CARRER GOAL:

To work in a high - tech organization where I can utilize and further improve my skills, manage projects and teams, provide best technical customer service helping improve their business with a positive attitude that spreads to my colleagues

SUMMARY:

• Multi-lingual professional with over 10 years of experience in the field of Information Technology with core area of expertise in System and Network design, virtualization and cloud computing using cross-vendor integration e.g. Microsoft, Cisco, VMWare and third party tools
• Demonstrated success in managing highly skilled, geographically dispersed teams in complex environments
• Demonstrated vision for current and future growth, capacity planning and managing teams with 24x7x365 operations
• Experienced in managing SLAs, OLAs and audit requirements for geographically dispersed datacenter locations
• Experienced in procurement, vendor shortlisting, keeping track of warranties and semi or fully automated inventory management
• Preparing teams for upcoming challenges by giving adequate trainings or certification materials where required or assisting them on elusive difficulties
• Well established skills for incident response, rectification and investigation
• IT Security, Vulnerability scanning, Incident Management and other IT skills
• Virtualization using Microsoft Hyper-V and VMWare
• Complete email messaging solutions including MS Exchange, archiving and DLP etc.
• On-premises to cloud integration between Hyper-V hosts and Microsoft Azure or Amazon VPC
• Highly available VMs using Microsoft Hyper-V with Microsoft VMM
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 R2, Microsoft Exchange and others to Office 365 or Google Apps migrations
• Write scripts to automate jobs in bulk (CSVDE/DS).
• IT Security compliance and usage of tools e.g. Nessus, Nexpose, Metasploit, Netspaker, Qualys etc.
• Installation and patching of server software and any third-party tools & application that access the core system/servers
• Allocation and management of enterprise storage
• Infrastructure monitoring solutions using industry standard tools e.g. Nagios and SolarWinds
• Segregated network design and implementation using any layer 2 and 3 switches

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:

Operating Systems: Windows 2012/2008/2003/2000 Servers, Linux, Hyper-V, VMWare ESXi

Database management skills: MS SQL Server 2000/05/08/12

Back up and Recovery: MS DPM, Symantec, NT utilities etc. according to the DRP

Compliance knowledge and Tools: ISO 27001, SSAE16, PCI DSS, Nessus, Nexpose, Netsparker, Qualys etc.

Enterprise software: Microsoft Exchange Server, SCCM, SCOM, SCDPM etc.

IT Controls & Monitoring: GPOs, WSUS, SCOM, SCCM, SSL Security, ticketing systems including ManageEngine

Clouds and Virtualization: Amazon VPC, Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Hyper-V, Citrix XenApp, VMM/hybrid cloud

Firewalls: Cisco ASA series, Juniper SSG series, Microsoft / TMG 2010, WatchGuard, Fortigate, VPN Tunneling including sitesite, GRE, dial in etc.

Corporate Antivirus: Microsoft Forefront Security, Symantec Antivirus, Trend Micro, Kaspersky and McAfee

Storage Servers, hardware and RAID: Microsoft Storage Server, IBM and Dell storage systems, RAID 0/1/5/6JBOD, RBOD, SAN/NAS/DAS etc.

Servers: Intel Blade server system, IBM, HP, Dell and Fujitsu etc.

Switches: Cisco layer 2 and 3, Allied Telesyn/Linksys/HP etc. Layer 2 and 3,VACLs, Ether channel etc.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Senior Systems Engineer

Confidential, New York City

Responsibilities:

• Managing multiple data centers in NY and NJ area, planning to build a new office
• Leveraging latest tools to automate and streamline IT operations including Microsoft SCCM
• Managing Office 365, SMTP solutions from third parties and MDM solution connected with SSO
• Coordination with external vendors and escalate issues to them if required
• Managing datacenter hardware including clustered VMWare environment, SQL clusters, load balancing using F5, EMC SAN storage, highly available Fortigate firewalls, Cisco ASA firewalls and Catalyst switches etc.

Environment: PCI DSS certified, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 and R2, Solarwinds, Active Directory, SCCM, Fortigate Firewalls in HA mode, Cisco ASA Firewall 5500 series, Linux, Cisco Catalyst L2/L3 switches, VLANs, Microsoft Azure, Site-to-site structure and replication, Cisco UCS with VOIP phones, VMware VCenter, EMC SAN with Networker backup solution, Centrify Identity and Access management solutions (SSO, MDM etc.), SQL Server clusters.

