Current client has an SBS03 infrastructure with Windows XP computers throughout. They are wanting to upgrade all the PCs and server to latest technology in two stages. First we install new Windows 7 workstations and then install a Small Business Server 2008 server.
Stage 1:
New HP workstations running Windows 7 were purchased and installed over a 4 day period. All profile data was transferred over to the new workstation using Windows Easy Transfer over the network. The client uses a third party suite of applications hosted on the server which also needed to be installed on each workstation. Each new workstation also had Office 2010 Std installed as well as having their local printers reconnected and drivers installed and tested. A few of the workstations originally came with Windows Vista installed but had XP reinstalled on them before being put into production. Three of these workstations have had Vista reinstalled on them to work in the new server environment.
Stage 2:
To be finished in about 2 weeks...
...well 2 weeks turned into about 2 months. Sometimes things happen and you have to schedule the best you can. Anyway the server project started in early November
The client has a backup server that took incremental backups of the production server every 15 min. This server also has the ability to virtualize their production server should something happen to the physical server. Used this technology to help in the migration process. Overnight took a final backup of the production server, took that server offline and created the production server on the backup server and ran it virtually. This allowed me to keep the office up and running as normal while reinstalling and configuring a new SBS08 installation on the physical server hardware. Before installing the new OS, I improved the hardware for the new server; orginal configuration had 4GB of memory, I increased it to 16GB; orginal configuration had a RAID1 2 disk system drive and a 4 disk RAID5 data drive, I kept the system drive the same but added 2 disks to the data drive and created a RAID 10.
Once the server operating system was installed on the physical server hardware I migrated all users, computers, Exchange, data, and business applications over to the new server. Tested all infrastructure successfully. Removed old server from the network.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Experience 2.0
In October of 2008 I was hired as a Network Engineer by Dynamic Computer Solutions of Topeka, Inc. My initial duties were troubleshooting client IT issues both remotely and on-site. Within 6 months I was taking part in server installation projects. After a year, I became the primary project installation technician. In June of 2010 I was promoted to Service Manager, and so my overall responsibilities changed.
The following is a list of my experience related to my positions with this company.
Systems: Windows Server 2012, 2008 R2, 2008, 2003, 2000, Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 Pro, Small Business Server 2011, 2008, 2003, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy Management
Networking Protocols: LANs, WANs, WLANs, VPNs, Routers, Firewalls, TCP/IP, VLANs, iSCSI
Software: MS Exchange 2010, 2007, 2003, 2000; MS Office 2010, 2007, 2003, XP, 2000; Hyper-V; MS Sharepoint Server 2010, Sharepoint services 3.0
Network Infrastructure: Switch management, TCP/IP, Physical Network Cabling, Fibre
Security Technologies: SSL Digital Certificates; Anti-Virus Tools (Vipre, Bitdefender, AVG, TrendMicro, etc.); Anti-Malware Tools
Virtualization: Using Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 as a virtualization host server running Microsoft Hyper-V services. have created and managed multiple server and workstation machines for multiple client networks.
FTP: Created and managed multiple FTP server environments, both inside and outside main network perimeters using Windows Server 2003, Filezilla, etc...
IT Project Manager: Responsible for all IT related aspects of project planning for customers. Including initial pre-project discovery, project timeline, project resource scheduling, implementation, and post-project fulfillment.
SAN/NAS: Installed and managed multiple NAS and SAN devices. Configured NAS devices to host video archives. Configured SAN devices for virtual servers and workstations and for file storage. Have worked with LeftHand (now owned by HP), Scale Computing, Netgear, and Buffalo.
Multi-Environment Support: Supported and managed multiple server networks covering various businesses and industries including medical offices, banks, government offices, service companies, law offices, etc.
Gateway Protection: Proficient in installing, upgrading, troubleshooting, and configuring Watchguard firewall products. Have also managed Sonicwall, Cisco, ATT router products, as well as other retail versions of firewalls.
System Backup and Disaster Recovery: Multiple installations of proprietary backup servers which allowed for file, Exchange mailbox, and full image restoration. The server also allowed for the physical production server to be run in a virtual environment if the server hardware was down due to hardware or software failure. Installed and configured backup systems using StorageCraft ShadowProtect software and external USB hard drives.
The following is a list of my experience related to my positions with this company.
