Jim Foraker Email & Phone Number

Livermore, California, United States

Livermore, Ca

Perform root cause analysis of system-level issues encountered on large HPC clusters. Implement software fixes as appropriate, and work with vendors and the open-source community to push changes back upstream.Maintain the kernel used on LLNL's high performance linux clusters, integrating vendor changes and developing local patches as necessary.Maintain the automated build system used to build system software for HPC clusters across multiple DoE labs.Served from August 2020 as Acting HPC Systems Software Development Group Lead

Co-designed and built a software distribution system allowing a handful of systems administrators to manage thousands of Unix hosts scattered across multiple continents, running hundreds of software packages, regardless of platform. The system emphasizes security, auditability, consistency, and good release management policy, while providing self-service interfaces to sysadmins and package maintainers.Created tools to analyze system and database performance of the University's class registration system. Ported business logic from HP/UX to Linux, and implemented several changes which resulted in measurable increases in system stability and security.Developed a plan for migrating printing of official University documents to an external cost-recovery group. Sought requirements from multiple stakeholders, analyzed existing system components, and architected a solution that satisfied all involved parties.Performed audits on existing systems to analyze security risks and evaluate system configuration.Designed a filesystem monitoring facility based on the Radmind open-source tool and reporting utilities to support University auditing requirements for legacy finacial, HR, and student information systems.

Maintained Mac OS X Server machines used to deploy, maintain, and audit software used in public Macintosh labs on campus. Services used include Open Directory for server management, Apache, NetBoot, and NetRestore for client imaging, Subversion/WebDAV and radmind for client maintenance, and KeyServer for client auditing.Created a system for distributing, maintaining, and upgrading software on public lab machines based on radmind, a tripwire-based software distribution system.Wrote tools to export Mac-specific system monitoring information via SNMP.Analyzed Apple and 3rd-party applications and worked around deficiencies in security and operation.Implemented a SASL-based client-server protocol for the management of user IMSP preference sets for the campus email system.Participated in the drafting of the organization's first official software and service release policy.

Installed and supported commercial and 3rd-party applications on Andrew, Carnegie Mellon's distributed computing environment.Acted as software gatekeeper, ensuring the smooth release of new software into the Andrew environment. Maintained campus license servers for commercial software, as well as the KeyServer used by public Mac/PC labs.Provided second-level support for public lab unix systems, and third-level support for unix applications.As part of a pager rotation, provided 24-hour support for Carnegie Mellon's central computing infrastructure, including mail, AFS, Kerberos, and timesharing servers.Heavily involved in the initial deployment of Mac OS X into public labs, particularly in terms of LDAP/Kerberos integration and the software update infrastructure.

Transport, set up, operate, and maintain sound systems for concerts and other events for audiences of up to 30,000 people.Work directly with well known artists, other contractors, and labor to ensure the best possible show for the client.Respond quickly and rationally to unexpected issues, managing the stresses induced by artist, audience, and time.Serve as crew chief, acting as the point of contact for clients and subcontractors, and managing on-site crews of up to 10 people.

Summer intern between High School and CollegeQA tested Automated Teller Machine systemsWrote printer drivers for ATM screen design software