MANAGER IT OPERATIONS

Confidential

Responsibilities:

• Provided a leadership role in building competitive advantage through IT by defining the organization’s technology vision and developing strategic IT plans.
• Managed full scope of IT operations, including software development, networking, infrastructure, compliance and security.
• Managed European and Asian datacenters and technical teams
• Installation of Microsoft Hyper-V running on Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 R2 along Linux installations
• Reduced carbon footprint of our datacenters by 50%
• Reduced TCO to run our operations in all datacenters
• Increased uptime of critical IT infrastructure by efficiently utilizing modern virtualization technology (VMWare ESX + Hyper-V)
• From Microsoft Exchange Server and Media Temple hosted emails to Exchange Online Plan2 migrations
• Created and implemented DRP, contingency site and respective backup strategy using Microsoft System Center DPM 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2
• PCI DSS internal and external scans using Nessus, Netsparker, Nexpose, Metasploit and Qualys, secure data using Microsoft BitLocker

Environment: PCI DSS certified, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and R2, Windows Server 2012 and R2, SCOM, Active Directory, WSUS, Nessus, Nespose, Netsparker, Qualys, Metasploit, Cisco ASA Firewall 5500 series, Linux, Cisco router for WAN connectivity, Windows Server R2, TMG 2010 with ISP redundancy, MS Exchange Server, Site-to-site structure and replication, Juniper SSG firewall, VOIP, Cisco VOIP phones, Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware ESXs, DAS, MS SCDPM 2012 etc.

SENIOR MANAGER IT

Confidential, Cranbury, NJ

Responsibilities:

• Managed high availability, disaster recovery and fail-over solutions
• Lead, coordinate and participate in the implementation of changes, enhancements and upgrades to core IT infrastructure
• Continuously cut IT spend by restructuring 24x7x365 support model, better use of licensing and improved virtualization
• Installation and configuration of Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 on physical, Hyper-V or VMWare ESXi hosts and Linux installations
• Successfully migrated in-house live DNS server from one ISP and place to another for many domains and companies
• Proactively tuned all aspects of the core IT infrastructure to eliminate performance issues
• Successfully migrated Exchange server from and
• Implemented segregated networks using Cisco switches (both L2 and L3)
• Implemented VLANs, trunking, QOS, ACLs, SNMP, Site to Site IPSec VPNs, Dial-in VPNs and monitoring with Cacti Nagios and SNMP etc.
• Microsoft Exchange and Network Solutions to Google Apps email migration for one sister company in India
• Maintained VOIP environment running on third party and on open source systems
• IT Security compliance for ISO 27001, SAS70, SSAE16

Environment: Cisco ASA Firewall 5500 series, Windows Server 2003 to Windows 2012 R2, Linux, Microsoft ISA Server 2006 NLB, SCCM, Microsoft TMG 2010 with ISP redundancy, Live DNS, hosted emails using Google Apps for one site with SSO solution and directory sync with Active Directory, Exchange Server 2010 and 2013 in co-existence, Mail-Bagging solution as backup, BlackBerry Enterprise Server, SQL Server, Site-to-site structure and replication, External domain trusts, external CA, GFi MailEssentials, Citrix, MailSecurity and MailArchiver, Dalenda, Xlight FTP Server, IPKVM, Cisco 2900, 3500 and 3700 series switches, VOIP, Microsoft HyperV, DELL DAS, NAS, VMware ESX, DPM 2010 and 2012 with HP Tape libraries, Symantec antivirus with endpoint protection etc.

Team Leader / Senior Network Administrator

Confidential

Responsibilities:

• Physical to Virtual migration using Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix was our major client
• Implementation of clustered SQL databases in virtualized environment using Microsoft Hyper-V
• On-premises (Hyper-V) to Microsoft Azure integration and authentication
• Installation and configuration of different software on Microsoft Windows 2008, 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2
• Data center implementations using Hyper-V and other Microsoft technologies across Confidential sites in USA and Pakistan
• Configuration of Cisco, Juniper and Microsoft firewalls, switches and servers
• Management of support team, approvals, budgeting and change management
• Configuration of Microsoft to on-premises connectivity, IaaS, private cloud using VMM, storage management etc.
• Monitoring performance of IT department using standard KPIs
• Vulnerability scanning for hosted environments running SaaS and IaaS for our clients
• Managed Juniper SSG Firewalls, site to site and dial-in VPNs, HIPAA security
• Designed and managed networking infrastructure using Cisco 3700 stack, ether channel, port security and storm control etc.
• Installed MS SQL Server cluster using iSCSI SAN

Environment: Cisco ASA Firewall 5500 series, Juniper SSG firewalls Windows Server 2003, Server 2008 and 2012 R2, Active Directory, Symantec Antivirus and endpoint protection, hosted emails using Office 365 directory sync, Exchange Server 2010 and 2013 in co-existence, SQL Server, Site-to-site structure and replication, Veeam Backups, IPKVM, Cisco 2900, 3500 and 3700 series switches, VOIP, Microsoft HyperV, Citrix, VMware ESX, iSCSI SAN, DPM 2010 and 2012 with Dell Tape drives etc.

