to interns just like employees.
 
Iteration 2: training
Plan
From the training timetable given to me from the previous iteration, I had some know-how on what this iteration would entail and due to that I would prepare appropriately. I developed my goals for the session that was to take two weeks, and those goals were in the line of the training session timetable. I had a look at the timetable and realized that some of the items on it I had a good amount of knowledge but I wanted to know the new things that the training would entail. I carried out some research by revisiting my notes on the areas that were familiar with so as to remind myself of what I learned earlier in school.
I also had a review of the other areas that I was not familiar with by consulting various sources such as books, magazines, and the Internet. That gave me a good basis on which to begin so that I would not be ignorant of many things, and yet it was my area of specialization. I also had a look at the company rules so as to be familiar with them. I had a look at the company website and familiarized myself in the way they conduct their business across the globe. I had a look at the various techniques in place for the company to ensure that its information systems are safe and secure from the information security incidents. I also had a look at the various ways and technologies the company deploys in data storage.
I planned to have more knowledge in the area of system administration as I did not have much knowledge of it especially the practical knowledge. I planned to acquire a quality of knowledge from this session and the subsequent ones that would help to back up the theoretical knowledge that I had from class. I planned to pay attention to the technical areas that were problematic ion class and the areas that the project would entail. I planned to prepare for the project assignment from this session so that I would handle my project with less difficulty. I planned always to be attentive during the session and make any queries as would be necessary so as to enhance my understanding of the technical areas.
Action
I ensured that I was punctual on the material day of training as I arrived in the company compound by seven thirty just like other employees of the company. I had somebody guide me to the training room, and there I met several other interns ready for the training session. We had a share of knowledge amongst ourselves, and I learned some new things from my fellow interns that helped me to make some projections for the session. The training started at exactly 8 O’clock in the morning. There were various trainers among them being the system administrator and the project coordinator.
Training on storage systems
There was an introduction done on the storage environment beginning with various tools for storage. The company’s SAN administrator taught on the EMC tools like the Integrated Cached Storage Array and the open systems storage array. He trained on the configuration of the EMC CLARiiON storage system so that it would have an attachment to the SAN volume controller. He taught how to carry out the configuration with Access Logic installed and without the same installed, the models that the CLARiiON supports and the way to carry out the maintenance of the CLARiiON systems. He also taught on how to migrate from the EMC TO Hitachi online storage whereby you have the current SAN system running on DMX having VM and physical servers. He taught on how to determine the best approach for the migration, the best tools for host-based migration. He also taught on how to set up a storage array and its maintenance.
Training on the SAN communication technology
The SAN administrator took over from the system administrator and taught on the communication technologies for SAN such as the fiber channel topologies, bus adapters, hubs, bridges, switches, and routers. He taught on how to carry out various configurations on the fiber channel and the main ones being point-to-point, FC-SW and the fiber channel arbitrated loop abbreviated as FC-AL. He showed us how to carry out zoning, SAN port naming, LUN masking and SAN storage considerations. He also taught on the various was to backup data and how to carry out disaster planning. He also taught on how to carry out effective server maintenance.
Training on project and assignment
The Project coordinator touched on the various methods of developing software and how to manage software development. He taught on all the phases and how to carry them out effectively. After the training, we received an assessment test for examining our understanding of the session. The project coordinator also said that the assessment is what would determine the type of project we would be working on in the project assignment and coding iteration.
Observation
Training on storage systems
The training on the SAN storage systems was very enriching. The system administrator handled it well due to his long experience of 11 years in the field. I observed that he was knowledgeable in his area of expertise and that he was a humble man that was always ready to respond to my queries. I observed that there are many types of storage devices available, and the company normally utilized those tools from EMC and Hitachi for san storage. I observed that it is technical to carry out the configuration of the EMC CLARiiON, and somebody has to be careful about how to do it with and without the Access Logic. I observed that a single mistake in configuration would culminate in the failure of the system.
Training on the SAN communication technology
I observed that SAN communication technologies and topologies made use of fabric connections. I observed that the company makes use of the fiber channel network connected using different topologies. I observed that to be an SAN administrator you needed to have knowledge of the point-to-point topology, FC-SW and the fiber channel arbitrated loop topologies. I observed that the knowledge of the technology would help you at some point as you would have a need to apply any one of them anytime during SAN system administration. I also learned that server maintenance is essential as it is the one controlling every activity in the company.
Training on project and assignment
The training on the project essentials made to observe some things. I observed that the company did not rely on only one method of software development, nut they used various methods depending on the project requirements. I also observed that they gave the interns the project assignment that would make them apply the simplest SDLC development methodology. I also made an observation that they gave the interns an assessment test to find out the areas that the various interns understood well and assigned a project on that.
Reflection
Many things in the training session went well as planned as I noted the timetable I had from the previous session. The trainers had good coordination, and they were able to switch between sessions in a harmonious way. The other trainers were available even when they were not the ones handling a session. The employment in the company also took place in the right way as it had its basis on merit. The qualified people only got jobs, and the promotion had a basis on the performance of an employee rather than the academic qualifications. Those made the company thrive and grow explicitly.
