System Administrator
Resume:
S A
SYED FARHAN ALI
Professional Level Leader
IT Systems, Servers, Help Desk & Cloud Computing
C O N T A C T
**********@*******.***
Syed Ali LinkedIn
Plano. TX
A C A D E M I CS
E D U C A T I O N
Bachelor of Engineering
NED University of Engineering and
Technology
P R O F E S S I O N A L
T R A I N N I N G A N D
C E R T I FI C A T I O N
Microsoft Azure Solution Architect
Expert
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
(MCSE)
Microsoft Certified System Engineer +
Internet (MCSE+I)
Microsoft Certified Technical
Specialist (MCTS)
Microsoft Certified IT Professional
(MCITP)
Cisco Certified Network Professional
(CCNP)
Cisco Certified Network Associate
(CCNA)
P R O F E S S I O N A L S U M M A R Y
Highly skilled and goal-oriented IT professional with a strong emphasis on providing quality Information Systems and Cloud Solutions, particularly in Azure. Extensive experience in large-scale systems administration, cloud computing solutions, network operations, server management, network planning, and systems support management. Possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering and multiple broad-based certifications from Microsoft and CISCO. Demonstrated ability to execute multiple projects and lead diverse teams effectively. A dynamic, detail-oriented, and results-centric leader with a proven track record of maximizing productivity while minimizing expenses. Known for innovative, analytical approaches and reputable for designing and implementing strategies that drive process efficiency improvements. A creative, confident, and effective problem solver with exceptional communication skills, adept in cross-cultural communications and business relations.
W O R K E X P E R I E N C E
Sr. System Administrator Jul 24 – Aug 25
HZA Consulting Inc. Mississauga, ON
Administered, configured, and tested application servers for business and network operations.
Implemented end-user and application security and monitored storage capacities and performance for application servers.
Collaborated with Senior Leadership and multiple departments delivering on major national Firm Information Technologies initiatives.
Managed Azure Cloud services and policies.
Served as a subject matter expert on major IT environment upgrades, enhancements, new functionality, capacities, performance, cost- effectiveness, and business integrations.
Participated in the on-call rotation providing 24x7 support.
Recommended new potential technology solutions based on research and analysis.
Designed and implemented infrastructure solutions to meet business and technical objectives on-prem, and in the Azure Cloud.
Analyzed and resolved technology and end-user incidents during standard business hours or on-call rotations.
Maintained standard application and operations procedure documentation; ensured compliance with Software Testing Life-Cycle standard operating procedures and policies.
Maintained accurate software and hardware inventory and managed the copyright and licensing requirements.
Provided third level support to the desktop support team.
Implemented VMware vSphere and vCenter Server for the first time in the company, reducing server provisioning time by 60% and significantly improving resource utilization.
Resolved complex technical issues related to the VMware environment, reducing system downtime by 30% and improving overall system reliability.
Resolved complex technical issues related to VMware environment. W O R K E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E D
System Administrator Apr 22 – Jun 24
First Canadian Title (FCT). Oakville, ON
Provided level 2 and 3 tech support for local departments and remote users on desktop, laptop and server support-related networking issues.
Collaborated with teams on Microsoft Teams; installed and set up Microsoft Teams accounts.
Utilized the ServiceNow ITIL ticketing system daily for IT service management.
Assigned and troubleshot RSA tokens and Global Protect issues.
Delivered comprehensive server, laptop, and desktop hardware and software support.
Troubleshot and resolved hardware and software issues on-site, over the phone, and remotely.
Resolved Outlook issues, updated addresses, and phone numbers in GAL, moved mailboxes, and restarted Exchange services on Exchange Servers.
Implemented a system backup and disaster recovery plan that ensured data integrity without compromising organizational performance
Served as the primary administrator for Microsoft Intune, responsible for managing and maintaining Intune infrastructure and configurations.
Implemented, and enforced Intune policies for device management, compliance, security, and application management.
