LAN Engineer / Network Administrator / Server Administrator / Helpdesk

SUMMARY
20 years of professional experience in the IT industry. My career began in 1987
as a data entry clerk and progressed into many other areas. I also began my LAN
Engineer / LAN Administrator duties in 1987 as well with PCNET. I obtained my MC
SE credentials when Microsoft first introduced it in 1994 and have done my best
to keep it current through the years. I've worked with just about every LAN topo
logy and server operating system including Microsoft, Novell, Solaris, and many
flavors of Linux. I am also very familiar with most PC and network hardware. I h
ave a 15 node network in my home as both a production and test lab including a w
ireless configuration and broadband xDSL with a server mix of Windows Server 200
3, Novell Netware 6.5, and Redhat Fedora Core Linux. I have worked in both small
to large enterprise environments. Everyone has a passion in life, mine as alway
s been IT. When I am not at work I am usually at home using my lab environment t
o keep my skills as sharp and current as possible.
EXPERIENCE
Network Security Engineer - 2008 to 2009
Georgia Department Of Corrections, Atlanta, Georgia
Responsible for maintaining network security in a Novell eDirectory environment
(Novell Admin), maintained VPN subsystem including Radius user database & Cisco
3000 VPN concentrator, Also monitored & maintained WAN MPLS circuits for more th
an 250 locations throughout the state. Assisted other engineers with SAN mainten
ance of Dell/Clarion SANs located both at the data center in Alpharetta and two
downtown locations, assisted CSO with other duties including virus detection & p
revention. Consulted with Novell Engineers on issues relating to Microsoft & Lin
ux servers after original engineer left the company. Outsourced to IBM in April
2009 and they sent my duties overseas to India on August 1 2009
* One of the two primary DS3 circuits was having issues and became unusable, AT&
T was having difficulty determining problem and I was able to isolate the issue
and instruct AT&T technicians on a solution and had the circuit back to full fun
ction in less than 8 hours. Problem was detected at 4:30pm and I had it correcte
d by 1am.
* During the IBM outsourcing I was consulted on migrating the existing VPN solut
ion to one of IBM's, Migrating the SANs, Migrating from Novell eDirectory to Mic
rosoft Active Directory, Microsoft Web Server administration, and training IBM s
taff in maintaining the current systems prior to migration.
Network Administrator - 1996 to 2008
Triple H Pipeline, Inc., Decatur, GA.
I have been the IT Manager of this small construction company since they got the
ir first PC. and has since grown to 5 PC's, 2 laptops, and 2 servers with an xDS
L connection. I setup the entire infrastructure from the servers down to the wir
ing itself.
* Setup & maintained an appliance based VPN connection from the workstations at
the "shop" to the servers at the office.
* Handled all of the setup & issues with Bellsouth regarding the broadband conne
ction.
* Setup the wireless system for the mobile devices including security.
* Setup all networking equipment & services including routers, switches, servers
, including web, email via Microsoft exchange server 2003, DNS, DHCP, in a Windo
ws 2003 Active Directory integrated invironment etc.
* Trained user when necessary regarding the use of the network, the internet, em
ail, software packages, etc.
* Handled all troubleshooting relating to the network as well as the individual
desktop PC issues with both hardware and software.
* Monitored the network functionality, availability, throughput, etc. via networ
k monitor tools, so that if there was a problem I would be notified and could re
ctify the issues in a timely manner. 98% of the time, as long as it wasn't a har
dware failure, I could repair the problem from virtually anywhere via secure acc
ess.
Managed a Windows Server 2003 environment using Active Directory
Micro Systems Support Specialist 1 - 2001 to 2004
Georgia Department Of Human Resources, Atlanta, Georgia
This position was in the Technical Support Unit of the Office Of Information Tec
hnology serving as the server & network infrastructure group as well as the help
desk supporting some 27,000 users in an enterprise environment. Network & Deskto
p PC troubleshooting. Network administration using Novell NDS/eDirectory & Micro
soft Windows 2000. New desktop PC installations. Installed both local and networ
k printers, as well as various PC peripherals. Acted as liaison to GTA & DOAS wi
th respect to connectivity to the state backbone for each of the counties I serv
iced. DHR consists of may divisions offices of state government including DFCS,
Public Health, Mental Health, Regulatory Services, Personnel, Financial Services
, and others.
