The following application was submitted (UTC) on Wed, 23 Feb 11 14:06:26 +0000 Items with an '*' were required items in the application form. PERSONAL INFORMATION ==================== Family Name (Last name, Surname)*: Sichali-Fredrick Full Name*: Chimwemwe Sichali-Fredrick Employer/Organization*: Malswitch Position/Title*: Senior System Administrator Business Address ---------------- Old Reserve Bank Building, 4 VictoriaAvenue P.O Box 384, Blantyre Malawi Business Phone: +265 1 822 444 Alternate Telephone: +265 9 999 934 883 Email*: cfredrick@malswitch.mw URL: www.malswitch.mw FAX: +265 1 822 773 Date of Birth: 1978-07-06 Country of Residence*: Malawi Passport Name: Chimwemwe Sichali Passport Number: MW103622 Passport Issuing Country: Malawi Passport Issue Date: 2008-12-31 Passport Expiry Date: 2013-12-31 WORKSHOP SPECIFIC INFORMATION ============================= Workshop Applied For*: SI-E: Scalable Network Infrastructure Reason for Track Choice* ------------------------ One of the core business areas in my organization is that of provision of LAN and WAN services and solutions such that I would like to learn more about routing, router and switch configuration, management and security of Networks. TECHNICAL SKILLS ================ Unix User?*: true How much have you used it? -------------------------- I have used several Unix/Linux distributions for over 5 years. I have also been involved in training others in the Linux/Unix field - I was one of the Trainee Instructors at the 2010 Afchix Workshop in Nairobi Kenya. Have you been a UNIX admin?*: true Describe your experience (length of time, versions, etc.) --------------------------------------------------------- I have used Ubuntu on the several Linux training programmes I have been on - i have worked with versions 5.10 and 6.06 for about a year. I have also used Fedora for over 5 years and this is the platform we have implemented our mail and internet systems on. I have also had experience with Freebsd versions 7 and 8 for over 3 years Have you used/administered TCP/IP nets?*: true Describe --------- Some years ago I was once involved in administering our local LAN as well as WAN network. This involved configuration of Cisco routers and Switches Have you set up and/or administered any of the following? Please give details Bind or any other Nameservers* ------------------------------ I have setup Bind as the domain name system at my organization. My first experience was when I attended the Afnog workshop in 2009 Mail Transport Agents (ex. Sendmail, Exim, Postfix, Qmail)* ----------------------------------------------------------- I have setup and administered sendmail, postfix, and exim as mail servers Currently the mail server that we are running for office mail is sendmail Mailing List Managers (e.g. Majordomo or other list manager)* ------------------------------------------------------------- We have several mailing lists defined on Majordomo as the mailing list manager in our office environment I have worked on setting up these lists as well as administering the list manager Web Systems/Servers (e.g. Apache, IIS or other web server)* ------------------------------------------------------------ I have also experienced with setup up of Apache firstly at the Afnog conference and later on at my work place. I have also taught Apache at the Afchix 2010 I have also had experience in the configuration of IIS in our Windows environment Have you configured or otherwise managed any of the following? Please give details. Routers* -------- I have configured Cisco 3600 routers but it is a while back and it was a once off thing such that I would like to gain more skills and experience in this area. Switches* --------- None Network Monitoring Systems* ---------------------------- I once have worked and gone through the functionality of Nagios before and would like to increase my capabilities and technical know-how in this area. Network Operations Center (NOC)* -------------------------------- None CERT WORKSHOP APPLICANTS ONLY ============================= Which area of security interests you? ------------------------------------- What security interventions have you experienced? ------------------------------------------------- How do you intend to use the knowledge gained at the workshop? -------------------------------------------------------------- ROLE IN NATIONAL NETWORKING ACTIVITIES ====================================== A description of your current employer, your position, your duties and responsibilities, and how they relate to current and future data networking activities in your country* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- I currently work for MALSWITCH as a Senior System Administrator. MALSWITCH is an integrated technologies business with core activities in the areas of electronic payment, information technology infrastructure and data communication services. My main responsibilities involve provision of system administration functionalities to the critical systems we offer to mainly the banking sector, government and all our other corporate clients as well as to our own internal systems like mail and internet. As MALSWITCH has network infrastructure all across the country linking up all the banks as well as Government, thus becoming our core line of business, it is imperative that I ensure and grow my skills not only in system administration, but also in networking. There is another emerging line of business that MALSWITCH