STATUS: LINK UP // SEEKING ENTRY-LEVEL ROLES

Pradeep Balamurugan

Aspiring Network Engineer

Computer Science Engineering graduate and IT professional with 3+ years of software development experience transitioning into network engineering and infrastructure. Completed comprehensive A+, Network+, CCNA, and CEH training at Indra Institute of Education (IIE).

Equipped with practical hands-on experience in Cisco Packet Tracer multi-router topologies, routing protocols, VLAN segmentation, Linux systems, and a dedicated Proxmox home lab. Seeking to leverage strong troubleshooting discipline in Network Engineer, NOC Engineer, or Network Support roles.

View My Projects Download Resume LinkedIn

# TCP/IP & OSI

# VLANs & OSPF

# Cisco Packet Tracer

# Proxmox Home Lab

# Linux & Grafana

// 01. OVERVIEW

About Me

I am a Computer Science and Engineering graduate with over 3 years of hands-on software development experience, actively transitioning into the domain of Network Engineering and IT Infrastructure.

My software engineering background at Trika Technologies and Zoho Corporation provided me with a deep foundation in Linux systems, enterprise middleware, API communication, backend log debugging, and production telemetry monitoring using Grafana. Over time, my technical passion naturally evolved toward the underlying infrastructure that connects services together: routing protocols, network topologies, switching fabrics, and virtualization.

To formalize and accelerate my transition into networking, I completed intensive hands-on training in A+, Network+, CCNA, and CEH at the Indra Institute of Education (IIE) in Coimbatore. Through this curriculum and practical internships, I gained rigorous exposure to core networking protocols, IPv4/IPv6 subnetting, multi-router OSPF routing, VLAN segmentation, ACL traffic filtering, and Wireshark packet capture analysis.

Beyond simulation software, I build and maintain a physical Proxmox VE virtualized home lab. This allows me to regularly manage virtual machines, configure NFS/SMB network storage, implement secure remote connectivity using Tailscale and Cloudflare Tunnels, operate local DNS caching with Pi-hole, and systematically troubleshoot infrastructure bottlenecks.

As an entry-level professional, I bring a rare combination: rigorous practical networking training, disciplined troubleshooting methodology, and deep Linux/scripting agility.

Engineering Foundation

B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering (CGPA 7.71). Strong analytical grounding in system architecture, operating systems, and computer network theory.

Network Training & Labs

Completed A+, N+, CCNA, CEH training at Indra Institute of Education. Hands-on configuration of Cisco Packet Tracer topologies and Wireshark traffic analysis.

Infrastructure & Home Lab

Active Proxmox VE hypervisor running virtual machines, Docker containers, NFS/SMB storage shares, overlay networks (Tailscale/Twingate), and Grafana telemetry.

Troubleshooting Discipline

Proven ability to isolate connectivity faults, verify DNS resolution, inspect logs, validate routing tables, and isolate network vs. host service issues.

// 02. TARGET DIRECTION

Career Goal

$ CAREER OBJECTIVE:

"Build a long-term career in networking and IT infrastructure by applying practical networking protocols, hands-on lab configuration, Linux administration, and systematic diagnostic methodologies to support mission-critical enterprise environments."

Target Roles

Entry-Level Network Engineer

Assist in configuring, deploying, and maintaining enterprise routers, switches, VLANs, routing protocols (OSPF), DHCP, and access control policies.

Routing & Switching VLAN / OSPF Cisco Packet Tracer

NOC Engineer

Monitor 24/7 network links and infrastructure telemetry, detect alerts using tools like Grafana and Uptime Kuma, triage incidents, and restore operational connectivity.

Network Monitoring Incident Triage Grafana / Uptime Kuma

Network Support Engineer

Diagnose LAN/WAN connectivity issues, troubleshoot DNS, DHCP, and IP address conflicts, verify physical cabling, and resolve day-to-day user and device network problems.

LAN Troubleshooting DHCP / DNS User Support

IT Infrastructure / Network Support

Maintain servers, Linux environments, virtual machines, remote access overlays, and network attached storage for operational continuity and infrastructure reliability.

Linux & Virtualization Proxmox / Docker Remote Access

// 03. ACADEMICS & QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Degree

Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering

Dr. N.G.P. Institute of Technology

2019 – 2023 Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Cumulative GPA: 7.71

Completed 4-year engineering curriculum covering Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Database Management Systems, Data Structures, Algorithms, and Software Engineering principles.

Specialized Training

A+, N+, CCNA, CEH Technical Training

Indra Institute of Education (IIE)

06/2026 – 09/2026 Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Training Period: 29/06/2026 – 23/09/2026

Intensive classroom and lab training program dedicated to hardware maintenance, networking fundamentals, IPv4/IPv6 subnetting, Cisco switching/routing, network security, and cybersecurity practices.

// 04. FORMAL NETWORKING TRAINING

Networking Training

Course Credential

Networking & Cybersecurity Training

Indra Institute of Education (IIE)

29/06/2026 – 23/09/2026

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

Covered in-depth OSI and TCP/IP protocol stacks, subnetting mathematics, Cisco router and switch administration, VLAN architectures, dynamic routing with OSPF, network service deployment (DHCP/DNS/NAT), access control lists, network troubleshooting, and cybersecurity fundamentals.

