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I started my learning at College of the Albemarle in Elizabeth City, NC. There I learned how computers work at its core. I learned programming logic and languages like Java or Visual Basic. We made tons of small Windows Forms applications using Visual Basic like a database application for a fake college so that they can track their alumni students, donators, and classes. I also made a CLI blackjack dice game and CLI slot machine game in Java that is actually pretty fun! These can all be found on my Github at the bottom of the page. I learned the fundamentals of networking and made live networks through Cisco Packet Tracer. I learned about each computer component and did hands-on work repairing computers. In our database class we used Oracle Database and MySQL Database to make queries. Our Linux class gave me the fundamentals that I use for my homelab. We had a mobile development class where we used Android Studio to make Android applications. I also took it upon myself to learn about cybersecurity using Cisco's Junior Cybersecurity Analyst course and also earning my CompTIA Security+ certification. I am currently working on my Cisco Ethical Hacker course in order to harden my homelab network.

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I worked for Trane Technologies where I became an automation technician. I learned how HVAC IoT controllers worked to control huge machines for commercial and industrial applications. I worked on programming, servicing, and troubleshooting controllers. We used framework software with prebuilt packages to add and edit programs more efficiently, but sometimes we had to create our own logic. It was so cool watching these little devices take in programming logic and make giant HVAC units work. This is where I developed crucial troubleshooting skills. I also worked for CompQSoft, an ISO 9001:2008, 27001:2005, 20000:2005 & CMMI Level 3 certified digital platform and IT services company. There I worked as a help desk specialist. I helped support the entire United States Coast Guard with all their software, hardware, and networking issues, averaging 25-30 completed tickets a day. This experience further developed my amazing customer service and troubleshooting skills.

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Here is my homelab! I wanted to experiment with building my own network that is isolated from my home network. I added this Dell OptiPlex 3020 (very bottom) and installed OPNsense on it. This is my router and network firewall. I then purchased another NIC (network interface card) that will be my LAN connection to my 8-port TP-Link managed switch. I set up VLANs on the switch to further harden the security of the network. VLANs are great because they automatically block all traffic and made setting the firewall rules easier. The firewall rules were configured as well. I monitor the firewall traffic daily. This will help with the possible future add-ons to the homelab. For now I have a Dell Inspiron 5000 series laptop installed with Fedora Server 42. This server is my file storage server because of its 1TB hard drive. My next device is what's running this website! I made this website entirely from scratch using HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. It is a Samsung Series 3 laptop with Debian installed. This is running the web server with Apache. I set up the certificate and domain so that my website can be reached. I wanted to do best practices as a system admin would do so I created scripts to send daily reports. One script sends a report at 8am to my email reporting the uptime, memory usage, cpu load, disk space, Apache running status, available updates, and automatically installs important security patches. The other script runs a backup of the website and sends an email if the backup was successful. This entire lab (even the shelf) was built from scratch!