Package applications efficiently and effectively for deployment through Intune, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration with existing systems.
Oversee the enrollment process of devices into Intune, including provisioning, registration, and configuration.
Monitored Intune console for compliance violations and took appropriate actions to remediate issues.
Implement security measures within Intune to safeguard organizational data and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Provided technical support and troubleshooting assistance to resolve issues related to Intune configurations, policies, and deployments.
Maintained comprehensive documentation of Intune configurations, processes, and procedures to facilitate knowledge transfer and ensure continuity.
Setup and installed printer on client’s machine.
Created and managed Distribution and Dynamic Distribution Groups and configured Mail-Enable Contacts.
System Support Analyst Jul 21 – Mar 22
Robert B. Somerville Co. Limited – King City, ON
Migrated to Microsoft Teams: Efficiently transitioned users from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.
Implemented Network Security: Strengthened network security by integrating MFA with VPN access, Remote Desktop access using Duo Security, and Active Directory MFA for Office 365.
2nd Level Help-Desk Support: Delivered effective second-level help-desk support, boosting employee productivity. Managed incident and change management tickets, achieving a 99.9% SLA resolution rate for high-level production issues.
System Monitoring and Troubleshooting: Monitored system performance and swiftly addressed and resolved technical issues.
Hardware and Software Management: Installed and configured hardware and software to meet organizational needs.
User Account Management: Administered user accounts and managed access privileges, ensuring proper access control.
Proficiency in system backups and recovery procedures. P R O F E S S I O N A L
S K I L L S
Windows Server Hardware
Software
Physical and Virtual Servers
Server Architecture Design
Systems Administration
Networks Management
Networks Administration
Server Management
Network & Desktop Support
Network Monitoring
Infrastructure Management
Troubleshoot
Installations & Configurations
Technical Support
Disaster Recovery
Management
Migration
MS Office Apps
All MS Windows
Leadership Skills
Team Management
Communications
Datacenters Management
Training & Mentoring
W O R K E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E D
Cloud Computing Administrator Jan 18 – Apr 21
HZA Consulting Inc. Mississauga, ON
Managed Azure environments, overseeing the creation, installation, and migration of servers to Azure cloud.
Administered Azure IaaS technologies, including virtual machines (VMs), VM scale sets, and networking.
Developed and deployed complex Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates.
Facilitated server and application migrations to the cloud using Azure Site Recovery.
Built and upgraded business support services infrastructure.
Managed enterprise monitoring and ticketing systems.
Led data center builds and migrated enterprise workloads between data centers.
Configured, monitored, and maintained email applications and virus protection software.
Maintained network infrastructure (switches, routers) and diagnosed network-attached computer issues.
Provided strategic direction to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) for service roadmaps and priorities.
Deployed and configured Azure resources, including virtual machines, storage accounts, and virtual networks, using ARM templates for infrastructure as code.
Managed Azure subscriptions, ensuring proper access controls and resource governance.
Monitored resource usage and implemented cost management strategies.
Provisioned, configured, and managed virtual machines in Azure.
Implemented and managed virtual machine backups and snapshots.
Set up Azure Monitor for performance tracking and resource health monitoring.
Configured logging and alerts for proactive issue resolution.
Implemented and managed Azure Backup for data protection.
Planned and executed disaster recovery strategies using Azure Site Recovery.
Azure Security
Implemented network security, encryption, and utilized Azure Security Center.
Stay informed about Azure security best practices and compliance requirements.
Integrated on-premises Active Directory with Azure AD using Azure AD Connect.
Managed synchronization and identity federation.
Configured and managed Azure storage solutions, including blob storage, file storage, and table storage, ensuring storage security and access controls.
Utilized Azure PowerShell, Azure CLI, and automation tools to script and automate routine tasks.
Implemented and enforced Azure policies for resource compliance.
Utilized Azure Blueprints for standardized environments.
