Systems Engineer or Systems Administrator or Desktop Support Tech

Darshan J. Patel

Email: ******.***@*****.*** Cell: 410-***-****

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/darshan-patel/6/4b7/944

Over 10 years of Experience in IT Industry, (Systems / Network Administration, Desktop Support, Data Center Operations, Virtualization, IT Security & Networking and LAN/WAN Environment.) Motivated, enthusiastic and pro-active System/Network Administrator with an excellent ‘can – do’ attitude)

PROFILE:

Systems / Network Administrator Consultant TIAA-CREF, Charlotte - NC from Feb 2007 - Dec 2009, Nov 2010 - Feb 2013 and Jun 2013 till Feb 2017.

System Administrator Consultant(Level 3) Credit Suisse, Raleigh - NC from Feb 2013 to Jun 2013

Systems / Network Administrator and Analyst with Medical Communication Systems Inc. Old Bridge - NJ from Nov 2004 to Mar 2006

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Operating System

Windows Servers (NT/2000/2003/2008/2012 R2, 2016), Win 7, 8, 10, XP, Vista, RedHat Linux 5, 7, Novell NetWare 5.X

Server Consolidation / Virtualization

VMware ESX, ESXi, vSphere, VCenter, VMware Converter (P2V migration), VMware Workstation-View, Citrix XenApp, XenDesktop, HyperV, Cisco UCS.

Web Server

IIS 5.0, 6.0,7.0, 7.5 Apache 2.2

Messaging infrastructure/Apps

MS Exchange 2003,2007,2010 Lotus Notes Client/Server, Office 365

Networking

TCP/IP, LAN/WAN, DNS, DHCP, VLAN Tagging, Wireless, Cisco Switches and Routers, Firewall, Proxy, QIP, InfoBlox, VSwitch, Telnet, SSH, iLO, KVM, HBA Module, Cisco UCS Interconnect, Fabric Extender

Security

Watchguard, PCI /SOX PHI Symantec Endpoint Protection, Symantec Enterprise Solutions, Mcaffee Enterprise Solutions. Checkpoint, Trend Micro, RSA, Tivoli Endpoint Manager

Backup

IBM Tivoli Storage Management, DPS, VERITAS Backup, Norton Ghost, VM Snapshot, Robocopy

Storage/Cloud

Hitachi, EMC, Netapp, Dell Storage, Dell VBlock, Symantec Veritas Cluster File Systems and Volume Manager. Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Amazon Cloud Ec2 (AWS), MS Azure.

Hardware

IBM and HP BL, DL, GL Series (BladeCenter Management Module), HP Rack, HP Storage Work, Dell PowerEdge, IBM/DELL Workstation. M1000 Series Chassis, Cisco UCS B Series Blades, UCS 5100 Series Chassic

Automation

PowerShell, Batch, VB Scripting, Java, Microsoft SCCM 2012, MS WSUS, IBM BigFix and TEM.

Case Management Tools (ITIL/ITSM)

Remedy, Service-Now, Clarify, CA Unicenter

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

Bachelor of Business Administration Gujarat University, India

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION & CERTIFICATION

Post Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA)

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator

Pursuing AWS SysOps Administrator, VCP6 Certificate and EPIC Certified SA in near future

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

TIAA-CREF, Charlotte - NC Feb 2007 – Dec 2009, Nov 2010 – Jan 2013, and Jun 2013 till Feb 2017