* Served 1 year as the field technician/engineer for 6 metro Atlanta counties in
cluding DeKalb, Gwinnett, Fulton, Rockdale, Clayton & Henry in which I handled a
ll network equipment including Cisco routers & switches, printers, servers, etc.
Handled all new installations of hardware & software as well as upgrades. Suppo
rted mainframe connectivity.
* Maintained the HP9000 system consisting of an Oracle Server, and a separate op
tical storage system running HP-UX for the Vital Records division of Public Heal
th. Also supported the Public Health Lab in Decatur, Ga. which is a very secure
facility due to the nature of the research, testing and biohazard materials loca
ted on the site.
* Served 2 years at the Departments main office in downtown Atlanta supporting s
ome 2000+ users doing the same things I did in the field as well as helping othe
rs in IT with technical help & advice when needed.
* Participated in the deployment of Novell Zenworks on Netware 6.0 for DFCS stat
e wide which encompassed 159 counties, some with multiple locations. Also partic
ipated with the deployment at the Atlanta Regional mental hospital. The deployme
nt consisted of replacing the servers via over the wire migration, replacing the
network switches, replacing the old PC's and imaging them. Setting up users and
network printers. This entire project was completed in just over 1 year.
* Researched & implemented the technology and developed the procedure for connec
ting the Community Service Boards in the field to the DHR network to interface t
hem with DFCS and Mental Health which was implemented statewide.
Experience with Citrix Metaframe in a support role of the state-wide enterprise
environment.
Network Administrator / Engineer - 2000 to 2001
Computer Magic, Inc., Doraville, Georgia
Responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance & troubleshooting o
f all workstations and networking hardware for both the company and its myriad o
f customers using a variety of platforms depending on the customers needs includ
ing Novell Netware, Microsoft Windows Family of server and desktop products from
Win9x to Server 2003, & Linux.
* Served as the platform integration specialist for customers who had multiple s
ystems that need to work together as well as independently, I.e. Microsoft & Lin
ux in which sharing common file systems and authentication methods were needed.
* Implemented VPN solutions for those clients with multiple locations as well as
being responsible for all network security for both the company & its clients.
* Trained fellow employees and customers in the use of various hardware & softwa
re as well as proper use of corporate networks with regard to standing policies
as well as state, federal, and local laws were concerned.
* This company was in financial difficulty when I started & went bankrupt severa
l months later which is why this job was short lived.
Network Engineer - 1999 to 2000
Undergrid Network Services, LLC., Marietta, Ga.
Installed, configured, & maintained configurations of Linux & Windows 2000 as we
ll as network infrastructure equipment such as routers, switches, servers, etc.
for both the company & its clients. Trained users at client locations as well as
office staff when needed.
* Migrated a Microsoft Exchange 5.5 server to 2000. Maintained VPN connectivity
between the two offices via a Linux solution & later a SonicWall appliance was a
dded in. This is also when I was first introduced to VMware for virtualization a
nd have been using it ever since as well as investigating newer technologies.
* Supervised other employees & outside consultants as needed.
* Assisted management with researching technologies and assessing customer needs
.
IT Consultant - 1994 to 1999
DRJ Technologies, Stone Mountain, Georgia
Worked as a freelance consultant for many companies across Georgia and Florida.
Aside from handling all day to day administrative duties, I handled all of my cl
ients IT needs ranging from simply building PC's to complex planning & implement
ation of network configurations.
* Often trained clients in everything from basic PC & internet usage to basic PC
& network troubleshooting skills which helped save them money on technical supp
ort costs.
* On large tasks I would often get sub-contractors assistance and would supervis
e their activities as needed.
* I have setup many networks from the ground up using whatever technology was mo
st cost effective for the customer with the functionality required to perform th
e tasks demanded of it while maintaining the flexibility for future upgrades.
* Always documented everything about the network configurations as well as the h
ardware & software so that down the line others could maintain the network in my
absence.
LAN Engineer / Junior DBA - 1987 to 1993
Credit Bureau Of The South, Inc., Lilburn, Georgia
Responsible for all PC's, servers, & networking hardware & software in a peer-to
-peer environment as well as serving as one of the junior programmers adapting &
improving the dBase III/IV & FoxBASE+ DBMS systems for the company's changing n
eeds. This was a debt collection agency of very high volume.
