// Network Engineer

Sam Cox

hello@samcox.co.uk | LinkedIn
CCNA Network+ CCNP Enterprise ↗

// Profile

Network engineer with 7+ years of experience, starting in 1st and 2nd line support before moving into a dedicated network engineering role. I work in a public safety environment where reliable connectivity matters, including systems involved in mobilising crews to incidents. Day-to-day that means designing, deploying and supporting networks across multiple sites. CCNA and Network+ certified, currently studying for the CCNP Enterprise.

// What I Work On

LAN & Segmentation

Switching, VLANs, inter-site connectivity, VPNs, DNS, DHCP, NPS and Active Directory.

Wireless

Multi-site wireless deployments, access point refreshes, coverage improvements and day-to-day troubleshooting.

Network Access Control

Cisco ISE policy work across wired and wireless, including 802.1X, MAB, profiling, enforcement and troubleshooting.

Resilience

Keeping sites connected through failover planning, 4G backup, incident response and controlled network changes.

Monitoring & Automation

Using monitoring and management platforms for faults, changes, device configuration and repeatable network tasks.

Unified Comms

Microsoft Teams Phone, Microsoft 365 and the network considerations around voice services.

// Experience

Network Engineer

Jun 2021 – Present
  • Design, deploy and maintain LAN and wireless infrastructure across a multi-site public safety environment.
  • Provide 2nd and 3rd line network support, managing incidents and changes in an ITIL-aligned environment.
  • Led a migration from legacy telephony to Microsoft Teams Phone, reducing cost and simplifying the comms setup.
  • Contributed to a full wireless refresh, covering planning, deployment, testing and post-rollout support.
  • Independently designed and delivered an IoT bridging solution between Cisco Meraki and Cisco ISE, taking it from idea to production.
  • Configure and troubleshoot Cisco ISE for wired and wireless NAC, including policy creation, profiling, 802.1X and MAB.
  • Helped roll out 4G backup connectivity to improve resilience when primary links drop.

ICT Apprentice

Sep 2017 – Jun 2021
  • Provided 1st and 2nd line support, handling tickets via phone and email.
  • Imaged and deployed laptops using SCCM and provisioned new starters with required access and equipment.
  • Carried out routine hardware maintenance and repairs, escalating complex issues to the infrastructure team.

// Currently

▸
Studying Cisco CCNP Enterprise (ENCOR + ENARSI)
▸
Practice Using Proxmox and Cisco switching to test configs, refresh routing and switching topics, and practise CCNP work

// Notable Projects

IoT Network Segmentation

Self-initiated

Designed and built a bridging solution to get IoT devices authenticating through Cisco ISE on a Meraki wireless network - a gap that is not covered natively. Took it from investigation through to production.

Cisco MerakiCisco ISE802.1XMAB

Teams Phone Migration

Comms

Led the replacement of a legacy on-prem telephony system with Microsoft Teams Phone. Handled planning, configuration and rollout, reducing cost and simplifying the comms setup.

Teams PhoneMicrosoft 365VoIP

4G Failover Rollout

Resilience

Deployed 4G backup connectivity across a multi-site estate so sites could stay connected when primary links failed. Configured failover policies and validated recovery behaviour.

4G / WANFailoverMeraki MX

Multi-site Wireless Refresh

Infrastructure

Worked on a full wireless upgrade across dozens of sites, from planning and AP placement through to deployment and testing. Improved coverage and helped standardise the setup.

Cisco Meraki APsCisco DNACSite Surveys

Cisco ISE NAC Deployment

Security

Deployed and manage Cisco ISE for network access control across a large wired and wireless environment. Built out authentication policies using 802.1X and MAB, configured profiling and enforcement, and handle ongoing troubleshooting and policy changes.

Cisco ISE802.1XMABProfilingNAC

Network Automation with DNAC

Automation

Use Cisco DNAC (Catalyst Center) for device management and automation across a multi-site network, including provisioning, templates and ongoing monitoring.

Cisco DNACAutomationProvisioningSolarWinds

Site Builds & Refurbishments

Infrastructure

Delivered full network infrastructure for multiple new builds and site refurbishments - switch configuration, VLAN setup, AP installation and testing, from initial design through to handover.

SwitchingVLANsWirelessCisco IOS

// Project Deep Dives

IoT Network Segmentation

NAC
Problem

IoT devices needed controlled wireless access with Cisco ISE policy enforcement, but the normal Meraki path did not cover the requirement.

Approach

Mapped the authentication flow, tested the edge cases, then built a bridge between the Meraki wireless side and ISE policy handling.

Outcome

Delivered a production-ready route for IoT access without relaxing the NAC model or creating a one-off unmanaged exception.

Site Build Network Delivery

Infrastructure
Problem

A site build needed a complete network setup that could support wired access, wireless coverage and resilient local switching from day one.

Approach

Built out a six-switch stack, configured VLANs and uplinks, deployed wireless access points and validated the setup before handover.

Outcome

Delivered a clean site network with switching, segmentation and wireless in place, ready for operational use and future support.

// Day-to-Day Tools

Cisco ISE Cisco Meraki Dashboard Cisco Catalyst Center / DNAC Cisco FMC SolarWinds Cisco IOS Microsoft 365 Active Directory NPS SCCM PowerShell

// Technical Skills

Routing & Switching

TCP/IPDHCPDNSSubnetting VLANsVPNsSTP Inter-VLAN RoutingCisco IOS

Network Access Control

Cisco ISE802.1XMAB ProfilingWired & Wireless Enforcement

Wireless

Cisco Meraki APsCisco DNAC Site SurveysMulti-site Deployments IoT Segmentation

Security

Palo AltoCisco FMCCisco Meraki MX Firewall AdministrationVPN Configuration

Network Management

Cisco DNACSolarWinds Cisco Meraki DashboardAutomation

Microsoft & Unified Comms

Teams PhoneActive Directory Microsoft 365NPS SCCMPowerShell

// Certifications

◈

Cisco CCNA

Achieved August 2024
✓
◈

CompTIA Network+

Achieved April 2025
✓
◉

Cisco CCNP Enterprise

Currently studying
…

// Contact

Email hello@samcox.co.uk LinkedIn sam-cox-6209aa16b