The range of IT projects was extremely wide from developing Wordpress-based social networks to implementing VPN-based WANs for medium-sized retail networks. Just to name a few of the projects and activities I’ve done during those years: - OpenVPN OSPF redundant WAN with load-balancing for a retail network (40+ remote locations). - New office IT infrastructure/datacenter for a retail network company (500 LAN stations, approx. 150 LAN CCTV cams, 3 redundant Internet connections, Wireless infrastructure with roaming, KVM virtualization servers farm with live guests migration, automated tape library backup solution, fingerprint office access solution, and more) - IT Support department operations optimization and implementation of ITIL practices. - Office migration project for a retail network (was performed totally without interruptions). - Implementation and support of aprox. 200 Linux servers for various companies. - Several high load/availability WEB projects based on Wordpress, LEMP and Varnish. - Highly available high performance 1C cluster (PostgreSQL, Corosync, Pacemaker). - IT security procedures and policies development and enforcement.

Responsibilities included provision of IT services to three SPE legal entities: Buena Vista Sony Pictures Releasing CIS (BVSPR, later renamed to Walt Disney Studios Sony Pictures Releasing - WDSSPR), Sony Pictures Television International Production Russia (SPTI Production Russia) and SPTI Networks Vostok. With total number of customers topping 70 and spread across 4 locations I was performing the whole range of activities such as supervising an IT Support Analyst, planning and budgeting for IT equipment, software and services, supplying project management and implementation services, occasionally providing 2nd level user support, negotiating service and support contracts with major IT vendors and service providers. From the technical perspective this work involved Cisco and HP equipment deployment, support and troubleshooting, Windows 2003/2008 servers' administration, Windows XP/Vista/7 workstations deployment, support and troubleshooting, AD administration, Aventail VPN solution administration and more. IT support was performed in accordance with ITIL using Remedy and ServiceNow. Change management was also implemented using ServiceNow platform. Significant achievements include two major IT Infrastructure Migration Projects: 1. Migration from Walt Disney International IT infrastructure to SPE network/servers/workstations equipment. 2. WDSSPR office migration project. Despite numerous difficulties both projects were implemented within deadlines, with minimal budget adjustments and resulted in full customer's satisfaction. Several other projects have also been successfully completed: network infrastructure expansion project, migration from Lotus Notes to MS Outlook, global email retention project using Zantas, PGP infrastructure/whole disk encryption deployment, videoconferencing implementation and file consolidation project using Riverbed, SAP implementation and transition.

Started to write for ``Moto'' as a freelancer during my stay in UK. During the next two years has written articles on two MotoGP events, one WSB race, two BSB events, several international motorcycle shows, European drag-racing championship, Ron Haslam racing school and the famous British deafblind motorcycle racer Graham Hicks. As one of the brightest achievements I should name the personal interview with MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi. This interview was the first one given to a Russian journalist, and so far it remains the only one. After coming back to Russia I have decided to try myself as a professional journalist and accepted a permanent employment offer from ``Moto'' magazine. Among other duties I have translated from English into Russian numerous articles of the world-known British motorcycle journalist Alan Cathcart, written a series of nine articles called ``Metal Training'' on race technologies, MotoGP bikes, SBK and endurance racing. I was also responsible for test-riding new and used bikes (including world launches in Qatar, South Africa, Italy, Germany etc.) and writing articles about such tests. Also I consider myself a first Russian motorcycle journalist to use datalogging in bike testing. As a personal initiative I have commented on several MotoGP events on Russian Eurosport TV channel. Finally I want to mention that I have received a vast positive feedback from my readers, which makes a very pleasant conclusion of this stage in my career.