Collaborated with developers to ensure Azure resources met application requirements.
Supported application deployments and troubleshooting.
Acquired, configured, and maintained development, test, and production servers.
Provided after-hours support, monitored server usage, and ensured uptime.
Provided technical and procedural direction for network server implementations.
Resolved complex technical issues related to VMware environment.
Migrated servers to a VMware virtual environment. T E C H N O L O G I C A L
S K I L L S
Windows Server:
2000, 2003, 2008, 2012,
2016, 2019 and 2022
Infrastructure:
Active Directory Services
Active Directory Group
Policy Objects (GPO)
IIS (Internet Information
Services)
FTP (File Transfer
Protocol)
SFTP (Secure File Transfer
Protocol)
Imaging (Symantec’s Ghost,
Acronis)
Group Policy Management
Console (GPMC)
ADSI (Active Directory
Service Interface)
AD Connect
Microsoft Share Point
Microsoft Lync
Microsoft Team / Skype
Microsoft Intune
Zoom
Backup Servers
Tape Library
WSUS (Windows Server Update
Services)
SQL
SMS (Short Message Service)
SCCM (System Center
Configuration Manager)
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol)
WINS (Windows Internet Name
Service)
DNS (Domain Name System)
W O R K E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E
Sr. System Administrator Mar 17 – Nov 17
Ontario Energy Board, Toronto, ON
Upgraded Windows Server project (Windows 2012R2, DHCP, DNS, Windows 10).
Designed, built, tested, configured, and implemented SCCM 2012.
Deployed Windows 10 image on HP Laptops and Desktops.
Deployed Windows workstation patches from HP and Microsoft.
Created packages, collections, and advertisements for software deployments.
Configured new Users and Computers GPO settings for Windows 10 environment.
Installed and configured (MBAM) Microsoft BitLocker Administration & Monitoring for security and compliance consideration.
Provided support to troubleshoot all the applications running on the desktop/laptop.
Installed and configured SolarWinds monitoring software.
Monitored and managed Domain controllers, Exchange O365 and other application Servers.
Sr. System Administrator Apr 10 – Jan 17
Rogers Cable & Data Center Inc. (Mobilicity) Brampton, ON
Installed, configured, and administered the following systems at Rogers.
Windows Server 2008R2 / 2012R2 Domain Controller, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP.
Windows Server 2012R2 File, Print, SCOM.
Microsoft Exchange 2010 and 2013 Servers (ADMT to migrate users, workstation, and mailboxes between the systems.
VMWare ESXi 5.0 – 6.0.
Microsoft SharePoint 2010 (Designed new sites and sub sites for different departments).
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 SP3 and SQL Server 2012.
Microsoft Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) 2008.
Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager.
Microsoft Lync 2010 Lync Front End Server and Lync Monitoring & Archive Server
Office 2007,2010 and Office 365, Word, Excel, Visio, Projects, Outlook, and troubleshot issues.
IBM SAN DS5020 through DS Storage manager on a management station.
Symantec Endpoint Protection 12.1.3 and Symantec Backup Exec 2012.
Internet Information Services (IIS) Server.
SolarWinds Server and IBM Systems Director 6.3.0.
Uptime monitoring Server 7.2.
BlackBerry Enterprise Server 5.0.4, BES Express Server and BES 10.
Linux Redhat5 Servers.
HP Service Manager 9.2 Server.
Bomgar B200 appliance for remotely login to other desktops and laptops.
Barracuda VPN SSL v380.
Provided LAN, WAN, VPN, and Wireless support and troubleshooting issues.
Proficiency in VMware Site Recovery Manager for disaster recovery solutions.
Implemented VMware vSphere and vCenter Server.
Upgraded VMware vSphere infrastructure.
