Sr. Technical Specialist
Canadian Tire Corporation
Total years of experience :26 years, 6 Months
Environment:
IBM Aix 5.x/6.x/7.1, VIOS 2.x, NIM Servers, PowerVM, PowerHA, Dell Compellent Storage, pSeries 770/870, HIS, WAS, InfoShpere, MDM, IBM Netezza, Redhat Enterprise Linux 5/6/7, NexentaStor, BIND9, NIS, YP, VMware 5.x, IBM Tivoli TSM 6, MOVEit Central, MOVEit DMZ.
• Management and troubleshooting the enterprise environment of CTC (Canadian Tire, Parts Source), CTFS (Canadian Tire Financial Services), FGL servers (AIX, Redhat Enterprise Linux and Solaris).
• Hands-on experience of collecting requirement, setup and troubleshooting of all knows and industry standard operating system servers (Unix, Linux and Microsoft Windows).
• Primarily involved in Unix (AIX) and Linux (RHEL) server builds using PowerVM (VIOS) and VMware environment utilizing the best practiced approach to maintain and update the OS level and patches.
• Servers and environment hardening by implementing the best practices to minimize the security risks, PCI standards etc.
• Day-to-day tasks to add/remove/modify users or permission on servers and storage.
• Expert in writing korn/bourne shell scripts for day to day and different requirements such as automating backups, daily and weekly data file submissions, scripting to communicate with Mainframe and various tasks.
• Handling NFS and FTP servers (AIX and Redhat), providing platform to middleware applications and databases as per given requirements by the internal teams and venders.
• OS and application packages updates, testing and deployments.
• Working and supporting to different projects such as Forklift, Enterprise cloud environment, Enterprise NFS/CIFS/SMB server (NexentaStor) etc.
• Handling all hardware related changes and firmware upgrades.
• Opening tickets to the respective venders for troubleshooting or upgrades etc.
• Change Management, Incident Management processes etc.
• Monitoring, reporting, troubleshooting, preemptive maintenance of servers and storage and capacity management.
Environment:
IBM Aix 7.1, VIOS 2.x, PowerVM, PowerHA, IBM Storewise V7000 and DS5020, Power compute nodes (P260/270), IBM PureFlex / FSM, HIS, WAS, InfoShpere, MDM, IBM Netezza, Redhat Enterprise Linux 5/6/7, MS Windows Servers (MSSQL, MSExchange, IIS, Remote Desktop Services, Sharepoint, Active Directory etc), CISCO/VPN/PaloAlto, MS Windows7, MS Office (up-to date), VMware 5.x, IBM Tivoli TSM 6, MOVEit Central, MOVE DMZ.
• Management and troubleshooting more than 125 servers (AIX and Redhat Enterprise Linux).
• Hands-on experience of collecting requirement, setup and troubleshooting of all knows and industry standard operating system servers (Unix, Linux and Microsoft Windows).
• Primarily involved in Unix (AIX) and Linux (RHEL) server builds using PowerVM (VIOS) and VMware environment utilizing the best practiced approach to maintain and update the OS level and patches.
• Day-to-day tasks to add/remove/modify users or permission on servers and storage.
• Expert in writing korn/bourne shell scripts for day to day and different requirements such as automating backups, daily and weekly data file submissions, scripting to communicate with Mainframe and various tasks.
• Handling NFS and FTP servers (AIX and Redhat), providing platform to middleware applications and databases as per given requirements by the internal teams and venders.
• OS and application packages updates, testing and deployments.
• Working and supporting to different projects such as AJB RTS, Lighthouse, Identity & Access Management and Toolbox etc.
• Handling all hardware related changes and firmware upgrades.
• Opening tickets to the respective venders for troubleshooting or upgrades etc.
• On call support (for a week on cycle of five weeks).
• Handling Storage Area Network (SAN) - IBM Storewise V7000 and DS5020 of the FCL Home Office.
• Monitoring, reporting, troubleshooting, preemptive maintenance of servers and storage and capacity management.
Environment:
MS Windows Server 2003/2008/R2, Linux Web/FTP Servers/ iSeries Servers, Mac Servers, Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft Internet Information Server 7, Terminal Services Server, Sharepoint Server, Active Directory (AD), CISCO VoIP/VPN, MS Windows XP/7, MS Office 2003/2007/2010, MS Visual Studio .Net 2008, Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2009, MS SQL Server 2005, VMware, Symantec Backup 2010, Webfilerting (WebSense/McAfee SAAS)
More than 1700 active profiles in Active Directory (staff and faculty with remote locations). Integrated profiling and modular setups with full security implementation.
• Management and troubleshooting of Microsoft Windows Servers 2003/2008/R2.
• Hands-on experience of collecting requirement, setup and troubleshooting experience of almost all industry standard middleware used by middle to large scale organizations connected to remote locations.
