Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Programming Languages
Affiliations
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Ricardo Vargas

Independence

Summary

Dynamic Systems Engineer with extensive experience at Nationwide IT Services, specializing in web hosting management and AWS cloud services. Proven track record in optimizing server performance and reducing costs through innovative solutions. Adept in scripting and systems engineering, with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to excellence in service delivery.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Systems Engineer

Nationwide IT Services
07.2021 - Current
  • Under contract with U.S. Geological Survey, I am a member of the NatWeb (USGS National Web Server System) team, which performs web site hosting. Setup web log fetching, and web log statistics reporting for each NatWeb hosted site and improved the logic of the log reporting scripts for increased efficiency. Setup monitors for Xymon alerts. Assisted NatWeb users with getting AFS accounts for access to NatWeb site content.
  • Maintained the TIBS backup/recovery servers and tape library. Saved USGS money by moving the web log storage from AWS EBS volume to AWS S3 storage. Respond to user requests for setting up new Apache sites, AFS account setups, site redirects, RDS MySQL databases and other web hosting requests. As the NatWeb COUA, I ensure that servers are properly joined to the appropriate AD group and create AD service accounts and AD groups where needed.
  • As a member of the USGS BASIS Plus team, I saved them money by procuring servers that the NatWeb team no longer needed and configured them as Linux servers. Maintained the Solaris and Linux servers with regular patching and any configuration changes that were needed. Maintained the NetApp SAN and made volume adjustments when needed. Setup user access when needed. The servers were later replaced with new Dells and the NetApp was replaced with a NexSan. Configured the servers with Linux RHEL 8 and setup the NexSan for iSCSI connections. Do regular patching and upgrades to the servers. As the USGS Active Directory Organizational Unit Administrator (COUA), I ensure that the BASIS Plus servers are properly joined to the proper AD OU.
  • As a member of the USGS Listserv team, migrated the listserv from Mailman to GovDelivery, which involved migrating over 200 lists. The contract for GovDelivery is limited to only 100 topics, so I had to create one topic for each area, and further filtering using questions and answers. The Shake Alert topic needed additional help because they had a need to send bulletins within 5 minutes of an earthquake. So, I created a web topic administrator account for them to use with a Python script so that it would post automatically without a human topic administrator needing to approve a draft. Continue to respond to user requests for new topics, new topic admin setups, and training.

System Engineer

Astor & Sanders
05.2016 - 07.2021
  • As a Systems Engineer/Administrator for the USGS NatWeb team, created and configured web log fetching and web log statistics reporting. Assisted the NatWeb team in moving our infrastructure from on-premise to AWS cloud. Created AWS EC2 instances for NatWeb servers. Created user accounts for AFS access. Maintained the TIBS backup servers and tape library.
  • Assisted the team in hosting and maintaining hundreds of secure USGS sites. Duties include maintaining Red Hat Linux, CentOS and UNIX systems that run Apache and MySQL.
  • As COUA for NatWeb, joined NatWeb Linux servers to the AD domain using tools such as Centrify and msktutil.
  • Also supported Windows Server 2016 and 2012 systems that run IIS and SQL Server. Created Virtual servers for both Linux and Windows servers using Hyper-V.
  • Used Apache Subversion (SVN) and Puppet for configuring Linux servers and devices.
  • Maintained server racks, KVMs, tape library backup systems, and iSCSI SANs.
  • Maintained a NatWeb Hardware Inventory database that I created using PHP and MySQL.
  • Created an automated system for requesting SSL certs using PHP and MySQL.
  • Was the lead for fetching web logs from the sites we support and running daily, monthly, and annual statistical reports on web log usage using AWStats.
  • I converted the log web reporting scripts to use more robust AWStats instead of Analog.
  • As the COUA for NatWeb, I maintained and updated the keytabs for all the servers for Kerberos authentication.
  • Created a virtual listserv on a CentOS machine running mailman and PostFix. Also assisted users in creating mailing lists.
  • Scheduled tasks for team members for planned data center shutdowns/restarts.
  • As a member of the Personal Digital Equipment (PDE) Support team, registered users and devices (smartphones and tablets) using MaaS360 and Google Cpanel. Also provided support for users that had issues with their mobile devices.
  • As a member of the BASIS Plus team, I supported the maintenance and upgrades of the Solaris/Linux systems. Did patch and firmware updates for the systems including ILOM updates. Built and configured a new Red Hat Server. Responded to user requests.

