Systems Engineer Support Services

Stephen E. Sparks

Present location: Cincinnati, Ohio

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sparks-a4479916/

Professional Summary:

Accomplished IT professional with over twenty years of experience providing technical engineering, installation, and support services for a broad range of servers, applications, and operating systems. Able to analyze, diagnose, and resolve issues with multiple systems.

Adept at working alone or leading a team to deliver results.

Areas of proficiency include:

Design, and Evaluate IT infrastructure, and Microsoft based Technologies.

Implement, Develop, assist in Design of VMware Horizon VDI Environment, supporting over 2000 users, and over 350 concurrent Desktops.

Guide and Mentor, IT associates

Quality improvement and streamline processes

Supported operations World Wide in over 131 cities.

Migrated and upgraded 700 applications to new Citrix platform.

Supported operations across the United Sates.

Migrated and upgraded 200 applications to new Citrix platform.

Reduced problem tickets and incidents by 70%.

Maintained over 99% platform uptime

Upgraded 100+ Microsoft servers.

Education:

• Associates degree of Applied Science (AAS) in Electronics and Computer Science, Cincinnati, OH

Certifications:

ITIL Fundamentals Certified,

VMware VCP

Citrix CCA for XenApp 5 Server

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

A+ Certified

Lotus Notes Systems Administration

Novel

Microsoft AZURE

Skills

Cloud, AZURE, AWS, GCP, Rackspace

Systems Architect, Systems Analysis, Systems Administration, Network Administration, Helpdesk, PC/Server builder, Advanced Debugging. Disaster Recovery, Cisco Network Administration.

Operating Systems/Platforms:

Windows Servers (NT 3.5 - Present), Windows Clients (Windows 286 - Present), Linux (Suse Red Hat), OS 2 1.5 – 3. Novell 286 – 4.

Virtualization: VMware/vSphere 2.2 – 8, Citrix. Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, Workspace One, Vrops (design, implementation, and support), VSAN. App Volumes

Disaster Recovery

Microsoft Intune, SCCM

Management Tools & Support Tools: Microsoft System Center, ThinApp, Wireshark, Windbg, Arcserve, Backup exec, NetBackup

Scripting Languages: VBScript, Windows PowerShell, Batch files, Win batch.

Programming Languages: Visual Basic, VB .NET

Remedy ticketing system

LAN/ WAN technologies

Active Directory, LDAP, Group Policy

Experience installing, designing/building, configuring, and troubleshooting website

Experience writing SQL statements, Database troubleshooting and monitoring

Ability to manage tickets and resolve both complex user issues as well as application issues.

Ability to drive ticket resolution with different teams.

Proven scripting skills

Perform day-to-day maintenance for network infrastructure to include virtual environment operations, storage capacity management, remote access, and continuity of operations (COOP)

Install, test, maintain, and upgrade network operating systems

Windows 2008R2/20012 and Red Hat Linux infrastructure.

Maintain Active Directory, User Account Administration, Group Policy, and DNS services

Manage VMware hosts and virtual server infrastructure; monitor server performance and resources usage;

allocating resources to VMs as necessary and new host to the cluster and managing access and permissions

Performing P2V migration to the new Virtual Data Center computing infrastructure

Monitor network storage capacity and performance and diagnose and resolve network problems

Maintain and support Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Virtualization of mission critical applications in multiple network environment

Deploy Office 365 AD technology solutions and knowledge of Window Azure or AWS cloud computing integration.

Create IT policies, procedures and SOPs that promote efficient,

Repeatable processes and ensure that compliance with federal regulations and industry best practices

Review performance of IT systems to determine operating costs,

Productivity levels, and upgrade requirements

Oversee the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, and support of all

Hardware and software based on organizational and needs

Ensure the rigorous application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of network services

Crowd Strike

Connect wise

Professional Experience:

Net2Source/Capgemini/GE (temp contract) 3/2023 – Present

Windows Systems Engineer.

