By this time in the social media game pretty much anybody who's anybody has a couple different profiles.  You've got your Facebook, pictures on Flickr, or yFrog for your Twitter profile, etc... but you probably find the most legit one to be your LinkedIn profile.  This one houses your work history, resume, and your colleague/friend recommendations. LinkedIn does house the world's largest professional network on the Internet with more than 100 million members in over 200 countries and territories. It's where you're going to be friends with your boss and your college roommate without any qualms.

LinkedIn really gained its popularity with recent college grads posting up their resumes, but with each request to "join my LinkedIn network," it's popularity has spread. Now there's 100 million plus professionals around the world vying to be in your network.  These 100 million plus are also conversing on a day to day basis, most popularly in LinkedIn's Groups feature.  

LinkedIn groups allow you to start or join a professional conversation.  Think forum for your profession.  With member-generated discussion, hear thier ideas, problems, solutions and simple chit chat.  You do have to weed through it a bit but once you do, it's nothing but a gem of social media interaction at its finest!

So - in the spirit of offering up free resources from the platform which is the world's hottest new IPO - here are our first Top 5 Groups that address network management and service provider resources. Submitted by our very own Dorado Software staff:

Network Management Systems (NMS)

The purpose of this group is to provide a networking forum for operators, solution providers and integrators who are involved or interested in the activities related to the operation and management of cellular and fixed-line telecommunications networks.

IT Infrastructure Management (ITIM) Professionals

We welcome all ITIM professionals, CIO's, CTO's, Tech Heads, IT / EDP Managers, System & Network Administrators & all others who are involved in the IT Infrastructure (Network) setup Planning, Designing, Implementing, Testing, Maintaining & above all involved in IT equipment procurement procedures.

Telecom Executives Business Network

Telecom Executives Business Network is for professionals working within the telecommunications industry. The focus of the group is on building an executive business network that can help foster the growth and networking of members as well as the entire telecommunication industry. Wireless or fixed.

CISCO CERTIFIED

Over 15K+ members and growing fast! Anyone who is Cisco Certified (CCENT, CCNA, CCNP, CCIP, CCSP, CCVP, CCDP, CCDE, CCIE) is encouraged to join this group. Focused on bringing together anyone working or associated with the Cisco networking field.

Network Operations Collaboration Group

Information Technology & Network Operators discuss employing Web 2.0 Collaboration techniques. Open to all, started by members of Dorado Software. Discuss the converging multi-vendor networks that underpin today’s Clouds (Private & Public), Datacenters and Service Provider core networks.


So keep a look out for our next top 5!


In the meantime, to learn more Network Management Systems (NMS and EMS)s, Service Provider Solutions, IT Infrastructure Management and more, just start up a conversation in our LinkedIn group.  We're also at doradosoftware.com