Hank Preston

Edison Community College

Nova Southeastern University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Alfred University

Principal Automation Engineer

Greater Cleveland

- Responsible for the technical architecture for the data center and lab systems for the official Cisco Certification Classes and Exams
-  Worked with team leadership to develop training plans and mentor team members to gain skills needed to keep up with new demands and technologies
-  Lead launch of a formal project to update the network, compute, and virtualization architecture with a focus on automation and modern best practices
-  Implemented agile / scrum based approach to work management. Acted as lead product owner
-  Design and launch the DevNet Expert Certification and support other certification programs

Cisco

Principal Engineer and Lead Architect Learning at Cisco

After several years advocating network automation and NetDevOps, I decided to put the theory into practice in a production environment for one of the most popular cloud services Cisco DevNet offers, the DevNet Sandbox - <a href="https://developer.cisco.com/sandbox">https://developer.cisco.com/sandbox</a>

-  Responsible for the technical architecture for the data center and lab systems for DevNet Sandbox
-  Focus on applying the automation and DevOps skills and approach being advocated by Cisco DevNet in
our internal service
-  Developed the concept of “Sandbox as Code” that used Infrastructure as Code practices to describe and build new lab definitions in an automated and composable fashion

Principal Engineer / Architect NetDevOps

DevNet is Cisco's Developer Program.  We are a small team, excited about helping developers learn about and leveraging all of Cisco's APIs.  Having long been passionate about creating entertaining presentations, labs and demonstrations that breakdown complex technology topics, joining the DevNet Team was like coming home!

I've combined my background in software development with years of infrastructure design and engineering, as I focus on the areas of Network Programmability, Data Center Infrastructure Automation, and all things Cloud, Micro-Services and DevOps.  I believe the new dynamics of agile methods, DevOps practices and "programmable everything" has brought a rapid and massive change to the IT field, and I'm excited to be here to see it.

A personal passion project of mine is looking at how the general enterprise can begin to truly deliver "Infrastructure as Code" through "Continuous Development" across their environment, not just within the "Cloud" (phew... that's a lot of buzzwords :-)  As I push the boundaries of what is possible with the APIs and tooling on Cisco's platforms today, I work with our product teams to fill in gaps, and improve areas where something is lacking.

Day to day I have the opportunity to work on and lead many different types of projects.  These include:

-  Supporting both infrastructure and application developers in their use of Cisco platforms
-  Building DevNet Learning Labs on <a href="http://learninglabs.cisco.com">http://learninglabs.cisco.com</a>
-  Evangelize at a variety of industry events by developing and leading technical seminars, hands-on labs and participation in panel discussions
-  Help plan Cisco and DevNet sponsored events including Cisco Live (US, EMEA, LATAM and APAC)
-  Collaborate with Cisco Product Teams as they develop APIs and developer strategies
-  Act as a liaison between DevNet and the Cisco Systems Engineering teams as programmability skills become important
-  Contribute to the general DevNet strategy

Principal Advocate Network, Data Center and Cloud

I'm excited to be one of the first IT as a Service Architects within the Systems Engineering team at Cisco and look forward to the evolution of the work I've been doing for the last three years as a Data Center and Cloud Architect.

As will come as no surprise to anyone, a company's needs around technology and technology delivery have been changing over the last several years, and in some ways, Enterprise IT was caught unaware.  Many IT organizations are now recognizing that their users are demanding a new model, and have found it outside of corporate IT services.

The "IT as a Service" concept and transformation is a formal recognition that IT must evolve from the traditional "IT as a Necessary Evil" model in many organizations.  We must put the end user experience forefront, and recognize that "sanctioned IT" is no longer the only way for lines of business to achieve their technology requirements.  This transformation is an excellent opportunity, but a challenging one that will require a coordination between IT Leadership, their teams and all the consumers of IT services that Enterprise IT is hoping will return for their technology needs.  This will need an open and honest look at the technology, process, and general approach to be successful.

Cisco began this transformation within our internal Enterprise IT several years ago, and is regarded by many as an example of a successful transformation.  It wasn't without misstep, and much was learned along the way.  My charter at Cisco is to work with customers on their own transformations, and to leverage all that Cisco has to help ensure success.  This clearly will include the technology in our portfolio, but more than that it will include leveraging the strategy, approach and best practices from the people and process elements as well.

IT as a Service Architect

In this role I worked with Cisco's large enterprise customers in Michigan and Ohio to develop and implement data center and cloud architectures.  The type of work I performed ranged from infrastructure focused architectures, designing resilient and scalable network and compute designs leveraging Cisco technologies such as Unified Computing System (UCS), Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), and Nexus portfolio, to most recently working on designs targeted at enabling Private and Hybrid Cloud solutions.