• Primarily involved in migrating physical servers into virtualized setup using VMware technologies (ESXi 5.1, vSphere client, tools and migration utilities).
• Working with SharePoint server with AD (Active Directory) maintaining internal staff directory and contact management.
• Utilizing the best practiced approach to maintain and update the Active Directory Services (ADS) and adding /assigning resources (e.g. printers, file servers, etc.)
• Day-to-day tasks with Terminal Services Servers to add/remove/modify users or permission for RDP sessions on secure tunnel via VPN.
• Hands-on experience in the Internet Information Server 6/7 (IIS) for various existing and new web applications for the organization; responsible for applying regular updates, patches and .NET framework updates (e.g. .Net 3.x/4.x).
• Involved in designing and implementing (domain) User / Group / Application Policies.
• Daily dealing with shell scripting, vb scripting for different kinds of requirements for reporting and analysis purposes.
• Writing, testing and deploying scripts (power shell, vbs etc) to automate the jobs and time critical achievements such as bulk search and replacement in Active Directory Databases, also periodical clean-up (for auditing and compliances to company defined standards).
• Managing and administering MS Exchange Servers 2010 (front-end and back-end setup with Database Availability Group). Also took part in migrating mailboxes from Exchange 2003 to Exchange 2010 with no loss.
• Supporting Microsoft SQL Servers and databases used by different applications serving difference departments.
• Working on virtualization using VMware to host many of our servers for different roles.
• Unix/Linux Web/FTP servers, iSeries (file, queue handling and printing) and deployed Microsoft Dynamics NAV.
• Administering DNS Servers (lookup and reverse lookup), DHCP (with VLAN and scopes).
• Dealing with data backups/restoration and deduplication management (using Symantec 2010 and CommValut).
• Dealing with CISCO VOIP phone system, ATA (Analog telephone adapter) configuration, CISCO switches /routers.
• Also, User desktop support (remotely, physically and over the phone) on hardware and software related issues including copiers and printers. Provide solutions / workarounds on end-user queries even those of complex nature. Lifecycle of IT systems including equipment acquisition and rejuvenation. Working with vendors, calling quotations, processing AP (payments). Working with network, patch & telephone cabling. Maintaining software and hardware inventories and creating summaries for management.
Environment:
MS Windows Server 2003/2008/R2, Linux Web/FTP Servers/ Microsoft Exchange Server 2003/2007/2010), Microsoft Internet Information Server 7, Terminal Services Server / Remote Desktop Services (RDS), ECM Library (Enterprise Content Management Library), Active Directory (AD), MS Visual Studio .Net 2008, MS SQL Server 2005/2008, Microsoft Hyper-V (1, 2, 3), vSphere, NAS, SAN, Cisco/SonicWall Networks and VPNs, Spiceworks.
• Delivered many projects in virtualization using Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware vSphere converting and migrating and combining roles into VMs for different clients followed by monitoring and troubleshooting. Finalizing the hardware and set up different role servers including domain controller using Microsoft Windows 2003/2008/R2, MS SQL Servers, File/Print Servers for various clients (more than 10 clients in GTA and more than 5 on a national and international level).
• Provided application development / hosting solutions for developers working on Visual Studio .Net 2008/12 locally and remotely (from India & Greece).
• Setup configured Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and RemoteApp Publishing for RDP which include Windows application publishing, permissions, troubleshooting for challenging and customized requests.
• Provided Exchange 2010 as solution to existing clients and also did migration projects from previous versions.
• Created and deployed storage servers (NAS and SAN) for the roles of file-servers, and data auto synchronizing.
• Day-to-day monitoring and administration and updates on the hosted servers (Telus Data Centre), IIS and SQL.
• Installed and administering antivirus enterprise servers
• Setup and interacted Linux (web, database and FTP) Servers into domain.
• Doing project on SharePoint Server installation and deployments for ready solutions.
• Network monitoring (internal and remote locations using different tools),
• Miscl: DNS & DHCP Servers, Wi-Fi and VPN setups. Web filtering servers. Documentation and policy making, writing user guides and manuals for day-to-day operations.
IT INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTANT
Al Razi Healthcare (Pvt) Ltd. (Lahore, Pakistan) Jun 2009 ~ May 2010
www.alrazihealthcare.com
This was an additional responsibility by the Dhabi Group to kick start their healthcare project in Pakistan and I provided them consultancy from the beginning until they’ve got their local resource and by that time I was migrating to Canada so I just handed over to new IT Incharge who was actually on AlRazi’s payroll.
