Senior System Administrator

Job description / Role

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Plans, leads and conducts the day-to-day operation, administration and all other activities of the Citrix, NetScaler, VMware, Windows Server and software applications assigned.
• The Systems Administrator will perform daily system maintenance activities to maintain 24/7, 365 days/year system and services availability; activities include the repair, patching, fixing or replacement of existing hardware and software.
• Excellent Communication Skills (oral and written) and Customer Service Skills.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks. Ability to work individually or as a member of a team. Ability to work under pressure.
• Managing over 500+ VMware servers 2003, 2008, R2 and 2012 with VSphere client 5.1. Supervised 35 VM servers for daily backups. Managing VPN user and Active Directory by resetting passwords, unlocking accounts, adding users, and GP.
• Configuring AD and disk quota on Windows 2012 Server
• Manage & Patch Microsoft T testing, deployment, and reporting, resulting in a maximum success rate.
• Implement a disaster recovery plan into the contract without increasing costs.
• Administration and support for Symantec Corporate Anti-virus server, Cisco CallManager 3.1 (VoIP), Veritas Netbackup, and MS WUS server.
• Enhanced team productivity and automated repetitive tasks by using batch files, PowerShell, VBScript and WMI.
• Troubleshoot LAN/WIFI connectivity, configured permissions folder rights.
• Manage domain users and groups in AD and create group policies in order to keep the network secured.
• End user technical support for Windows 7, 8 and 10.
• Evaluates industry trends, standards and new technologies to recommend change (i.e., evaluate and integrate new OS versions, drivers and hardware.
• Made sure that all software and procedures, operating systems, server hardware aligned with enterprise standards and strategic business plan.
• Designing, Implementing, installing and configuring Microsoft Windows 2008/ 2012 Server.
• Antivirus server updating and maintaining reports on a regular basis.
• Troubleshoot and provide technical analysis concerning operating system, network, and application performance issues to resolution.
• Produce routine daily logs, exception reports and reports on major service incidents.
• Operating in an environment with both physical and virtual servers, the Systems Administrator will support the backup and recovery of an end-to- end system which includes Microsoft Servers, Thin Clients, SAN storage devices, C4I applications, Office Automations Services, and multiple classification domains.
• Maintaining and updating documentation, testing documentation, and other information, which depicts the physical and logical configuration of the Citrix system and sub-systems.
• Responds to trouble tickets and service request calls. Providing assistance and takes appropriate action; utilizing a variety of tools.
• Installs and configures all necessary software and hardware to support the organizations business continuity/disaster recovery plan.
• XenDesktop - the ability to manage, maintain and update; must be experienced working in a production/live environment
• The Systems Administrator will also provide Tier 2 Help Desk duties for DBS-AK for tickets escalated.
• The system admin will also maintain all SQL databases used by company.
• The system admin will provide assistance with research and evaluation of proposed hardware and software modifications and upgrades.
• The system admin will provide assistance with research and evaluation of proposed hardware and software modifications and upgrades.
• The system admin will should have the ability to support, maintain, build, deploy and troubleshoot within the areas of technologies listed above.
• Hand on experience on XENSERVER and CITRIX NETSCALLER and VDI Implementation.
• Good Understanding and experience on KVM and OPENVZ virtualization
• Expert in Citrix Infrastructure, Virtual Apps, Published Desktops and NetScaler.
• Strong knowledge of VMWare ESX, Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory and other Microsoft server platforms.
• Researches and evaluates the propose hardware and software modifications and upgrades.
• Contributes to projects and works closely with other IT groups to ensure compliance with organizations goals and objectives of having an innovative, redundant infrastructure allowing for business continuance and disaster recovery.
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks. Ability to work individually or as a member of a team. Ability to work under pressure.
• Resolving various connections of Citrix Printer issues for client printing over Citrix.
• Creating a test Environment in Citrix or VMware for Production Team to test their applications.
• Create MSI packages using Citrix Installation packager in Citrix 4.0/4.5/5.0
• Adding CustomActions to MSI InstallSequence using embedded VBScripts to customize MSI install behavior.
• Liaise between IT Management, sponsors, users and other IS personnel to communicate issues regarding overall operations status and strategy.
• Expectation of meeting current best practices and security standards resulting in high functionality and performance while ensuring close to zero downtime.
• Responsible for Terminal server builds and Citrix XenApp server deployments in both Physical and virtual environments
• Certify home grown and third party applications to run in windows 2003 / 2008 Terminal server environment
• Supporting in-house application management in Citrix environment through Citrix Streaming.
• Implement Citrix Rollup Pack and Feature packs as per Citrix recommendation.
• Troubleshoot various issues related to Citrix resource manager, Printers etc.
• Monitored Citrix server’s health by using Citrix Edge Sight.
• Performed Citrix Farm and server health checks on regular basis
• Configured WYSE Terminals to provide thin client solution to Business users.
• Implement Quarterly patches to the servers suggested by Microsoft.
• Publish Applications, Content and Desktops to users in Citrix Management Console
• Interacting with business users for gathering the requirements for on boarding the applications to Citrix Servers
• Experience with Application Streaming and publishing Streaming profiles for user access.
• Supporting Citrix Password Manager and Access Gateway.
• Resolving user connections to the Citrix Web Interface server by recycling the IIS services.
• Working on XenApp 7.9 in test environment for migration of the current farm from Xen App 4.5 to 5.0
• Documenting Application Installation, Know issues which occur regularly.
• Expertise in using Citrix Access Management Console and Presentation Server consoles.
• Packaged applications in Wise Packaging Studio 5.0 which are not compatible in Citrix.
• Documented step-by-step process used when profiling using Application Profiler.
• Involved in maintenance of Citrix XP,PS 3.0 and PS 4.0 farm, which includes more than 100 Servers and 100 various applications.
• Involved in Installation and upgrading the various applications on Citrix Servers and publishing the Application on Citrix PS 4.0 farm.
• Installing Hot Fixes(Rollup Packs and Feature packs) released by Citrix on Citrix Meta frame Presentation Servers through Installation Manager
• Monitored and Maintained the Citrix Web Interface server
• Implemented the Cluster Environment for Citrix Data Store servers.
• Configuration of Farms, Zones, DC’s, DS, TS License servers, Web Servers.
• Installed, Managed and Monitored VMware ESX3.2/ 3.5 Servers
• Hands on experience on Virtualization technology- VMware Workstation, ESX Server.
• Performed server builds utilizing VMware ESX 3.5 Server.
• Resolved various issues such as Windows Policies, Application licensing through RDP, Net - meeting. Coordinating with Vendors regarding production issues & solving problems.
• Responsible for Administration of Active Directory and delegating control / permissions.
• Extensively worked in Windows Active Directory to create users & groups.
• Created VM Session for Test Environment for testing Application before deploying to Production
• Used Virtual Infrastructure Client for managing VM Machines
• Created MSI Packages using Rapid Install Packaging.
• Communicates with users in a timely manner to ensure problem resolution and take proactive measures to prevent recurrence.

