Darren Smith's Email Addresses & Phone Numbers

14+ year’s continuous employment within IT. Exposure to both the private and public sectors with a proven ability to deliver results in a variety of infrastructure roles.Systems Administrator @ Contract to perm role. I am the most senior technical IT resource working for Liberty. As a systems administrator my role is to analyse, plan, implement and support...

14+ year’s continuous employment within IT. Exposure to both the private and public sectors with a proven ability to deliver results in a variety of infrastructure roles.Systems Administrator @ Contract to perm role. I am the most senior technical IT resource working for Liberty. As a systems administrator my role is to analyse, plan, implement and support IT networking and windows server infrastructure projects with particular emphasis on delivering secure and resilient solutions and with a focus on capacity, performance, monitoring and alerting. Responsibilities and Recent Projects: • Install, configure, maintain and troubleshoot network, security & server infrastructure hardware and software • Create and maintain technical/process documentation and proactively share this information with team members • Actively seek out and participate in projects to maintain and improve the systems/network environment • Work with the desktop & support team and provide them with infrastructure to manage and deploy windows desktop PC’s and laptops centrally • Process, monitor, prioritize troubleshoot support tickets • Assist in managing and maintaining the technology asset management databases • Perform backups and restores and work with the other members of the infrastructure team to establish a backup policy and ensure all data is appropriately protected • Install and monitor antivirus and intrusion protection software • Provide support on network and server hardware as well as all other infrastructure hardware as required •Maintain Exchange 2010 environment •Windows Azure and Veeam backup •Office 365 •HP 3PAR SAN storage management •Blade C7000 management •Install, configure, maintain and troubleshoot network, security & server infrastructure hardware and software •Create and maintain technical/process documentation and proactively share this information with team members •Process, monitor, prioritize troubleshoot support tickets •Install and monitor antivirus and intrusion protection software including SSVM •Provide support on network and server hardware as well as all other infrastructure hardware as required From July 2014 to Present (1 year 6 months) London, United KingdomExchange and VMware Specialist - 3rd Line Engineer (Contract) @ I was responsible for various aspects of messaging in the MS Exchange infrastructure specifically covering Exchange 2003 - Exchange 2010 and VMware. I covered all areas of Server Configuration, server specification, procurement, physical installation, configuration of the O/S and delivery into the production environment. Setup of VM Templates and build as required including server administration, proactive monitoring and automation on a regular basis. I reported directly to the deputy IT director and key departmental users on messaging requirements and coordination issues. Accountabilities • Maintain Exchange 2010 environment • Managed EVault migration project for all Asia and European staff (3000 users) • Support 5000 User base • VMWare 4.0 and 5.5 Clusters • NetApp Filer Administrator • 3rd line escalation point of contact. • Maintain proficiency in IT and tools to enhance productivity and quality of systems administration. • Adhere to global change control practices From August 2013 to July 2014 (1 year) London, United KingdomTechnology Support Analyst @ • Support 100 User base in both BAU and Proactive maintenance functions (1st-3rd line) • Manage VMware hypervisor 5.1 infrastructure • Maintain Windows server 2008 environment • Manage and maintain HP and Dell hardware. • Exchange 2003 – 2007 exchange migration • Rollout of tablets with VPN access while utilizing outlook anywhere. • Upgrade ESXI 4.0 to VMware Hypervisor 5.1 • Trial VMware Horizon Workspace and Office 365 Migration From May 2013 to August 2013 (4 months) Senior Support Engineer @ Scope of Role • Working within a small infrastructure team • Providing 2nd - 3rd line support to users within the business in all areas of technology • Maintaining all IT systems within the company • Working as a key contact fulfilling requests escalated within the company • Identifying areas of improvement and implementing these to best practice guidelines • Support business critical IT systems with a minimal downtime • Maintain and update the terminal server environment • Support Pret’s global network consisting of 400 Hub locations and 2000 users • Investigate and implement new technologies • Ensure 24/7 uptime of ecommerce websites • Maintain various IIS/SharePoint websites liaising with 3rd parties • Maintain, update and create VDI golden master images • Train and 1st/2nd line support teams • Manage 2nd line support work queue and escalations Recent projects • Exchange migration from 2003 to 2010 • Built 