Omar Paracha

• Collaborating with technical teams, business units, and external partners to build next-generation network infrastructure leveraging SDDC, SD-WAN, and cloud platforms across GCP, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and Equinix Edge
• Designing and executing technology roadmaps to align cloud and on-premises infrastructure, driving CapEx and OpEx savings through consolidation, automation, and strategic cloud adoption
• Providing technical consulting to business units on multi-cloud migration strategies, hybrid architectures, and technology modernization efforts
• Partnering with Silicon Valley vendors and Equinix to identify emerging technologies and evaluate ROI opportunities over the next five years
• Leading Equinix Edge integrations to enhance hybrid cloud connectivity, enabling low-latency, scalable solutions
• Overseeing the decommissioning of legacy infrastructure and transitioning to cloud and edge-based environments to improve operational efficiency and business agility
• Conducting POCs to assess and validate new technologies, ensuring alignment with business objectives and innovation strategies
• Collaborating with automation teams to build monitoring frameworks, ensuring proactive issue detection, improved reliability, and enhanced service uptime.

Key Technical Projects have included:

• Data center Decommission and Full Cloud Migration: Provided architectural oversight and led the project from initiation to completion, ensuring seamless decommissioning of on-premises data centers and migration of workloads to GCP, Azure, and Oracle Cloud with enhanced scalability and cost efficiency.
• Hardware Selection for Future Architecture: Directed the architectural design and managed the end-to-end selection process of next-gen network and compute hardware for 2,500+ locations, aligning with future business objectives and technology trends.
• Edge DNS Caching Deployment: Provided architectural oversight and executed the entire project lifecycle for deploying edge DNS caching appliances, streamlining DNS services, and enhancing resolution speed and reliability.
• Vendor Collaboration for Technology Roadmaps: Managed architectural guidance and oversight throughout the process of defining technology enhancement guidelines in collaboration with Cisco, Palo Alto, Juniper, and BlueCat, ensuring alignment with business needs and future scalability.
• SD-WAN Implementation at Equinix: Oversaw the end-to-end design and deployment of SD-WAN at Equinix, driving the project from initiation to completion to simplify store connectivity and improve network flexibility and security.
• Loblaw Cloud Interconnect with Equinix Fabric: Provided architectural oversight and led the design and execution of the Loblaw Cloud Interconnect using Equinix Fabric, establishing a unified connectivity framework for cloud, compute, and vendor resources to optimize hybrid cloud operations.

• Part of the Architecture and Design team responsible for network architecture, infrastructure design, 3rd-line operational support, and project delivery across various business units
• Architected and designed multi-disciplinary infrastructure solutions using Cisco routers, switches, Checkpoint firewalls, Citrix NetScaler appliances, and server platforms to meet business and operational requirements
• Provided Subject Matter Expertise (SME) for infrastructure roadmaps spanning 5 years, collaborating with cross-functional teams to align architecture strategies and reduce MTTR (Mean Time to Recovery) to 15 minutes for critical outages
• Developed standards and designs for network migrations, deployments, and expansions across data centers, 2,500+ retail stores, 20+ distribution centers, and remote offices throughout Canada
• Provided technical leadership on data center and remote site projects, ensuring seamless coordination between internal and external teams to deliver projects on time and with minimal disruption
• Conducted detailed analysis of complex network designs and resolved critical infrastructure issues through test labs simulating real-world environments
• Managed the full project lifecycle, including requirements gathering, blueprint creation, architecture reviews, and collaboration with Platform Architects/Design Leads to ensure successful implementation
• Delivered 3rd-line operational support for incident and problem management, ensuring high availability and rapid resolution of critical issues
• Worked on BGP, MPLS, OSPF, EIGRP, NAT, QoS, EtherChannel, HSRP/VRRP, and Bluecoat M5 bandwidth optimization, implementing route and packet filtering, ACLs, and other advanced networking functions
• Managed diverse hardware infrastructure, including Cisco Routers: 2600, 2800, 2900, 3800, 3900, 4321, 4331, 4451, ASR 1001/1002/1004; Cisco Switches: 2960, 3500, 3700, 4500, 6500, 6800, Nexus 2K/5K/7K; Firewalls: Checkpoint 12K/61K; Load Balancers: Citrix NetScaler; Proxies and WAN Acceleration: Bluecoat SG9000/500 Proxies, SG600 WAN Appliances.

Key Technical Projects have included:

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop a comprehensive 5-year IT Infrastructure roadmap aimed at reducing operational costs, enhancing interoperability, and simplifying system and network management, while initiating the migration of services to Azure Cloud.
• Led the architectural merger and consolidation of IT infrastructure between Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart, ensuring seamless integration and alignment of resources across both organizations.
• Designed a secure and manageable next-gen network access control solution leveraging ForeScout CounterACT to enhance endpoint compliance and threat management capabilities.
• Executed migration projects to Azure, GCP, and OCI, focusing on infrastructure design and deployment to optimize cloud performance and reliability.
• Redesigned the primary data center infrastructure to accommodate Nexus 2k/5k/7k models, successfully transitioning from EIGRP to OSPF protocols with minimal downtime.
• Revamped the Wide Area Network (WAN) for primary data centers to connect offices, distribution centers, retail locations, and Presidents Choice Bank (PC Bank), aligning with the new network architecture.
• Overhauled Bluecoat Internet proxies across two data centers for the entire organization, enhancing security and performance.
• Architected and designed the Cisco IWAN Solution, completing a full Proof of Concept (POC) to validate its effectiveness and operational readiness.
• Engineered the Cisco Viptela SD-WAN solution for the organization, overseeing the complete POC and orchestrating the migration of 2,500 branches to SD-WAN, including the design of an orchestration layer and implementing Zero Touch Provisioning.
• Developed a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) solution tailored to business needs, enhancing user flexibility while maintaining security and compliance.