Systems / Network Administrator Consultant

Environment: Windows Servers 2003, 2008, 2012 R2, 2016, Windows 10, 7, XP, IIS 6,7, MS SQL 2008/2012, HP Proliant DL, GL, Rack and Blade with iLO, IBM X /Blade Series, Active Directory, GPO, FISMO Role, LDAP, SPN, WSUS, Powershell, Batch, Puppet Agent, SCCM 2012, SCOM, MS Premier Service Tools, Failover Cluster, DR Policy, AD Cleanup, AD Audit, MS Office Products, Office 365, Skype for Business, Server Decom Cycle, Robocopy, IBM BigFix, IBM TEM/Maximo and TSM, Altiris Deployment, MS RDP Server, MS Hyper-v, Linux 6, 7, VMware ESX/ESXi 5.x/6.X, Fusion 6.x, Player 6.x, Workstation 10.x, Citrix XenDesktop/ XenApp/ Director/ VPN/ RSA, PCI, SOX, Symantec Endpoint Protection, EMC SAN, Dell Storage SC Series, Powervault, DFS, HP Storage Works, Cisco 6500 switch, Cisco UCS B Series Blades, Cisco UCS 5100 Chassis, Extender, Cisco UCS Interconnect Module 6120XP, UCS Manager Console, MQFTE, Varonis, Solarwinds, Splunk Services, Service Now, CA Unicenter ITCM, CA Service Desk, CA Autosys, CA Scheduler, MS Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), EC2 and Amazon Private Cloud (VPC)

Responsibilities:

Provided Level-3 Production Support in rotating Shift for around 2200+ remote users and 3200+ Servers on Microsoft, VMware, Citrix and Mainframe Environment Hosted on Multisite Large Data Center Environments. Designing, Configuration, Testing, Implementation and Maintenance of Secure VPN Connection, Firewall Rules, Virtual Desktop Design, Access Control, Capacity Planning, Load Balancing and Performance Tuning.

P2V Analyst, Closely Work with Application owners and Server support team to analyze the server role and utilization to verify the Virtualization candidates. P2V Migration using VMWare converter (Cold Clone and Hot Clone) across WAN to migrate Physical Server to VMWare infrastructure in a different Data Center. Very Strong Experience in with Virtualization technologies like installing, configuring, VMware vSphere. Creation, management, administration and maintenance of virtual servers and desktops. Also implemented Networking configuration & Security Configuration on ESX Host, Cluster and vCenter. Extensive knowledge in advance features of ESXi architecture, ESXi Shell, vRealize Operations, Vmotion, Smotion, Vmware HA/DRS, Fusion 6.x, Player 6.x, Workstation 10.x, Thick provision Lazy Zeroed, Thick Provision Eager Zeroed. Extensive Experience in P2V, V2V MIGRATION, Plate Spin 6.8.x, creating host and client templates and cloning. Good Experience in using Cisco USC and Commands to Perform SAN Zoning on Blade Server includes FC SAN/iSCSI SAN, NetApp, Dell MD1000 Storage Technologies worked with Vmware. Day to day responsibilities including migrating Vms using Vmotion or Smotion with zero downtime. Provision Desktop or Server via Core Templates, Snapshot Management, and ESX host maintenance, Vmware Tools upgrade on Clients, Load Balancing, Putty Commands, Veeam Management, Virtual Servers and Desktops inventories and Virtual Server Decommissioning,

Challenges faced on Vmware: 1). PSOD (Purple Screen). 2) Frozen Service Console. 3). Hosted Apps and Virtual Machine frequently become unresponsive.

Solutions Provided to Client: 1). Take Snapshot or digital picture of Purple Screen. Opened Vmware Tech Support Tickets. run Vmware Support utility. run vmkdump – i utility and upload vmkernel –zdump-* to Vmware FTP Site. Check ramcheckerr.log. Restart vmware host agent service. 2). Migrate guest VMs using Vmotion to another ESX Host. Connect remotely via SSH and press Alt-F2 for alternate emergency console. Check VMkernel message with press Alt-F12. Reboot the ESX Host and recheck Networking by ESX Service Console after reboot. 3). Verified Latest VMware Tools installed. Check enough CPU and Memory Resource. Checked Optimal performance from disk I/O. Enable CPU power management on host Server. Verified Host Networking speeds by check ISP Speeds. Verified Antivirus Software configured to exclude VM Systems Files from Active Scanning.