B A C K O F F I C E
P R O D U C T S
Exchange 2000
Exchange 2003
Exchange 2007
Exchange 2010
Office M365
H A R D W A R E
Dell
HP
IBM
Apple MAC
Compaq Laptops
Desktops
Printers
Scanners
VMWARE
ESX
ESXI 4.0, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 &
8.0 Versions
HA
vMotion
VCenter
VMware Vsphere
S W I C T C H E S / R O U T E R S
Cisco
Juniper
HP
Dell
W O R K E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E D
Service Desk Team Lead Feb 09 – Mar 10
Virgin Mobile Canada (Operating by Bell Canada), Toronto ON
Managed, maintained, and provided support for the following systems.
Windows Server 2003 / 2008R2 Domain Controller, Active Directory, DNS.
Microsoft Exchange 2007.
Citrix XenApp 6.0 – Published applications such as MS Office and Adobe
Supported Branch offices and Partner Countries (AD, Exchange, Backups).
Configure and maintain SCOM 2007 and What's Up Gold.
Microsoft File and Print Server.
Installed, configured, and maintained VMware, created, clone templates and new virtual machines on ESX 4.1.
Installed VMware vCenter Server site recovery manager instances deployed at both production and recovery sites integrate directly with local vCenter Server instances.
Created new users accounts, generic mailboxes, distribution lists.
Deployed RemoteApp program on client’s machine, populated the TS web access 2008 computer setting and list of RemoteApp program and configured TS easy print on windows Server 2008.
Monitored and troubleshot Terminal services gateway and configured the TS connection authorization polices (CAP) and TS resource authorization polices (RAP).
Installed and configured SMS Server 2003. Created software packages and installed WSUS.
Created RSA VPN token, installed RSA token icon on Blackberry and resolved VPN issues.
Setup workstation and laptops for new employees, installed hardware and software.
Configured Cisco IP phone from Cisco Call Manager and Unity Server for end users.
Configured and managed Cisco switches 2900, 3560 and router 3925, configured VLAN, VTP and new ports.
Created and managed Offline Address List and Global Address List contacts
Performed day-to-day administration, operations, and performance.
Implemented Active Directory OU structure and delegated administrative controls to branch managers.
Managed and troubleshoot public folder, front end and backend servers, audit setting, audit logs, recipient polices, user objects, contacts, and address list.
Provided support, troubleshot, and resolved remote and on-premises end users issues.
Leveraged communication skills to handle support tickets as they came in
Worked with users to diagnose issues, provide remote and onsite assistance, and provide relevant application training.
Partnered with colleagues and supervisors to escalate complex or advanced problems for immediate resolution
Configured, managed, and troubleshot Local user and group accounts.
Migrated physical server (Windows 2003 & 2000) to virtual environment using VMware Converter and configured Virtual servers after migrating them into Virtual Environment
Troubleshot and resolved all software and hardware related issues.
Used Heat ticketing software and system monitoring services to be maintained, resolved, and followed closed Help Desk tickets with relevant documentation.
S K I L L S
Leadership experience
Organizational expertise
Collaboration talent
Problem-solving abilities
Business Development
Controlling Expenses
Fostering Innovation
Learn quickly new technology
Managing Databases
Proofreading Documents
Organization Strategies
Punctual
Diligence
Time Management
Customer Service
Flexibility
Inventory management
W O R K E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E D
Enterprise Support Specialist Mar 08 – Nov 08
Maple Leaf Foods, Mississauga, ON
Provided level 3 technical support for Enterprise systems, worked as team coordinator in ESS group.
Provided support to local departments and remote users on desktop and interacted with other teams on server support related and networking issues as level 2 or 3 tech support.
Maintenance of servers in Fuse Point and monitors servers to ensure they have the latest definitions of anti-virus and have latest security patches; tests all patches in a dedicated test environment to ensure stability of production servers.
Troubleshot and fixed the internal and other sites network, servers, and system related issues.
Replaced default hard drives, RAM and front panel on servers and fixed issues.
Entered problems into the Information Systems database and followed that incident through to closure.