Distribute Software package to end clients.

Incorporate new software packages or update on computer systems imaging.

Test software packages

Test new Computer hardware and peripherals, and Vmware ESXI, and VMware Workstation pro

Manage image and implementation of image on hardware and VMware

Update and manage SQL databases.

Troubleshoot new computer installations.

Troubleshoot Software installations.

GCP, Azure, and Amazon cloud support

Netgain, LK Technologies (temp contract) 12/2022 - 2/2023

Senior Systems Engineer/Network Engineer

Designing Solution Architecture, High Level and Low-Level Design for Vmware approach, assessment workshops, POCs and development/migration Plans.

Installed and configured ESX/ESXi servers, app volumes, Horizon view etc. .iLO and DRAC remote utility

Managed, patched, and upgraded ESX servers using VMware Update Manager (VUM)

Involved in planning and performing P2V, V2V Migration using Plate Spin and VMware converter, app volumes, Horizon view, and other products.

Installed, configured, and administered Disaster recovery of VM's using VMware SRM

Involved in decommissioning of ESX, ESXi servers and Virtual Machine as per the ITIL process

Configured VMware HA and DRS in VMware cluster and worked on HA/DRS related issues

Configured vSphere Centralized Logging for ESXi servers through vMA server

Worked on Add/Modify virtual disk space, memory, vCPU for the Virtual machines

Installed and configured HP Monitoring tools like OVO, OVPA and DELL Open Manager

Worked in CLI troubleshooting like VM hung, Power on issues with VM, network issues etc.

Intune + Autopilot implementation for custom clients.

Monitored the alerts from the logs, errors and warnings and provided corrective actions

Worked on troubleshooting of virtual machines having network, storage related issues in vMotion from one ESX host to other ESX

Worked for projects to build vCenter, ESX servers to make the VMware cluster ready and built multiple virtual machines for different applications

Windows Servers, and Desktops

Worked on providing permissions for vCenter, VM console access with proper approvals

Azure, GCP cloud Support

Beacon Hill, AES IPL DPL (temp contract) 4/2022 - 11/2022

Senior Systems Engineer/Network Engineer

•

•Configured VMware HA and DRS in VMware cluster and worked on HA/DRS related issues

•Configured vSphere Centralized Logging for ESXi servers through vMA server

•Worked on Add/Modify virtual disk space, memory, vCPU for the Virtual machines

•Installed and configured HP Monitoring tools like OVO, OVPA and DELL Open Manager

•Worked in CLI troubleshooting like VM hung, Power on issues with VM, network issues etc.

•Monitored the alerts from the logs, errors and warnings and provided corrective actions

•Worked on troubleshooting of virtual machines having network, storage related issues in vMotion from one ESX host to other ESX

•Worked for projects to build vCenter, ESX servers to make the VMware cluster ready and built multiple virtual machines for different applications, app volumes, Horizon view, and other products.

•Worked on providing permissions for vCenter, VM console access with proper approvals

•Intune + Autopilot implementation.

•

•Fully support two physical datacenters, and 2 virtual data centers

Manage Google cloud environment

Windows Servers, and Desktops

GCP, Azure, and Amazon cloud support

Manage on prem data farm

Upgrade Window virtual servers to Windows 2019

Disaster Recovery Subject mater Expert

Migrate from on prem VM’s to Azure or GCP VM’s

Manage windows server patching, and application support.

RedStream, McKinsey (temp contract) 4/2021 - 4/2022

Senior Systems Engineer/Network Engineer

•Deploying, managing, and operating scalable, highly available, and fault tolerant systems on VMware

•Identifying appropriate use of VMware operational best practices

•Selecting appropriate VMware services to design and deploy an application based on given requirements

•Planning and Sizing vSphere Environment based on Customer requirement.

•Planning and Execution of Technology Assessments for Virtualization environment

•Planning and Execution of Upgrade path for vSphere Suite.