Systems: Windows Server 2012, 2008 R2, 2008, 2003, 2000, Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000 Pro, Small Business Server 2011, 2008, 2003, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy Management
Networking Protocols: LANs, WANs, WLANs, VPNs, Routers, Firewalls, TCP/IP, VLANs, iSCSI
Software: MS Exchange 2010, 2007, 2003, 2000; MS Office 2010, 2007, 2003, XP, 2000; Hyper-V; MS Sharepoint Server 2010, Sharepoint services 3.0
Network Infrastructure: Switch management, TCP/IP, Physical Network Cabling, Fibre
Security Technologies: SSL Digital Certificates; Anti-Virus Tools (Vipre, Bitdefender, AVG, TrendMicro, etc.); Anti-Malware Tools
Virtualization: Using Windows Server 2008 R2 x64 as a virtualization host server running Microsoft Hyper-V services. have created and managed multiple server and workstation machines for multiple client networks.
FTP: Created and managed multiple FTP server environments, both inside and outside main network perimeters using Windows Server 2003, Filezilla, etc...
IT Project Manager: Responsible for all IT related aspects of project planning for customers. Including initial pre-project discovery, project timeline, project resource scheduling, implementation, and post-project fulfillment.
SAN/NAS: Installed and managed multiple NAS and SAN devices. Configured NAS devices to host video archives. Configured SAN devices for virtual servers and workstations and for file storage. Have worked with LeftHand (now owned by HP), Scale Computing, Netgear, and Buffalo.
Multi-Environment Support: Supported and managed multiple server networks covering various businesses and industries including medical offices, banks, government offices, service companies, law offices, etc.
Gateway Protection: Proficient in installing, upgrading, troubleshooting, and configuring Watchguard firewall products. Have also managed Sonicwall, Cisco, ATT router products, as well as other retail versions of firewalls.
System Backup and Disaster Recovery: Multiple installations of proprietary backup servers which allowed for file, Exchange mailbox, and full image restoration. The server also allowed for the physical production server to be run in a virtual environment if the server hardware was down due to hardware or software failure. Installed and configured backup systems using StorageCraft ShadowProtect software and external USB hard drives.
Service Manager
As the Service Manager my responsibilities include personnel changes, performance reviews, delegation of project resources, training, as well as working with the other departments within the company. I currently oversee 7 other employees. It is my responsibility to ensure that the technicians have the right skills in order to do their jobs effectively. Since we are a service oriented company I also have to make sure that the technicians are providing a very high level of customer service.
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Projects / Project Management
I have been involved in numerous server installation projects during my employement with Dynamic Computer Solutions. For the last 6 months I have been responsible for all IT aspects of server projects including planning, pre-installation discovery, resource delegation, project timeline, project documentation, post-installation checklists.
I have highlighted below a few of the different projects I have been involved in, my role in the project, and a summary of the project objective. This is just a sample of the numerous projects I have been involved in over the past 2 years.
- Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Multiple Server 2008 Migration (Project Assisting Technician)
Client purchased new hardware along with Server 2008 and Exchange 2007 licensing. Migrated all Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and file and print server roles over to new Server 2008 server. Migrated all Exchange 2003 mailboxes to second Server 2008 server running Exchange 2007. Demoted SBS2003 server to a member server and reallocated it as an application server.
- Windows Small Business Server 2003 Migration to New Hardware (Project Lead Technician)
Client requested to keep same server platform due to third party software not supported on SBS08. Installed SBS03 on new hardware and migrated all server roles, user data, and Exchange mailboxes over to new server.
- Windows Server 2000 Migration to New Server 2003 Domain (Project Lead Technician)
New client had existing Server 2000 running in a workgroup environment. I installed a new Small Business Server 2003 server and migrated all users over to the domain while maintaining their profiles by converting them to domain profiles, removed the old server from the network. Also created new Exchange mailboxes for the users as well as moved all local client data from workstations to the new file server.
- Windows Server 2000 to Small Business Server 2008 (Project Lead Technician)
Existing client was running on an outdated Server 2000 Domain environment and was wanting to bring their network to current technologies. They were quoted a Small Business Server 2008 installation. Since the existing server platform (Server 2000) wouldnt migrate up to the 2008 platform, a new domain was created and implemented. All workstations and user profiles were migrated over to the new server, as well as all data, shares, and printers. New Exchange 2007 mailboxes were configured on the new server for all domain users where outsourced email hosting was used prior.
- Microsoft Workgroup to Small Business Server 2008 with multiple sites (Project Lead Technician)
New client was running in a peer to peer, server-less environment. I installed a new SBS08 platform and migrated all workstations and profiles to the new domain at the main office. All data and printers were moved over to the server as well as Exchange 2007 mailboxes created for all the users. The organization had 9 other locations that they wished to connect to the main office. During the SBS08 domain implementation at the main office, a firewall appliance was installed for border security, port routing, and VPN capabilities. Each remote site had 1 to 2 PCs that needed to be a part of the domain back at the main office. A smaller version of the firewall that was installed at the main office was installed at each of the remote sites. Then a VPN was established between the main office and each remote site. Once access to the main office was established, PCs were joined to the domain and mailboxes were created for the users.