Strong Experience and Configuration knowledge of Cisco UCS Manager, UCS B Serial Blades, 5100 Series Chassis, 2104Xp Fabric Extender, UCS Interconnect Module 6100 XP Series, UCS c210M2 Series, Cisco N20 Series Virtual interface. Also Hands-on Configuration of UPLink Modules, DAS, SAN, VLANs, MAC Pools, FCoE Channels, Fabric Evacuation, Call-Home Scope, Role based Prvilage, Fibre Channel Zoning, Managing I/O Modules, KVM Console and CIMS Session Management Configuration.

Worked with Server engineering team to Installing and Configuring MS Windows 2012 R2 Hyper-V Server Roles, Also supported day to day Virtual Machines Troubleshooting, Disk management, DNS/IP Networking, Load Balancing, Migration and Performance Tuning. Good Working Knowledge of Dell Compellent Admin including Creating and Modifying Volumes, Expand Volumes, Manager Relay, Manager Disk Folder, Disk Drive Sparing and Replacing failed drive etc. Extensive Experience in Microsoft Premier Service Tools like Sysinfo, ADinfo, ClusInfo, EventLogs, Setlogs, TSInfo, WmiInfo to troubleshoot PII level incidents in high emergencies. Developed powershell scripts and configured task schedule to monitor day to day Systems Availabilities, Disk storage Management, Hardware, OS and Apps Maintenance.

Implemented WSUS/SCCM integration and created a monthly phased patching process. Configured Branch Distribution point, Asset Intelligence, and Windows Deployment Services/PXE Packaged applications using Admin Studio. Created, tested, documented, and installed applications and custom shims for Virtual Windows 7 Computer using Application Compatibility Toolkit on multiple test workstations. Deployed applications, scripts, Service packs using SCCM, monitor installation status, troubleshoot, worked with vendors, and resolved installation and OSD failures.

Challenges faced on SCCM: 1). Conflict between SCCM and WSUS Group Policy 2). Real Time Alert was not available 3). Uninstall Patches not available 4). Cleanup Activities took additional time.

Solutions Provided to Client: 1). Closely worked with engineering team to implemented IBM TEM to push action to replace WSUS Conflict. 2). Implemented Splunk Event Logs Collection Services on each client to pull real time logs. 3). Prepared uninstall Fixlet on IBM TEM to uninstall unnecessary patches. 4). Prepared automated process across multiple configuration manager component.

Assisted in Designing, Implementing and evaluating applications, Systems and Utilities relevant to Active Directory Services for 2008 and 2012 R2. Configured hundreds of OUs under HQ and Remote Site AD Structure and Streamline day to day access control. Deployed most common GPO example like Members can not do access Control Panel, USB Drive, Task manager, Network Shares, Run Scripts, Run Executable, Active X Control, Regional Language, Hide Installed updates Page, Screen Saver Timeout, Network TCP/IP Settings, Internet Explorer logs and History, Start or Stop Services, Windows Registries etc. Users Management with ADUC and ADSI edit. Migrating DHCP from Windows Server 2008 to Windows 2012 R2 Environment. Implemented Active Directory Federations Services (ADFS) to allow domain users to access Web application (SSO) from other federation partners and helped other organization to create trust policy to map the incoming request on their web application (on Sharepoint). Followed guideline provided by client to maintain PCI SOX Compliances and maintain the documentation for every quarter audit.

Implemented MS Powershell packages to Pull Assets and Servers inventories for Capacity Management. Implemented OS core .iso deployment automation task by bundle latest hardware drivers and Firmware for HP Servers in data center. Collected File and Folders Security related details via powershell script and forwarded the reports for IT Audit. Posted some powershell script packages on sharepoint (KB) portal for the juniors and service desk staff for day to day repeat tasks.

