Summary

Experienced Unix, Windows, and Novell administrator specializing in open-source solutions, seeking a challenging position with an established, technology-oriented company.

Technical Skills

• Software
  • Unix Operating Systems: Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, HP-UX
  • Windows Operating Systems: NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista
  • NetWare Network Operating Systems: 4-6
  • Programming languages include: Perl, PHP, C++, Visual Basic, Ruby, bash
  • Network services: Microsoft SQL Server, Terminal Services, Citrix, IIS, Apache, MySQL, sendmail, SpamAssassin
  • Backup software: Bacula, Veritas Backup Exec, ArcServe, R1Soft CDP
  • Virtualization: Xen, OpenVZ
• Networking
  • Microsoft/Novell/NIS/LDAPv3 networking architectures
  • Ethernet, WAN, VPN, and wireless (802.11) network infrastructure
  • Cisco and Watchguard networking hardware
  • Networking security, performance, and uptime monitoring
  • TCP/IP (IPSec), IPX, NetBIOS, DHCP, SMTP, HTTP, DNS/BIND, NFS, SSH, et al.
  • Software firewalls including: pf, iptables, Monowall, Shorewall
  • Custom firewall hardware built with Monowall
  • Shared web hosting with CPanel and Virtualmin
• Hardware
  • x86 and Sun single- and multi-processor systems
  • Embedded platforms (x86, Atmel, PICs)
  • External RAID storage (Sun, EMC)
  • Tape backup & robotic tape libraries
• Telecom
  • Familiar with PBX wiring and hardware such as Lucent Definity and Dialogic PCI cards
  • Experience with telephony software such as Show-N-Tel and Asterisk PBX

Professional Experience

InfoRelay Online Systems - Sterling, VA

Senior Systems Engineer, 01/2007 - Present

While I was hired as a sysadmin, a large portion of my time spent with InfoRelay has been software development in Perl. I was tasked with designing and building a system to reliably and centrally handle the different types of alerts that may be generated, escalating alerts to the current tech on call, their backup, and the whole team if need be. The system has been operating in production since April '07.

I also implemented LDAP for authentication, using a single master and five replicated slaves for redundancy. LDAP is used in the largest systems, and for a number of web-based applications, and allows finer control of access than the previous key-to-everything system. Alongside the LDAP project, I set up a SSL certificate authority for internal use, moved numerous existing systems to CA-signed keys, and built a few peered NTP time servers to handle each data center.

I function as a regular sysadmin also, managing backups, maintenance, new installs, future planning, and functioning as third-tier support for InfoRelay co-location customers, as well as for web hosting customers.

Independent Consultant - Alexandria, VA

Web Security Consultant, 03/2006 - 01/2007

After relocating to the Washington, DC area, I worked with a handful of businesses as an independent. I performed security reviews on ASP and Perl web-based applications, provided patches, and implemented all-new security functionality. I worked closely with employees and instructed them in secure design practices. Once my last contract finished, I decided to return to permanent employment.

ICM Insurance Company - Indianapolis, IN

Systems Administrator, 06/2005 - 03/2006

I joined ICM for a startup operation. We leveraged existing software and systems which were developed for a now-defunct insurance company. During the startup and when I departed, I was the sole sysadmin for the organization. In preparing to open for business, I built new servers and reconfigured existing servers, established new telecommunications links, and planned a reliable network in terms of both communications and services. It was a unique opportunity to avoid issues that cropped up in the previous business, and build a truly production-ready environment from the start.

TeleServices Direct - Indianapolis, IN

Systems Administrator, 09/2004 - 06/2005

The CIO with whom I had worked at Superior Insurance was hired at TeleServices, and called me just a few weeks after starting. There had never been anyone in a sysadmin role, and the network was in a bad state. Our goals were to streamline business processes and develop a well-managed, high-reliability network. As the sole system administrator, I completed the following major projects:

• Backup & disaster recovery, with an off-site rotation schedule
• Service monitoring and notification
• Structured time synchronization
• IDS, log monitoring, & event correlation engine
• Network performance monitoring
• Documented function and structure of network on an internal wiki web site
• Restructured WAN so that each of the offices can operate independent of the others. Previously all offices were dependent on the corporate office to function.

I also functioned as the only tier of desktop support. This encompassed phone and remote-control debugging with users in offices scattered around central Indiana and in Jamaica. Periodically, I visited the Indiana offices for on-site repairs and late-night production changes.

Superior Insurance Company - Indianapolis, IN

Systems Administrator, 09/2002 - 09/2004

In nine months I advanced from desktop technician to systems administrator, and was direcly managing two desktop techs and co-managing a technical services team of seven. My general responsibilities were:

• Backup / disaster recovery
• Server maintenance, including patch approval and production changes
• Desktop and remote user support (escalated)
• Printer/fax/copier support (also escalated)
• Network and service performance and uptime monitoring

Some of my accomplishments at Superior include:

• Implemented a Perl-based ticketing system for Tech Services, to streamline the workflow and reduce forgotten requests
• Added spam and virus filtering to e-mail system using open-source products (amavisd-new, SpamAssassin, and Clam AntiVirus) and Symantec's Anti-Virus for SMTP
• Built a centralized change log application, to mantain documentation of all changes to production hardware
• Helped to transition the backbone of our Indianapolis network to Gigabit ethernet, to enhance performance and help future-proof the network
• Designed and verified reliable, structured service monitoring for the network, with performance monitoring and graphing at key points

Education

Alexandria-Monroe High School - Alexandria, IN

HS Diploma, 05/2002

Graduated with an Academic Honors diploma, and received the Purdue University Young Scholars French Award, 5 gold/2 silver Regional Academic Decathlon medals, and 3 gold/2 bronze State Academic Decathlon medals. Attended Hoosier Boys' State in Summer 2001.

Certifications

Brainbench Certifications:

References

References available upon request.