System Engineer

Netservices LLC
05.2013 - 05.2016
  • As a Systems Engineer/Administrator for the USGS NatWeb team assisted the team in hosting and maintaining hundreds of secure USGS sites. Duties included maintaining Red Hat Linux and UNIX systems that run Apache and MySQL.
  • Also supported Windows Server 2012 and 2008 systems that run IIS and SQL Server. Created Virtual servers for both Linux and Windows servers using VMWare and Hyper-V.
  • Setup and configured server racks, KVMs, tape library backup systems, and iSCSI SANs.
  • Created a NatWeb Hardware Inventory database using PHP and MySQL.
  • Was the lead for fetching web logs from the sites we support and running daily, monthly, and annual statistical reports on web log usage using Analog.
  • As a member of the Personal Digital Equipment (PDE) Support team, registered users and devices (smartphones and tablets) using MaaS360 and Google Cpanel. Also provided support for users that had issues with their mobile devices.

Systems Engineer

Engeinus Consulting
09.2007 - 05.2013
  • As a Lotus Notes/Domino Administrator for USGS, maintained over 150 Lotus Notes/Domino servers running on SUSE Linux, Windows 2003 and Windows 2008 operating systems.
  • Responsibilities included upgrading hardware, operating systems, and software, and writing code and developing Lotus Notes databases to help with administration tasks.
  • Set up and installed IBM Director to monitor hardware and software status on all of our servers.
  • Created a kiosk for server room visitor check in/checkout.
  • Using VMWare, built virtual SQL Server and SharePoint servers.
  • Built an AutoStore server and created tasks that would capture documents through email, scanning and other sources and convert them to PDF to send to SharePoint servers.
  • Setup GAMLN servers and assisted in migration of Lotus Notes email users to Google Cloud.

Education

Computer Science

Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Computer Science

Christopher Newport College
Newport News, VA

Skills

  • Software and hardware lifecycle support
  • Web hosting management
  • Scripting languages
  • Operating systems
  • Systems engineering
  • Web and database application design
  • Messaging systems integration
  • AWS cloud services

Certification

  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
  • IBM Certified System Administrator – Lotus Notes/Domino 8
  • IBM Certified Application Developer – Lotus Notes/Domino 7
  • Lotus Certified Applications Developer (R3, R4, R5)
  • Lotus Certified Principal Applications Developer (R4)
  • Lotus Certified Notes Specialist (R3)
  • Lotus Certified Systems Administrator (R3)
  • Microsoft Certified Product Specialist (Networking Essentials, Windows NT Workstation, Windows NT Server, NT Server in the Enterprise)

Programming Languages

JAVA, HTML, JavaScript, XML, PHP, SQL, YAML, C++, bash scripting

Affiliations

  • Enjoy training in the martial arts.
  • Enjoy interpreting for and serving the deaf and hard of hearing at church.
  • Used to work in the diving industry, training SCUBA instructors.
  • 6 year veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Languages

Spanish
Limited
American Sign Language
Professional

Timeline

Systems Engineer

Nationwide IT Services
07.2021 - Current

System Engineer

Astor & Sanders
05.2016 - 07.2021

System Engineer

Netservices LLC
05.2013 - 05.2016

Systems Engineer

Engeinus Consulting
09.2007 - 05.2013

Computer Science

Cerritos College

Computer Science

Christopher Newport College

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