- Physical Servers to Virtual Server Migration (Project Lead Technician)
Existing client had grown enough to require a server infrastructure change. A blade server/SAN storage device solution was quoted to the client. I installed and configured an HP C7000 BladeSystem with 3 Blade Servers. Two of the servers had Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64, and one had Windows 2008 Std. The two Enterprise servers were using Windows Hyper-V hypervisor to run multiple virtual servers that would replace their physical counterparts, as well as hosting virtual desktops. The Enterprise servers stored their virtual machines, and additional data partitions, on dual LeftHand StorageWorks SAN appliances. The servers connected to the SAN partitions through iSCSI over a different subnet accessed through a switch that had a separate VLAN exclusively for the storage devices.
I have highlighted below a few of the different projects I have been involved in, my role in the project, and a summary of the project objective. This is just a sample of the numerous projects I have been involved in over the past 2 years.
- Windows Small Business Server 2003 to Multiple Server 2008 Migration (Project Assisting Technician)
Client purchased new hardware along with Server 2008 and Exchange 2007 licensing. Migrated all Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and file and print server roles over to new Server 2008 server. Migrated all Exchange 2003 mailboxes to second Server 2008 server running Exchange 2007. Demoted SBS2003 server to a member server and reallocated it as an application server.
- Windows Small Business Server 2003 Migration to New Hardware (Project Lead Technician)
Client requested to keep same server platform due to third party software not supported on SBS08. Installed SBS03 on new hardware and migrated all server roles, user data, and Exchange mailboxes over to new server.
- Windows Server 2000 Migration to New Server 2003 Domain (Project Lead Technician)
New client had existing Server 2000 running in a workgroup environment. I installed a new Small Business Server 2003 server and migrated all users over to the domain while maintaining their profiles by converting them to domain profiles, removed the old server from the network. Also created new Exchange mailboxes for the users as well as moved all local client data from workstations to the new file server.
- Windows Server 2000 to Small Business Server 2008 (Project Lead Technician)
Existing client was running on an outdated Server 2000 Domain environment and was wanting to bring their network to current technologies. They were quoted a Small Business Server 2008 installation. Since the existing server platform (Server 2000) wouldnt migrate up to the 2008 platform, a new domain was created and implemented. All workstations and user profiles were migrated over to the new server, as well as all data, shares, and printers. New Exchange 2007 mailboxes were configured on the new server for all domain users where outsourced email hosting was used prior.
- Microsoft Workgroup to Small Business Server 2008 with multiple sites (Project Lead Technician)
New client was running in a peer to peer, server-less environment. I installed a new SBS08 platform and migrated all workstations and profiles to the new domain at the main office. All data and printers were moved over to the server as well as Exchange 2007 mailboxes created for all the users. The organization had 9 other locations that they wished to connect to the main office. During the SBS08 domain implementation at the main office, a firewall appliance was installed for border security, port routing, and VPN capabilities. Each remote site had 1 to 2 PCs that needed to be a part of the domain back at the main office. A smaller version of the firewall that was installed at the main office was installed at each of the remote sites. Then a VPN was established between the main office and each remote site. Once access to the main office was established, PCs were joined to the domain and mailboxes were created for the users.
- Physical Servers to Virtual Server Migration (Project Lead Technician)
Existing client had grown enough to require a server infrastructure change. A blade server/SAN storage device solution was quoted to the client. I installed and configured an HP C7000 BladeSystem with 3 Blade Servers. Two of the servers had Windows Server 2008 Enterprise x64, and one had Windows 2008 Std. The two Enterprise servers were using Windows Hyper-V hypervisor to run multiple virtual servers that would replace their physical counterparts, as well as hosting virtual desktops. The Enterprise servers stored their virtual machines, and additional data partitions, on dual LeftHand StorageWorks SAN appliances. The servers connected to the SAN partitions through iSCSI over a different subnet accessed through a switch that had a separate VLAN exclusively for the storage devices.
Certifications
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration
Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuration
Windows 7, Configuration
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000
Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration
Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuration
Windows 7, Configuration
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Technologies
Windows Server 2008, 2003, 2000, NT 4.0
Windows Small Business Server 2008, 2003
Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 Pro
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, 2003, 2000
Microsoft Hyper-V
Microsoft Sharepoint Services 3.0, Sharepoint Server 2010
Windows Small Business Server 2008, 2003
Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000 Pro
Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, 2003, 2000
Microsoft Hyper-V
Microsoft Sharepoint Services 3.0, Sharepoint Server 2010
Master Control Operators Manager
Master Control is one of the most important pieces to a television station. It is the last point of control before the television signal is sent to the transmitters then broadcast to the viewing area. I was charged with the responsibility of managing the station’s Master Control Operators. This included hiring, training, scheduling, performance reviews, vacation coordination, and firing. This required me to have a working knowledge of the position for training as well as the ability to take a shift if it became necessary. This promotion was presented to me by the station's General Manager while I was trying to help facilitate a new shift change that would be more appealing to the operators.