• Part of Bank of America, Merrill Lynch Data Engineering team providing network build, operational, and project activities within EMEA region
• Design and implementation of network solutions across multiple disciplines using Cisco product line
• Providing technical leadership on a portfolio of engineering projects and liaising with internal and external project teams to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget
• Providing engineering support for small work efforts in accordance with the request engagement and change control processes
• Maintaining client relations and articulating business requirements as technical solutions
• Liaising with vendors and 3rd parties and coordinating technical work streams in accordance with vendor and 3rd party agreements
• Participated in many projects from LLD design, communicating with Regional/Global Design Leads to the implementation
• Perform logical, performance, and physical audits of existing network infrastructure
• Coordinated efforts with HP Global Operation Engineering Team to ensure all network devices conformed to defined Bank standards
• Providing 3rd line support for Incident and Problem management
• Providing network support for projects work from design, initiate, shape, estimate, plan and deliver
• Resolve issues on a daily basis covering all aspects of the Juniper firewalls
• Defining and presenting end to end application flow for the projects as per bank standard
• Roll out of the new Juniper ISG 2000 firewall clusters across various security zones
• Configuring Cisco Routers (800, 2600, 1800, 1900, 2800, 2900, 3800, 3900 series, 7200, 7600), Switches (2900, 3500, 3700, 4900, 6500, Nexus 7k/5k/3k/2k) to meet the design requirements for projects
• Configuring Cisco Routers and Switches in secured network environment by implementing features like DHCP snooping, ARP inspection, Port security, NTP with authentication/encryption, Routing protocols with authentication/encryption
• Troubleshooting Routing protocols (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF, BGP), Switching (Spanning-tree, HSRP, Vlans, Layer 2, 3 trunk links) issues with bank access, distribution and core layer devices
• Configuring QoS for voice and business critical applications
• Configuring multicast for trading infrastructure
• Working closely with all the leading global exchanges for configuring/troubleshooting Market Data Feeds in low latency environment for Merrill Lynch
• Exchange Includes NYSE, CME, LSE, SWIX, DB etc
• Managing network with HP Management tools, IDS and Net scout Devices
• Configuring QIP-Vital tool to manage DNS, DHCP, and domain services
• Working on various projects across all banks Data Centre-s for production, none-production and disaster recovery solutions
• Working on BGP(Advanced Level), MPLS, ISIS, OSPF, VRF, EIGRP, NAT, Qos, Ether Channel, PIM(Sparse/Dense), HSRP/VRRP, Optimization of Bandwidth, Route /Packet Filtering, Configuring and Supporting IPSec/SSL/Easy VPNs, Access List etc
• Equipment involves Cisco Routers 2600/2800/2900/3800/3900/ASR 1002, 7600, Switches 3500/3700/4900/6500/Nexus 7k/5k/3k/2k, Firewalls Juniper ISG2000, F5 Load Balancers.

Key Technical Projects have included:

• Worked as a Lead engineer in designing new Low latency construct across multiple Data Centre’s for dedicated Services involving Unicast and Multicast. Equipment involved Cisco 4900s & Nexus 3Ks. As part of the project unicast and multicast services for leading exchanges i.e LSE (London Stock exchange), NYSE, CME, DB, SWX was moved from legacy 6500s to new low latency environment.
• Worked as a Lead Design/Implementation Engineer for Dedicated Touch point environment between Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Swiss Bank “Julius Baer” as part of 1 Billion Dollar Global Wealth and Investment Management (GWIM) LOB sale. Solution involved Cisco 4900 Series switches, Juniper ISG2000 firewalls, IPS and IDS devices. 2000 Users across the globe were moved onto Julius Baer.
• Worked on Data center transformation project replacing Cisco 6500 series (6504/6509) chassis with Nexus 7k/5k at the distribution and Nexus 2K devices across multiple Data centers in London.

