Networking & Infrastructure
Built and administer a centrally managed dual-stack home lab network
using a dedicated gateway, multi-gigabit managed switching, Power over
Ethernet, wired wireless-access-point backhaul, and VLAN segmentation.
- Configured managed switches, tagged uplinks, access ports, and VLAN assignments.
- Created segmented networks for trusted devices, IoT systems, and lab resources.
- Configured IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, DHCP reservations, and gateway services.
- Implemented controlled inter-VLAN communication using firewall rules.
- Deployed and managed Wi-Fi access points with wired Ethernet backhaul.
- Performed Ethernet, wireless, network-path, and MTU troubleshooting.
- Verified connectivity and segmentation using ping, packet capture, and network utilities.
Skills:
VLANs, 802.1Q, IPv4, IPv6, DHCP, Routing, Switching,
Wi-Fi, PoE, Firewall Rules, Network Troubleshooting
Windows Server & Active Directory
Built a Windows Server and Windows client environment in Hyper-V
for practicing centralized identity management, authentication,
permissions, DNS, and domain administration.
- Installed and configured Active Directory Domain Services.
- Configured Active Directory-integrated DNS services.
- Created users, groups, organizational units, and administrative accounts.
- Joined Windows clients to the Active Directory domain.
- Worked with domain authentication and user permissions.
- Configured and tested shared resources and NTFS permissions.
- Troubleshot domain connectivity, authentication, and name-resolution issues.
Skills:
Active Directory, Windows Server, DNS, Windows 11,
Identity Management, Permissions, Authentication, Hyper-V
Microsoft 365 Administration
Built a Microsoft 365 business lab using a custom domain to practice
cloud identity, email administration, collaboration, and Microsoft
cloud management.
- Connected the Headley Lab custom domain to Microsoft 365.
- Configured MX, SPF, and Autodiscover DNS records.
- Created and managed Exchange Online mailboxes and aliases.
- Configured a shared Help Desk mailbox.
- Created distribution lists and security groups.
- Created and configured a SharePoint site.
- Used Exchange Online message trace to verify email delivery.
- Practiced Microsoft 365 administration through both the GUI and PowerShell.
Skills:
Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, Entra ID, SharePoint,
DNS, Email Administration, PowerShell, Cloud Administration
SQL Server 2025 Deployment & Administration
Deployed Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Enterprise Developer in a Hyper-V
environment and configured database services, authentication,
network connectivity, firewall access, and management tools.
- Installed SQL Server 2025 Enterprise Developer.
- Configured the default MSSQLSERVER instance.
- Enabled Mixed Mode authentication.
- Enabled SQL Server TCP/IP networking.
- Verified SQL Server listening on TCP port 1433.
- Configured Windows Firewall to permit SQL Server traffic.
- Installed and configured SQL Server Management Studio.
- Verified Windows and SQL Server authentication.
- Created and queried a LabTest database.
- Configured Hyper-V Dynamic Memory for the SQL virtual machine.
Skills:
SQL Server, SSMS, TCP/IP, Windows Firewall,
Database Administration, Authentication, Hyper-V
Linux Server Services & Windows Integration
Built and configured Ubuntu Server systems in Hyper-V to provide
network services, remote administration, logging, web services,
and cross-platform file sharing.
- Configured Ubuntu Server virtual machines in Hyper-V.
- Enabled SSH for secure remote administration.
- Installed and configured Apache web services.
- Configured rsyslog for Linux system logging.
- Configured UFW host-based firewall rules.
- Installed and configured Samba file sharing.
- Created the LabShare SMB share.
- Mapped the Linux SMB share from Windows as a network drive.
- Verified file access between Linux and Windows systems.
Skills:
Linux, Ubuntu Server, SSH, Apache, Samba, SMB,
UFW, rsyslog, Bash, Hyper-V
Raspberry Pi Network Services
Deployed a Raspberry Pi 5 as a Linux-based network services platform
supporting DNS filtering, file sharing, printing, remote access,
monitoring, and other infrastructure services.
