Omar Garcia | Systems & Network Administrator

About Me

Hands-on technologist, family-driven, and always learning.

This site highlights my professional experience, the way I approach technical work, and the personal motivation behind that work.

My Story

From early tinkering to real client environments.

I am Omar Garcia, a Systems Administrator / Network Administrator from Orange County, California. I have been drawn to technology since I was a kid, starting with curiosity around computers, wiring, networks, and how everything connects. That curiosity grew into a career across telecommunications, managed services, Microsoft 365, infrastructure support, field deployments, and systems administration.

Outside of work, I am a husband, father of three, and lifelong learner. My family is a major part of what keeps me motivated, and that drive carries into how I work: keep learning, keep improving, and build something better than what was there before.

I also spend time building and improving my own homelab. I run a headless Ubuntu server with Docker-based services, including a personal media server and other self-hosted tools. That lab gives me a place to test ideas, troubleshoot Linux and containers, practice reverse proxy and DNS concepts, and keep sharpening my infrastructure skills outside of client environments.

Practical problem solverI like real-world technical work: messy issues, onsite troubleshooting, migrations, documentation, recovery, and getting systems stable.

Documentation-first mindsetGood support does not end when the ticket closes. I care about notes, diagrams, handoffs, and making the next fix easier.

Hands-on builderI maintain a Linux and Docker homelab with self-hosted services, including a personal media server, and use it to practice infrastructure, containers, proxy routing, and troubleshooting.

Automation-minded learnerI enjoy using automation and modern tools to reduce repetitive work, improve documentation, and learn better workflows.

Technical Environments

Modern systems, networks, and infrastructure focus.

My work spans systems administration, network operations, cloud services, endpoint support, automation, and practical troubleshooting. This section highlights the core infrastructure areas I support, document, and continue to build hands-on experience with.

Modern data center infrastructure visual

Infrastructure and Data Center ConceptsServer, storage, switching, power, cooling, backup, and monitoring concepts that shape reliable business technology.

Systems AdministrationWindows Server, Active Directory concepts, endpoint support, backups, documentation, and operational reliability.

Network AdministrationSwitches, firewalls, Wi-Fi, VPNs, cabling, VLAN planning, ISP coordination, and onsite troubleshooting.

Cloud and Microsoft 365Exchange Online, Entra ID, Intune, SharePoint, identity, mailbox, licensing, migration, and security support.

Self-Hosted OperationsDocker, Portainer, NGINX Proxy Manager, service dashboards, monitoring concepts, volumes, logs, and repeatable updates.

Enterprise MindsetClean change control, security-conscious access, backups before risky work, clear documentation, and escalation when the blast radius matters.

MSP WorkflowTicket triage, client communication, vendor coordination, field notes, status updates, and repeatable fixes for real business environments.

Skill Showcase

Core technical strengths.

My experience combines remote support, field work, infrastructure projects, Microsoft 365 administration, and client-facing communication.

☁

Microsoft 365, Identity, and Security

Tenant creation, licensing audits, Exchange Online, DNS, SharePoint, Intune, Entra ID, MFA, Conditional Access planning, admin protection, risky sign-in awareness, and secure access practices.

Microsoft 365Exchange OnlineEntra IDIntuneMFAConditional AccessSharePoint

🖧

Network and Infrastructure

Firewalls, switches, VPNs, Wi-Fi, cabling, Windows Server, Active Directory, file servers, virtual machines, and site deployments.

FirewallsVPNsWi-FiWindows Server

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Systems and Endpoint Administration

Windows Server, Active Directory, workstations, user support, patching, application troubleshooting, permissions, file shares, and endpoint lifecycle support.

Windows ServerActive DirectoryEndpointsFile Shares

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Backup and Recovery

Backup administration, recovery testing, server restorations, data recovery requests, and business continuity support.

BDRRestorationsRecovery Testing

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Hospitality Technology

PMS platforms, credit card systems, PBX systems, Salto door lock servers, CCTV, access control, and hotel transition projects.

PMSPBXSaltoCCTV

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Documentation and Handoffs

Network diagrams, technical documentation, ticket notes, SOPs, how-to guides, knowledge base articles, and client environment records.

KBSOPsDiagramsTicket Notes

Experience Timeline

Managed services, systems administration, field work, and technical projects.

01

Apr 2025 to Present

Kortech Communications, Systems Administrator / Network Administrator

Escalation support, Microsoft 365 tenant administration, Exchange Online, DNS, SharePoint, Intune, servers, VMs, VPNs, firewalls, switches, wireless networks, diagrams, migrations, backups, restorations, site assessments, and onsite deployments.

02

Oct 2024 to Apr 2025

Dirbos, IT Support and Systems Administration

Systems administration and technical support across Microsoft 365, endpoint management, networking, business-critical applications, backup administration, system recovery, server maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and migrations.

03

Jan 2020 to Oct 2024

Brea Networks, IT Support Specialist

SMB managed IT support, ticket triage, client follow-up, detailed technical notes, KB and SOP documentation, Microsoft 365, Windows Servers, endpoints, networking, cloud services, backups, restorations, migrations, CCTV, and onsite project work.