• Data communications technical lead for the company's B2B services
• Manage the Build, Operational, and Project activities within the IP Engineering Core Team for all Wholesale SMPF/MPF, LES, IPVPN, L2VPN, Colocation, Carrier Ethernet, EFM and ISDN 30 services
• Technical Management of B2B team within IP Engineering responsible for deploying complex Network Solutions for B2B Clients/Resellers
• Responsible for successful completion of technical projects and after installation support
• Providing 3rd line support to customer’s/Resellers Mission Critical network infrastructure including Councils, Banks, Service providers and SMEs
• Ensure all equipment is installed, tested and commissioned to agreed design and test / commissioning plans and relevant standards
• Participated in many projects from LLD design, communicating with Design/Projects/vendors to the implementation
• Support the Field Engineering team by providing resource for configuration, testing and general IP engineering tasks
• Provide support to operations on a rotational basis
• Create, maintain and audit accurate records of all IP assets
• Involved in number of formal training exercises for the Engineering & NOC on existing and upcoming B2B products and services
• Working on monitoring tools i.e
• Solar winds, Nagios & Cacti
• Working on BGP, MPLS,VPLS, ISIS, OSPF, RIP, L2TP, PWE3, and QoS, Ether channel, VPNs
• Equipment involves Juniper Ex4200/SRX 240/MX 960, Cisco 3750/4500/4948/7206/10k, Huawei UA5600/Cx600, and Redback SE800.

Team Lead for the company's Access Infrastructure. Manage the Build, Operational, and Project activities within the IP Engineering Access Team for 1700+ Exchanges, 50 POP sites & 3 Data Centres.

• Technical Management of IP Access team within IP Engineering responsible for deploying complex Access Network Solutions.
• Networking team lead in the migration and integration of Broadband customers from AOL & Tiscali UK onto TalkTalk Shared Backhaul and Provider Network. This involves moving over 1.2+ Million customers.
• Member of the technical escalation team for all Access\Core Network related issues involving Redback BRAS farms, Core Juniper MX-960s, Access Infrastructure with Cisco 4500 Aggregation switches.
• Lead engineer for Juniper EX4200 related issues. Worked closely with Onsite J-Tec engineer for timely resolution of hardware / firmware related issues.
• Planning & Implementations of New Projects / New Access Sites/expending network bandwidth.
• Work with Design and other teams (IP Systems, Infrastructure etc) for faults which require escalation to resolve the problem and collate the root causes.
• Coordinated efforts with Global Engineering to ensure all network devices conformed to defined network standards.
• Ensure that operational processes and procedures are followed in accordance to departmental guidelines.
• Scheduled proposed network changes and worked with major business units to identify their impact.
• Support, mentor and internal on the job training to Tier 2 staff.
• Support & Coordinated with other team members to implement upgrades in the Access/Core network, Adding new Vlans/VTP for segmentation, configuring BGP, OSPF,HSRP, VRRP, Optimization of Bandwidth, Route /Packet Filtering, Supporting VPNs, Access List etc.
• Equipment involves Juniper Ex4200/MX960/SRX240, Cisco 3750/4500/4948, Huawei UA5000, and Redback SE100/SE800.

Worked in TalkTalk Network Operations Centre NOC supporting the network monitoring and management of UK LLU and IPStream broadband networks; Transmission and Voice switch-based networks.

• Responsible for managing network incidents and supporting the Tier 1 Network Operations Engineers in the management, escalation and resolution of network incidents.
• Provide technical, operational and process leadership to Tier 1 Network Operations team to ensure the timely resolution of network incidents, minimizing the impact of any network outages and customer downtime.
• Provide Tier 2 technical escalation support of network incidents.
• Proactively identify network trends using the reporting tools available, and use this information to report back to the business and into Problem Management.
• Work with Problem Management to identify reoccurring incidents and initiate service improvement plans to negate re-occurrence of the incident
• Support, mentor and internal on the job training to Network Operations Tier 1 staff.
• Timely update of incident tickets to ensure technical audit trail is available.
• Developed a "Knowledge Base" Web Portal to provide common platform to technology group within NOC to share processes and procedures.
• Network operations acceptance testing; ensuring that new network devices and services are properly transitioned and accepted into operation from Engineering.
• Liaise with external suppliers and Tier 3 Network Engineers to ensure timely delivery of network upgrades and enhancements.
• Utilized network management tools and systems (e.g. Solarwinds, ZenOSS, Cacti, FENS, iManager etc.).
• Troubleshooting and diagnosing faults on network elements, interfaces, circuits and on third party delivered circuits and services.
• Analysis of interfaces information, systems’ logs and device configurations.
• Equipment involves Juniper MX960, Cisco 3750/4500/4948, Huawei UA5000, and Redback SE100/SE800.

Worked in BT Global Services supporting network migrations for financial customers.

• Configuring & Troubleshooting Cisco routers and switches.
• Involved with third party engineers, designers & project managers during network migrations.
• Implementing and troubleshooting WAN networks including IP Stream, MPLS and IP converge.
• Configuring and troubleshooting WAN technologies including ISDN, Frame Relay and DSL..
• Backup testing including ISDN Dialup & ADSL.
• Troubleshooting routing issues with RIPv 2, EIGRP, OSPF and BGP.
• Liaise with external suppliers and Network Engineers to ensure timely delivery of network upgrades and enhancements.
• Liaising with BT Wholesale and BT Open Reach regarding circuit faults on LLU lines.
• Configuring and troubleshooting Cisco switching: VTP, Spanning Tree, VLAN’s, Inter VLAN routing, Layer 3 redundancy (HSRP, VRRP), trunk links and Ether channels.