Environment:
MS Windows Server 2003, MS Exchange 2003, MS Internet Information Server 6, FTP Server, Terminal Services Server, VMWare vSphere ESXi 4, Thin Clients Dell NAS/SAN, LIMS (Lab Information Management System), PACS (Picture Archiving & Communication System), MS Windows 7, MS Office 2003/2007, MS Visual Studio .Net 2005/2008, MS SQL Server 2005, Active Directory in Windows 2003
• Was engaged to completely set up lab operations from beginning till its launch in May 2010.
• Dealt with all levels of IT infrastructure deployments from scratch to turnkey levels.
• Major achievements include setting up, configuring and hosting LIMS and PACS using Microsoft Internet Information Server and MS SQL Server.
• Used unified storage boxes for databases and user files.
• Provided technical services to connect all remote locations (labs and regional offices in Lahore, other cities and remote areas in Pakistan).
• Each remote setup was with between 10 to 15 end users with equipment connectivity with redundant networked environment linked to the Head Office data centre, comprising dozens of servers for different tasks.
Previous positions held: Asst. Mgr. (Team Lead Databases/Dev. & Infrastructure (to 2005) & QA
Environment:
MS Windows Server 2000/2003 (with Active Directory), SCO Unix, AIX, MS Internet Information Server 5/6, FTP Server, Terminal Services Server, Thin Clients (Linux/Windows), IBM NAS & SAN, CCCS 4 (Credit card software by Comex), ACCeSS (Debit Card software), VisionPlus, C:D (Connect Direct), Webshpere, MS Exchange Server 2003, Connectivity with VISA & MC, MS Office 2003/2007, MS Visual Studio 6.0/VS .Net 2005, MS SQL Server 7/2000/2005, Mac.
All networks aggregated to Lahore data center with more than 12 remote centres and setup of more than 150 bank branches; also in Dhaka-Bangladesh and Kabul-Afghanistan. More than 2, 500 active profiles in Consumer Finance alone (just my domain)
Engaged as a Team Leader, Infrastructure and Developments. During my 9+ year tenure I achieved dozens of project completions within given timeframes with excellence of service. Some examples are:
• Initially set up and delivered Consumer Finance Division to launch its first product (Credit Card - Alfalah Visa); this project involved assessment, capacity planning and deployment of infrastructure from cabling (LAN and telephone) to workstations, connectivity with VISA, MasterCard and all remote centers (for customer services, collections and operations staff).
• In the second project phase, designed and implemented the Terminal Services for thin client users and then replaced all PC workstations with thin clients which involved creating and integrating file / storage servers (Unified storage boxes).
• Worked from start to end (IT side) on launching another product “Debit Cards”. All servers and related networks for card production and issuance.
• Third major project involved setup and maintaining intranet on Internet Information Server (IIS) for various applications used by division, updating and troubleshooting.
• Completed many projects on migration of live application and data servers to next generation platforms (hardware and software wise).
• Developed many in-house applications helpful for operations tasks such as document management system, memo diaries for cards, cardholder utility billing processing on cards, sms alerts etc.
• Directly supervised these servers; mentored 45-50 Managers and Assistant Managers in different locations.
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR
FIRST INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK LTD /
IGI INVESTMENT BANK (LAHORE, PAKISTAN) . Feb 1997 to Jan 2001
http://www.igiinvestmentbank.com.pk
Environment:
MS Windows 95/98/NT Workstation 4.0, Windows NT Server, Novel Netware 3.11, MS Office, PIBAS (an investment banking module for core business - developed in Cobol), Lotus Notes, Foxpro for Dos/Windows. LMS (Lease Management System), MCF (Micro Consumer Finance)
Environment: 20 servers, 200 users in 3 major cities
Responsible for administering and troubleshooting the Bank’s LAN and all computer setup, Servers administration, user profile creation and modifications (when needed). Routine data backup and restore (as per backup policy of the bank).
Environment:
MS Windows 3.1x, Microsoft Plus, Windows 95, MS Office 4.3, Lotus 123, Foxpro for custom developed accounting system.
• Responsible for setting up the computer department and networked all PCs and Laptops on LAN.
• Was mainly involved in procuring new hardware, setup and troubleshooting of computers.
• Also used to work on in-house built applications for accounting and inventory to enhance and modify modules to comply with ISA and IAS standards.
Environment:
MS Dos 5/6.x, MS Windows 3.1x, Novel Netware 3.x/4, MS Office 4.3, Lotus 123, Word Perfect, dBase III/IV, Clipper, FoxBase, Foxpro. How big was this environment in terms of students/PCs
This was a growing computer institute in Lahore with only a couple of centres available, more than 500 registered students and around 40 workstations.
• Participated in building and running a Computer Institute in town after my one-year Diploma in Computer Sciences.
• Was primarily involved in setup and maintenance of computer lab with networked environment, creating user logins and applying lab scheduling for each student.
• Also instructed in MS DOS, MS Windows, MS Office and Foxpro database programming.
Management Sciences & Information Technology