About Me

I’m 33 years old, live in the United Kingdom with my lovely fiancée and beautiful daughter, and work full time as an IT professional. I have had a passion for computing and technology since 1984 when my father bought me a Commodore 64 for my birthday. Technology has moved in leaps and bounds, but I remain just an enthusiastic as I was then!

The Japanese language is another one of my passions, and have been studying the language part time since 2005. I still dream of going to Japan one day, but it might be a few more years away yet.

Professional Profile

Since 1997 I have been working as an IT professional within commercial, government and public sector environments in ‘hands on’ technical and team lead roles. My peers and colleagues would certainly support my claim that I have an insatiable passion for the technology and industry I have been so fortunate to specialise in.

My main area of expertise is virtualisation, having implemented server consolidation and virtual infrastructure solutions since 2006 when I started working with VMware ESX 2.5. In 2007 I gained my first VCP certification (VI3), and since re-certified with VMware vSphere 4 in December 2009.

Throughout my career I have also delivered technical solutions to corporate customers, with Microsoft server technologies (Exchange, SQL, ISA, Windows Server 2008), and Linux solutions (RedHat Enterprise).

To date I have achieved BCS Chartered IT Professional (MBCS CITP) in addition to Microsoft MCSE, ITIL v3 Foundation, Platespin CPSA, and a new ISEB qualification in 2009 (EU Code of Conduct for Data Centres).

Skills Summary

Skill	Level
Virtualisation	VCP 3&4, Expert level since 2006 having delivered VMware virtualisation solutions for Civica Connect (internet hosting), an recently for a government regulator with an award winning project and case study. Experience includes VMware ESX 2.53 – 4 (vSphere), GSX, Server, VDM / View, Workstation 7.
	Citrix XenDesktop 3&4\| Advanced knowledge having delivered large scale VDI deployments with Citrix XenApp, XenServer and CAG Advanced load balanced (Zeus) implementations.
	VMware LabManager 3&4 \| Expert level with multiple workspace configurations for large development team, and UAT of over 100 users.
Microsoft Server Technologies	MCSE Certified \| Expert knowledge of Active Directory (since NT4, Windows 2000 – Windows 2008).
	Exchange 2007 (since 2000) \| Solid background delivering expert consultancy for many Exchange implementations and migrations. Most recent deployment includes Exchange 2007 with replicated DR implementation.
	ISA 2006 (since 2000) \| Large enterprise deployments for commercial customers, providing advanced consultancy expertise.
	SQL 2008 (since 2000) \| Advanced knowledge and solid history implementing and supporting Microsoft SQL clusters with Dell & HP blade technology.
Server Infrastructure	HP c7000, Dell PowerEdge \| Very strong background with HP c7000 blade systems, with migrations from Dell PowerEdge 1955. Expert level knowledge of blade system configuration, including Cisco and Brocade fibre modules, Insight Manager and ILO.
	HP Proliant DL, ML \| Since 1998 working on technical builds with Compaq & HP DL and ML series, including deployments using new G6.
	Server deployments using Altiris / Rapid Deploy, Acronis Advanced Server & Snap Deploy, and Linux (Redhat) Kickstart installations.
SAN Storage	HP, EMC & Datacore \| Advanced technical implementations since 2006, delivering multiple SAN solutions for commercial and government projects. Primary expertise with EMC Clariion, Datacore, and HP MSA 2012.
SAN Storage	Fibre Channel & iSCSI \| Expert knowledge implementing HP Brocade fabric, Sphereon, and McData fibre channel. In addition to iSCSI implementations with VMware, Datacore and Cisco technologies.
Linux	Redhat (RHEL) \| Since first using Unix (SCO) in 1992, throughout my career I have developed an advanced level of knowledge with Unix and Linux, shell scripting, and web server solutions for a commercial ISP.
Networking	Cisco \| Expert level since 2000, with strong background in 3rd line support (ISP) working with Cisco ASA, PIX, and Catalyst switches.
Networking	Vyatta \| Advanced level implementations of Vyatta virtual (open-source) router, providing Test and DR environments.

Skill	Level
Virtualisation	VCP 3&4, Expert level since 2006 having delivered VMware virtualisation solutions for Civica Connect (internet hosting), an recently for a government regulator with an award winning project and case study. Experience includes VMware ESX 2.53 – 4 (vSphere), GSX, Server, VDM / View, Workstation 7.
	Citrix XenDesktop 3&4\| Advanced knowledge having delivered large scale VDI deployments with Citrix XenApp, XenServer and CAG Advanced load balanced (Zeus) implementations.
	VMware LabManager 3&4 \| Expert level with multiple workspace configurations for large development team, and UAT of over 100 users.
Microsoft Server Technologies	MCSE Certified \| Expert knowledge of Active Directory (since NT4, Windows 2000 – Windows 2008).
	Exchange 2007 (since 2000) \| Solid background delivering expert consultancy for many Exchange implementations and migrations. Most recent deployment includes Exchange 2007 with replicated DR implementation.
	ISA 2006 (since 2000) \| Large enterprise deployments for commercial customers, providing advanced consultancy expertise.
	SQL 2008 (since 2000) \| Advanced knowledge and solid history implementing and supporting Microsoft SQL clusters with Dell & HP blade technology.
Server Infrastructure	HP c7000, Dell PowerEdge \| Very strong background with HP c7000 blade systems, with migrations from Dell PowerEdge 1955. Expert level knowledge of blade system configuration, including Cisco and Brocade fibre modules, Insight Manager and ILO.
	HP Proliant DL, ML \| Since 1998 working on technical builds with Compaq & HP DL and ML series, including deployments using new G6.
	Server deployments using Altiris / Rapid Deploy, Acronis Advanced Server & Snap Deploy, and Linux (Redhat) Kickstart installations.
SAN Storage	HP, EMC & Datacore \| Advanced technical implementations since 2006, delivering multiple SAN solutions for commercial and government projects. Primary expertise with EMC Clariion, Datacore, and HP MSA 2012.
SAN Storage	Fibre Channel & iSCSI \| Expert knowledge implementing HP Brocade fabric, Sphereon, and McData fibre channel. In addition to iSCSI implementations with VMware, Datacore and Cisco technologies.
Linux	Redhat (RHEL) \| Since first using Unix (SCO) in 1992, throughout my career I have developed an advanced level of knowledge with Unix and Linux, shell scripting, and web server solutions for a commercial ISP.
Networking	Cisco \| Expert level since 2000, with strong background in 3rd line support (ISP) working with Cisco ASA, PIX, and Catalyst switches.
Networking	Vyatta \| Advanced level implementations of Vyatta virtual (open-source) router, providing Test and DR environments.