MD Irfan Ashraf
Data Centre Support Engineer
Hyderabad
Summary
Senior Data Center Operations Engineer with 13+ years of extensive experience in enterprise and large-scale data center environments. Strong hands-on expertise in rack & stack, server and storage hardware maintenance, structured cabling, power and UPS readiness, NAS and tape library support, and data center migration activities. Proven ability to work in 24x7 production data centers following ITIL change, incident, and release management processes. Experienced in preventive maintenance, CMDB accuracy, audit readiness, vendor coordination, and execution of low-risk production cutovers.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
IO Engineering Consultant (Infrastructure Operations) / Integration Release Manager
Optum Global Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. (UnitedHealth Group)
02.2022 - Current
- Supported data center operations and infrastructure readiness for enterprise and M&A integration programs.
- Coordinated installation, configuration, and maintenance of server and storage infrastructure in collaboration with data center and engineering teams.
- Performed and reviewed routine health checks, audits, and operational readiness assessments to ensure stable production environments.
- Monitored infrastructure capacity, utilization, and operational status, proactively identifying risks and dependencies prior to migrations and cutovers.
- Coordinated network connectivity and cabling readiness, ensuring servers, storage, and network devices were properly patched, and documented.
- Supported backup, restore, and data protection readiness, including NAS and tape library environments, to ensure data availability during migrations.
- Managed and maintained data center documentation, including rack layouts, asset inventories, cabling diagrams, SOPs, and cutover checklists.
- Oversaw structured cabling activities, including copper and fiber routing, termination, labeling, testing, and airflow-compliant cable management.
- Supported capacity planning and expansion activities related to rack space, power, and cabling requirements.
- Coordinated preventive maintenance activities to minimize incidents, and unplanned downtime.
- Responded to and coordinated the resolution of data center infrastructure alerts and incidents, including servers, storage, network, and power-related issues.
- Collaborated with Network Engineering, Security, Application Support, Facilities, and Information Security teams to resolve complex operational issues.
- Ensured CMDB accuracy, asset lifecycle tracking, and maintenance contract alignment.
- Developed and maintained operational documentation, including SOPs and runbooks, to support consistent execution.
- Participated in disaster recovery readiness activities and validation exercises.
- Ensured compliance with ITIL change, incident, and release management processes during all production activities.
- Installed, configured, and maintained the WLAN network across the corporate network.
- Antivirus installation, patching, and updates.
Assistant Manager – IT Infrastructure (Data Center Operations)
SFC Solutions India Sealing Pvt. Ltd. (Cooper Standard India Pvt. Ltd.)
07.2011 - 01.2022
- Managed hands-on data center operations across 7+ enterprise locations.
- Performed rack and stack, server installation, relocation, and decommissioning in live production environments.
- Delivered hands-on server hardware break/fix support for Dell PowerEdge servers.
- Replaced field-replaceable units (FRUs), including HDD/SSD, RAM, SMPS, fan modules, and internal cables.
- Coordinated OEM (Dell) support cases, live troubleshooting calls, and on-site replacements.
- Performed post-installation validation, health checks, and service restoration.
- Designed and implemented structured cabling using CAT6, CAT6A, Single-Mode, and Multi-Mode Fiber.
- Executed fiber patching, labeling, cable tracing, testing, and detailed cabling documentation.
- Planned and coordinated power distribution, PDU allocation, and UPS readiness with facilities teams.
- Supported NAS storage platforms, enterprise backup and restore operations, and tape library devices.
- Conducted preventive maintenance activities to minimize incidents and downtime.
- Supported DR readiness activities, and audit support documentation.
- Coordinated vendors for cabling, electrical work, grounding, and data center remediation.
- Executed all activities within approved maintenance windows to ensure minimal production impact.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) -
Magadh University
A Level Diploma - undefined
Netlabs IT Solutions
Skills
- Data Center Operations & Production Support
- Rack & Stack, Decommissioning & Asset Lifecycle Management
- Rack Planning, Rack Elevation & Space Optimization
- Server Hardware Installation, Break/Fix & OEM Coordination
- Structured Cabling (CAT6 / CAT6A / Single & Multi-Mode Fiber)
- Patch Panel, Switch & Server Patching
- Power, PDU & UPS Coordination
- Preventive Maintenance & Health Checks
- NAS, Backup & Tape Library Support
- Disaster Recovery (DR) Readiness Support
Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project
Project - Cooper Standard Network Integration & Colocation Data Center Setup (SFC Solutions)
I managed the migration of Cooper Standard’s network and server infrastructure into SFC Solutions, including the setup of a new colocation data center. The project involved provisioning two racks with 5 KWA power, rack planning, power coordination, and data center readiness. I coordinated the installation of Exchange, ERP (MFG/Pro) servers and virtualization hosts, and worked with the server team to create multiple virtual machines for HR and business applications.
The scope also covered seven sites across India, each with one MDF and two IDFs. I coordinated structured cabling, patching, and documentation, and worked closely with network, server, application, and facilities teams to complete the migration with minimal downtime, followed by post-migration validation and stabilization.
Timeline
IO Engineering Consultant (Infrastructure Operations) / Integration Release Manager
Optum Global Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. (UnitedHealth Group)
02.2022 - Current
Assistant Manager – IT Infrastructure (Data Center Operations)
SFC Solutions India Sealing Pvt. Ltd. (Cooper Standard India Pvt. Ltd.)
07.2011 - 01.2022
A Level Diploma - undefined
Netlabs IT Solutions
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) -
Magadh University