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Quantum

Oct 2010 to Jun 2015​

Employee: 4 years, 9 months

Roles: Architect, Engineering Manager (13 people), Principal Software Engineer

Technologies: C, MySQL, PHP

Overview​

Quantum provides hyper-scale solutions for storing and managing data.

Project​

I created StorNext Connect, which is an enterprise product to discover, manage, and monitor StorNext environments.

StorNext is an enterprise shared-storage file system used by these organizations:

  • Large US and international security organizations (3-letter government agencies)
  • Unstructured data (education, life sciences, and retail)
  • Video producers and consumers (media and entertainment)

Prior to StorNext Connect, every node (often, hundreds to thousands) required a manual setup, which is not feasible.

Challenges​

Design and build a system that discovers, manages, and monitors thousands of distributed "big data" nodes. The new architecture had to co-exist with the existing product lines.

Overcome internal resistance to introducing a web interface, i.e., anything other than a Linux CLI (command-line interface).

No budget to hire web developers. Convince 8 internal C-language software developers that they should join the StorNext Connect team.

Activities​

Create a proof of concept that went from a working prototype to product approval, by Quantum's board of directors, in 90 days. This is the first new software offering from Quantum in over 10 years. This product makes Quantum's flagship product, StorNext, enterprise ready.

Create and design the architecture, system, and product. Developed the core product. Wrote product specifications. Hired developers. Worked with cross-functional teams (project management and product marketing).

Built a team from one (myself) to 13 by showing internal developers that a newly funded product, using technologies outside their comfort zone, was a worthy endeavor (career choice).

Results​

As an Architect I conceived the product, designed the architecture, and integrated it with the existing StorNext product line.

As the Engineering Manager I created a new product line, built a team of 13, engaged with project management and product marketing, and guided the development.

As a Principal Software Engineer I wrote the first version of StorNext Connect (proof of concept), "sold" the idea to management, and did code reviews for the first year.