David A. Bandel

david dot bandel at gmail dot com

  • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
    • Over 20 years Unix experience including SUN, HP, AIX, SCO, Linux, FreeBSD, and Ultrix. Worked at all levels of system and network administration. Written scripts in Borne, Korn, and Perl. Worked with SQL databases. Written xhtml websites using CSS and javascript. Experience with hubs, switches, routers, routing, CIDR using VLSM. Experience with both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. Experience with frame relay, T1/E1, wireless, and DSL. Worked with Fiber (single and multimode), UTP, and coax. Experience with network and systems security, firewalls, VPNs, NAT, VLANs. Experience building and installing embedded systems. Experience installing, configuring, and administering Asterisk PBX. Co-author or author of several books and numerous magazine technical articles. Performed technical editing. Authored and edited Linux Professional Institute exam questions. Able to rapidly and easily assimilate and master new programs and technologies. Veteran (w/ 40% disability)
  • PEOPLE, MANAGEMENT, AND COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS OVERVIEW
    • Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
    • Made presentations to large and small audiences.
    • Ability to present complex subjects in terms understandable to laymen
    • Superb project management and budgeting skills
    • Directed and supervised multiple teams
    • Technical writing and editing in current Information Technology issues for Linux Journal (1996-2006)
    • Co-author of QUE Special Edition Using Caldera OpenLinux and QUE Special Edition Using Linux, 6th Edition, and author of Linux Security Toolkit, as well as a monthly Linux Journal column, Focus on Software and numerous Linux Journal articles.
    • Performed technical editing for Linux Journal and several book publishers
    • Authored questions used in the LPI exams, and performed technical editing on questions used on LPI exams
    • Taught classes in systems and networking
  • UNIX AND NETWORKING TECHNICAL SKILLS OVERVIEW
    • Script writing (Korn and Borne shells, Perl -- 1992 to present)
    • Ultrix and SunOS4 system administration (1990-1996)
    • Linux, SCO OpenServer, and Solaris 2.x, installation, configuration, and administration (1995-present)
    • HP-UX 9/10 and AIX 3/4 installation, configuration, and administration (1997 to 2000)
    • Informix installation and configuration (Oct 97-present)
    • TCP/IP with VLSM (CIDR), IPv6 (1996-present)
    • Network protocols: SNMP, SMTP, FTP, SSH, SCP, NFS, DNS, DHCP, HTTP(S), NIS, NTP, more. (1990-present)
    • Firewall installation and configuration (1996-present)
    • VPN installation and configuration (1998-present)
    • Database (SQL) installation, configuration, and administration (PostgreSQL) (2002-present)
    • Asterisk PBX installation and configuration (2004-2014)
    • VirtualBox and KVM virtualization installation and configuration (2007-present)
    • Embedded systems (OpenWRT) installation and configuration (2008-present)
    • Ansible and Puppet configuration management (2014-present)
    • Current project moving monolithic structure to Kubernetes (2021)
  • WORK EXPERIENCE
    • Rice University;Jan 2014 - present
      • Infrastructure Engineer, Linux
      • Introduced standardization to Enterprise Systems dept of OIT
      • Installed and configured RedHat Ansible Tower to enable users outside OIT to manage portions of their systems, freeing admins to work on the more complex tasks
      • Introduced containers and Kubernetes to OIT
      • Systems Administrator II
      • Worked on Linux Systems in support of the Computer Science, Math, Physics, Astronomy, and Civil Engineering Departments
      • Responsibilities include Systems Architecture, Systems Performance Tuning, Clustering and Storage, Server Hardening, Virtualization Administration, Systems Deployment and Administration Automation (using Puppet and Ansible)
      • Maintained all servers and NIS tables and NFS mounts
      • Installed and configured new systems for Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students working in the Computer Science Department
      • Set up netboot server for PXE root booting into Ubuntu, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or Scientific Linux
      • Configured and maintained Virtual Machines using KVM as required
      • Disposed of out of warranty equipment per University guidelines
      • Implemented pilot configuration management system based on Puppet and Ansible
    • Hostgator;Mar 2013 - Jan 2014
      • Linux Systems Administrator
      • Worked escalated support issues from Jr. Admins on customers systems and sites
      • Performed troubleshooting on DNS (BIND 9), and email issues (exim and Postfix)
      • Tuned SQL (MySQL/PostgreSQL) servers and databases
      • Straced programs to find errors and correct same
      • Worked on OpenVZ VPS containers
      • Performed troubleshooting on dedicated servers
      • Performed troubleshooting on LAMP issues on large, shared servers (WordPress, Joomla, Magento, Drupal)
      • Installed, upgraded, configured cPanel and Plesk systems
      • Restored systems from backups
      • Performed root cause analysis on system
      • Worked on firewalls (iptables)
    • Pananix, SA; Feb 2000 - Oct 2009
      • CTO and Senior UNIX/Network Engineer
      • Provided consulting services for network design and installation
      • Supervised installation, configuration, and monitoring of Linux-based routers and firewalls
      • Taught administrators advanced concepts in Unix and Linux systems and network administration