Geoquip: "Protecting everything worldwide from Her Majesty's Prisons to Her Majesty's Crown Jewels". The main target of this assignment was to help Geoquip (one of the leading companies in perimeter security and detection) to develop a cost-effective redundant environmentally-strengthened Ethernet network (``Gthernet)'' for outdoor applications such as airports, power plants, oil refineries, national borders, military installations and prisons. A fully operational network prototype, capable of simultaneously carrying hundreds of data, audio and video channels was built by December 2003. As a first real-life test, a point-to-point Gthernet link with VoIP capabilities was implemented for HMP Maghaberry, Northern Ireland. By the end of year 2004 the final product was presented to the Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) experts' commission and got a very high appreciation. Starting in November 2004, whilst finishing the last bits of Gthernet project (environmental testing, legacy interface modules, etc), the development of new DSP-based fence mounted analyzer has started. Two possible platforms were identified (Microchip DS-PIC and Analog Devices ADSP-BF533 ``BlackFin)'' and a working prototype was built using DS-PIC6014 digital signal controller. As a result of personal initiative, whole research and design department LAN was rebuilt according to modern network standards, including full demilitarized zone, transparent proxy server, fax server, intrusion detection system, redundant file server using RAID with tape backup and redundant broadband Internet connection with automatic ISDN backup. All this was implemented using highly reliable and cost-effective Linux servers.

The main aim of this position was to provide technical management services to one of the largest ISPs in Kenya, specializing in basic Internet access, hosting and WEB design services supplied to 3000 users across 4 cities in a highly competitive environment. During the first six months major weaknesses were pinpointed and the action plan was developed. Multiple proposals of possible ways of increasing revenue and improving network infrastructure were presented to the board. All technical staff was evaluated and technical training was started. Technical ``playground'' was built as a platform for self-education and new software evaluation. Thanks to those efforts it took only 3 months for the first network engineer to successfully pass Cisco CCNA certification. The following technical projects were completed: new dialup access system with a possibility of implementing prepaid access cards, network redesign and firewall rollout, SNMP monitoring, statistics and pager/SMS notification system was put into operation, satellite equipment was inspected and realigned, servers room was power-protected by installing large capacity batteries and a power converter, company security policy was developed, basic network security awareness training was performed. New 3-stage recruiting procedure for the Technical Department was implemented (remote online test, phone interview, personal interview) which saved 30% of time spent on HR tasks. Customers support was re-organized according to the 3-tier support model. Marketing team was trained and supplied with basic documentation aimed to help them to start providing security solutions to large corporate clients. Service-level agreement was amended. Company's network equipment was upgraded/prepared for the connection to Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP).

When joined the company in 1997, the network consisted of only one node in Kislovodsk. The hardware platform was very modest: one NT server, one Cisco 2511 router with 6 analog modem lines and a 64K VSAT connection. Many improvements were made since that time: migration from WinNT to Linux was performed (leading to the cost savings of 8 Windows NT server licenses and hundreds of client's licenses), VSAT connection was replaced by E1 link, network was expanded to 6 neighbor towns first using analog links, which were later replaced by E1 circuits and further upgraded to Fast Ethernet full-duplex links using long-haul medium-converters and dedicated fibers. Extranet infrastructure was developed: a Firewall was implemented and later upgraded to the full DMZ; all branches of Narzan Network across Kislovodsk were cost-effectively interconnected into a corporate network. Internal network segment in the main office was divided into departmental security domains. Standard network security solution was developed for all other nodes. Security policy was developed and introduced. Digital subscription-free dialup access solution based on Digi DataFire was put into operation and has proved its quality and profitability and saved the company approximately thirty thousand dollars compared to a similar Cisco solution. By the time I decided to leave the company, Narzan Network became the largest fast-expanding ISP and switched Fast Ethernet WAN provider in south Russia with points of presence in 7 towns, huge customers' base and good name.

Doninvest is the largest financial and industrial group consisting of an investment bank with offices in 46 towns and two car factories in southern Russia. As a part of technical team I participated in implementation of plastic cards infrastructure in Taganrog. I was personally responsible for the X.25 gateway (SCO UNIX) administration, ATMs and POS terminals deployment and operation, Novell network infrastructure support and security. I was also in charge of banking trading and clearing system and plastic cards issuing environment. I've personally supervised a 30000-cardholders ``Salary-to-Plastic Cards'' project for Taganrog Automobile Plant ``TKZ''.

I’ve joined the Lab as an intern on May 1990 during my study at secondary school. 3 months later I got an offer of Network Technician (half-time). After another two months I was promoted to the Systems/Network Administrator position. In the course of this employment several educational software products were developed using Turbo Pascal and C. I’ve also took part in a rollout of two LANs in two computerized lecture-halls. Further I did some assembler programming for Z80-based Yamaha PCs and was responsible for repairing of monitors and other computer hardware.