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Subject: Ask a Network Engineer

Math rules the world.

What is your typical work day at Bungie like?

Is there a dedicated network security staff at Bungie or do all of the network engineers manage the security?

[Edited on 07.13.2012 5:24 PM PDT]

  • 07.13.2012 5:21 PM PDT

"Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop smokin'!"

1) Prior to Bungie, what aspects of network engineering (be it specific to games or not) did you try to focus on the most? Eg, state sync'ing, (general) messaging, security, etc. Or did you fancy yourself as a generalist?


2) Even though things like XBL provide an encrypted network protocol, do you or the team perform any reverse engineering of your own code or data to make sure that nothing crucial is getting exposed (either for viewing or manipulation)? Or is this left to a specialist, eg. 'security engineer', to audit?

If you can't answer the latter due to Bungie policy, did you reverse engineer games (again, code or data) outside of Bungie to prototype ideas or extend an existing game (to add to your resume obviously, not for malicious intent :P)?

  • 07.13.2012 5:24 PM PDT

Math rules the world.

What is the hardest part of keeping information on Destiny so well hidden for this long?

How often are hackers foolish enough to try to hack Bungie?

How often do you try to hack your systems to make sure they are secure?

[Edited on 07.13.2012 5:31 PM PDT]

  • 07.13.2012 5:31 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Legendary Member

Did you know that dolphins are so intelligent, that within only a few weeks of captivity, they can train Americans to stand at the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

How tall are you, how much do you weigh and could you bench press the ip your currently working on?
Fankssssss

  • 07.13.2012 5:32 PM PDT

The Internet is an empowerment tool that's agnostic; it doesn't care about race, gender, or age.

How many years of schooling did it take to get your degree?

  • 07.13.2012 5:36 PM PDT
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  • Exalted Mythic Member

I came for Halo, but I heard the Tru7h, fought thru Carnage, and stayed for Bungie.

No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.--Teddy Roosevelt

How do you personally cope with lag issues in an online multiplayer game?

[Edited on 07.13.2012 6:50 PM PDT]

  • 07.13.2012 6:49 PM PDT

Man of God. Fan of Bungie. Eater of many Jr. Bacon cheeseburgers.

What would you say is the most difficult part of your job?

  • 07.13.2012 7:44 PM PDT

1. Which would you say is more useful in subnetting (esp. VLSM): Understanding of binary arithmetic or experience? Or do you cheat and use a subnet calculator? ;)

2. How prevalent is IOS? Am I more likely to find it or something else?

3. What advice do you have for determining how many redundant VLAN trunks to use?

4. Do you advocate the use of IPv6, IPv4, another network protocol, or a hybrid (ie. IPv6 tunnelling) (especially in new networks)?

5. What can you say about Cisco accreditation? What opportunities open up for someone with a CCNP qualification as compared to a CCNA qualification?

6. In practice, how important/useful is it to understand the theoretical components behind how the network works? eg. CSMA/CD operation, delay (processing, queuing, transmission, propagation), etc...

7. I've heard layer 3 switches/switching is all the rage. How prevalent is their use?

8. What tips do you have for more thoroughly understanding how to use ACL wildcards?

9. Is it "better" to use a dedicated machine as a firewall or a router with ACLs?

10. How often is the creation of VLANs essential?

11. Do you still find links using PAP?

12. Can you confirm for me that using CHAP with a fallback to PAP is inherently insecure?

  • 07.13.2012 9:46 PM PDT

I ♥ Bungie!

Why did you decide to become a Network Engineer, and why Bungie?

  • 07.13.2012 9:48 PM PDT

He's right on top of us! I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using...

Ockeghem
Missa Prolationum

A) What brings out your best work?
(e.g., competition, knowing others are relying on you, whippings...)

B) Do you work individually or as part of a team?
(I mean the work you do hour by hour, not the ultimate result of your work)

  • 07.13.2012 10:02 PM PDT
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  • Honorable Legendary Member

Sometimes starting back from square one does good...

Ask smart questions
http://catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

How does it feel to use C#?

  • 07.13.2012 10:03 PM PDT

How did you manage to create a matchmaking system that basically worked almost flawlessly and with little lag(minus the players with not so great connections)?

Edit: Not sure if this is the right question to be asking. If not, please tell me and I'll think up something else.

[Edited on 07.13.2012 10:10 PM PDT]

  • 07.13.2012 10:08 PM PDT

Whats up ! Lets play some Halo

What's the hardest part of your job?
How did you get into the field?

