The following application was submitted (UTC) on Fri, 04 Mar 11 08:57:51 +0000
Items with an '*' were required items in the application form.


PERSONAL INFORMATION
====================

Family Name (Last name, Surname)*:         CHIPOFYA
Full Name*:                                MAPOPA GOTA CHIPOFYA
Employer/Organization*:                    MalawiI SDNP
Position/Title*:                           Assistant Network Engineer

Business Address
----------------
P.O. Box 31762, Blantyre3

Business Phone:                            +265 1 875 872
Alternate Telephone:                       +265 888 601 030
Email*:                                    mapopa@sdnp.org.mw
URL:                                       http://www.sdnp.org.mw
FAX:                                       +265 1 873 944
Date of Birth:                             1984-06-07
Country of Residence*:                     Malawi
Passport Name:                             I am in the process of acquiring a passport
Passport Number:                           
Passport Issuing Country:                  
Passport Issue Date:                       
Passport Expiry Date:                      


WORKSHOP SPECIFIC INFORMATION
=============================

Workshop Applied For*:                    SS-E: Scalable Internet Services

Reason for Track Choice*
------------------------
Unix Boot Camp


TECHNICAL SKILLS
================

Unix User?*:                              true

How much have you used it?
--------------------------
I have used UNIX for 3 years to configure servers (DNS and Mail). I also run backups on these servers daily.I also maintain the servers when they crash as a result of hardware faults or software problems.


Have you been a UNIX admin?*:             true

Describe your experience (length of time, versions, etc.)
---------------------------------------------------------
2 years, fedora core 4 to fedora core 12


Have you used/administered TCP/IP nets?*: true

Describe
---------
I configure routers (especially cisco and mikrotik). I can configure OSPF, RIP and BGP


Have you set up and/or administered any of the following? Please give details

Bind or any other Nameservers*
------------------------------
I have administered Bind but I have not come to a level where i would say I am comfortable to set up.


Mail Transport Agents (ex. Sendmail, Exim, Postfix, Qmail)*
-----------------------------------------------------------
sendmail



Mailing List Managers (e.g. Majordomo or other list manager)*
-------------------------------------------------------------
I have used majordomo.


Web Systems/Servers (e.g. Apache, IIS or other web server)*
------------------------------------------------------------
Apache but I am not very conversant.

Have you configured or otherwise managed any of the following? Please give details.

Routers*
--------
I can configure cisco routers to run OSPF, BGP and RIP.I configure LAN,WAN and VLAN. I also configure wireless networks using mikrotik routers 


Switches*
---------
I configure switches to an expert level


Network Monitoring Systems*
----------------------------
Nagios , Analog, MRTG


Network Operations Center (NOC)*
--------------------------------
I have no experience on NOC


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 work for Malawi SDNP as an Assistant Network Engineer. My duties include configuring linux servers (Mail, DNS, Web etc), configuring routers (cisco, mikrotik, senao, linksys etc), configuring network monitoring tools such as Nagios and MRTG and manning the clients help desk.Now I am also working on running an IPv6 test. The issue of IPv6 is very critical especially now that we know we have run out of IPv4 addresses. My country will need people with expertise to deploy IPv6 very soon and I am hoping I could be one of them.


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*
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Windows XP/2000/2003/vista/7 -- level: expert

Linux Fedora Ubuntu -- level: intermediate

cisco routers OS, mikrotik routers OS --level:intermediate

Multitech and Motorolla modems--level: expert


Scope of your institution (check all categories that apply)*
------------------------------------------------------------



Other: Government sponsered but non-profit making organisation


Approximate number of full time staff at your institution*
----------------------------------------------------------
10


How your training and current work prepare and qualify you for the track you wish to attend*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am working for an ISP which is also the .mwCCTLD registrar. I work on mail, DNS, Web servers almost on everyday basis as such the SS-E track will greatly help me to understand how these services work and how we can improve on them. 


How you expect to use the knowledge you gain at the workshop after you return to your country*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I intend to use the knowledge gained to improve on the quailty of sevices that we provide. I also hope to share the knowledge gained at the workshop with fellow network engineers and system administrators working for other organisations as well.


If you have previously attended AfNOG or INET Workshops for Developing Countries 
Year and track you attended
---------------------------
I have never attended any AfNOG or INET workshops


A precise description of how you have used the training you have received in the past
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The significant advances in networking which have occurred in your country specifically 
because of your knowledge and effort
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
With the introduction of the fibre optic cables by Malawi Telecommunications Ltd that connects Malawi to the world through connections to Tanzania and Mozambique,most (if not all ISPs)had to connect to MTL and SDNP was no exception. I led the team of SDNP engineers that designed and implemented the connection of SDNP to MTL network using a wireless link. I am also involved in the movement of the Malawi IXP from college of Medicine campus to MTL's stadium exchange.


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?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Malawi SDNP was formely funded by UNDP and is now being taken over by the Government of Malawi (GoM). However, as of today the transition process has not been completed such that Malawi SDNP does not get funding from either side (UNDP or GoM). This puts SDNP in a situation where it can not pay for my expenses in this vital workshop. I approached the Project Coordinator for Malawi SDNP and this is exactly what he told me.However, I see this workshop as a great opportunity for me to learn and help my organisation improve on the quality of services it provides. For my country it is quite clear that we can not develop without knowledgeable and well qualified ICT personnel especially that almost all business transactions have to use ICT. 


How will the finances be paid?

Your Institution
-----------------
Half of the travel expenses

Your Government
---------------
No contribution

Your personal contribution
--------------------------
Half of the travel expenses

Amount you ask from AfNOG (less than $1,000)*
---------------------------------------------
$900



REFEREES
========

First Referee*
--------------
Dr. P.B. Nyirenda
Project Co-ordinator
Malawi SDNP
P.O Box 31762
BLANTYRE 3
Tel: +265 1 875 872
Mobile: +265 888 824 787
Email: paulos@sdnp.org.mw


Second Referee*
---------------
Mrs. E. Chirwa
Administrative Assistant
Malawi SDNP
P.O Box 31762
BLANTYRE 3
Tel: +265 1 875 872
Mobile: +265 888 824 787
Email: ettah@sdnp.org.mw


END OF APPLICATION