* This was a large collection agency, but with an IT staff of only 5 people so w
e all shared the work of data entry, printing & mailing some 50,000 letters a da
y, running reports some of which took as long as 12 hours.
EDUCATION
B.S., Computer Science - 1992
Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
GPA: 3.5. Studied required courses for a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science,
but left in the middle of my senior year due to financial constraints and was un
able to complete my degree. Have planned to go back to finish, just as yet have
not found the time to do so.
my senior year due to financial constraints and was unable to complete my degree
. Have planned to go back to finish, just as yet have not found the time to do s
o.
Associate, Computer Science - 1990
DeKalb Community College (Perimeter College), Decatur, Georgia
GPA: 3.5. Started in the fall of 1988 and transferred to Georgia State Universit
y in 1990. Studied required course for a degree in Computer Science to transfer
to a 4 year university to complete the work for a bachelor's degree.
H.S. Diploma - 1986
Avondale High School, Avondale Estates, Georgia
GPA: 3.3. High School
SKILLS
* Installation & troubleshooting of PC's & networks in a variety of environments
including Microsoft Windows 9.x - Server 2003, Novell Netware 4.x - 6.x
* Installation & Administration of Novell eDirectory Services on Netware, Linux,
& Microsoft Platforms.
* Advanced knowledge of many implementations of Linux including SuSE, Mandrake,
Red Hat, Fedora, & others.
* Working knowledge of Sun Solaris and IBM's OS/2
* Very adept with network hardware installation, maintenance, & troubleshooting
including switches (both managed & unmanaged), routers, hubs, etc. of most all t
opologies & from a variety of vendors including Cisco, D-Link, Linksys, SMC, & N
etgear. Very proficient with wireless implementations, internet connectivity, VP
N's & Security.
* Can effectively install, troubleshoot, & maintain virtually any software that
can be installed on a PC or within a network including productivity, network mon
itoring, security software, accounting, database, etc. in most environments.
* Very proficient with most any piece of computer & networking equipment, includ
ing PC's, peripherals, routers, hubs, switches, printers, handhelds, laptops, wi
reless, etc.
* Very proficient in Legacy systems support
* Excellent Technical Support / Helpdesk skills including training of other IT
professionals as well as end users.
* Excellent written & verbal communications skills, as well as an exceptional ty
pist, & strong people skills.
* Strong Technical Writer & documenter of IT related information
* Limited exposure to Cisco based VOIP installations & configurations. As well a
s some software only, internet based VOIP systems.
AFFILIATIONS
TechRepublic, Internet Community 2001. Techrepublic is an organization that cate
rs to the IT professional. They offer email lists, commentaries, review, tech su
pport, white papers, etc. to its members. Great research tool.
IEEE, Internet 2004 to 2005. This is the governing body that determines the stan
dards for electronics, computing and networking. Great place to research new tec
hnologies.
CERTIFICATIONS
* MCSE, Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
* CNA, Novell Inc.. Certified Novell Administrator
* LPIC-1, Linux Professional Institute. Linux Certification Level 1
* Multiple Certifications, BrainBench, http://www.brainbench.com/transcript.jsp?
pid=222768. Brainbench is a vendor independent Certification Test developer & ex
aminer that offer certifications in multiple areas.
* Network+, CompTIA
* A+, CompTIA
* ITIL Foundation Certification, ITIL. Minimal ITIL Certification
ON THE JOB TRAINING
* Netware 5 Administrator Training, State Of Georgia, DHR, Atlanta, Georgia 2001
. Preparing for the Novell CNA exam
* Netware 5 Advanced Administration, State Of Georgia, DHR, Atlanta, Georgia 200
1. Preparing for the Novell CNE exam
HONORS & AWARDS
* Team Award Nominee, Georgia Department Of Human Resources, Atlanta, Georgia 20
03. In recognition of your exceptional contributions toward the achievement of t
he agency's / divisions goals and objectives
* Certificate Of Appreciation, Georgia Department Of Human Resources, Atlanta, G
eorgia 2003. In recognition of outstanding service to the Georgia Department Of
Human Resources, Office Of Information Technology, Technology Support Unit, DFCS
Connectivity Project