Skillset and Experiences

Linux

  • Understands the Linux file structure and using text editors to alter configuration files through the Bash shell
  • Created multiple LAMP stacks from scratch to create websites that run WordPress on both Debian and Red Hat based distros
  • This current site runs on a LAMP stack that runs on a machine that I personally manager
  • I’ve enabled key authentication, installed a backend SQL database, unloaded the WordPress files into the correct directories, and placed the VM device in a VLAN isolated from my other home devices

Windows Server 2008 R2/2012/2016/2019

  • I sat for my MCSA and passed the exam before they retired it in 2022
  • Installed and removed roles including DHCP, DNS, and File Servers
  • Stood servers up from scratch including licensing and configuration

Advanced Networking Concepts

  • Load balancing, NAT, Virtual Routing and Switching, and VLANs are a few of these concepts that I have hands on experience with
  • I’ve got experience with subnet calculating within the RFC 1918 allocation
  • I’ve also worked with managed access points such as Unifi, SonicWave, and Cisco Meraki to create isolated wireless networks as well as guest networks
  • I understand the implementation of SNMP, Traffic Shaping, QOS and Virtual IPs within a network
  • HA Proxy is the load balancer that I am using to host multiple sites with only a single public within my home network
  • I’ve personally used my knowledge to host my own websites within their own isolated VLANs and allowed external access to them using Cloudflare’s DNS and SSL certificates

Routing and Switching

  • I’ve properly configured managed HP, Cisco, NetGear, and Unifi switches to varying degrees
  • I understand network design and the importance of each individual device with the design
  • This includes virtual routing and switching through VMWare and Hyper-V
  • I’ve created VLANS on each of the devices, configured egress and ingress from the traffic produced, and even stacked devices so that they would perform as one

Firewall Configuration

  • Experience configuring and installed firewalls such as SonicWalls, Cisco Meraki, and PFSense which is a very powerful open-source firewall
  • Configured virtual PFSense firewalls within the ProxMox and VMWare environment that work no different from hardware firewalls
  • Configured port forwarding and established both site-to-site and client-to-site VPN connections
  • Configured ACLs to block or allow traffic from one VLAN to the next and to isolate incoming and outgoing traffic

VOIP/Telephony experience

  • I worked with FreePBX which is an open-source phone system, Shortel, 3CX, IPECs, and Weave
  • I used FreePBX personally when I required a direct line for my business
  • I’ve used a linesman’s handset to check phone lines for dial tones on 66 blocks
  • Used QOS to prioritize voice traffic within a network and understand how SIP traffic works within a network
  • I was involved in a phone conversion project that converted 10 separate sites from Mitel to FreePBX

VMWARE vSphere 6.5/7.0

  • Experience in adding resources (RAM, CPU, and disk space) to virtual servers using the Web Client as well as the VMWare vCenter Server
  • Successfully configured vMotion in order to move virtual machines from one live host to the next
  • Created DRS and HA clusters in order to share resources between the machines using load balancing
  • I understand how to correct vulnerabilities within the VMware ecosystem as well

Virtualization Platforms

  • Worked with the hypervisors Windows Hyper-V, VMWare ESXI, and Proxmox which is an open-source hypervisor
  • Experience working in a Citrix Environment where app virtualization was crucial to our clients. This includes the delivery of the application including the networking behind it
  • I understand the costs involved and the infrastructure designs necessary for a working solution and how virtualization can save costs on hardware and licensing by essentially

Scripting Experience

  • I’ve scripted in both PowerShell for windows and Bash for Linux. I’ve also used the Azure CLI within the cloud when necessary
  • For Bash my most complicated Bash script was using it to renew Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates for my web servers. The process was basically my firewall downloading the certificates and then moving those certificates to my web servers in specific file directories using RSA authentication
  • I wrote another script to nearly fully automate my WordPress LAMP stack creation. It involved a little bit of interaction to configure the SQL database and the WordPress configuration file
  • My most powerful PowerShell script created a distribution list from a list of contacts, each with a unique name, and then a subsequent script to delete those same contacts from the Microsoft 365 admin portal. The emails were not internal and that is why the contacts
  • I also automated a PowerShell script that moved pictures from one folder to the next. This involved specifying the file types and then applying it to a folder. I put this on a task scheduler to run every hour.

Microsoft Cloud

  • Administration through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center including Exchange Online and Microsoft Teams amongst other admin centers. This also involves MFA and user account creation
  • I am a certified Microsoft Azure Administrator with hands on experience in Azure AD and creating infrastructure in the Azure Cloud including VNETs, VMs, and Blob Storage. I plan on getting the Azure Certified Solutions Architect at some point in the near future
  • I am certified in Microsoft Intune/Endpoint manager and have the skills to engineer, implement, and maintain computers and mobile devices within the cloud.
  • I have a separate WordPress site hosted in Azure to demonstrate my abilities (https://alrykperry.org)

Storage Concepts

  • I’ve worked with cloud storage/backup solutions such as SolarWinds and OneDrive and I’ve also worked with on-premises solutions such as Veeam, Synology, and Drobo.
  • I understand and have hands on experience creating RAID configurations for drive failure
  • I understand and have implemented an iSCSI solution in conjunction with VMWare and Windows Server in order to create file shares and virtual drives that live on an external Synology SAN

Active Directory

  • I’ve worked in multiple on premises and hybrid environments, so I’ve seen varying implementations of AD
  • I understand Group Policies at both the local and the domain level as well as properly setting NTFS file permissions
  • I also have experience in designing OUs from scratch and properly nesting the hierarchy in a way that makes sense
  • Promoted and demoted Domain controllers and understand how the DNS works when using third party routers such as Cisco Meraki

Structure Cabling

  • Installed 3 cable runs professionally, verified end-to-end connectivity, and terminated every end
  • One location was a gas station, one was for the city waste collection, the other for a dentist office
  • I’ve also run a cable within my home in order to give my office an ethernet drop using Cat5e cable
  • I’ve done contract break-fix work in which I was hired to repair low voltage cabling and keystone jacks for multiple clients

Rack and Stacking

  • I’ve installed 60+ pieces of equipment including HP/Dell Servers, firewalls, and switches for different clients along with the cable management for said devices
  • I have my own personal rack within my home that includes two HP Servers, a mix of NetGear, Cisco, and HP switch, my personal firewalls, and a Raspberry Pi
  • I’ve installed and replaced multiple access points as well as P2P antennas on the outside of buildings