Advisory Network Engineer (Team Lead)

Confidential, Cranbury, NJ

Responsibilities:

• Managed high availability, disaster recovery and fail-over solutions
• Lead, coordinate and participate in the implementation of changes, enhancements and upgrades to core IT infrastructure
• Continuously cut IT spend by restructuring 24x7x365 support model, better use of licensing and improved virtualization
• Installation and configuration of Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 on physical, Hyper-V or VMWare ESXi hosts and Linux installations
• Successfully migrated in-house live DNS server from one ISP and place to another for many domains and companies
• Proactively tuned all aspects of the core IT infrastructure to eliminate performance issues
• Successfully migrated Exchange server from and
• Implemented segregated networks using Cisco switches (both L2 and L3)
• Implemented VLANs, trunking, QOS, ACLs, SNMP, Site to Site IPSec VPNs, Dial-in VPNs and monitoring with Cacti Nagios and SNMP etc.
• Microsoft Exchange and Network Solutions to Google Apps email migration for one sister company in India
• Maintained VOIP environment running on third party and on open source systems
• IT Security compliance for ISO 27001, SAS70, SSAE16

Environment: Cisco ASA Firewall 5500 series, Windows Server 2003 to Windows 2012 R2, Linux, Microsoft ISA Server 2006 NLB, SCCM, Microsoft TMG 2010 with ISP redundancy, Live DNS, hosted emails using Google Apps for one site with SSO solution and directory sync with Active Directory, Exchange Server 2010 and 2013 in co-existence, Mail-Bagging solution as backup, BlackBerry Enterprise Server, SQL Server, Site-to-site structure and replication, External domain trusts, external CA, GFi MailEssentials, Citrix, MailSecurity and MailArchiver, Dalenda, Xlight FTP Server, IPKVM, Cisco 2900, 3500 and 3700 series switches, VOIP, Microsoft HyperV, DELL DAS, NAS, VMware ESX, DPM 2010 and 2012 with HP Tape libraries, Symantec antivirus with endpoint protection etc.

NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

Confidential

Responsibilities:

• Maintained Microsoft Navision and engineering software called “Trix Organizer”
• Prepared DRP and designed company security policy
• Installed and maintained WSUS, RIS, Exchange 2003, ISA Server 2006 and GFI EndPoint security
• Developed and implemented data security, back up and recovery strategies ensuring the ability of Confidential Pvt. Ltd. to meet its contractual obligations by preserving the integrity of the data and to continue functioning in the event of a system failure or disaster recovery.
• Provided technical advice and interpretation for clients and projects to support team for business activities and for future development and expansion of IT infrastructure.
• Negotiated service levels with clients based upon systems capacity and demands by conducting infrastructure functionality reviews.
• Install configure and support Microsoft Operating systems (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Sere r 2003, Server 2008)
• Managed support team in conjunction with the IT Manager to ensure 24/7 availability.
• Used E1 circuit using Cisco 2800 series router and 703 vwic card for VOIP setup between Pakistan and US office

Environment: Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Active Directory, GFI End-point Security, Symantec Antivirus, VOIP, MS Exchange Server, Trix Organizer, SQL Server 2008/2005, MS SQL Server Cisco 2800 series router, Linksys layer 2 switches, Dell PowerEdge servers, MS ISA Server 2006, D-Link VPN concentrator etc.

SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR

Confidential

Responsibilities:

• Optimized and configured IBM DAS storage system, installed FTP server, MS ISA Server 2006, Exchange Server 2003, Active Directory, WSUS, RIS, SCCM and file servers
• Performed administrative tasks on news servers from AP, APP, PPI and Reuters, receiving data from different satellites and phone lines
• Installed and maintained Windows Server 2000/2003, Active directory, MS Exchange 2000/2003/2007 , Windows XP professional, MS SQL 2000/2005 and other related software and hardware.
• Assisted support staff in the installation, maintenance and administration of VOIP systems and end-user services
• Installed and maintained IT network, security, routing and URL filtering
• Designing of new network to connect newly acquired newspaper publishing company and to connect and segregate Television department from Print media department
• Member of interview panel for different IT positions

Environment: Windows XP/ 2000/2003/2007 Server, Active directory, MS Exchange, RAID 5, Microsoft SMS Server 2003, Tape PowerVault 124T LOT3 Tapes, SQL Server 2000/05, DNS Server, Back-up Server, ISA server firewall, HP/Linksys/D-Link Switches, Trend Micro and Symantec Antivirus, IBM rack mounted servers, IBM DAS storage system, Media servers, Surf Control etc.

SENIOR NETWORK ENGINEER

Confidential

Responsibilities:

• Designed network infrastructure to host more than 900 nodes
• Installed and maintained Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP along with Active Directory, DNS, SQL Server 2005, DHCP, RIS, Mercury site scope servers using Intel Blade server system, Intel 1U and 2 U rack servers and Dell rack mount servers
• Designed and configured VLANs using Allied Telesyn layer 2 and layer 3 switches
• Network connectivity using copper and fiber cables
• Used scripts to automate login creation for more than 1500 users
• Working to resolve elusive network difficulties and to guide support team members for upcoming tasks
• Internal VOIP setup using Cisco VOIP adaptors and Asterisk server
• Configured Astero UTM device
• Provided support for custom built database application to end-users and report back issues to developers
• Maintained privacy of internal infrastructure and data from all outside threats
• Frequent interaction with foreign delegates e.g. from US Aid and European Union and with local authorities on different issues of the project
• Worked under strict timeline given by Supreme Courts of Pakistan

Environment: Intel Blade Server system, Intel SAN storage, VOIP, VLAN, Allied Telesyn switches, site monitoring, Active Directory, Backups