Non-Linear Video Editing Systems
When I arrived at the station the news department was still using analog video editing systems. I implemented a computer based non-linear video editing system in two phases. The first system was comprised of high-end HP workstations running Windows XP Professional and using Adobe Premeire Pro 2.0 for the video editing. Using video capture expansion cards installed in the workstations analog video was played out from a tape deck, and captured and converted into a digital video file onto the computer. From there the video was then copied over to a Windows Server 2003 video NAS device for storage. The users then imported the video to create news stores destined for on-air playback. Once the news story was completed the video file was saved locally, then a batch file was run and the video was sent to two on-air playback servers using FTP, as well as two news archive servers. The second system that was installed used a similar platform, Windows XP with Adobe Premiere Pro, but the hardware was changed. The new workstations were designed with the assistance of a video production company out of Kansas City. The workstations had faster processors, more memory, higher end video card, and Matrox Video Capture Cards. In addition to the new hardware, I implemented the use of Acronis Snap Deploy Imaging system. This allowed me to take an image of the system at any point and redeploy an image to the system if something catastrophic were to happen. This actually allowed me to configure one system then push that image out to the remaining systems. This reduced the overall time it would have taken me to restore the system back to a workable state. The entire system was running over a 1Gb backbone using Cat6 Ethernet, that I installed prior to the first install phase.
FTP Server
Normal station procedures for commercial production shipping was for the commercial production house to pay for a shipping company to send the physical tape from the production house to the station, then for the station's commerical production department to convert the analog video into a digital format that can then be sent to the on-air servers for playback. I changed the procedure by implementing an FTP server, using IpSwitch WS_FTP, that allowed the production house to upload a copy of the original digital commercial file to a server, local to the station, where then the production department could download the uploaded file, make any necessary changes to the file, and immediately send it to the on-air servers for playback. This reduced the time between the commercial being completed and the time it is delivered for the station's production department, as well as saving the shipping costs.
New Weather Center Server Project
When the station was preparing to have a new news set installed, the Weather Center was a big part of the change. The old weather center consisted of a room with a bank of monitors, keyboards and mice connected to servers and workstations in an ajoining room. The computers sat on shelves instead of being installed in a server rack. The first phase of this project was to design and implement a new server rack. The existing servers were measured for the amount of rack units they were going to require, then I determined what size rack was needed and, using Microsoft Visio, created a schematic that placed each server in its new location. As the new Weather Center was being built I took an existing closet area that had been somewhat abandoned and redesigned it to hold the Weather Center systems. I brought in two shorter server racks and again designed where the servers would be placed. Since this new server closet area was over 20-40 ft away from the individual stations that comprised the new Weather Center I had to run new KVM, Ethernet, and serial control cabling from the new server closet to each of the Weather Center stations using overhead wiring trays and cable management.
Blackbox ServSwitch KVM System
The corporate ownership of the station had purchased a Blackbox ServSwitch KVM system for remote management of the various servers and workstations in the network environement. This system had not been implemented by the time I was hired. I took the system and started implementing a new physical infrastructure capable of hosting this system. Ethernet cabling was run and terminated to every server and some additional workstations, then run back to a 48-port Blackbox ServSwitch. Then cabling was run to 4 management workstations which then allowed those workstations, through a Blackbox Octet Management Console, access to all the servers and workstations connected to the KVM system according to their Blackbox user account permissions.
Sprint MultiLink WAN Upgrade
The station had been running on a T-1 internet connection which had become less than adequate for the station's needs. I researched and found that through Sprint we could bond the current T-1 to a second T-1, that had originally been brought in for an MPLS system, for a 3.0 (with overhead 2.8) internet connection. I worked with Sprint Multilink technicians to plan the implementation of this cutover. This had to be done during normal business hours so I had to coordinate with the station department heads, as well as outside associates, to let them know when the circuit would be unavailable. A Cisco 2811 router was installed and configured to communicate on the Sprint Multilink network infront of our existing PIX-515 firewall.
Avaya IP Office
My first project with the television station was to work with an Avaya installation technician to migrate from an older Definity phone system to an Avaya IP Office phone system including a Server 2003 managment console. All phones were replaced with newer Avaya IP Office phones and various call groups and user accounts were setup. After the installation I was responsible for managing the system, setting up new users with new extensions and voicemail accounts, as well as the removal and deletion of user accounts upon their leaving the company. I was also responsible for managing "hot key" setup for each user's phone.
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