Build and Maintained Windows 2003/2008/2012 R2 Failover Cluster Environment includes Install Cluster Services, Configure SAN Disks, Creating Computer Objects on Active Directory, Assigning Static IP, Request for DDNS registration, Cluster Role, File and Print Server Clustering, Command line, ClusterX, Configure Networks, Configure Groups, Configure Resources, Test Cluster Failover, Node Set and Restoring a failed Node, Also have strong experience on SQL 2000 / 2005 Clustering includes Node Location, SQL 2k Mirroring, Memory, Multiple Instances, SQL Failover, Network Load balance, Port Rules, TCP/IP Properties and Affinity. Working experience with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) on Granting Permission to Service Account and DBA.

Day to day Active Directory responsibilities including management of AD Groups, Open Systems domain infrastructure, Users, Computers, OU, GPO, Site link, Subnet, Schema, FSMO Role, Global Catalog and AD Audit. Very Strong Experience with monthly Active Directory Cleanup Task by Implementing AD Cleanup Scope and Customize PowerShell Scripting. Create Powershell Script to Pull Reports on Inactive AD Users, Inactive Computer, Inactive/Dormant/Empty Group, Empty OU, Pwd Never Expired, Lockout IDs, Missing Managed By details, Delete pending Computers details from AD environment. Escalate the Reports result to the Owner, Sys Admin and Change Management Team for approval. Run Second batch of Script to Disable and Delete the finding. Configured daily Scheduler TASK to generate Reports to monitor NTDS.DIT files size or account termination or computer object moved from Operating to Pending Decommission etc. Implemented Group naming Conventions as per the Company’s Standard guidelines. Prepared KB articles on Local SharePoint Portal with full instructions about companies naming standard for User accounts, Groups and Computers/Servers.

Challenges faced on AD Cleanup Tools 1). Removing Computer Account but Reference Database still looking for that removed Server. Ex: Exchange Server or IIS Server or SQL Server. 2) Default Search Scope pull details from Root of the domain. 3) No Clue for who created the groups or who owns it.

Solutions Provided to Client: 1). manually pull those server to Pending Decommission OU and completely remove them after final approval. Also used ADSI edit or third party Tools like Adaxes and NetVision to manually edit AD. 2) Search Scope designed specifically in LDAP format to narrow down search within particular OU and Child. 3) Implemented Varonis Dataadvantage Tools to investigate who used the group last time and manually contact them and updated “Managed By” details on most service groups.

Good Working Experience on RetHat Linux 6 and 7 Administration Includes Configuration, work with directories and file Systems, NFS, DNS, FTP, Samba/Cifs, LDAP, Display and Change File Permission, Redirect Input and output, Systems State, Storage space, File Systems Shared created for Windows, Modify Startup Script, Create or remove Users account and perform file systems backup.

Implemented MS SQL Failover (DR) Environment by utilizing VBlock. Configured Dell Storage Manager 2015 R1.2 (Enterprise Manager) to mange SC and PS Series array from single interface. Configured Dell Equal logic Host Integration Tools on Windows 2012 R2 Server, Installed and Configure Network Interfaces (iSCSI SAN), Multipathing I/O, Private Network, NIC Teaming, Port Trunking, quorum disk, cluster disk volume, cluster shared volume, Hyper-v Role, Virtual Switch, VHDX Location, Snapshot Location, Disk Manager Configuration etc.

