Education & Qualifications

Qualifications : Cisco (CCNA )Cisco Certified Network Associate

A Level Mathematics

Four G.C.E. O Levels Mathematics, English,

Engineering Drawing, Art

Seven C.S.E. Grade 1 Mathematics, English, Physics,

Chemistry, Geography, Art,

Engineering Drawing

City & Guilds 417 Computer Systems Analysis

And Programming

Courses Attended :

Cisco Switching and Routing

Prince 2 Project Management Principles

XYLAN Omni-switch

XYLAN ATM switch technology

IBM 8274 Switch configuration

Ascend Navis Access

DEC Unix Senior User

DEC Unix Systems Administration

AIX Systems Administration

AIX Systems Tuning

Windows NT 4.0 Workstation

Windows NT 4.0 Server

Design Orientated Graphics Systems Intermediate

Design Orientated Graphics Systems Advanced

Oracle / SQL Programming Introduction

Employment History.

Department for Work and Pensions

April 2005 - Present.

I am presently working for the Department of Work and Pensions, where I involved in the Network design and re-design of the Governments Resource Management project.

My role is to provide the design and re-design of Cisco network infrastructures and architectures and agree proof of concept ideas for the Government project. The development of network concepts, and the delivery of concepts to the client in a timely manner.

The project management of various agencies and 3 ^rd party suppliers and partners, whilst providing 4 ^th level network support and troubleshooting where required.

Ministry Of Defence- Rheindahlen

March 2005 - April 2005

I provided network design consultancy on a short term basis for the Ministry Of Defence at Rheindahlen in Germany.

My role was to provide network consultancy, project management, senior network engineering and tutoring to the staff at the Rheindahlen base on their DII network project. This included the checking of current network designs and design of new networks environments. These included developing switch and router configuration scripts and the tutoring of on site staff. I was also involved in the drawing up of best practice procedures for the DII networking project. The management of third party suppliers and agencies to ensure that all upgrade work was completed on schedule and within budget.

Accenture Consulting - Cambridgeshire

October 2004 - March 2005

I was providing Network Consultancy and Engineering for Accenture Consulting and their client based in Cambridgeshire.

My role was to provide LAN / WAN network administration, engineering and support to a large Cisco based network, from Catalyst switches up to 6513 core switches and up to 7200 series routers. I also provided network project consultancy for their client. These projects involve the design and redesign of networks, upgrading of current networks and infrastructures.

This also includes the administration and support of the client's server environments both locally and remotely. The servers supported are Windows 2000 / 2003, Windows CE and Windows mobile, AIX Unix and Citrix server farms. The support of Blackberry and Pocket PC hand held data communications devices. The daily management of the intranet content servers for the project.

N.A.T.O. - Mons, Belgium

April 2004 - October 2004

I was employed by NATO at their strategic headquarters in Mons, Belgium where I was working as part of a small infrastructure team designing, configuring, commissioning and supporting a secured Intrusion Detection System for NATO's secured and secret networks. This involved the configuration of Cisco switches, routers and Nokia Firewalls ( Checkpoint )

The configuration and installation of 4 Windows 2000 domains running Windows 2000 & Windows 2003 server, Windows Pocket PC, Windows CE 4.2 and Windows Mobile for pocket PC, Veritas Backup, EPO, Norton Antivirus, MS - Exchange , SUN / Solaris servers running bespoke incident handling software from Neusecure and Magic. I have also installed various network monitoring tools including HP Openview Network Node Manager, NetIQ App Manager and Netscout probes to provide network reporting and monitoring facilities. The network is backed up via Veritas backup solutions.

BT Syntegra - Newcastle Upon Tyne

July 2003 - April 2004

I was employed BT Syntegra, where I provide Network Design, Administration and Engineering for their Government client, the Department Of Works And Pensions.

My role was to provide Cisco and 3com switch and router configuration, installation, support and administration for the 5000+ routers and switches used throughout the United Kingdom. The configuration, implementation and support of the Avaya Voice Over IP network. This also included the network design and implementation of infrastructure various network projects.

I was responsible for the design, installation and configuration of HP Openview (Network Node Manager, SNMP), Peregrine PND, Cisco Works 2000 ( RME, DFM, ACL Manager) and Transcend network monitoring tools used for the administration of the network.

The installation and administration of clustered Unix servers (HACMP & Stonebeat) used for the various network management tools used for monitoring and error reporting of the LAN and WAN systems. The management of the on line content delivery intranet for the network engineering team.

I was involved in the active monitoring of the LAN and WAN connections using network sniffers, Ngenius/Netscout probes.