The trainers ensured that they touched on every area in light of the SAN administration and system administration at large. Response to security incidents that would be risky to the information security took place quickly, and it reduced the impact to the damage of the company’s information system. There were also good data security mechanisms in place so that all the storage systems remained safe and under strict surveillance. The company made use of the best technology in all their operations, and this made the company stay at the top of the competition in the market.
The way the project assignment took place was also impressive as it had a basis on an individual’s score. It meant that the intern would have active involvement in the choosing of the kind of project that was in his/her best interest as per the assessment scores. The allowance for the interns to apply the development methodology of their own was also something impressive in the company. The session went on well as I anticipated from the beginning, and all my objectives had an achievement.
Iteration 3: Project assignment and coding
Plan
From the scores o the assessment test, the project coordinator gave me a project to develop an employee directory mobile app. Before commencing on the project, he gave me three days to prepare before the coding took place. He explained to me about ten importance of the importance of the project and he told me to work hard on the project because it would be a market-oriented mobile app on Android platform. He told me to revise the work from the training session on mobile application and to ensure that I was conversant with the development environment and to make the necessary inquiries where necessary. The mobile application was to allow the human resource manager, for example, to look up an employee name from an SQLite database.
He told me to plan on how to develop the app so as to allow one to view employee details, call, text or email and employee from within that app. I would also plan on how to navigate up and down through the company’s chart. In preparation for the project, I also revised on the SDK tools for Android development and how to install them plus the ADT plug-in for Eclipse. I planned to use the best of my knowledge to design an app that would be professional and the one that would have market orientation. I knew that many of such developments were in the line f computers, and so it would be marketable as it would be one of such mobile applications.
I planned to work together with one of the Android developers for the company who would be my supervisor so as to come up with a quality app as required. I drew a plan on how to begin the app and had some field study to interact with Android mobile users so as to have some general know-how of what they would require. I made a plan consisting of a series of steps on how to go so as to complete the development within the allotted time of two weeks schedule given by the project coordinator.
Action
Setting up the environment and the layout
I installed the SDK and the ADT tools on the PC from where I would be working, and I also carried out the necessary configuration of the tools and the software. After setting up the necessary tools and configuring them, I began the development of the layout. I developed it according to some of the ideas in collected from the field and the use of my past knowledge while doing a consultation with the supervisor. I made the definition of the user interface for searching the employees with the best design as I learned from the training session on the characteristics of a good interface. I did it with the knowledge that the application would reside on a mobile device so it would not require having many graphics on the interface.
Coding
With the experience I had in Java programming, I embarked on coding of the interface and all necessary pages of the application. I added the list view component for the display of the employees list that would match the search criteria and made use often Array adapter to populate the list view. I made use of the SQLite database to persist the employees list and developed the necessary pages for querying the database so as to give results as would be in the requirement. I took advantage of Java’s database helper feature to create a class for opening of the database and also made use of intents to pass information between various database activities. I also made the required coding aid in calling, texting and emailing employees as well as navigating of the organizational chart.
Running and optimization
I had to install and run the device after the coding process on the real Android Device Emulator and debugged to ensure that the kit worked as I expected. I made use of the two approaches to running the application: the use of the command line and the running from the Android Studio. I made the necessary security measures so as to ensure that there would be no data modification by the wrong person and that the objectives were as highlighted.
Observation
Setting up the environment and the layout
I observed that there had to be proper installation and configuration of the Android development environment components for it to work as desired. Many times I had to repeat the process because it was not a straightforward task someone had to be careful when carrying it out. I also realized that the data collection is very vital as it gives you a direction on how to begin your development. I made some modifications to my plan because I did it before the collection of data and m I did not know clearly that time what the users would require. By my interaction with different Android mobile apps, I got an understanding of how to design layout of the interface and carry out the coding effectively.
Coding
I observed that this was the most challenging task in the development of the application. I had to do a lot of consultations with the supervisor and books on the coding requirements. Many times I would write the code, and it would fail to work as expected, so I spent much time trying to optimize the codes and make it output the required results as required. I observed that all the pages had to have the proper interconnection among them and the connection to the database for them to work as needed. I had experience with other databases such as Oracle, and I realized that the working with SQLite was somehow challenging, and a developer had to have knowledge of the same.
Running and optimization
I also observe that this was a very vital stage of the application development as it would help to uncover bugs in the developed device and enable the developer to make required corrections. It was the stage that would give the developer the confidence that the development was satisfactory and that there was the meeting of the requirements. I realized that you had to run the application from the interface and the Android Studio as this would show you how the application worked and if results are consistent. I also observed that to run from the Emulator you had to create the Android Virtual Device. The whole process was a difficult task, but I finished it within the scheduled time.
Reflection
The project development took place in the required manner with a few difficulties due