•Consulting - Designing Solution Architecture, High Level and Low-Level Design for VMware

•Understand Client’s Business requirement and converted to technical requirements

•Microsoft Intune, SCCM

•Windows Servers, and Desktops

GCP, Azure, Rack Space,and Amazon cloud support

Encore Technologies/, Worlpay-Fis Global Contract 2/2018 - 3/2021

VMware, Citrix Windows Engineer/Network Engineer

•Server and Workstation virtualization

•Design, and implement VMware User Environment Management (UEM)

•Design, install, and support VMware, VMware Horizon environment.

•Design, install, and support VMware VSAN implementation

•Design, install, and support VMware Horizon view Instant clone

•Design, install, and support VMware App Volumes

•Design, install VMware to Citrix with on prem data environment

•Configure linking remote VCenters

•Configure and install and support Veeam Backup, and DR as a service

•Migrate Servers from Customer Site to Encore for Support.

•Implement Decommission process for Customer Physical, and Virtual Servers.

•Disaster Recovery subject matter expert

•Microsoft Cloud Azure, Created test application farm

•Amazon AWS Cloud, Created test application farm

•installing, designing/building, configuring, and troubleshooting website

•writing SQL statements, Database troubleshooting and monitoring

•Ability to manage tickets and resolve both complex user issues as well as application issues.

•Microsoft Intune, SCCM

•Ticket resolution with different teams.

•Proven scripting skills

Azure Devops, GCP, Azure, and Amazon cloud support

TekSystems/GE Contract 7/2014 – 1/2018

Senior Virtualization, VDI, VMWare and Windows Engineer, Network Engineer

•Subject matter expert in Server and Workstation virtualization

•Design and implement AppVolumes for VMware, and VMware UEM

•Onboard New VDI/Virtual environment

•Support all Microsoft Windows Server aspects, and services

•Maintained and supported business servers

•Disaster Recovery subject matter expert

•Create and document processes and procedures

•Coordinated and installed all applications in VDI, boarding, and deployment related projects

•Microsoft Intune, SCCM

•Change coordinator and delegated projects to personnel if any issues found

•Support, and coordinate VMware and VDI

•Implement New High Graphics VMware VDI environment.

•Upgrade Horizon view 5.2 to 6.2

•Expand the number of ESX Host in the Farm.

•Expand the number of users by 200%

•Identify Networking issue preventing VDI from working in WAN environment.

•Migrate applications suites from Citrix to VMware

•Lead project to resolve slow storage issue preventing VDI from working correctly.

•Design and implement Vrealize, Vrealize Log Insight, Vrealize Endpoint, to automatically manage and screen issues, and notification of issues.

•PowerShell scripting to automate data gathering, and system management.

•Test physibablity of Amazon AWS, and Microsoft Azure.

•installing, designing/building, configuring, and troubleshooting website

•writing SQL statements, Database troubleshooting and monitoring

•Ability to manage tickets and resolve both complex user issues as well as application issues.

•Ticket resolution with different teams.

•Proven scripting skills

•Devops

Duke Energy Contract 2/2014 – 7/2014

Senior Citrix and Windows Engineer

•Subject matter expert in terminal services and application/presentation of virtualization

•Supported all Microsoft Windows Server aspects, and services

•Maintained and supported business servers

•Coordinated and installed all applications in Citrix, boarding, and deployment related projects

•Changed coordinated and delegated projects to personnel if any issues found

•Supported and coordinated VMware and VDI software

•Converted VDI session to run application in Citrix 6.5 streaming

•Converted HP Servers to Citrix Provisioning service (VMWare +Citrix)

•Implemented advanced Configuration of Windows TS Server 2008

•Implemented server consolidation / virtualization for HW reduction and site migrations

•Installed and supported server hardware components which included Fiber, Network cards, disk drives, memory, and Application issues