Durham Constabulary - Aykley Heads, Durham

May 2003 - July 2003

I provided 3 ^rd line LAN/WAN network design, configuration, installation and engineering / systems administration for Durham Constabulary. I was responsible for the day to day hardware and software server administration of their Windows NT4 and 2000 servers, the Windows NT4 workstation / 2000 / 2003 / XP / Windows CE and Windows Mobile / Pocket PC clients attached both locally and remotely throughout the force. This included the application of service packs, security administration, volume management and file and print services.

I also provided administration and support of the Citrix, thin client application servers, providing GSM and GPRS Mapping applications.

The support team provided 2 ^nd / 3 ^rd level server and network support for 3000 users, including DHCP, DNS issues, MS Office applications and Microsoft Outlook and Exchange mail systems. I provided systems administration / support for the forces AIX Unix based HACMP servers, including the application of security patches, building and hardening of business servers and volume administration.

I configured, implemented and supported both LAN and WAN infrastructures consisting of Cisco 2950, 3500, 4000, 6509 switches, Avaya LAN switches & Nortel Passport / Business Policy Switches, Cisco routers, Checkpoint firewalls and 3Com switches employed throughout the Constabulary using Tivoli, HP Openview (Network Node Manager, SNMP ) and 3Com Transcend monitoring tools, ensuring force wide network monitoring of the 24 x 7 network operations centre.

Anglo Albanian Petroleum - Premier Oil

February 2003 - May 2003

Network Infrastructure Design Consultant

I provided Network Analysis / Consultancy for Anglo Albanian Petroleum - Premier Oil at their drilling location in Fier, Albania.

My role was to provide Network and Satellite communications design and consultancy, the configuration / installation for the proposed network expansion of their drilling operation at the Fier operations site and the remote drilling platforms. I was responsible the design and provisioning of a new satellite communications system, liaising with suppliers and vendors, managing the local IT workforce. Ensuring that the project was delivered on time and within strict budget guidelines.

I evaluated, installed and supported their current Windows NT4 /2000 server domain and Windows NT workstation / 2000 / XP clients. The administration and support AIX/HP Unix and Redhat Linux systems in operation at the sites and made proposals and recommendations for future growth of the local and remote network systems.

This included the segregating and upgrading of the clients to Exchange 5.5 and Outlook mail systems and Veritas backup servers, setting up of a DHCP based IP Network. The design, configuration and installation of Checkpoint Firewalls and a HP Openview network monitoring system. The installation of Avaya , Cisco switches and Inmarsat broadband satellite communications hardware, including Cat 5 and fibre data cabling..

I also provided the senior technical engineering knowledge for the implementation of the new network systems.

I provided technical consultancy and installation support for the proposed broadband network satellite communications systems (GSM and GPRS), and remote networking solutions (RAS) to be provided between the sites and the remote drilling platforms.

The mentoring and training of Albanian Petroleum's IT staff, in all aspects of the network upgrade and expansion.

Society European Satellites - ASTRA

May 2002 - January 2003

Satellite Network Consultant

I was employed by SES Astra of Luxembourg, working for their Technical Networking Team as a 2nd / 3rd Level Server and Nework Support Team Leader.

I provided the first point of contact for customers queries, problems and requests, dealing with their issues and ensuring that all problems were dealt with efficiently and to the customers satisfaction.

My team provided 2nd and 3rd Level network /security /systems and operational support to the Network Operations Centres in Luxembourg and Central Europe, including the troubleshooting of their Broadband Satellite Communications Networks and also their Multi-media Satellite Networks broadcasting and streaming from the site on a 24 x 7 basis.

I was also responsible for the installation and troubleshooting of the satellite Broadband Internet and satellite ADSL (ATM) and DVB broadcasting systems via satellite, providing connectivity for customers throughout Europe.

I provided configuration, support and troubleshooting of the Nortel Passport and Cisco 65xx & 12xxx and Catalyst switches (VLAN,VPN,OSPF,BGP,EIGRP), Avaya LAN switches, Cisco routers and Checkpoint/CiscoPix firewalls used within the local and remote networking environments.

The building, testing and integrating of IP based networks, prior to live implementation, and also the testing of systems to determine fault analysis.

The monitoring and backup of the network sytems using Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM), HP Openview ( Network Node Manager ) ,Cisco Works, Big Brother monitoring tools, providing on going support and development of the automated incident reporting systems used throughout the Company.

The installation, configuration and troubleshooting of Firewall and Intrusion Detection Systems. The analysis of log files and reporting, the security scanning of servers (Realsecure) and reporting of malicious attacks/vulnerabilities.

Part of my role was to also provide full server support / administration of AIX/HP Unix clustered servers, Solaris and Linux based servers, this includes database administration of the Oracle and SQL database systems used throughout the site.

My team provided remote network administration and support for Astra's partners throughout Europe. Which included the administration of the TCP/IP based Windows NT4 / 2000 / XP(DNS / DHCP) Citrix and Novell 4.1 / 5 (50 + servers) ethernet based network domains running on the remote sites. Remote access to customers servers was via a Citrix / thin client system, allowing for remote administration of servers. This also included, the system monitoring and performance testing of all servers, switches, routers and satellite connections and firewall systems. The updating and monitoring of security logs and rule bases for the firewall systems and intrusion detection systems.