I large part of my role as a Cloud Architect included a focus on data center management and automation technologies and techniques.  I had the opportunity to develop and deliver several presentations, labs, and training sessions on topics such as infrastructure programmability, Software Defined Networking (SDN), API Interaction, Python for Infrastructure Engineers and other related topics.  Many of these sessions were designed to be informal lunch and learn style, but I was able to take a few to Cisco Live in the US and Europe where I was honored to earn the Distinguished Speaker status.

Data Center and Cloud Architect

As a Systems Engineer with Cisco, I help customers convert business requirements and initiatives to Technical Architectures and Solutions.  By focusing on a small group of Fortune 500 customers, I become am able to provide focused and relevant architectural advise.  Though I cover all of Cisco's Technical solutions, I focus in our Borderless (Route/Switch, Security, Wireless) and Data Center (UCS Servers, Nexus Unified Fabric, Cloud) Architectures.

Systems Engineer

My role with Laketec involves the analysis, design, and implementation of a wide range of network systems for our clients.  For most projects, I provide pre-sales engineering to develop appropriate solutions and scopes of work to meet the design requirements.  Once approved, I manage the project to ensure the  successful implementation.  Most projects focus on network core installations and upgrades, server and desktop virtualization with VSphere and VMware View, and campus wide wireless deployments with Cisco and Aruba solutions.  When not working on projects, I provide support services to clients having problems in their routing and switching systems for LAN and WAN networks, VPN and firewall support, wireless networking, and network management and monitoring.

Laketec Communications, Inc

Network Engineer

As Senior Network Engineer, my first task was the operation, maintenance, and upgrade of the LAN/WAN infrastructure of the Memorial Health Care System.  This included a fully redundant LAN network within the main facility utilizing gigabit and ten-gigabit backbones, MSTP, VRRP, BGP, and other protocols for maximum uptime.  The WAN network was composed of multiple connection types to remote offices including point to point, fiber, and VPN connections.  While at the hospital, I redesigned the entire network structure from the ground up to maximize uptime and security.  In addition to networking, I worked with the server infrastructure supporting Exchange Email Servers, Microsoft’s Terminal Server and Citrix Servers for remote access, SQL Servers for databases, Microsoft SharePoint Services and many other application systems.  I also worked with our extensive VMWare infrastructure that included many of our production systems, and utilized VMotion and other redundancy tools.  I filled the Project Manager role for several projects.  Through an analysis of the hospitals data and communication accounts with separate vendors, I was able to find many areas for cost savings including a monthly savings of two thousands dollars plus in voice and long distance services for remote offices.

Memorial Hospital

Senior Network Engineer

As a Senior Network Engineer for a Managed IT Provider, I supplied full service computer needs to my clients.  These services included 24x7 monitoring of their critical servers and applications, daily maintenance and performance tuning, configuration and upkeep of Exchange email systems, Microsoft Windows Servers and Clients, web sites, a variety of applications, database Servers, Microsoft Mobile devices, Blackberry handhelds, internet access with T1, DSL, cable, and cellular services, VPNs connecting remote offices, multiple remote access technologies,  and all other technology needs.  I also planned and implemented one time projects for system migrations, wireless network installations, infrastructure design for new construction, server installations, and office moves of computer systems and networks.  Also, I developed custom CRM applications modules, information storage and reporting applications, and a custom designed web application for vacation and sick time tracking.

Information Technology Network

Softrim provided computer services to small and medium businesses on a need basis.  In this position I handled computer needs ranging from simple workstation installation to server and system migrations as well as critical server and network outages.  This position required flexibility and superior problem solving skills to be able to handle the unknown that comes with computer consulting.  I provided support for operating systems such as Windows 98, 2000, XP, 2000 Server, 2003 Server, Novel Servers, and some Linux systems.  Work was done for clients both onsite and remotely, and we provided hosting services for web sites, email, DNS, and Citrix Servers and applications.  I also provided the occasional custom programming and database reporting.

Softrim Corporation

I provided computer system support to the high school staff, faculty and student body (over 1300 users).  This required day to day upkeep of nearly 400 computers, 40 printers, 15 servers, and a complex Cisco switching network.  I worked with the Lee County District office on configuration of email needs, web filtering and reporting, and major system changes.  In addition to working on the IT needs, I also taught classes in Technical Theatre and managed an auditorium/concert hall for the school providing technical needs for both internal and external functions.