is working on and that is ISP, this will ensure that ISP services are extended to many Malawians thus the need to increase the technical know how in the field of networking. A brief description of your computing and networking environment (operating systems, networking software, modems, etc.), including the connectivity of your organization to the Internet and your country's connectivity to the international Internet* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MALSWITCH is a major player in the WAN market with capability to provide connectivity to virtually any part of Malawi. The company runs a hybrid high capacity backbone network comprising fiber and wireless broadband infrastructure between Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu (the 3 major cities). Through its integrated WAN infrastructure the company offers VPN services delivered using integrated wireless, frame-relay and 3G/GPRS access networks. The computing environment comprises an integration of Linux and Windows environments. Scope of your institution (check all categories that apply)* ------------------------------------------------------------ Commercial Network Provider : Approximate number of full time staff at your institution* ---------------------------------------------------------- 73 How your training and current work prepare and qualify you for the track you wish to attend* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have been trained on Linux/Unix System Administration having attended the Afnog tracks SA-E and SS-E I have also attended other trainings on Linux Security and Linux Networking through my organisation In addition to this most of the critical systems in organization are running on the Linux platform How you expect to use the knowledge you gain at the workshop after you return to your country* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I expect to be able to provide better input into our WAN services business once I undergo this training. I also expect to better enhance the growth of the emerging ISP line of business that MALSWITCH is currently implementing. I also expect to be able to fully train others more especially my fellow women as well as my colleagues once I undergo this training. If you have previously attended AfNOG or INET Workshops for Developing Countries Year and track you attended --------------------------- 2010 Afnog 2010 SS-E, 2009 Afnog Chix - SA-E A precise description of how you have used the training you have received in the past ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was able to assist in the 2010 Afchix Workshop in Nairobi Kenya. I was an Instructor trainee at this workshop and managed to inspire fellow women in IT on how everything is achievable through hardwork, dedication and practice. The significant advances in networking which have occurred in your country specifically because of your knowledge and effort --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- With the help from Afnog as well as ISOC and NRSC, Malawi for the first time saw a total number of 27 people being trained in Unix/Linux System Administration Track SA/E at no cost at all. All this was possible due the hard work and effort I had put into it as local host. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ====================== Are you are requesting financial aid from the AfNOG Workshop for attending the workshop and meetings, or for travel costs?* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Requested aid to cover the attendance fees. Explain why you are asking for financial assistance. How will your organisation and your country benefit from your training? What other sources of funding have you approached, and what were the results? ------------------------------------------------------------------- I am asking for financial assistance because I am currently working on hosting the 2011 AfChix for Southern and Central African Women Engineer and I have engaged my current employer as the Local Host and Sponsor. Consequently, it will not be possible for my employer to fully fund my participation at the 2011 Afnog Workshop as well as the Afchix workshop scheduled for October 2011. In addition to this, Malawi has been hard hit by economic crises leading to forex shortage and fuel scarcity which has seen the prices of all commodities hike terribly - with this it is painfully impossible for me to fully fund my participation in this workshop covering airfare as well as workshop fees. My organization will largely benefit from the expertise and skills that I will gain from this training as I will be in a better position to provide quality support services on our LAN/WAN infrastructure as well as planning and implementation. I have not approached other sources of funding as we do not have that many options in Malawi. How will the finances be paid? Your Institution ----------------- Your Government --------------- Your personal contribution -------------------------- Travel expenses Amount you ask from AfNOG (less than $1,000)* --------------------------------------------- $1000 or whole conference fees if possible REFEREES ======== First Referee* -------------- Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka Head of Technical Services Malswitch P.O Box 384 Blantyre Malawi Cell : +265 888 209 488 Second Referee* --------------- Mrs. W Kalonga Indebank Malawi Limited Top Mandala P. O Box Blantyre Malawi Cell : +265 884 151 688 END OF APPLICATION