Curriculum Topics Covered:

Fundamentals & Physical Layer

Networking Fundamentals OSI Model TCP/IP Model Ethernet Networking Media LAN Network Topologies

Addressing & Routing

IPv4 Addressing IPv6 Addressing Subnetting Routers Static Routing Dynamic Routing OSPF

Switching & Network Services

Switches VLANs Trunking STP / RSTP DHCP DNS NAT

Security, Remote Access & Troubleshooting

ACLs (Access Control Lists) VPN Fundamentals SSH Network Troubleshooting Basic Network Security Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking Fundamentals

// 05. TECHNICAL INVENTORY

Technical Skills

All skills listed below represent technologies, protocols, and tools actively practiced in training, lab environments, and software projects. No arbitrary percentage bars.

Networking

16 Protocols & Concepts

TCP/IP OSI Model IPv4 IPv6 Subnetting VLANs Trunking STP/RSTP Routing OSPF DHCP DNS NAT ACLs VPN Fundamentals SSH

Network Infrastructure

7 Hardware & Topologies

Routers Switches Wireless Access Points Ethernet LAN Network Topologies Network Troubleshooting

Systems & Infrastructure

7 Operating Systems & Hypervisors

Linux Windows Proxmox Virtualization Docker NFS SMB/Samba

Monitoring & Remote Access

5 Telemetry & Tunnels

Grafana Uptime Kuma Twingate Tailscale Cloudflare Tunnel

Networking Tools

2 Simulation & Inspection

Cisco Packet Tracer Wireshark

Programming & Scripting

4 Languages

JavaScript TypeScript Java SQL

Development Tools

3 Ecosystem Tools

Git GitHub VS Code

AI Productivity Tools

2 Developer Accelerators

ChatGPT GitHub Copilot

// 06. PROFESSIONAL TRACK RECORD

Work Experience

Demonstrating hands-on networking training alongside a proven software engineering track record that strengthens systems troubleshooting and automation capability.

Networking Internship

Intern

Indra Institute of Education

09/2026 – 10/2026 Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Gained hands-on experience in networking, Linux, network troubleshooting, routing, switching, VLANs, and network security using Cisco Packet Tracer and Wireshark.

                  ▹
                  Configured routers, switches, and endpoint hosts within multi-segmented simulated LAN environments.
                

                  ▹
                  Executed packet capture sessions in Wireshark to inspect frame headers, TCP handshakes, DNS queries, and ARP broadcasts.
                

                  ▹
                  Diagnosed and remediated simulated network faults, broken routing paths, and misconfigured switch ports.
                

Networking Linux Routing & Switching VLANs Cisco Packet Tracer Wireshark Network Security

Full-Time Software Engineering

Full Stack Developer

Trika Technologies

04/2023 – 02/2026 Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

Developed and maintained enterprise applications and middleware platforms in a production environment. Worked with Linux, APIs, cloud services, monitoring, and distributed application infrastructure.

                  ▹
                  Used Grafana for service monitoring and real-time infrastructure troubleshooting.
                

                  ▹
                  Administered production workloads running on Linux operating systems and integrated distributed API services.
                

                  ▹
                  Collaborated closely with cross-functional engineering teams to troubleshoot complex application, integration, and infrastructure-related issues.
                

Linux APIs Cloud Services Grafana Monitoring Distributed Infrastructure System Troubleshooting

Software Internship

Software Developer Intern

Zoho Corporation

09/2022 – 02/2023 Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Developed backend log-management systems using Java, MySQL, and JDBC. Worked on data retrieval, querying, sorting, and troubleshooting. Gained practical experience in software development and debugging.

                  ▹
                  Engineered backend routines to parse, query, and sort large system log streams to diagnose operational anomalies.
                

                  ▹
                  Developed database queries in MySQL and established database connectivity via JDBC.
                

                  ▹
                  Built disciplined debugging habits, systematic log parsing, and backend diagnostic routines.
                

Java MySQL JDBC Log Management Query Optimization Debugging

// 07. HANDS-ON NETWORKING LABS

Projects & Networking Labs

Authentic lab configurations and infrastructure projects directly supported by training and hands-on practice. Strictly verifiable with no fabricated metrics or fake topologies.

Packet Tracer Lab Cisco IOS Simulation

Cisco Networking Lab — Packet Tracer

Designed and configured multi-router network topologies using Cisco Packet Tracer to practice enterprise routing, switching segmentation, and traffic security.

Key Features & Implemented Concepts:

VLAN Configuration & Inter-VLAN Routing: Partitioned broadcast domains and enabled routed communication between multiple departments.
Network Segmentation: Applied logical segmentation across switch ports and trunk links for security and isolation.
OSPF Dynamic Routing: Configured Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) across routers for dynamic, automated routing table convergence.
DHCP Services: Implemented centralized DHCP pools for automated IP address and gateway allocation to client devices.
ACL Configuration: Deployed Access Control Lists to enforce packet filtering, restrictive inbound/outbound rules, and access control.
STP/RSTP & EtherChannel Concepts: Practiced Spanning Tree Protocol to eliminate layer-2 loops and explored LACP/EtherChannel link bundling.
Network Connectivity Testing & Troubleshooting: Conducted ping sweeps, traceroute hops, and Cisco show commands to diagnose and verify connectivity.