04

Jan 2015 to Jul 2019

Spectrum, Field Technician V

Business and residential internet, voice, video, cabling, routers, wireless networks, site surveys, escalated troubleshooting, service coordination, and technician mentoring.

Day-to-Day IT Operations

Practical support work that keeps users and systems moving.

Hands-on MSP-style operations across Microsoft 365, endpoints, identity, networking, documentation, and onsite infrastructure support.

01

User & Identity Support

User onboarding/offboarding, password resets, MFA troubleshooting, mailbox access, group membership, and Entra ID account checks.

02

Microsoft 365 Administration

Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint/OneDrive, licensing review, admin center tasks, mailbox troubleshooting, and secure access support.

03

Endpoint & Device Support

Windows workstation setup, software installs, printer/scanner support, remote troubleshooting, updates, and user productivity issues.

04

Network Troubleshooting

Wi-Fi, VPN, DNS/DHCP basics, firewall checks, connectivity testing, ISP/vendor coordination, and onsite infrastructure verification.

05

Backups & System Health

Backup alerts, failed job investigation, restore awareness, system monitoring, escalation notes, and service-impact triage.

06

Documentation & Handoffs

Clear ticket notes, SOP updates, client environment details, escalation context, and repeatable fixes that help the next technician.

Technical Focus

What I bring to IT operations.

A simple overview of the work I can speak to clearly: keeping business systems reliable, securing Microsoft environments, and building hands-on lab experience with networks and self-hosted tools.

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Systems and Network Administration

Support for servers, endpoints, firewalls, switches, Wi‑Fi, VPNs, backups, documentation, onsite work, and client-facing troubleshooting.

Windows ServerNetworkingBackupsWi‑Fi

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Microsoft 365 and Identity

Exchange Online, Entra ID, licensing, MFA, Intune, SharePoint, DNS, migrations, and secure access support.

Microsoft 365ExchangeEntra IDIntune

🐳

Homelab and Automation

Hands-on practice with pfSense, Linux, Docker, Portainer, reverse proxy concepts, self-hosted apps, and Hermes Agent workflows.

pfSenseLinuxDockerHermes Agent

Selected Projects

Practical infrastructure, cloud, and automation projects.

Selected examples of hands-on work across Microsoft 365 administration, network troubleshooting, self-hosted systems, automation, documentation, and reliable day-to-day IT operations.

Featured automation project

C-3PO / Hermes Agent Operations Assistant

Built a Hermes Agent-based assistant to support MSP-style workflows, including Slack and Telegram updates, Microsoft 365 calendar automation, reminders, field notes, ticket context, documentation support, and repeatable operations.

Hermes AgentSlackTelegramMicrosoft 365 CalendarAutomation

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Microsoft 365 Tenant Administration

Exchange Online, Entra ID, MFA, licensing, DNS, Intune, SharePoint, mail flow, user support, and documentation.

Cloud + Identity

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Home Network / pfSense Lab

Firewall rules, DHCP, DNS, VPN concepts, segmentation thinking, network troubleshooting, and safe lab practice.

Network Edge

🐳

Docker + Portainer Self-Hosted Stack

Containerized services, persistent volumes, ports, reverse proxy routing, NGINX, service logs, and Linux administration.

Self-Hosted

🪞

MagicMirror Family Dashboard

Raspberry Pi dashboard with PM2 server mode, Chromium kiosk display, modern custom CSS, family photo rotation, weather, news, and a roadmap for Google Calendar, Home Assistant, Govee, and Ring doorbell alerts.

Pi + Dashboard

▣

Portfolio Website Deployment

Static site served with NGINX through Docker and Portainer using real files in a volume instead of fragile oversized YAML.

Web + Docker

↺

Backup and Recovery Support

Backup checks, restore requests, recovery validation, Windows Server support, notes, escalation, and user communication.

Continuity

Featured Homelab Project

MagicMirror Family Dashboard.

A Raspberry Pi-powered family dashboard built around practical Linux administration, PM2 service management, Chromium kiosk mode, modern CSS theming, family photo rotation, weather, news, and future smart-home integrations.

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Raspberry Pi Kiosk Dashboard

Configured MagicMirror as a family command-center display using Raspberry Pi, server-mode operation, PM2 process management, and a browser kiosk-style dashboard experience.

Raspberry PiMagicMirrorPM2Chromium Kiosk

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Modern Dashboard Styling

Customized the dashboard with modern dark styling, readable cards, sports logo branding, clear family photo display, and layout tuning so visual elements do not block important modules.

CSSUI StylingFamily PhotosDashboard UX

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Smart Home Roadmap

Planned future integrations for Google Calendar, Home Assistant, Govee lighting status, and Ring doorbell alerts while keeping privacy, reliability, and maintainability in mind.

Google CalendarHome AssistantGoveeRing

Lab Bench and Home Network

Where I test, break, rebuild, and keep learning.