- Deployed Pi-hole as the network's centralized DNS filtering service.
- Configured DNS services for IPv4 and IPv6 clients.
- Configured Samba file sharing and permissions.
- Deployed CUPS as a network print server.
- Configured SSH remote administration.
- Worked with WireGuard and Tailscale for remote connectivity.
- Used Linux services, logs, permissions, and networking tools for troubleshooting.
Skills:
Raspberry Pi, Linux, Pi-hole, DNS, Samba,
CUPS, SSH, VPN, IPv6, Network Services
Automated 3-2-1 Backup Strategy
Implemented an automated backup system to protect lab documentation,
study guides, configuration files, and other important data stored
on the Raspberry Pi server.
- Maintained the primary working copy on the Raspberry Pi 5.
- Configured a local Windows 11 Pro backup destination using SMB 3.1.1.
- Configured an offsite Microsoft 365 OneDrive backup using rclone.
- Created a dedicated Windows account with restricted permissions.
- Protected stored SMB credentials with Linux file permissions.
- Created a Bash backup script for both backup destinations.
- Used versioned directories to preserve replaced files.
- Configured a systemd service and timer for automatic daily backups.
- Added logging and exit-status verification.
- Verified SMB writes, cloud uploads, mounting, and scheduled execution.
Backup Flow:
BatPi → Windows 11 Pro → Microsoft 365 OneDrive
Skills:
Backup Administration, SMB, rclone, OneDrive,
Bash, systemd, Linux Permissions, Automation
Security, Automation & Troubleshooting
Apply security controls and structured troubleshooting across Windows,
Linux, networking, and cloud environments while documenting the
symptoms, root cause, corrective action, and final verification.
- Configured Windows Firewall, UFW, and network firewall rules.
- Practiced least privilege and account permission management.
- Implemented SSH public-key authentication and multi-factor authentication.
- Worked with Microsoft Defender and malware-response procedures.
- Created PowerShell and Bash automation for administrative tasks.
- Used scheduled tasks and systemd timers for recurring operations.
- Used ping, dig, nslookup, Test-NetConnection, tcpdump, logs, and packet captures.
- Isolated an IPv6 DNS issue by verifying connectivity, capturing traffic, testing ports, and correcting firewall rules.
Skills:
Troubleshooting, Windows Firewall, UFW, MFA,
SSH, PowerShell, Bash, Packet Capture, Security Controls
Small Business Website Development
Designed and deployed a responsive website for a family-owned contracting
business serving Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania.
- Gathered business requirements for services, branding, service area, and customer contact options.
- Built the website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Configured GitHub Pages for hosting and deployment.
- Implemented responsive layouts for desktop and mobile devices.
- Configured website/domain services and provide ongoing updates and maintenance.
Skills: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, GitHub, GitHub Pages, DNS, Web Hosting, Requirements Gathering
View Live Website
IT Support & Endpoint Administration
Practiced day-to-day IT support and endpoint administration tasks across
Windows, Microsoft 365, networking, printers, shared resources, and user
accounts in a small-business-style lab environment.
- Created and managed Windows and Active Directory user accounts.
- Worked with group membership, permissions, and shared-resource access.
- Troubleshot DNS, network connectivity, authentication, and access issues.
- Configured and troubleshot network printers and print services.
- Mapped and tested SMB network shares from Windows systems.
- Installed, configured, and troubleshot Windows and Linux applications.
- Used Event Viewer, system logs, Task Manager, PowerShell, and command-line tools.
- Practiced Windows recovery, malware-response, and endpoint-security procedures.
- Administered Microsoft 365 mailboxes, aliases, shared mailboxes, and groups.
- Documented troubleshooting steps, root cause, corrective action, and verification.
Skills:
IT Support, Windows 11, Active Directory, Microsoft 365,
Permissions, Printers, SMB, DNS, Troubleshooting, PowerShell
