Hello HNers,

I am a network guy, with heavy specialization in wireless networks delivering last mile Internet service. I am interested in teaming up with an IT consulting company or someone looking to start one.

I have done some of this on my own already for a few small businesses. I start by coming in to build or fix their network, and then stay on to maintain it. I’m very interested in, and pretty dang good, at most things at or below layer 3 - so maintaining a network for a small business is rewarding and profitable for me. What always happens, though, is that eventually they ask me to do things that I am not interested in or very good at, like maintaining the virus protection on their windows machines. I know that there are those of you out there who are very good at and interested in the things that I am not, and I would like to team up with one of you. I believe that my skills would allow an IT firm to offer more comprehensive networking services than are commonly available, as well as take on more specialized projects.

Here are some of the things I am very good at:

• Designing and building systems to deliver Internet/network access to a large group of users wirelessly
• Planning and deploying high bandwidth point to point wireless links, both in licensed and unlicensed RF bands
• Designing wired or wireless networks to deliver consistent bandwidth to a large number of end users
• Deploying robust networking systems for outdoor and rugged environments, such as mountain top cell sites, farms, and factories
• Working directly with a team, including the customer, to plan, budget, and deploy any system start to finish
• Regular old corporate or ISP networking

And a few other things that I can do well enough to get by:

• Linux system administration and scripting
• Java/Android development
• EC2/S3 Development
• Cisco - my CCNA expired last year, but I've been studying to take one of the CCNP tests, and I have about 4 years of hands on experience.

Just to get your imagination going, here are some scenarios where my skills might be very useful:

• When a company is looking to light up a high bandwidth link between two nearby buildings (I have found this to be quite common as companies expand, and a wireless link is often a very cost effective and robust solution. Generally the company either doesn't know wireless is a viable option, or doesn't know where to look for someone who can do it well.)
• Bringing Internet or network access to an apartment/housing complex or business complex. Wireless is especially useful when retrofitting a complex that was not originally wired for network access.
• Installing networking equipment in rugged environments, as mentioned above. If you have ever done IT work for a farm, you will know that they have the same network requirements as any other business, but find it difficult to keep their equipment clean and functioning properly.

I am currently employed, but I would love to be a partner on a new or growing consulting firm or similar. I imagine that I would start by helping out with projects as needed until there is enough to do that I could join full time.