  • 07.14.2012 1:14 AM PDT

Magic is magical, so are shoes... Along with plastic.
Don't forget to flush the toilet, because -blam!- stinks.

Don't know much on what it is involved with network engineering, but hopefully this applies:

How do you prepare for launch day?
Matters such as, server maintenance or contigency plans. (Not trying to find a weak spot I promise)

  • 07.14.2012 1:29 AM PDT

"That's about all that can be said for plots, which anyway are just one thing after another, a what and a what and a what.

Now try how and why."

What are the last seven items in your browser history? Be honest! ¬_¬

  • 07.14.2012 1:38 AM PDT

Quote from Confucius

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Do you like your job ?

  • 07.14.2012 1:53 AM PDT

feartehstickman...
Posted by: toxicpanther615
the only problem i have with mine is that it's unstable,[very shakey],so you'd need a tripod for it.

Posted by: CJ Olvaid 360
Just drink a beer and everything will be ok

Do you ever momentarily forget what you're doing and wonder how you ended up where you are?

  • 07.14.2012 2:46 AM PDT

Just last week, I made the decision to quit my job of sixteen years and go back to school to become a network engineer. So this interview interests me quite a bit.

I have two questions.. First, what advice can you give someone such as myself who's trying to enter this field at the ripe old age of thirty four?

And, do you think that a trade school such as ITT Tech or University Of Phoenix is the best option for my education? Or should I pursue a more traditional degree through a university?

Bonus question: When I made the decision to follow this path, I hadn't even considered the fact that game developers utilize net engineer services. This has me even more excited for my new career path. The thought of being able to link this new career with one of my true passions in life such as gaming has me absolutely jiggling at the thought of the possibilities.(I'm a hefty man, bear with me.)

Anyway, on average, how many network engineers would a company like Bungie keep on staff at any given moment? Is there a whole division of nothing but engineers? Or is it more common to have one or two on staff and a collection of random IT guys below them?

I intend this to be my final career path in life, and I'm really nervous about taking these steps at my age. Having the opportunity to directly ask someone in your position these questions is a real blessing and I'll be really grateful if you find the time to answer even one of them.

And I want to thank all you guys at Bungie for setting these things up. You guys consistently go above and beyond for your community in whatever ways you can. Just wanted to say kudos for this.

  • 07.14.2012 10:03 AM PDT
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What's the juciest piece of technology that you get to work with in your role as an engineer in the gaming industry that your colleagues in, say, telecomms or business support wouldn't get to experience?

  • 07.14.2012 10:20 AM PDT

Thats Right I Was Banned For Watching The Webcams Too Much!Combat Arms - X647"He who'd walk a mile just to hold an empty hand, knows what it means to be a wealthy man."
Skin This Place Alive...

Do your parents know you are a network engineer? Were they upset when they found out?

  • 07.14.2012 10:40 AM PDT

"Strive for your next breath. Believe that with it you can do more than with the last one..."

Reverof Nohtaram

In previous Bungie games (such as Reach), what were some of the major networking differences and priorities between player versus player competitive multiplayer, and cooperative campaign?

  • 07.14.2012 11:14 AM PDT

Driven by success.
Follow me if you wish:@JamilDeanTriaa

What has drawn you to your field?

  • 07.14.2012 1:21 PM PDT

"Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop smokin'!"

Judging from previous job postings, I'm pretty sure when they say Network Engineers, they're referring to the guys (and gals?) who get the multiplayer and-the-like systems in the engine up and running. IE, an engineer of code, software. Refer to the 'I shot you first' presentation by David Aldridge.

Versus an IT Engineer who would be of the ragtag group that keeps the Bungie IT infrastructure (LAN, WAN, computers, help desk, etc) 'running' like a projectile in a vacuum: without friction. IE, an engineer of hardware (obviously IT is both hardware and software, with a dash of peopleware, but I think you can see what I'm getting at).

And calling a Network Engineer a 'Multiplayer Engineer' would be narrowing the position. Interacting with a file share thru the game, interfacing with XBL, etc are all problems a Network Engineer at Bungie would probably solve, on top of making sure your blue dude shoots the red dude without error (wait, that 'error' is a feature, not a bug!).

  • 07.14.2012 2:25 PM PDT

DEEDLE LEEDLE LEEDLE DEEEEE

Did you start your path in high school? If so tell me how you started in it, and what classes you took. (I'm a freshman.)

[Edited on 07.14.2012 3:40 PM PDT]

  • 07.14.2012 3:40 PM PDT

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