2008 R2 terminal services farm for (1000+ users) • VDI VMware View 5 rollout to Wintel clients (Wyse) • Rollout of VDI Thin Clients (Dell WYSE) across the business • PCOIP management server deployment • Juniper 2500 remote access redesign • Various OS Deployments From April 2011 to May 2013 (2 years 2 months) London, United KingdomRetail Support Engineer @ Provided support to the Pret EPOS estate. This would include hardware and software support, monitoring and maintenance, and ensuring changes are implemented effectively. Ensuring that all updates are adequately tested and fit for purpose. Ensuring the ongoing health of the EPOS infrastructure. From December 2010 to May 2011 (6 months) London, United KingdomTechnical Support Analyst @ • Provide 2nd – 3rd line software support on Windows 7, Office 2010, and other software applications used. • Provide hardware support including desktop PCs, laptops, Printers and other networked devices. • Ensure that all desktop users systems both hardware & software are stable and performing and to their highest standard. • Installation of ad-hoc software applications on desktop user’s machines • Monitor and update Sophos Anti-Virus software • Create and maintain Active Directory, Organisation units, User Accounts & Permissions, GPO’s. • Communicate with users on progress and issues related to Helpdesk calls • Work with server administrators and business applications teams on projects as appropriate • Evaluate existing processes and created automated solutions to better support the business • Ensure that each Help Desk call received is logged on the Helpdesk call logging system • Familiarity of Network Patching and Cisco/HP switch’s • To carry out configuration, installations of new equipment to agreed configurations, ensuring that equipment and software is fully operational on desktops, laptops, home users and Blackberries, iPhones, iPads • To carry out equipment upgrades and moves as required, including upgrades or re-configurations of software • To provide accurate records and detailed documentation for all warranties and licenses. • Responsible for the up keep of images that are used for head office users and also images used in the shop • Maintain Checkpoint firewall • EVault InfoStage CentralControl administrator • Checkpoint RSA administrator From September 2007 to December 2010 (3 years 4 months) London, United KingdomProfessional Services Analyst @ • Microsoft Windows 200x Desktop and Server Support • Network Service Troubleshooting, knowledge of DHCP/DNS/WINS and tools • Desktop software – i.e. MS Office 2000/XP/2003, Outlook, Lotus Notes • Understanding of TCP/IP Networking principles for troubleshooting purposes • Understanding of VPN technologies for troubleshooting purposes • Customer Service problem reporting and resolution • Use of management software, Ie. Remote Desktop/Ghost/Dameware etc. • Use and management of data backup software systems Ie, Veritas • Anti-Virus and Backup technologies and troubleshooting Installations • PC and Server builds in accordance with company policy • Physical connection of printers and network peripherals • Office Moves/relocations System Monitoring • Monitoring of client Anti-Virus Protection • Monitoring of client Disaster Recovery procedures System Administration • Record all faults and related occurrences on the Help Desk system • Record all details of printers, print and print queues. • Produce and update documentation of IT systems Helpdesk/Administration Function • Cover the helpdesk / administration when required. From September 2005 to September 2007 (2 years 1 month) London, United KingdomDesktop Support Analyst @ • 1st /2nd and 3rd line support to over 200 users globally at McGregor Boyall Associates, a leading IT recruitment consultancy in London. • Lotus R5/R6 Domino and client, Proxy server, • Server 2000/2003 • Telecommunications Management ( Meridian) including pbx programming. • Support Citrix homeworkers • Backup manager • Desktop imaging • Supported users internationally From 2003 to 2005 (2 years) London, United KingdomDesktop Support Analyst @ • 1/2nd Line technical support to 5000 workers in the UK and overseas. • Worked In a team of 7 on the helpdesk until prompted to database Analyst • Supported BBS and core Microsoft core products • Trained new helpdesk staff • Exchange 5.5 / 2000 • Completed NVQ Level 1 at the company From June 2000 to September 2003 (3 years 4 months) London, United KingdomVMWARE VCP 5.5, Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications, PASS @ VMWARE From 2014 to 2014 VMware 5.1, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services @ Vmware - ISM From 2011 to 2011 Advanced Diploma for IT Practitioners, MCP, MCSE @ Zenos Training Centre From 2005 to 2007 NVQ II, Computer Systems @ Itec Collage From 2000 to 2003 The James Hornsby High School From 1998 to 2000 Laindon High School From 1995 to 1998 Darren Smith is skilled in: TCP/IP, Citrix, Switches, Routers, VNC, HP Servers, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, Blackberry Enterprise Server, Windows Server, VMware, VMware ESX, Professional Services, Microsoft Servers, Hyper-V