About
Technical Competencies
- Administration: Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, RedHat, Fedora, etc), OpenBSD, Solaris, Tru64, HPUX, FreeBSD, IRIX; Windows 3.x/9x/NT/2K/2K3; Novell Netware
- Programming: C/C++, Java, Perl/CGI, Python, PHP, Shell (bash, tcsh, ksh, etc), Ruby
- Security: Packet Filter, Tripwire,SSL, iptables, tcpwrappers, firewalls, sudo, ssh, snort, cisco ACLs, wireshark
- DNS(Bind), NIS/NFS, Squid, Samba, Appletalk/IP, Apache/SSL, Oracle/MySQL, Sendmail/Postfix/Exchange, Courier, XML, LDAP/AD, nagios, cacti
- Veritas NetBackup, rsync, Kerberos, Radius/TACACS
- Cisco IOS, VoIP/CCM+Unity/AVVID, Cisco VPN Concentrator, Cisco wireless, F5 Load Balancer, CARP, PFSync
- Storage: EMC CX3 SAN, Navisphere, Cisco MDS9000 Switches, Network Appliance, Navisphere
- Lotus Notes, MS Exchange, Blackberry Enterprise Server
Professional Experience April 2006 - Present:
Magnetar Capital LLC, Evanston, IL
Guy who does a little bit of everything: Currently supporting about 20 C/C++, Ruby, and Python developers. Latest efforts have focused on developing custom DEB packages of existing open source software and internaly developed software for easy managment and installation across may Ubuntu systems within the enterprise. DEB packages are built for both 32 and 64 bit platforms. Development of custom preeseed installations for automated and rapid deployment of Ubuntu server. Developing custom in house subversion/rsync/SQL configuration management and software deployment platform to automate the process of tracking changes across many UNIX systems and installing/managing software/patches.
Management and Strategic Responsibilities: Currently responsible for a 7-member, highly technical and hands-on team managing all aspects of global datacenter and network operations (systems administration, monitoring, backups, capacity planning, technology evaluation, budget and strategic planning).
Operations/Systems Administration: Deployed 30 Linux (Redhat and Ubuntu) serves for core services framework. Support a group of 25 highly technical C++ Linux developers. Created a standardized package management and deployment methodology based on RPM and DEB packages. Created a standardized methodology for maintaining multiple library versions across all systems. Designed custom kick start and preseed procedures for rapidly deploying Linux systems in the environment with minimal configuration.
Networking: Responsible for the configuration and distribution of financial market data across the LAN and WAN. Market data originates from either Reuters or Bloomberg and feeds through Linux multicast distribution servers. Saved Magnetar large recurring network fees through the deployment of Riverbed network optimization hardware.
Disaster Recovery: Responsible for designing and implementing a disaster recovery solution for Magnetar based at an overseas datacenter. Successfully deployed an all-encompassing solution while facing bandwidth, power, cooling and budget challenges. DR solution included exchange failover, SQL replication, file server replication, redundant market data feeds and redundant WAN links. Developed declaration and escalation procedures.
System Monitoring: Implemented a highly customized and scalable monitoring system utilizing Nagios, cacti and nexvu. Designed and programmed custom monitors for many of our specific financial applications and data feeds. Monitors email delays, queue sizes in Exchange, all aspects of Windows and Linux system performance, Reuters and Bloomberg data feeds and sizes, WAN performance, etc.
Voice: Responsible for the implementation and administration of Magnetar’s VOIP system. Only member on team who as VOIP experience. Designed and implemented global VOIP network. Deployed Call Managers, SRST voice routers in all global offices. Major project for 2007 was to identify any single points of failure and introduce full redundancy wherever possible (Call Managers, Gateways, Circuits, Unity, etc.).
Astellas Pharmaceuticas, Deerfield, IL Feburary 1996 - April 2006
Assistant Director of Infrastructure
Operations/Systems Administration: Currently responsible for a 3 member team managing all aspects of datacenter operations. Have installed and supported 180+ plus servers (Red Hat, Debian, Solaris, Tru64, Windows) supporting 1500 users. Responsibilities include coordination between Europe, North America, and Pacific Rim, final tier support, 24×7 on call duty. Created customized monitoring solutions using nagios, php, and perl for all servers. Migrated primary Oracle servers from Solaris to Red hat. Designed and rebuilt core network using Cisco switches to support migration from legacy PBX to Cisco VoIP. Experience with validation of systems IQ/OQ/PQ as FDA requirement. Primary NetBackup admin and architect utilizing disk-to-disk-to-tape (STK L700e) backups. Direct involvement and direction of datacenter infrastructure deployments from generator installation, power circuit installation, A/C maintenance, rack placement, server installation, and network infrastructure.
Global internal DNS and Network: Designed and installed a global network and DNS system (based on Red Hat and bind) to support the secure internal routing of email throughout the corporation, and provide high speed secure access to global centralized applications. Solution based on various Open Source software, e.g., bind, sendmail, MySQL, sendmail, and iptables. By using Open Source applications costs saving of over $100,000 were realized.
Astellas Intranet: Developed a custom intranet in PHP and Oracle on Linu. The completed system resulted in a robust access control enabled content management system which shifted the responsibility of content management from IS to the business. In-house development saved the company development, licensing and maintenance fees in excess of $500,000.
Disaster Recovery: Developed disaster recovery policies and programs for Astellas. Identified which systems were critical to daily operations and assigned minimum down times to those systems. Completed the installation of an off-site hot disaster backup datacenter which allowed for real time data synchronization of critical systems, and a 24- to 72-hour recovery time for non-critical systems. Facility provides high availability for critical systems such as email, Internet access, remote access, R&D databases and ERP systems. Realized $150,000 in recurring annual savings through an in-house implementation using Linux (Redhat/Debian) vs outsourcing to a disaster recovery vendor.
Cisco VOIP Implementation: Reduced telecommunications costs by 35% by replacing a ROLM PBX system with Cisco VOIP implementation. Savings were realized through decreases in maintenance, hardware and loop charges. Savings of over $350,000 were realized during the implementation by not utilizing any outside partners and completing the implementation with in-house resources.
Email Migration: Migration of 1,200 users from Lotus Notes email environment to clustered MS Exchange 2003 over 5 months window.
Education
Northwestern University:
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in General Studies program, majoring in Information Technology.
Hobbies:
Software development, Electronics, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Old Computer Systems.
Computer Systems I have used:
Intel: HP Proliant Series, Dell 1850, 1950, 2850, 2950, 6850, 6950
SGI: Origin 2000, Indigo, Indy, Crimson, Challenge, O2, Personal Iris
HP: 9000 K460, 710, K260
SUN: E450, E250, E220R, E440R, E4500, E10000, Sparc 1,2,5,10,20, Ultra 1,30,60
Digital: Vax 2000, 2100, M38, Alpha 2100, 4000, 4400
Next: Cube and Slab
Storage: HP Storageworks, EMC CS Series, Netapp