My Contribution:

Designed the multi-router topology in Cisco Packet Tracer from scratch; configured router sub-interfaces for 802.1Q encapsulation; defined OSPF area routing; authored Standard and Extended ACLs; validated DHCP lease distribution; and resolved simulated cabling and interface mismatch issues.

Technologies Used:

Cisco Packet Tracer Routers Switches VLANs Inter-VLAN Routing OSPF DHCP ACLs STP/RSTP LACP / EtherChannel Network Troubleshooting

Cisco Networking Lab Packet Tracer Topology Screenshot

assets/project1.jpg

// CONCEPTUAL LAB TOPOLOGY (VISUALIZATION)

Virtualization & Systems Proxmox VE

Home Lab — Network & Infrastructure

Built and maintained a virtualized home-lab environment using Proxmox VE to host infrastructure services, shared storage, zero-trust remote access, and real-time telemetry.

Key Features & Implemented Services:

Proxmox VE Hypervisor: Provisioned, configured, and managed Linux virtual machines and containerized services.
Network Storage: Configured NFS and SMB/Samba network-attached file shares for cross-platform data availability.
Secure Remote Access: Implemented overlay mesh networks using Tailscale and Twingate for seamless remote management.
Cloudflare Tunnel: Configured zero-trust encrypted tunnels to publish select services without exposing insecure public ports.
DNS Resolution & Pi-hole: Configured localized DNS services and Pi-hole for network-wide ad/tracker filtering and domain inspection.
Telemetry & Monitoring: Implemented Grafana dashboards and Uptime Kuma heartbeats for host resource and service availability tracking.
Hands-On Troubleshooting: Diagnosed and resolved network connectivity, DNS resolution, service access, storage mounts, and host infrastructure issues.

My Contribution:

Installed and administered the Proxmox hypervisor; partitioned virtual networks; established shared storage volumes via NFS/SMB; deployed Pi-hole and tuned DNS resolution; configured secure tunnels (Tailscale, Twingate, Cloudflare); and authored Grafana and Uptime Kuma monitoring alarms.

Technologies Used:

Proxmox Virtual Machines Linux Docker NFS SMB/Samba Twingate Tailscale Cloudflare Tunnel DNS Pi-hole Grafana Uptime Kuma Infrastructure Troubleshooting

Proxmox Virtualized Home Lab Infrastructure Screenshot

assets/project2.jpg

// CONCEPTUAL HOME LAB ARCHITECTURE

// 08. CREDENTIALS & TRAININGS

Certifications

Formal technical certifications and verified training completions directly from resume records.

CompTIA A+ Training Certificate - Indra Institute of Education

Networking & Hardware

A+

Indra Institute of Education (IIE)

Comprehensive training in computer hardware, peripheral maintenance, system diagnostics, and operating system configuration.

Core Networking

Network+

Indra Institute of Education (IIE)

Training in network architecture, OSI model, IP addressing & subnetting, Ethernet switching, routing protocols, and media types.

Cisco Routing & Switching

CCNA

Indra Institute of Education (IIE)

Hands-on training in Cisco IOS CLI, multi-router OSPF, VLANs, trunking, STP/RSTP, ACL security filtering, and DHCP deployment.

Certified Ethical Hacker CEH Training - Indra Institute of Education

Cybersecurity

CEH

Indra Institute of Education (IIE)

Fundamental cybersecurity concepts, network vulnerability assessment, packet sniffing, security best practices, and ethical hacking.

Software Development

Certified Java Developer

Infosys Certification, 2022

Object-oriented programming, data structures, backend engineering, and algorithmic problem-solving credential.

Enterprise Training

Advanced Programming Training

Zoho Corporation

Intensive industry training in backend systems, database interaction (JDBC/MySQL), logging architectures, and software troubleshooting.

// 09. OFFICIAL CURRICULUM VITAE

Resume

FILE STATUS: UP-TO-DATE & ACCESSIBLE

Looking for the complete resume?

Download my official Network Engineer resume detailing my Computer Science engineering degree, 3+ years software/systems background, formal A+/N+/CCNA/CEH training at IIE, and hands-on Packet Tracer and Proxmox lab implementations.

B.E. Computer Science Graduate

A+, N+, CCNA, CEH Trained

Proxmox & Cisco Packet Tracer Labs

Targeting Entry-Level / NOC Roles

Download Resume (PDF) View in Browser

File Location: assets/resume.pdf

// 10. GET IN TOUCH

Contact

Interested in discussing an entry-level Network Engineer, NOC Engineer, or Network Support opportunity? Feel free to reach out directly.

Email pradeepbalamurugan22@gmail.com

Phone 8056771482

Location Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/pradeep-balamurugan

Portfolio Domain Pradeepbalamurugan.com

Send a Direct Message

Fill out the form below or email me directly at pradeepbalamurugan22@gmail.com.