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Level III IT Consultant that works for other MSPs and IT Consultants. Self-taught IT professional with over 30 years of network administration experience, including almost 30 years specializing in both Windows Server based LAN/WAN and Red Hat Enterprise Linux derivative LAN/WAN networks. I have over 25 years experience with website hosting, cPanel/WHM, and LTS Linux distribution server management. I bring decades of expertise in delivering IT services for a wide range of clients. I have relevant experience in network design, cybersecurity, web development, server management, cloud solutions, and more. I have worked with startups, nonprofits, corporations, government, enterprise, and numerous small businesses in a wide variety of sectors. I am based in the Chicago area and offer remote and on-site support nationwide. I skillfully coordinate projects with daily client commitments, ensuring high standards, timely delivery, and clear communication, delivering results that boost efficiency and profitability. I primarily stick to Level III IT consulting work and I am very selective when accepting contracts. Specializations: - Networking & Security: Expertise in SonicWall, Cisco, Meraki, Fortinet, UniFi/Ubiquiti, Netgear, TP-Link/Omada, etc. I configure firewalls, switches, bridges, Wi-Fi, VPNs, 2FA/MFA, etc. for secure, scalable networks that protect and empower businesses. - Almost 30 years managing cPanel/WHM servers, handling DNS, POP3/IMAP mail, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Apache/PHP/MySQL on RHEL, CentOS, and AlmaLinux for reliable hosting and maximum uptime. - Microsoft: Skilled from DOS/Windows 3 to modern Windows 11 & Server 2025, with Microsoft 365 administration and migration expertise for seamless operations. Relevant experience with Entra, Intune, and Active Directory Group Policy implementation and integration. - Long time user of the Apple ecosystem. From Mac OS 8 to macOS Tahoe, iOS, iPadOS, etc. - Server Management: Physical/virtual server virtualization, automated backups, scripting to streamline deployments, reduce costs. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, etc. - Cloud & Emerging Tech: Azure/Hyper-V migrations, IoT integration for scalable, innovative solutions that drive growth. Industry Experience: - Medical/Dental: Delivered HIPAA-compliant IT for secure data management, compliance. - Automotive: Support for Dealer Management Systems, optimizing sales/service operations. - Corporate Offices: Secure networks, cybersecurity for productivity, reliability. - Warehouses: Access control, structured wiring for connectivity, safety. - Small Businesses/Remote: Tailored IT for scalability, cost-efficiency, growth. What I Offer: - Design/secure networks for reliability, scalability, growth. - Manage cPanel/WHM for seamless hosting (DNS, mail, Apache/PHP/MySQL). - Virtualize servers to optimize resources, cut costs. - Strengthen cybersecurity with modern tools, best practices. - Automate server tasks to save time, streamline operations. - Consult and train individual IT professionals for enhanced productivity and performance. Business & Leadership: As a freelancer, I optimize IT systems, streamline processes, and deliver measurable outcomes. My self-taught expertise enables rapid learning and system redesign for efficiency, with a client-focused approach. I adapt to each project’s needs, ensuring solutions align with business goals through clear communication and reliable execution, building trust with every deliverable. Military Experience: Decorated U.S. Navy veteran (Operation Desert Shield/Storm), served 5 years with Patrol Squadron 26 (P-3C Orion), earning a Navy Achievement Medal for technical expertise. This discipline drives my precision, reliability, and commitment to excellence in every project. Rates & Availability: - UpWork: I primarily use Microsoft Teams, but also have GoTo Meeting. I can support Zoom and have a ConnectWise ScreenConnect account via my company, Ateki LLC. My office, which is a small podcasting studio, uses several Windows 11 workstations connected with Mouse without Borders for seamless workflow. My hourly rate on UpWork varies by my current client workload. - On-Site Services: I travel regularly for clients and client projects. I charge a flat rate of $225 per hour (or $1,800 per day) plus expenses. Initial payments for small jobs are fifty percent of the labor and one hundred percent of expected expenses in advance.