My home lab gives me a safe place to practice Linux, Docker, routing, reverse proxy concepts, self-hosting, and troubleshooting outside of client environments.

pfSense home router and network appliance lab hardware

pfSense / Network Appliance LabHands-on routing, firewall, VPN, DNS, DHCP, segmentation, and homelab edge concepts.

pfSense home routerMy home network uses pfSense, giving me hands-on practice with routing, firewall rules, VLAN-style thinking, VPN concepts, DHCP, DNS, and network segmentation fundamentals.

Headless Ubuntu serverI run a Linux server without a desktop environment, which keeps me comfortable with SSH, terminal workflows, services, logs, updates, storage, permissions, and remote administration.

Docker and self-hosted servicesDocker lets me run and isolate services cleanly. My setup includes a personal media server and other tools that help me practice container lifecycle, volumes, ports, reverse proxy routing, and troubleshooting.

Raspberry Pi tinkeringSmall-board projects are a practical way to experiment with lightweight Linux, sensors, services, automation ideas, and low-power systems without risking production equipment.

Internet

pfSense

Ubuntu Server

Docker

Media and Tools

Lab Bench

Hardware, Linux, Docker, and firewall practice.

Hands-on lab work with small-board hardware, a headless Linux server, containers, and pfSense-style network concepts.

Raspberry Pi TinkeringSmall-board Linux projects, automation ideas, lightweight services, sensors, and practical experimentation.

Headless Ubuntu, Linux, and DockerSSH administration, Linux fundamentals, service logs, Docker lifecycle, volumes, ports, and clean self-hosting practice.

CWWK multi-port network appliance used for pfSense lab concepts

pfSense Home NetworkFirewall rules, DHCP, DNS, VPN concepts, segmentation fundamentals, and network troubleshooting practice.

Homelab and Self-Hosted Services

Practical systems work beyond Microsoft 365.

Hands-on lab work with self-hosted services, remote access, media automation, network edge tools, containers, reverse proxy concepts, and service monitoring. These projects reinforce the same habits needed in production: clean documentation, backups, access control, troubleshooting, and repeatable deployments.

📡

Network and Edge

pfSense concepts, DNS, DHCP, VPN, firewall rules, Wi-Fi, VLAN planning, port forwarding, and secure remote access patterns.

pfSenseDNSVPNWi-Fi

🐳

Docker and Reverse Proxy

Container-based services, NGINX, Portainer, persistent volumes, stack updates, and proxy routing without oversized YAML traps.

DockerPortainerNGINXVolumes

🎬

Media Automation Stack

Personal lab services such as Sonarr, Radarr, indexers, download clients, and media organization workflows used as a sandbox for service management.

SonarrRadarrProwlarrMedia Ops

BitwardenSelf-hosted password management lab, identity hygiene, secrets handling, and service recovery practice.

Apache GuacamoleBrowser-based remote access stack with Guacamole, guacd, and MariaDB service dependencies.

HeimdallInternal service dashboard for organizing homelab and self-hosted tools in one clean landing page.

NGINX Proxy ManagerReverse proxy, certificates, routing, and service publishing practice for self-hosted apps.

PortainerContainer stack management, volumes, updates, logs, and troubleshooting workflows.

Raspberry Pi / Edge LabSmall hardware lab for lightweight services, monitoring concepts, and network experimentation.

PlexMedia server operations, storage organization, service availability, and user-facing app support.

OverseerrRequest management layer for media services and practical user workflow design.

SonarrTV automation service used as a sandbox for self-hosted app maintenance and workflow testing.

RadarrMovie automation lab service used to practice service dependencies, storage, and updates.

JackettIndexer integration practice, service dependencies, API configuration, and troubleshooting.

SABnzbd / DelugeDownload service operations with Deluge and SABnzbd, storage paths, permissions, and queue troubleshooting.

Certification Roadmap

Microsoft and security fundamentals I’m building toward.

Certifications are planned around the work I already touch: Microsoft 365 administration, identity, endpoint management, Azure basics, and security fundamentals.

01

SC-900

Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals — Entra ID, identity concepts, compliance, and Microsoft security basics.

02

AZ-900

Azure Fundamentals — cloud concepts, Azure services, governance, pricing, and infrastructure basics.

03

MD-102

Endpoint Administrator — Intune, device management, identity, security baselines, and endpoint lifecycle support.

Full Resume

Full resume with downloadable PDF.

This section lays out the full resume in a clean technical format while keeping the The downloadable PDF is generated from the full professional resume, including experience, core skills, education, and planned certifications.

Professional Summary

Systems Administrator / Network Administrator with over 10 years of IT and telecommunications experience, including 6+ years supporting managed services clients. Experienced in Microsoft 365 administration, Intune, SharePoint, Windows Server infrastructure, networking, VPNs, firewalls, virtualization, cloud migrations, CCTV, access control systems, structured cabling, hospitality technologies, backup, and disaster recovery. Trusted escalation resource for complex technical issues, infrastructure projects, site deployments, technology migrations, and client implementations.