I provided support on a 24 x 7 basis ensuring system performance and availability across all network platforms, for both internal and external clients, providing 2nd /3rd line support to the Network Operations Center staff.

I.B.M. Global Services Deutschland

March 2000 - April 2002

E-Business Network Infrastructure Consultant

I was employed as a Network Consultant for I.B.M. Global Services Deutschland at their Ehningen location, working within their E-Business Hosting / Solutions team.

My main duties were as a "hands on" team leader, to provide project consultancy / management for the E-Business solutions team. Liaising with IBM customers and partners to ensure that projects, requests and faults were resolved within the respective service level agreements, the setting up of SLA's and incident management reporting.

Other duties included the building of test networks for customers to bench test technologies and demonstrate the network performance to customers prior to installation.

This included configuring, installation and troubleshooting of the ATM switches, routers, clustered Stone Beat/Checkpoint firewalls the administration of Tivoli / Netview and Cisco Works network monitoring systems. Also providing 2 ^nd and 3 ^rd Level support of switches, routers and servers within the Universal Server Farms located at Ehningen and Frankfurt locations. The education of IBM staff in the technologies employed within the server farms.

A major part of my role was to produce and execute projects plans for IBM's external customers. This included liaising with both external and 3 ^rd party suppliers and customers as well as internal groups within IBM to provide a managed and secure solution within tight timescales and to the customer's requirements.

The farms hosted customers secure web/database services, providing secure managed end to end Internet/Intranet solutions.

My networking team installed, configured and troubleshoot the IBM 8274, XYLAN / Alcatel Omni Switches and a range Cisco 7500 ATM and Alteon switches employed within the farm, running BGP,OSPF,IGRP, HSRP and EIGRP protocols.

The networking team was also responsible for both customer LAN and WAN routers. Other duties included the configuration, installation and support of internal and external firewalls (Stonebeat , Checkpoint Firewall 1 and CiscoPix clustering / load balancing) running on AIX and Nokia platforms, for both Internet and Intranet access. The configuration and maintenance of Firewall access lists and Intrusion Detection systems (Cisco Netranger). The analysis and updating of security procedures, the analysis of log files and intrusion detection reports.

The configuration of Lucent bandwidth controllers and routers for client's multi-protocol networks. The monitoring and backup of the all web and database servers was provided using the Tivoli (TSM) suite of software, the software licence monitoring using Tivoli Licence Manager. The provision of a secure remote access to web infrastructure servers, using RADIUS and TACACS.

The sites were hosting 2000+ web/database servers. These servers were AIX /HP Unix & Redhat Linux servers, NT4/2000 and Sun based platforms which connected via an ATM switched backbone. I provided full server administration for Windows 2000/NT4 / Citrix Metaframe, Novell 4.1, AIX and Sun Solaris systems ( IIS, Apache, IPlanet / Netscape Messenger & Communicator) connected within the E-Business server farm.

I provided remote support to customer's environments throughout Europe allowing for the remote administration / backup and application serving of systems via a network of Citrix servers located throughout Europe. This also included the content management of client's internet and IBM intranet environments. My team were responsible for the design, installation and support of the Citrix environment.

McDonnell Information Systems

February 1999 - April 2000

Senior Network Consultant / Project Manager

I was employed by MDIS, working as Senior Network Consultant / Project Manager for their Managed Services Division,

I was working on the MDIS contract at MD Foods Leeds, my role was to manage the day-to-day operations of the Managed Service for the customer at their headquarters and remote locations. Dealing with incidents and requests from the customer and ensuring that issues were resolved with SLA, and to the customer's satisfaction. The scoping and management of client projects and upgrades to the client's infrastructure and their 3 party suppliers.

I provided both support and administration for the clients NT 4, OS/2 and UNIX based servers, the LAN, WAN and Frame relay networks using HP Openview. This involved the maintenance and upgrade to all IBM Servers, Cisco routers, hubs, Cisco and Lanoptics Switches.

My team was involved in a large network upgrade, my role was as Project Manager / Team Leader. This entails the upgrading of Cisco switches and routers connecting all the main MD Foods sites throughout the UK via Frame relay, providing access to the MD Foods European WAN. All networked sites were remotely monitored and managed using Cisco Works, HP Openview and TNG Unicentre monitoring software tools, running on AIX and Sun platforms.

I also installed a cluster of Citrix application servers for remote sites, along with the remote administration and backup of client's server environments..