Networks look like a puzzle to most people. To me, they're just a problem I know how to solve. What I deliver: Network audits & optimization Design & migration - new builds, office expansion, hybrid/cloud Security hardening - ACLs, segmentation, firewall policies, VPNs Troubleshooting escalations - when your team is stuck, I step in. Root causes, not symptoms. Mentoring / on-call - fractional architect for teams without a full-time role Technical depth: Areas and stack: Routing & switching - Multi-vendor. Security - PFSense, OPNSense, Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco ASA/FTD, VPNs, segmentation Linux - Any distro, bash scripting, performance tuning Virtualization - Proxmox, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM Automation - Ansible, Terraform Observability - Zabbix, Splunk, SNMP, syslog Background: 30+ years in the field, 7 as a Cisco Networking Academy Manager and Instructor. I've designed large-scale enterprise networks for government, healthcare, and finance — example a maternity center where downtime isn't an option, campus networks for universities, and an airport-wide wireless solution. I've delivered security projects following both international best practices and local regulatory standards. I've trained and worked alongside engineers across Australia, New Zealand, the US, and beyond, and I learn as much from them as they do from me. I work self-paced, lead or go solo, and I'm still adding tools: Proxmox and Splunk a few years ago, Ansible and Terraform last year. This year I'm diving into AI infrastructure — GPU clusters, distributed training, high-throughput data pipelines. I'm also building deeper into Python and scripting to support automation and development from the ground up. How I work: Clear communication, no jargon. English fluent. Documentation-driven: diagrams, runbooks, handoff notes. Available 20–40 hrs/week. Fixed-price or hourly — whatever fits. Ready to solve your network puzzle? Send me an invite.

As a highly skilled and experienced professional with over 08+ years of expertise, I hold notable certifications such as CCNP, CCNA, RHCE, and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) . I have established myself as an accomplished network, system, and security engineer, capable of delivering complete solutions for designing, configuring, automating, and managing network and system projects. My proficiency in using simulation software such as Packet Tracer and GNS3, as well as real-life network and system devices, make me a valuable asset for any project. My few hands-on experiences is: ⭐Network Design by MS Visio, Cisco packet tracer, GNS3, and EVE-NG ⭐Netacad CCNA and CCNP packet tracer Labs activities, projects design and solution ⭐ Expert in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Cisco routers, switches, FTD, FMC, and ASA firewalls. ⭐ Expert in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Fortigate, Sophos, Check Point, SonicWall, Palo Alto, pfSense, OPNsense & Huawei firewalls, ⭐Netgear, Huawei, Aruba switch, DrayTek router, TP-Link and others vendor wireless router configurations. ✅Cisco, Tp-Link, Aruba, Fortinet, Ubiquiti, Planet, Huwei switch configurations. ⭐Proficient in configuring, managing, and troubleshooting Unifi Enterprise Fortress Gateway, UDM Pro, Unifi Cloudkey, USG UniFi Firewall , Security Gateway, Switch, and AP devices. ⭐Expert in Linux administration, with expertise in Ubuntu, Red Hat, openSuse, CentOS, Debian, and Kali Linux distributions. ⭐Expert in Windows server administration , Active Directory management, Exchange Server administration, DNS configuration, DHCP implementation, and Windows operating system support. ⭐Experienced in managing and configuring virtualization platforms including HYPER-V, VMware ESXi, VMware Workstation, KVM, VirtualBox, and Proxmox. ⭐Servers: HP Proliant Servers, Dell/EMC Servers, IBM ⭐MikroTik Routers configuration ✅ Cloud Administrator: Azure, AMAZON AWS , Google GCP, OVH and Digital Ocean ⭐VLSM/subnetting of small to large enterprises ⭐VLANs, Inter-VLAN routing, VTP, CDP, Ether-Channel(LACP, PAGP), Spanning Tree (STP, PVST++, MSTP), and FHRP Protocols ⭐IPV4 & IPV6 IP planning, DHCP, NAT/PAT configuration and IP helper address ⭐static and Dynamic Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) configuration ⭐Layer-3 Redudent/backup links Using HSRP, VRRP ⭐Port security, ACL( access list) configuration ⭐Network troubleshooting and optimization ⭐VPN Configuration Expert (GRE , SSL, IPSEC, PPTP, OPENVPN , wireguard & DMVPN) ⭐Advanced Excel skills, including macro, VBA, VLOOKUP, and other automation techniques ⭐Network automation script for any cisco and fortigate devices using python ⭐ Skilled in automation using Bash/Shell scripting ✅Overlay Networks VPN Expertise: Proficient in configuring and managing various overlay network VPNs, including ZeroTier, Tailscale, WireGuard, SoftEther VPN, Netbird , Netmaker, OpenVPN Cloud, I, Twingate and PeerVPN for secure, scalable, and decentralized networking, enabling seamless remote access, team collaboration, and encrypted communications across distributed systems. ✅Beryl AX and Flint Router Configuration Expert ( Mini Router, Travel Router, Home Wi-Fi, cellular Router) like GL-MT6000, GL-AXT1800, GL-MT3000, GL-A1300 etc ✅Cisco Duo: MFA, 2FA, SSO, Identity Security Integration, Windows Logon, RDP, Microsoft AD, VPN Authentication.

