Network Specialist V

• Aug 2022 - Present

Network Specialist VI

• Oct 2019 - Aug 2022

Network Specialist

• Nov 2014 - Sep 2019

After retiring for a year and pursuing other educational opportunities, I began working at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in November 2014. I was initially hired to assist our one other network specialist responsible for overseeing the agency’s state wide network. When I arrived we had an aging infrastructure consisting of Cisco 3800 series branch routers, Catalyst 6500 chassis at our large facilities, and mostly Catalyst 3750 closet switches. I initially setup Cisco NCS Prime, using it to backup configurations and standardize configurations such as SNMP, syslog, time, etc. Next, I deployed a new version of SolarWinds Network Performance Manager, Netflow Analyzer and Application Performance Monitor. I took on the responsibility of deploying Cisco Web Security Appliance, one for education and another for business. I helped to support our central Cisco ASA firewall. The agency was still utilizing the Cisco legacy IPsec VPN client. I deployed AnyConnect. I also setup an ASA to utilize as an EZVPN headend for remote offices/teleworkers. When the agency deployed body cameras I sized and deployed Cisco ASA 5516X with Firepower for dedicated Internet connections for the high volume of video uploads at ou7r large facilities. Our agency eventually received funds to replace the legacy network infrastructure. I’ve been working with Cisco’s DNA Center server and Cisco ISE. I’ve been working to redeploy WAN routers using the ISR 4300 chassis for branch locations and ASR 1000 platform for the AVPN core. On the DNA Center platform, I’ve deployed a Fabric to two of our large facilities consisting of a Catalyst 9300 Shared Services switch, redundant Catalyst 9500 for the Border Node Control Plane nodes and Catalyst 9300 switches for the Fabric Edge. At the smaller sites, I’ve deployed Fabric in a Box consisting of an ISR router for the WAN and a catalyst 9300 for the offices. While working these tasks, I’ve been setting up Firepower Threat Defense in an HA configuration.

Network Systems Supervisor

• May 1990 - Sep 2013

Position required much experience in virtually every aspect of the IT infrastructure. This included everything from beginning with budgeting, to selecting "best value" solutions, then implementing, upgrading and managing all areas of operation while staying within budget. Some key areas include:Managing network infrastructure, primarily consisting of Cisco gear utilizing a wide variety of switches including; Catalyst 6500 & 4500 chassis based layer 3 switches, Catalyst 3650 for VOIP, and stackable 3750 for various locations. Managing various network storage platforms including NetApp Fas2240, EMC Celerra NS40 and CX300. NetApp controllers are fully redundant/replicating with Production & DR locations. Safely migrating data while minimizing end user disruption is a key factor in this operation.Installing, upgrading and managing VMWare ESXi with VMotion for high availabilty and Disaster Reccovery. Initially utilizing traditional hardware such as IBM xSeries servers but transitioning to Cisco UCS platform for production and DR. This included acquiring, installing and configuring Cisco Nexus 5500 & N1000V switches.Implemented and managed Cisco VOIP consisting of Communications Manager, Unity Connection,Emergency Responder and Contact Center. Integrating VOIP with other systems is a required skill.Implementing and managing Cisco ASA/IPS/PIX/CS-MARS, Ironport Web & Email products for security. Managing wireless infrastructure utilizing Cisco controller LWAP products supporting many distributed Wireless APs.Primarily a Microsoft shop for server Operating Systems and applications. Much experience designing, installing, upgrading and managing Active Directory, Exchange, MSSQL for core business applications on Windows. Experience supporting HTE for iSeries centric applications. Experience managing an IBM iSeries platform.Requires much experience working with and supporting the City's GIS utiliizing ESRI for ArcSDE, ArcIMS and ArcGIS Desktop applications.