Others:
• A strong background in XenApp 7.9 or higher (terminal service environment)
• Active Directory 2008 R2 including DNS, DHCP, print, and DFS services
• SCCM - patching and desktop imaging
• Switching & Routing – SonicWALL
• Expertise in Citrix Infrastructure, Virtual Apps, Published Desktops and NetScaler.
• Strong knowledge of VMWare ESX, Microsoft Windows Server, Active Directory and other Microsoft server platforms.

Networking & Security
• Denial of Service Attack Monitoring
• TWO FACTOR VPN & Site- to-Site
• WAF Management (Web Application Firewall)
• Log Review Alert logic and DDOS Attack troubleshooting
• Network Security Audit
• Packet Capturing and troubleshooting
• Remote Key logger and sniffer activity on servers and network level
• Network Penetration for Enterprise Application

Virtualization & Cloud Solutions
• Subject matter expert outside of the security organization providing guidance in secure cloud deployment data center security and secure migration service , contract development and negotiations, compliance consulting and product innovation.
• VMware ESX 3.5 and 4.0, 5.0 Clusters, V-Motion, HA, DRS, FT and related VMware features.
• AWS Management for large deployment and resource monitoring of public cloud management on large VMS and network with policy and documentation.
• Open stack Implementation from scratch for deploying Private and Public cloud with integration on multiple open source module for cloud and app monitoring.
• Cloud Stack deployment Manage and hypervisor integration & Hypervisor hardening

Database System
• Keep databases up to date
• Manage database security/integrity and back-up procedures access
• Ensure that databases meet user requirements
• Liaise with programmers, applications/operational staff, IT project managers and other technical staff
• Test and modify databases to ensure that they operate reliably
• Maintain archives & Write disaster recovery plans

Requirements

• Bachelors or Masters in computer science
• 6 to 10 years of experience

Experience on the following:
• Citrix, Xen App Server 7.9, VM’s, VMWare, Netscaler, SAN Storage, Sonic Wall, Veritas Backup
• CERTIFICATION:
• CCNA, MCSE, MCSA, Citrix, VMWare

About the Company

Artan Holding is a Qatari-owned company with a diverse portfolio of businesses including:

• Doha British School Established in 1997, Doha British School delivers the National Curriculum of England from Pre-School to IGCSE and in the Sixth Form International Baccalaureate Diploma.

• City University College is a higher education institution in Qatar that offers recognised UK degrees licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. City University College is provider of the BTEC and Ulster University Qatar degrees, SI-UK services and IELTS courses. City University College offers alternative routes to university and work, both for high-school students as well as employed people.

• Qatar Skills Academy established in 2010, a training academy providing accredited vocational education and training.

• ACES is a private Education group which owns, manages and operates educational institutions in Qatar with the objective of fostering academic innovation and excellence.

• Mirage International Property Consultants established in 2004, a real estate company specializing in the sale, leasing and facilities management of commercial and residential properties in Qatar and around the world.

• Primepower Middle East specialize in the supply of temporary power solutions to support the increasing demand on the country's infrastructure. from 6kva up to Multi Megawatt modular power systems, there is a solution for every customers requirement.

• House of Architecture and Interiors established in 2012, an architecture and design company offering diversified interiors solutions through integrated services and products.

• Gulf CMS offers a wide-ranging repair service to Qatar customers, including reconditioning. Our well-qualified technicians handle every damage for our customers at our fully equipped maintenance center.

• Ulster University (UU) Qatar operates its branch campus in Qatar in partnership with City University College. Ulster University, Qatar is working to develop a skills-based economy as part of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. Their business expertise, quality teaching and innovation will deliver the future business leaders of Qatar and beyond.

UU Qatar provides students with the skills and knowledge to fuel public and private sector organisations to drive the regional economy. The range of business degree courses on offer including the International Foundation Programme and BSc (Hons) Business Studies.

• SI-UK is a British owned and an official UK University representative, it is the truly global UK focused education agency in the world. It is the official representative of over 380+ Universities & Colleges. Thousands of student university applications are processed every year through its offices globally. In Qatar its office officially represented by City College. SI-UK can assist with your application for foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.