IT that works together
A technical decision reaches far beyond an individual solution. dba consult finds freelance consultants for architecture, infrastructure, networking and security. People who can connect design, planning and implementation with the operations your business depends on.
An overview before the next change
A new platform also changes the conditions for the systems connecting to it. Access, networks, integrations and capacity need to work together while business continues. At dba consult, clarification therefore begins with your existing environment and the dependencies affected by the change.
Only then does selecting a specialist make sense. The assignment may call for an architectural assessment of the options, a migration plan or technical experience with implementation itself. What matters is that the consultant’s depth of expertise fits the choices and changes ahead of you.
Expertise
From architecture to reliable operations
Architecture and technical direction
Architects who map systems, integrations and dependencies and turn requirements into a solution design. The work covers choices between options, capacity and availability requirements, and a sequence for the changes. Decisions need to be understandable to both the business and the specialists implementing them.
Infrastructure and platforms
Specialists in servers, virtualisation, operating systems and container platforms. They can work on consolidation, upgrades and automated environment provisioning. This requires attention to application dependencies, backup, capacity and the conditions that must be in place before operations can take over a platform.
Networks and connectivity
Consultants for network design, routing, segmentation and connections between sites and cloud environments. The assignment may concern changing traffic patterns, redundancy or separation of environments with different access requirements. We clarify scope and responsibility, matching the consultant to both the technical solution and collaboration with your operations providers.
Security and access
Security architects and specialists who connect risks with technical controls. Identity, privileged access, log management and incident response need to work together. The assignment may cover security requirements for a new solution or a plan to strengthen an existing environment while keeping day-to-day operations in view.
Cloud and migration
People who migrate and modernise applications and infrastructure. They assess dependencies, access, networking and data movement, and plan testing and the transition between environments. Infrastructure as code and automated deployment can make configuration more consistent when several teams work across platforms.
Operations and change management
Specialists who prepare technical changes with clear acceptance criteria and rollback options. Monitoring, alerts, error handling and change windows need to align with staffing and responsibilities. The transition to operations then becomes part of planning while it is still possible to influence the solution.
Case stories
From technical choices to working environments
From the network core to cloud connectivity. Five assignments with responsibility for security, implementation and operations.
Featured case
Security connected to operations
A major services company brought together its work on security architecture, monitoring and incident response. The assignment covered both the technical setup and the requirements and workflows the organisation needed to follow in daily operations.
The consultant established a shared security architecture and consistent security requirements. The work also included establishing a security operations centre and central log management, and updating risk management, policies and procedures.
Security requirements were thus connected to specific monitoring and incident response functions. This gave the company a shared basis for working with security across technology, operations and management.
AssignmentConnecting security architecture, controls and operations.
ResponsibilitySecurity architecture, risk management and establishing security functions.
ContributionShared security requirements, central log management and a security operations centre.
A shared foundation for cloud and development
A development environment included applications running on Docker Compose and a growing number of virtual machines. The assignment was to consolidate the applications on Kubernetes and give developers more consistent environments to work in.
The consultant installed and configured Kubernetes and automated the setup with Ansible. Infrastructure across Oracle Cloud and Azure was defined in Terraform using reusable modules. The work also included integration and deployment pipelines.
The applications were consolidated on one Kubernetes platform, and the number of uncontrolled virtual machines was reduced. Consistent configuration and automation made it possible to apply the same principles across development environments.
Assignment
Consolidating applications and development environments on Kubernetes.
Responsibility
Responsibility for DevOps, platform configuration and infrastructure automation.
Contribution
Kubernetes, Ansible, Terraform and pipelines across cloud environments.
A new network also needs implementing
A new network infrastructure needed to be implemented. The assignment required a consultant with practical networking experience and clear responsibility for delivery.
The consultant held primary responsibility for implementing the new Juniper infrastructure. This was a hands-on networking assignment, establishing the technical solution at the client.
The contribution was specialist experience and specific implementation responsibility. For a client in the same situation, that distinction matters: assessing a network design and completing its implementation are different assignments.
Assignment
Implementing new network infrastructure.
Responsibility
Primary responsibility for technical implementation.
Contribution
Practical experience in establishing Juniper infrastructure.
Changes at the network core
Daily changes to a core network call for a different perspective from establishing a new environment. At a major IT provider, the consultant joined an internal team responsible for ongoing operational changes to the central network infrastructure.
The consultant was one of the team’s principal leads. The work covered operational changes, Cisco ASA firewalls and assistance with critical troubleshooting.
The assignment combined planned changes with the troubleshooting that arises in a live environment. Relevant experience therefore includes both technical depth in networking and firewalls and the ability to join a team with ongoing operational responsibility.
Assignment
Ongoing operational changes to a core network.
Responsibility
Shared lead responsibility within the internal networking team.
Contribution
Cisco ASA firewalls and critical troubleshooting.
Connections across cloud environments
An international organisation was building a shared cloud function in an environment spanning AWS, Azure and its own systems. Access, connectivity and provisioning new environments needed to be managed across the organisation.
The consultant established an AWS account structure with single sign-on and a central integration hub based on Transit Gateway. The work also included deployment models with built-in testing and monitoring, and integration with the organisation’s IT asset register.
The result was a shared technical foundation for establishing and connecting cloud environments. Networking and access were considered alongside how environments were created and monitored in operation, rather than being addressed separately in each project.
Assignment
Building a shared cloud function in a hybrid IT environment.
Responsibility
Cloud architecture, account structure, access and an integration hub.
Contribution
Transit Gateway, single sign-on and automated deployment models.
The right depth in the right role
A good match requires us to distinguish between advising on a solution and implementing it. We explore the platform, type of assignment and responsibilities, so you meet consultants with relevant depth. An architect, a security specialist and an operations specialist can make different contributions to the same programme of work.
We also consider collaboration with your own specialists and suppliers. The consultant needs to make technical choices and dependencies clear, allowing the affected teams to coordinate changes. This gives you a better basis for sequencing the work and managing its impact on daily operations.
Contact
Get in touch with Piotr
Piotr is happy to discuss your plans for networks and infrastructure. A conversation about the environment and the changes ahead can make it easier to identify the right experience.
Questions and answers
What clients often ask
Can you help clarify the technical assignment first?
Yes. An initial discussion can establish whether you need architectural advice, a technical specialist or several roles. We start with the existing environment, its dependencies and what you want to achieve.
Do you find consultants for both cloud and existing infrastructure?
Yes. We take your environment and the specific assignment as our starting point. This may be a new solution, further development of existing platforms or a transition in which several environments need to work together.
How does security inform selection?
We review the security requirements involved in the role and who the consultant will work with. This can affect the experience required, responsibilities and scope of the assignment. Requirements need to be clear before a candidate is presented.
Can a consultant work with our operations provider?
Yes. We clarify the division of responsibility and the agreements the consultant will work within. This is particularly important for changes involving several suppliers or spanning projects and operations.
How do we avoid losing knowledge when the assignment ends?
Documentation and handover need to be part of the delivery from the outset. Together, we clarify what your employees and suppliers need to know and how the consultant will hand that knowledge over.