Sharon Kahn
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4002 Pillsbury Ave — Minneapolis, MN 55409 — (612) 827-3228 — sharon.kahn@pobox.com

Software engineer with extensive experience in embedded/network testing and in software testing as a discipline; also experienced in all aspects of the software development process, technical training and course development, and UNIX/IP network design and administration. Known for innovative solutions to organizational problems, and ability to translate complex technical information into audience-appropriate documents and presentations.
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Cassatt Corporation          Mendota Heights, MN

Cisco Systems, Storage Router Business Unit (formerly Nuspeed) Maple Grove, MN Senior Test Engineer (Cisco) 2000-2003
Wrote, managed and executed formal test plans, cases and reports for complex storage networking product (iSCSI Storage Router), working with minimal management supervision. Led product test cycles, providing weekly test reports and ongoing quality metrics to cross-functional Product Release Team. Set up and maintained a testbed of Linux and Win2K file servers, Ethernet and Fibre Channel switches, and Fibre Channel storage devices. Collaborated with developers during product design and integration test.
  • Wrote a suite of automated network stress tests, with extensive online documentation. These tests were used by testers at a remote testing facility and by developers performing integration testing, resulting in a higher quality of product going into formal Alpha Test.
  • Served as test liaison and onsite support to corporate partner, enabling faster execution of customer Acceptance Test.
  • Created and delivered new product training on iSCSI storage router to the Cisco worldwide support organization.

    •       System Test Manager (Nuspeed) 2000
    Established test department for startup that designed and built the world’s first iSCSI Storage Router. Wrote job descriptions and hired testers. Established initial System Test process for the company.
  • Managed first performance benchmark for new storage router product (performed at Imation Lab). Calculated performance metrics and wrote test report for internal use.
  • Co-authored initial product training for customers and product resellers.
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    US West !nterprise Group (acquired by Qwest) Minneapolis, MN Senior System Tester 2000
    Primary tester for a group of  8–10 developers who were responsible for software support of the ATM-based networks that provided DSL service to much of the Twin Cities. Wrote and executed acceptance test plan for complex ATM provisioning software, calculated performance metrics,  and produced test reports.
  • Served as main contact with software vendor, ensuring that product was modified as necessary to meet business requirements.
  • Maintained and significantly extended a complex set of UNIX-based automated test cases, significantly increasing the efficiency with which tests could be executed.
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    NEO Networks, Inc. Minnetonka, Minnesota Director of System Test and QA 1999   Provided all aspects of System Test support to a startup that was developing a very high-speed, high-capacity Layer2/Layer3 Switch. Wrote test plans and cases, provided scheduling and resource information. Investigated test tools needed for functional system testing. Wrote and reviewed functional requirements, user documentation, user interface, debug-interface.
  • Collaborated with Development on user interface design, resulting in a more usable final product.
  • Organized and implemented a major performance benchmark.
  • Developed and delivered a presentation on Network Testing at the Fifth International Conference on Practical Software Quality Techniques.
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    Ascend Communications, High Performance Networking Division
    (acquired by Lucent) Eden Prairie, Minnesota
    Senior Test Engineer 1997-1999
    Lead tester for IP routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, RIP, GateD) for a high-capacity switch/router. Wrote test plans and cases, designed complex test networks, produced test reports and risk assessments. Executed test cases and worked closely with developers of IP Routing protocols to isolate and troubleshoot difficult software problems.
  • Earned certification as internal auditor for ISO 9001 and participated in process teams. Performed internal audits as part of site certification process..
  • Created templates for FIT testing, Test Plans and Test Reports as part of ISO 9001 qualification.
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    StorageTek Network Systems Group (formerly Network Systems) Brooklyn Park, MN System Test Manager 1995 - 1997
    Managed a large test department ($1.5M budget) testing Internet routing/security products. Managed up to 12 direct reports: hiring, supervising, mentoring and providing direction. Tested routers, switches and firewalls utilizing the following protocols: TCP/IP, Bridging (Spanning Tree Protocol), RIP, OSPF, DECnet, Appletalk, IPX, XNS, over most existing LAN/WAN media (Ethernet, FDDI, ATM, PPP, Frame Relay, X.25, and Hyperchannel).


    Lab Manager 1994 – 1995
    Managed four software development labs during period of major expansion. Trained and managed three lab techs. Designed and implemented lab networks, physical lab design, lab procedures.

  • Wrote UNIX shell scripts for management of lab equipment and networks, making it possible for over a dozen developers to share common testbeds harmoniously.
  • Designed and implemented a C language program to provide a command-line front-end for a difficult piece of performance testing equipment (Alantec PowerBits)

    •       Lab Administrator and Integration Tester 1992-1994
    Managed the Internetworking Development Lab and performed software/hardware integration testing for firmware developers.
  • Developed standardized acceptance test for development code builds and a documented process for handoff of new code from Development to System Test. Automated and executed System Test acceptance testing.
  • Managed router interoperability and benchmarking events, working with Scott Bradner at Harvard University (developer of the first standardized IP router performance tests). Reports were used by Marketing to showcase product capabilities.
  • Developed a product performance testing methodology for high-end IP routers. Executed and documented several highly visible product performance tests which were used in the company’s marketing material.
  • Wrote the Software Integration/Test Procedure for ISO 9001 Certification.
  • Developed and delivered a class in formal code inspection to all software developers,  introducing this procedure into the development process as a tool for reducing code defects.

    •       UNIX Network Administrator/Lab Administrator 1990-1992
    Managed internetworking development lab and the Engineering network (Auspex server, Sun workstations) during a period of exponential expansion in the internal IP network. Installed Sun workstations, instructed users in basic Unix and assisted them in setting up their workstation environments, and managed user filesystems on Auspex server.
  • Wrote many UNIX shell scripts to simplify and automate network management (add users, move filesystems, etc.)

    •       Senior Course Developer/Instructor 1990
    Researched and developed internal and customer training on TCP/IP and all of NSC’s Internetworking products. Provided training and mentoring to more junior instructors.
  • Expanded Internetworking training classes to cover new products and protocols.
  • Designed and developed an innovative train-the-trainer class with field support personnel, enabling them to deliver product training courses in the field. This allowed us to provide more training without increasing Training Department staff.
  • Delivered TCP/IP course at a public seminar.

    •       Course Developer/Instructor, Internetworking 1988-1990
    Researched, developed and delivered internal and customer training on TCP/IP and all of NSC’s Internetworking products. This was one of the first training courses on TCP/IP in the country.
  • Generated 30% of Training Department revenue with popular customer class.
  • Consulted on IP protocols, network design and related NSC products to field support personnel, enabling them to provide better service to our customers.
  • Designed and managed a complex test lab that attracted company-wide attention.
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    NCR Comten, Roseville, MN 1984-1987
    Programmer (BAL, C Language) for front-end-processors: store-and-forward message system, and TPAD for X.25. User-interface work, performance testing and test plan writing.
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    Brown Institute, Minneapolis, MN 1983-1984
    Instructor: Taught classes in machine language and IBM Assembly Language (BAL).
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    Contractor, Minneapolis, MN 1983
    Programmer/course developer: Created educational software for IBM PC and Apple III.
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    Sperry Univac, Commercial Division, Roseville, MN 1976-1982
    Programmer: 1100-series mainframes. DMS Database and CMS (Communications Management System).
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    EDUCATION
    University of Minnesota B.A. in Computer Science
    Michigan State University B.S. in Psychology