[mikester]

Originally Posted by masraum

Actually, he's probably working on a Cisco ASA which use Cisco Router IOS like access-lists.

I will admit, occasionally there are network issues (rarely ) that cause problems with other things (servers, apps, etc...), but it seems like 90% of the time, the problem is NOT the network (or even more commonly blamed, the firewall) and it's our job to prove it to the other folks.

It's very common to be in the situation... "Poke a hole for my app." "What protocol/port does your app use?" ".... ." And yeah, a lot of the time when they finally come back with something, it's often either wrong or only part of the picture. As network guy, I think we are the red-headed step-children of the IT world despite the fact that if we didn't keep stuff running, everyone else would be screwed. And if we didn't have so much integrity, the folks that irritate us would be screwed.

Wow, sounds like that guy is a real jack hole and would suck to work with. It seems that you've got a couple of options.

Option 1 Retaliate. Make him look/seem really stupid. That will often take the wind out of someone's sails.

Option 2 Just ignore when he's being an ass. Don't respond to his obnoxious statements. When he gets done ranting, ask him a question about the matter at hand as if he hadn't just said anything.

Option 3 Don't deal with him when he's being an azz. Just hang up. Maybe call his boss and tell him that you'd like to work with someone who's interested in fixing the problem instead of *****ing and berating you. If you really want to go the official route, go to HR. Most places have a policy against harassment these days.

There are network issues, this I am almost certain isn't one of them. It's an older PIX by the way. I am not the option 1 kind of guy. I really have been considering telling his boss or my own boss that I would rather work with someone else on this problem. This guy has been belligerent and when I called him out on it he flew even farther off the handle. He doesn't want to listen to my observations on the network side and without that - we aren't going to be able to fix it. Let me work with someone else please.

Originally Posted by Chris Martin

Sure, whatever. I work for the competition.

If it really bugs you talk to your HR guy. A simple, "I'm not sure what's appropriate on my part, but X made me uncomfortable." That's what HR is for.

Oh, Really? Hiring?