Implemented and Maintained migration efforts of 22 import business Application from Citrix Metafram xp 4.5 into Xenapp 6.5 at two offshore locations over 30 Server and 3 farms. Designed and Implemented 2 factor authentication systems (RSA and Symantec) for Citrix access gateway (CAG) secure environments. Designed and Configure XenServer 7.0 on Windows 2008 R2, Registered the enterprise license on Citrix License Server 11.X, Configured Pool, Networking for Pool with NIC Teaming (Bonding), VLAN and MTU. Configured, NFS, iSCSI, and HBA Connection for Storage. Deployed Virtual Machine, XenMotion for migrate live VM, VM Template and VM Snapshot Configuration. Also Configuration XenCenter on Windows 2008 Server to manage and monitor XenServers Hosts, Pools, Storage and VMs. Published and hosted Business Application and day to day troubleshooting and monitoring. Worked as Level 3 Production Support during night shift and delivered around 800 desktops from browser for offshore using Citrix Metaframe 1.8 and Nfuse 1.6. Created application packages (.msi files) in Citrix to deploy on bulk Servers. Deployed Apps, Plugin, Patches, Updates, Drivers via Altiris and Citrix Manager. Also Played big role in Configuring Citrix Data Store, Data Collector, Zones, IMA Protocol, ICA Browser, XML Broker, Shadowing and Troubleshooting and Load evaluators like CPU/Memory Utilization, IP range, Page Swap, Page Fault, Disk data, I/O and Scheduling. Manually managed Network Latency or Load balancing by adjusts the traffic from layer 4 (TCP/UDP) to layer 7 (FTP/HTTP). Also Configured Remote access and VPN setup by design and implement Network Address translation NAT and Secure layer between two private networks.

Configured CA Unicenter WA Agents on the Windows Server for FTP, SNMP Trap, Wake on LAN and Windows Service logs monitoring. Supported CA Autosys Configuration on Windows Server to trigger Scripts via Task Scheduler, Collect Event Processor, and Connect Remote Agent, start Shadow Processor, STARTJOB and monitoring File watcher. Practical understanding about workflow for CA Autosys Scheduling run from AIX 6.1 to Windows Server. Transferring files from remote windows or Linux agents. Very strong experience with CA Unicenter Service Desk and ITIL Best Practices. Supported day to day Incident, Service, Changes, Problem, KB Portal, SLA Tracking, SA Turnaround timeline and Configuration management. Contributed in to Improvement of CA Unicenter and Service Desk development, maintenance, system standards, policies, procedures, operational objectives and service level agreements. Suggested best practice and evidence to Service Now Architecture and Developer team to avoid repeating work and make Changes for user friendly GUI. Supported CA Autosys with Service Desk team and Apps Owner for day to day incidents tickets including Start, Stop or Reset CA Unicenter Services on Primary and Secondary Windows Server, Worked with Data Center Team to maintain up to date software and hardware inventory on CA Unicenter Asset Management.

Supported Office 365 Products and Migration from Old to New Environment along with Desktop Engineering Staff. Involved with Server engineering group to validate O365 Admin Center, Windows Azure Active Directory, ID Synchronization and on-premises directory integration. Implemented all administrative features in the office 365, Managed mailboxes and anti-spam policies for business. As Company grows and offshore environment introduces worked with desktop engineering team to deployed SharePoint Portal and pushed Skype for Business in to entire offshore environment. Supported Recovery Manager for MS Exchange with EMC NetWorker Storage. Also replaced MS Communicator with Skype for Business and migrate with Company Webex Conferencing Systems. Also administered office 365 environment including reset passwords, manages Services, monitor service health and Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Systems Administrator.

Challenges faced on O365 with MS Azure: 1) Day to day Repeating error on AD FAS “Access Denied” 2) FS users cannot authenticate from external network. 3) Token-signing certificate change error.

Solutions Provided to Client : 1) Run the Powershell Command Get-msoldomain cmdlet, checked TCP Port 443 connection. 2) double checked AD FAS Certificate is same on client, overwrite the certificate by Add-adfscertificate powershell command, Checked Account Locked out or disable on AD, Checked Local Group policy for Force audit subcategory settings, installed MS Update 2919355. 3) Match the UPN, User Principal Name of the users in Azure AD, Checked Secure Hash algorithm configuration and opened service ticket to Microsoft tech support.

Credit Suisse, Raleigh -NC Feb 2013 – Jun 2013

Systems Administrator Consultant (Level 3)

Environment: Windows Servers 2000, 2003 and 2008, Active Directory, GPO, WSUS, VMware ESX, Vcenter, Exchange Server, Citrix Metaframe XP, EMC SAN, IBM Blade Servers, HP Proliant Servers with iLO, HP C Class Servers, Egenera Blade Servers, EMC Clarion SAN, Remedy Ticketing System.

