Systems Deployment Software Evaluation – Consultant, 1 month
This was a small piece of report writing evaluating the various pieces of system deployment software available on the market, to enable the council to make an informed choice on which package they selected for a major upcoming project.
Skills: report writing, SMS 2003, Altiris, ZENworks, self-management.

Server Platform Upgrade Project – 12 months
Working as an additional resource to the existing Server Builds Engineering team, Ian was required to quickly understand the internal systems used to build servers within the RBoS environment, and adapt his skills to add value to the team. In particular, Ian's knowledge of MSI packaging was essential to solving some problems with critical packages, as well as improving the overall quality of the build. He was also responsible for managing the testing cycle through unit test and system test phases. He also worked with the QIP Networking team to enable PXE booting via RIS over DHCP for the entire enterprise.
Skills: MSI Packaging, VBScript, Windows Server 2003, IBM servers, HP servers, DHCP, RIS, Active Directory, testing.

Network Operating Systems Team – Specialist, 18 months
Working as part of the NOS Team, responsible for supporting the Windows infrastructure estate for the UK, Ian was primarily called upon to provide VBScript solutions for Active Directory. Typical tasks included extracting complex report data, or setting up automated tasks to maintain group membership. Ian also provided expertise across a wide range of topics to a variety of projects, including writing SCOM monitors and aiding in the deployment of Cisco IP telephones.
Skills: Active Directory, VBScript, SCOM, IP Telephony

Windows Platform Engineering Team , 9 months
Augmenting the existing Windows Engineering Team, Ian was involved in a number of diverse projects utilising a wide range of skills. The teams remit was to deliver a consistent Wintel platform across server and desktop, to meet business and governance requirements and maintaining a high quality of engineering. Highlights include work on a data migration to HDS platform, detailed involvement in the planning of an MSI-based build reporting tool, and the migration of numerous build components from batch/script to MSI.
Skills: Windows Server 2003, MSI packaging, VBScript, PXE, networking, third-line support, problem management, data migration.

Server Backout Project , 3 months
Working alone to design an effective backout solution to improve the stability of branch server upgrades in response to an identified business threat, Ian was tasked with clarifying the problems in liaison with the engineering teams and vendors, defining the available solutions, and presenting a range of options to a senior management team.
Skills: Windows Server 2003, Symantec LiveState Server, solution design, report writing, presentation, testing, self management.

Infrastructure Updgrade Project – Active Directory Designer, 6 months
This was a design role working on a complete upgrade of the infrastructure at an MoD installation to include a total renewal of all server systems. Ian's role was to design the Active Directory component of the project, and integrate it with the e-mail, storage and backup solutions. The final part of the role was to present the AD part of the solution at a sales meeting, and provide backup for the sales staff.
Skills: Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, WINS, Windows Server 2003, presentation.

Wintel Server Team – Packaging/Systems Consultant, 6 months
This piece of work was to provide specialist support for a high-end project to develop a grid computing application using IBM BladeCentre servers. Ian's tasks were to configure the blades, and package the internally developed application for delivery to the grid. Once the project was complete, Ian also had to produce detailed technical documentation for the server team, and train the development staff to maintain the MSI packages.
Skills: IBM Blades, Windows Server 2003, DNS, MSI packaging, documentation, training.

Server Upgrade Project – Active Directory Consultant, 2 months
This role was to provide consultancy to the egg internal server team for their upgrade of their test systems from Windows 2000 to Window Server 2003, on their test network, as a precursor to the upgrade of the live network.
Skills: Windows Server upgrades, Active Directory, DNS/WINS, DHCP, training.

Windows 95 Replacement Project – Packaging Team Leader, 4 months
Ian's task was to lead a team of application packagers to deliver a rapid turnaround of MSI packages for the NT4 platform, as part of a project to replace some Windows 95 machines which were out of warranty. The project successfully managed to produce all of the required packages before the deadline.

Windows Server Deployment–, 6 months
Building on the initial engineering role, Ian was invited to provide technical input at all levels of a server rollout project, including the writing of a complex login script, designing an AD-integrated DFS solution, and troubleshooting a highly complex replication issue.
Skills: DFS, DHCP, DNS/WINS, Active Directory, VBScript.