Implemented solutions to reported problems and dispatched to second level support to for troubleshooting.
Demonstrated an elevated level of expertise and professionalism to build positive relationships with Users.
Worked co-operatively and jointly with IS team to provide quality seamless customer service. Maintained and created the Disaster Recovery procedure.
Activated and configured Blackberry handheld from BES Server for users.
Prepared and installed Exchange Server 2007 in a test lab on virtual PCs to simulate production environment.
Implemented Mailbox Server Roles, Hub Transport Server, Mailbox Server, and Client Access Server.
Created and managed Mailboxes and other recipients.
Configured storage groups and database files.
Managed and configured public folder Databases and Store Referrals.
Configured new Mailboxes and Mail-Enabled objects.
Managed Resource Mailboxes and Mailbox removal.
Used Exchange Management Console and Exchange Management Shell.
Performed an unattended Installation used command line setup.com /r: H,M,C.
Team Lead Technical / Helpdesk Support Nov 07 – Feb 08 Atlas Cold Storage, Toronto, ON
Supported PC hardware and software for 300+ users on Windows 2000 and 2003 Server and Workstation platform.
Worked on problems reported by users through telephone, e-mail, TM software and fax.
Followed up on outstanding calls with users and team members.
Provided administration support for DHCP, DNS, and Active Directory
Created, deleted, and renamed user; enabled, disabled passwords of users in Active Directory.
Worked with users to diagnose issues, provide remote and onsite assistance, and provide relevant application training.
Partnered with colleagues and supervisors to escalate complex or advanced problems for immediate resolution
Provided second level diagnostics of PC hardware, software, or system problems.
Performed and troubleshot an attended / unattended installation of Windows XP Professional.
Built, maintained, and repaired computer systems to improve speed, reliability, and efficiency of operation.
Created user accounts and password through Exchange Server for new users and give telephonic support to user and troubleshooting. W O R K E X P E R I E N C E C O N T I N U E D
System Support Engineer Sept 03 – Oct 07
Tri-logic Systems Inc. Mississauga, ON
ACTIVE DIRECTORY / EXCHANGE / WINDOWS 2000 / 2003 SUPPORT
Analyzed the hardware and software requirements of Active directory.
Designed, planned, and implemented Group Polices, delegation strategies and OU structure.
Installed, configured, and maintained Exchange 2007 frontend and backend Servers, created new mailboxes and distribution lists, contacts. Resolved user’s outlook issues, updated addresses, and phone numbers in GAL on Exchange 2007 Servers. Managed, monitored, and troubleshot Exchange Server health and data storage.
Manually scanned and fixed viruses from different users through Symantec System Center Console.
Configured automatic updates for network clients by using Group Policy
Managed users accounts, groups, and computer accounts.
Installed and configured an Active directory domain controller using dcpromo and created Child Domains.
Established trust relationships including external trust, short trust, and cross forest trust.
Diagnosed problems raised from host resolution protocols and Active Directory issues.
Contributed project efforts on the implementation of Microsoft Windows 2003 / Active directory.
Created a forest and domain structure and examined Active directory integrated DNS.
Raised functional level of a forest and domain and created trust relationships between domains.
Leveraged communication skills to handle support tickets as they came in A C H I E V E M E N T S & A W A R D S
Led the migration of 200+ workloads to Azure, resulting in a 30% cost saving and enhanced scalability.
Implemented a comprehensive security framework, reducing security incidents by 65%.
Automated routine tasks with PowerShell, increasing department productivity by 20%.
Mentored and trained a team of junior administrators, improving team efficiency and knowledge sharing.
Supported a multi-site network of over five hundred users, maintaining 99.98% uptime.
Deployed endpoint security solutions across the organization, significantly mitigating risk exposure.
Assisted in the transition to a hybrid cloud environment, enhancing business continuity.
R E F E R E N C E S
Available Upon Request
Contact this candidate