AI Infrastructure Networking Architect (EVPN/RoCEv2)

Shankar Prasad

Cupertino, CA ***** Ph: 408-***-**** *************.*******@*****.***

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shankar-prasad-achanta-77b79a10

US Citizen

Executive Summary

Goal oriented Network Infrastructure Architect with 20+ years of experience designing and scaling mission critical IP and data center networks. Recently completed the NVIDIA AI Infrastructure & Operations (AIIO) certification, strengthening my foundation in GPU cluster lifecycle, AI data center workflows, and operational readiness. Currently progressing toward the NVIDIA Certified Professional – AI Networking (NCP AIN) certification, with expected completion in the next two months. I bring deep expertise in EVPN fabrics, CLOS architectures, SR IOV datapaths, and RoCEv2 tuning — directly applicable to NVIDIA GPU, NVLink, and AI cluster design.

Technical Proficiencies

●Kubernetes Networking: Multus CNI (multi-interface pods), Calico (BGP peering/policies), SR-IOV (high-speed datapath), and Docker networking.

●Data Center Architecture: 3/5-CLOS designs, VXLAN/EVPN overlay solutions, and hardware-to-cloud integration.

●AI Networks: Proven large scale networking expertise that translates directly to AI networking demands, enabling fast adoption of Spectrum X architectures, RoCEv2 transport tuning, GPU centric communication workflows, and NVLink/NVSwitch based cluster designs. Recently completed NVIDIA AIIO certification, and actively preparing for NCP AIN, focusing on NCCL collectives, distributed training behavior, and GPU cluster performance debugging.

●DevOps & Automation: Git, Private CI/CD Pipelines, Ansible playbooks, and Python-driven configuration generation and telemetry.

●IP Routing & MPLS: OSPF, ISIS, BGP (MPBGP), PIM, IPv6, QoS, and MPLS (LDP, RSVP, CSPF, VPLS, L2VPN, L3VPN)., Segment Routing (SR-MPLS, SRv6)

●Platforms: Extreme (XOS/SLX), Juniper (Junos), Cisco (IOS), and Ericsson IPOS.

●Subscriber Management: PPPoX, DHCP, AAA, Radius, TACACS

Professional Experience

Ericsson Inc. / Redback Networks LEAD Engineer

2004 – 2026

●Cloud-Native Networking Architect: Spearheaded the integration of SR-IOV and Multus datapaths over EVPN architectures to optimize primary and secondary networking for virtualized 5G workloads.

●Lead Architect for 5G Virtualization: Directed IP transport solutions using CLOS/Non-CLOS architectures (Extreme SLX) for Tier-1 providers including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Rogers.

●Network DevOps & CI/CD: Integrated Git-based private CI/CD pipelines to automate the validation, deployment, and auditing of network configurations and health-check tools.

●Team Leadership: Mentored technical engineers in edge and core IP routing/switching while managing focal operations for nation-wide IP Packet Cores consisting of 400+ routers.

●Advanced Troubleshooting: Conducted deep-dive analysis of troubleshooting logs during traffic outages to provide comprehensive root-cause-analysis (RCA).

●Lab Validation & Documentation: I excel at reproducing challenging network outages within the lab—simulating service provider-scale issues with limited resources to identify faulty segments. I am highly proficient in creating detailed Methods of Procedure (MOP) and deployment documentation to ensure successful project handovers.

Ciena Communications Sr. Technical Support Engineer

2001 – 2004

●Executed lab and field trials for Metro Switching Software (MSM) and Gigabit Ethernet, securing certifications with key business partners.

●Served as the Lead Operations Engineer for Tier-1 accounts (Level3, Sprint, Cable&Wireless, eAccess), supporting nationwide Metro and IP-DCC deployments. *

●Oversaw technical support and advanced training for SONET/SDH MSSP architectures and VT/TU switching solutions for the product MetroDirector K2.

Corliant (Consulting for Cisco Systems) Network Engineer

1997 – 2001

●Served as a Consulting TAC Engineer for Cisco Systems, managing LAN/WAN router product global support.

Education & Certifications

●Graduate in Electronics Engineering

●Master of Business Administration (9 Credits completed)

●Ericsson Certified Expert: IP Networks (CCIE Service Provider Equivalent)

●NVIDIA-Certified Associate: AI Infrastructure and Operations

●Certified Calico Operator: Level 1

●Certified Professional: Juniper-SP, Extreme(SLX), and Cisco Routing/Switching

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