🏆 UPWORK EXPERT-VETTED | NETWORK & SECURITY ENGINEER / ARCHITECT 🏆 I’m a Network & Security Engineer / Architect with 17+ years of experience and 15,000+ hours on Upwork. I design, secure, and optimize enterprise, ISP, data center, and cloud networks — focused on performance, scalability, and security. 🔹 CORE EXPERTISE Networking & Infrastructure Vendors: Cisco, Juniper, MikroTik, Arista, Dell, Ruckus, Mellanox, Ubiquiti, Aruba Technologies: BGP, OSPF, MPLS, VXLAN, EVPN, QoS, Load Balancing Firewalls & Security Fortinet, Palo Alto, Sophos, SonicWall, Zyxel, PFSense NGFW, IPS/IDS, Zero Trust, DDoS Mitigation, Web Filtering, SIEM Integration ISP & Broadband Huawei, ZTE, MikroTik, Netonix GPON/XG-PON, CGNAT, PPPoE, RADIUS, IPv6 Migration VPN & Remote Access IPSec, OpenVPN, WireGuard, DMVPN, SSL VPN, SD-WAN, V2Ray Cloud & Virtualization AWS, Azure, VMware, Proxmox, KVM, Hyper-V Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, BSD) Monitoring & Automation PRTG, Grafana, LibreNMS, Zabbix, NetBox 📜 CERTIFICATIONS Cisco: CCNP / CCNA / CCDA / CCDP Juniper: JNCIS / JNCIA Ruckus: RCNI / RONE / RASZA / RICXI / RCWA HPE: HPE-Hybrid Cloud Fortinet: NSE4 💼 SERVICES Network Design & Optimization (Enterprise, ISP, Data Center) Firewall & Security Hardening (NGFW, IPS/IDS, Zero Trust) Cloud & Hybrid Networking (VPC, Peering, Transit Gateway) VPN & Secure Remote Access (IPSec, SSL, SD-WAN) ISP & Broadband Engineering (BGP, MPLS, GPON, IPv6) Network Troubleshooting & Performance Tuning

Top Rated Plus, Experienced Network Engineer & Network Operations Manager With ⭐️ over a decade ⭐️ of experience in network engineering and operations, I bring a wealth of expertise to meet your business needs. As a seasoned Network Engineer, I have successfully handled clients across the globe, ensuring robust and efficient network solutions. ▶︎ PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Former Global Network Operations Manager at one of the largest BPOs worldwide. Led a team of network professionals to manage and optimize global infrastructures. ▶︎ SPECIALIZATIONS: 1. ⭐️ Unifi/Ubiquiti: Cloud gateways, routers, switches, access points, and cameras. 2. Cisco: Routers, switches, access points, firewalls (ASA and FTD), ISE, SD-WAN, DUO, and Umbrella. 3. ⭐️ VPN Expertise: AnyConnect, Secure Client, Wireguard, OpenVPN, IPSec VPN, and SSL VPN. 4. Meraki: Access points, switches, and routers. 5. Palo Alto Firewalls 6. Sonicwall Firewalls 6. Linux Servers 7. Synology NAS ▶︎ CERTIFICATIONS: ✅ CCNP ✅ CCNA Security ✅ Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt ▶︎ WHY CHOOSE ME? Proven track record of delivering high-quality network solutions. Extensive experience with a variety of network technologies and platforms. Committed to providing exceptional service and support to ensure your network's success.

Versatile and strategic IT Leader and Systems Engineer with a proven track record of directing technology operations, strategy, and security across diverse, high-stakes sectors including finance, education, and managed IT services. Adept at building and leading high-performing teams, driving significant cost reductions and revenue growth, and architecting resilient, enterprise-level infrastructure. An expert in incident management, disaster recovery, and aligning technology with overarching business goals to ensure operational excellence and security.