•Applied firmware upgrades to hardware and patches to MS Operating system software via SCCM and scripting

•Designed migration process for migrating Applications from Citrix 5.0 to 6.5

•Automated system installation and configuration of new servers, and application installations

•Citrix and Citrix cloud

Dell/Catholic Health Partners Contract 5/2012 – 5/2014

Senior Citrix and Windows Engineer

•Supported and migrated multiple Citrix versions and platforms

•Supported all Microsoft Windows Servers and services

•Supported XenApp and Provisioning server (via VMware host and guest)

•Converted legacy applications and workstations to run under VDI sessions

•Designed new Citrix and Server migrations and implementations

•Supported 500+ Citrix Servers running Epic with over 10,000 concurrent Epic users

•Supported over 100 applications running Citrix

•Managed Windows Certificates, and Certificate Service for organization.

•Cisco Administration, and Network Troubleshooting

•installing, designing/building, configuring, and troubleshooting website

•writing SQL statements, Database troubleshooting and monitoring

•Ability to manage tickets and resolve both complex user issues as well as application issues.

•Microsoft SCCM

•Disaster Recovery subject matter expert

•Ticket resolution with different teams.

•Proven scripting skills

First Data Cincinnati temp contract 11/2010 – 5/2012

System Engineer

•Supported Windows 64 bit operations for 25 state governments tax services and 200+ servers

•Supported all Microsoft Windows Servers and services

•Installed, configured, and supported Access Net (First data software) for Government installations

•Supported and monitored IIS Web based applications, DNS, DHCP, and AD

•Configured, installed, and supported Telephony (Voice, and Voice/IP)

•Supported ISA configuration and Monitoring.

•Managed Windows Certificates, and Certificate Service for organization

•Applied firmware upgrades to hardware and patches to MS Operating system software

•Cisco Administration, and Network Troubleshooting

•Voice over IP management, and troubleshooting.

•installing, designing/building, configuring, and troubleshooting website

•writing SQL statements, Database troubleshooting and monitoring

•Ability to manage tickets and resolve both complex user issues as well as application issues.

•Ticket resolution with different teams.

•Proven scripting skills

JP Morgan Chase Columbus, OH temp contract Mar 2010 – Sep 2010

Citrix Engineer

•Installed software, patching, upgrades and maintenance for Windows 64 Bit operations

•Support all Microsoft Windows Servers and services.

•Upgraded/migrated and maintained 700 + applications to new Citrix and XenApps environments

•Applied firmware upgrades to hardware and applied patches to MS Operating system software

Siemens Inc. Jan 2004 – Nov 2009

Wintel - 3rd level support Engineer

•Upgraded, automated and back-up systems on 1000 Servers and 100,000+ users

•Supported all Microsoft Windows Servers and services

•Installed and supported server hardware components

•Managed Windows Certificates, and Certificate Service for organization

•Developed custom exe, MS-Access, and custom SQL queries - reducing reporting time by 30%

•Disaster Recovery subject matter expert

•Supported Windows NT, 2000, 2003, 2008, Data Center, and VMware ESX

•Supported Black Berry and PDA devices

•Applied firmware upgrades to hardware and patches to MS Operating system software

•Supported, configured, and installed Citrix software environment.

•SME for disaster recover activities for Windows and Citrix Servers

Proctor & Gamble/Hewlett Packard Jan 1998 – Nov 2004

System Administrator

•Team lead for Engineering group

•Supported all Microsoft Windows Servers and services

•Planned, strategized, and executed successful Microsoft Server 2003 installation and rollout

•Introduced VMWare to the P&G environment

•Introduced Citrix MetaFrame to P&G Pharmaceutical organization to save cost and centralize support

•Maintained, configured, and supported Citrix MetaFrame farm for organization

•Improved system's performance by installing, configuring, and supporting Novell 5.0, Microsoft NT 4.1, Microsoft NT 2000 file Servers and Microsoft Server 2003

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