The migration of both Desktop PC's and Servers from OS/2 operating system using Token Ring onto a Microsoft NT 4 (DHCP) / UNIX Server / Client domain using switched TCP/IP networking protocols. The installation and support of a Sun Solaris proxy server and firewalls, allowing Internet and Intranet access from the desktop and VPN data transfer between MD Foods sites throughout Europe. We also provide 2nd level support for all Oracle applications used throughout the Company. My role within the team was as Project Manager / Project Leader.

I was also responsible for the day-to-day management of the network at the Leeds site and all the satellite sites throughout the UK, connected via Cisco routers using frame relay. All networks are running TCP/IP protocols. We also provided remote access dial access for customers; using Ascend Max 4000 and Shiva LAN-Rover remote access systems, which allow ISDN, analogue and PSTN dial in access.

In my role as Senior Network Consultant, I provide the main point of contact between MD Foods and MDIS dealing with all client / customer related issues.

Azlan U.K. Ltd

October 1997 - January 1999.

Network Consultant

Azlan U.K. employed me as a Network Consultant based at their York Office. During my employment with Azlan I provided network consultancy to major Companies both in the U.K. and Europe.

I was involved in several projects for NFC Plc at their Bedford and Milton Keynes Offices, these included the re-design, and configuration and installation of an ATM switched Ethernet network, to both their NT 4 Domain and Novell NDS tree. The installation of a remote access dial in ISDN solutions allowing 2000 + user's remote access to the LAN and mail systems.

The upgrading and changing of the WAN from a Racal network to a client owned WAN, including the installation of Cisco3600 & Catalyst routers and Cisco 5000 switches. The installation and support of HP Openview network monitoring tools, allowing for a centrally administered networking. I Project Managed the Year 2000 server upgrades on 100+ NT 4, Novell and Unix servers to ensure Millennium compliance.

Other Companies which I provided consultancy / network solutions for included Qwest, Portals/De La Rue, Gateshead Borough Council, Xylan/Alcatel Netherlands.

These projects required me to provide consultancy, network trouble shoots and installations Companies in both the UK and Europe, determining the root cause of network issues, providing written documentary evidence for customers of solutions or upgrade requirements. I also specified and delivered solutions for network upgrades and redesigns. I have experience of configuring and installing Cisco 3600 / 5000 / 5500 / 7500 ( OSI & EIGRP ) and XYLAN ATM switches, routers, hubs, DEC Net Switches and NT 4, Novell NetWare 4.xx, OS/2 and Citrix Servers, AIX Unix servers, Windows 3.xx / 95 / 98, Internet and Dial in Firewalls. HP Openview and CISCO Works network monitoring tools.

Cummins Engine Company Ltd

December 1996 - October 1997

UNIX Systems Administrator

I was employed by Cummins Engine Company at their Darlington plant as a Network Support / UNIX Administrator. The team provided hardware and software support, on the various Digital and I.B.M. UNIX servers connected via a Pathworks server. I was responsible for network performance and security of user accounts and data stored on the systems. Experience of AIX, DEC UNIX, OS/2 and Citrix Winframe operating systems were required to provide solutions to problems. I was tasked with providing 3rd line support on the Cabletron hubs and switches throughout the plant and ensuring nightly backups and patches to the system were administered correctly.

The support role was on a European basis, which involved troubleshooting and installation to remote sites both in the U.K. and Europe, visits to site to resolve major problems or installations carried out by the Support team.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

January 1992 - December 1996.

PC Support manager / AS400 Analyst

My position at the Borough Council was that of P.C. Support manager / AS 400 Technical Support Analyst. The main duties were to provide day-to-day management of a busy Support team, providing both P.C. and AS/400 network support throughout the authority.

Managing a team of Operators and Technical support personnel, providing support to the IBM AS/400 F60 system and the networking infrastructure. Daily duties included batch processing, printing, security and system performance. Experience of Unix system administration was gained working on IBM RS6000 Unix servers which were employed to provide a digital mapping solution, experience of Oracle / SQL programming in an Xwindows environment was gained. All Personal Computers were networked to the AS/400 using 5250 emulation via 8235 and 8435 controllers.

MARI Computer Training

November 1990 - January 1992

Duties included systems administration of the Companies NetWare 3.11 network and also the writing of training material for both internal and external courses. I provided support to the on site servers and all software running across the network.

I developed training courses in various spreadsheets, word processing and database applications from beginner to expert level, courses were tailored for individual company's requirements.

Cleveland Constabulary

1988 - November 1990

I was employed as a Computer Operator/ Customer Support person for the Police Force, providing 24 hours support for the Force's computer systems. I worked a three-shift pattern and worked alone during out of hour's shifts. The Constabulary used various Data General Mainframe systems and IBM Unix servers, these systems were networked to all the Police stations in the County.

The department provided a first point of contact for any problems, which may arise. The setting up of mobile incident rooms when required were installed and configured by myself, including mobile telecommunications. General Operational duties such as backup's and periodic archives of systems data.