      • Provided Internet connectivity and secure WAN connectivity via the Internet
      • Provided consulting services for security
      • Worked on SQL servers (principally PostgreSQL)
      • Administered hosted internet servers
      • Installed, configured, and administered Asterisk PBX servers
      • Wrote web interfaces using CSS, XHTML, AJAX
    • Custom Software Services, Inc.; Oct 97 to Aug 99
      • System Support Technician
      • Managed the installation and use of hardware and software internally, configuring PCs and UNIX servers, redesigned and reconfigured the internal TCP/IP network
      • Configured PCs and UNIX servers in networked environments for client sites
      • Developed and provided training for CSS staff in the use of hardware and software, and provided technical support in the use of networks, PCs, UNIX servers, and productivity software
      • Negotiated new Internet connection at a significant savings
      • Negotiated a telecommunications package with an upgraded circuit (T-1) at a substantial savings over previous switched service. (Nearly 50% savings on per minute costs)
      • Maximized resources by reemploying unused 486 computers and installing Linux for network routing and monitoring functions, e-mail, DHCP, NTP, and DNS servers
      • Installed a firewall and reconfigured network to protect corporate assets previously on the Internet and unprotected
      • Upgraded IBM AIX 3.2.5 to 4.1.5; upgraded Oracle and Informix database servers; migrated Informix SE to Informix Online Workgroup Server at CSS and client sites; installed Informix OWS at client sites
      • Performed system recovery and installation of SCO OpenServer at CSS and client sites
      • Managed departmental purchases and budget
    • Precept Management Corporation contract at Ft. Lewis, WA; Sep 96 to Sep 97
      • Systems Engineer II
      • Administered, maintained, upgraded, and backed up five Banyan VINES servers in three locations; performed user administration
      • Performed troubleshooting of the network and maintained network continuity; tools included a sniffer and Unix tools (traceroute, tcpdump, etc.)
      • Maintained an OS/2 Novell GroupWise e-mail message server consisting of four Post Offices and five geographically disparate subdomains spanning 12 states and over 600 users connecting via the Internet and dial-up
      • Implemented several no-cost solutions using Linux and existing equipment which increased reliability and network accessibility over five fold
      • Coordinated efforts with two other systems administrators in planning and executing a transition from a heterogeneous mixture of VINES, Netware, and NT servers running multiple network protocols, to a single NT network running TCP/IP in a manner totally transparent to the over 300 users impacted
      • Created an internal Web site with database access and an anonymous FTP site to aid in dissemination of mission critical information
      • Installed/upgraded over 140 computers to Windows 95/Office 95
      • Installed MS Exchange, MS SQL, and MS SMS servers
      • Installed a DNS server and network monitoring software on a Linux system to improve reliability
      • Performed functions of Information Management Staff Officer for the Deputy Commanding General for the Fifth U.S. Army at Ft. Lewis
    • Independent Computer and Network Consultant; Mar 96 to Aug 99
      • Lacey, WA
      • Provided Internet connectivity solutions for individuals and companies, including masquerade (network address translation) servers, firewalls, and network security assessments
      • Wrote articles and performed technical copy editing for Linux Journal
      • Provided remote systems administration
    • US Army, Republic of Panama; Apr 90-Feb 96
      • All Source Intel Tech
      • Information Systems Officer and Network Security Officer for two LANs: one secure Unix-based LAN (part of a WAN) and one Banyan VINES LAN
      • Supervised and performed Project Management for 30 analysts (divided into three teams)
      • Performed technical editing and wrote technical articles
      • Wrote computer security policies
      • Responsible for departmental budget
      • Redesigned a proposed week-long computer network upgrade which resulted in minimal (two hours) network down-time and no lost production time
      • Supervised, and trained subordinates on troubleshooting of ethernet (fiber optic and UTP CAT 5 cabling) circuits from workstations and servers through hubs, routers, multiplexers (MUXs), military cryptographic equipment, and DSU/CSUs, to maintain network continuity and security
    • Independent Systems and Network Consultant; Oct 2009 - Present
      • David, Chiriquí, Republic of Panamá
      • Provided network and systems solutions and integration for companies, including, but not limited to, VPNs between branch offices, firewalls, DNS service, network security assessments, intrusion detection and mitigation
      • Gave instruction to university professors and lectured on networks and systems
  • EDUCATION
    • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky Campus, Master of Aviation Management (MBA equivalent)
    • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Ft. Bragg, NC Campus, BS in Aviation Administration (BS BA equivalent)
  • INTERESTS
    • Interests include IPv6, Virtualization, and PC-based distributed supercomputing
    • Other interests: Flying, sailing, shooting
    • Avid gunsmith (AGI) and NRA Pistol Instructor
  • CURRENT RESIDENCE AND CONTACT INFORMATION
    • Residence Address: Sugar Land, TX
    • Mailing Address: 2322 Randons Bell Dr.; Sugar Land, TX 77479
  • Latest copy of this document available from: About Me (http://david.bandel.us/about.html) on my website.