Responsibilities:

Windows Production Service Level I Support including Troubleshooting, Resolved or Escalation of Incidents, Request for Service and Change Request Tickets assigned to Group Remedy Ticket Systems. Implementing of infrastructure project from end to end.

Day-to-day Administration and Troubleshooting of Windows Cluster Servers (Application/Database cluster), ESX Servers and Clusters, Virtual Machines, Blade servers and Standalone servers.

Design and implement GPO at multisite AD environment. Successfully maintained and configure GPO on Devices, Folder Options, Internet Settings for all type of Browsers, Active X Control, Network Options, Power Options, Printers, Backup, Schedule Task, Restriction to add remove program via CDRom or USB drive, Firewall, BIOS, Device Manager and Personalize Display theme.

Resolving all the compliance issue from the Servers Setting-up, Vmware vCenter Configuration, Datastore, Virtual Network Switch, vCenter Licensing and Virtual Snapshot Maintenance.

Build Virtual Machines from Template, Modify the Template, Perform Capacity Management, Add more Storage, Processor and Memory, Perform DR Test of the Virtual Machines.

SME for vCenter, VRM (Virtual Resource Manager from DynamicOps), VCAC (VMware Cloud Automation.

Supported Windows 500+ Servers 800+ users, and images for multiple sites, utilized Active Directory/group policy to support and secure clients, including configuring regional settings, registry settings, and WSUS client install startup scripts.

Responsible for Project Initiation, Scheduling, Resource Allocation, and Request for Maintenance Windows to Successful Implementation of Project and Completing Server Auditing / Compliance.

Using Veritas volume manager to maintained Daily Incremental Backup of Production and DR Servers and Restore them as per the request.

Medical Communication Systems Inc. Old Bridge - NJ Nov 2004 – Mar 2006

Systems / Network Administrator and Analyst

Environment: Windows Servers 2003 Active Directory, GPO, WSUS, VMWare ESX 3.0, Exchange Server 2003, Blackberry Enterprise Server 5.0, Lotus Notes/Domino R5, HIPAA Compliances, Citrix Metaframe XP, EMC SAN, IBM Blade Servers, HP Proliant Servers with iLO, HP C Class Servers, Egenera Blade Servers, EMC Clarion SAN, Cisco 6500 Switch, MS Office, MS Sharepoint, Acrobat Writer.

Responsibilities:

Install and Configure Handheld devices such as Palm, Pocket PC and Tablet PC. Also Configured Small Wireless Network and IrDA Printing for EMR or HealthCare Software Testing. Supported Health Care Center in the design, development and Maintainance of Healthcare Systems. Prepared technical documents, data flow diagram, user manual and KB article with MS Office or Acrobat Writer Tools.

SharePoint development includes installation and administration of small server farms and stand alone MOSS web sites. Developed portal and content management application using a custom site definition, custom feature development, and custom web parts. Also Implemented Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, ASP.Net the SharePoint Object model and MS Office 2007.

Managed and maintain a one hundred and ten (110) Windows 2000/2003 Server, Active Directory Forest hosting for four companies with over (1200) users. Supported and Administer two (2) separate 'Two Nodes' Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server Cluster, with over (700) mailboxes. Performed All Server upgrades and configurations in Forest. Activate Blackberry users over Cellular Network, WiFi Network and Blackberry Web Desktop. As per the Management Request provide Analyzes log files and produces a snapshot report of user activity for certain time in CSV file by AvailIndex Tool. Also supported Network Load Balancers 6600, Cisco 6500 Series Switches for day to day network management.

Design, implemented and supported DNS, WINS and DHCP servers on Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 Advanced Server, Implemented and maintained more than 7 web and FTP servers configured on Option Pack 4.0 and IIS 5.0

Familiar with Hospitals, Physician, Clinics and Primary Care Center, EMR IT Environment and Strictly followed HIPAA Compliance.

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