## Daniel LaForce

# Systems Administrator & IT Expert Network & Cyber Security Professional Infrastructure & Systems Architect DevOps & Automation Expert

Helping businesses run faster, safer, and smarter—through automated infrastructure, secure architecture, and real-world engineering.

> Ready for deployment...
Lab Status: Online
> Monitoring infrastructure...
> CPU load: Normal
> RAM usage: 42%
> Network: Stable
> Containers: 23 running
> Backing up critical data...
> Status: All systems operational
Hire Me Explore My Lab View Resume

### Solving Complex IT Challenges

#### Seamless Microsoft 365 Migrations

Executed with 60% less downtime than industry average

#### Secure Remote Work Infrastructure

Zero-trust architecture implementation for distributed teams

#### Automated DevOps Pipelines

Reducing deployment times by up to 85% with CI/CD automation

#### Containerized Application Deployment

Simplified scaling and maintenance with Kubernetes orchestration

#### Enterprise-Level System Administration

99.98% uptime across critical infrastructure components

#### Network Infrastructure Optimization

40% reduced latency and improved throughput for business applications

#### Responsive Technical Support

Average ticket resolution time reduced by 68% through process optimization

#### Server Consolidation & Virtualization

35% cost reduction while improving redundancy and disaster recovery

# Professional Portfolio

A selection of my most impactful technical work across various domains and technologies.

### Enterprise Data Center Deployment

Novus Professional Services
June 2023 - December 2023

Complete data center build-out from ground up, including rack design, power distribution, cooling optimization, precise cable management using CAD-designed pathways, and redundant network topology implementation. Integrated custom-fabricated components using mechanical engineering principles and 3D-printed mounting solutions for specialized equipment.

Infrastructure Design Network Engineering CAD/3D Modeling Linux Mechanical Engineering Soldering/Fabrication Thermal Management
View Gallery

### TerraMappix Land Claim Mapping Service

Inovin LLC
January 2023 - Present

Developed TerraTracer, a Python/Node.js geospatial engine powering TerraMappix.com. Converts BLM coordinates and legal metes-and-bounds into precise, GIS-ready property maps with accuracy down to 1.08 inches. Built for mining firms, prospectors, and land managers, featuring topo overlays and automated claim boundary validation.

Custom GIS Solutions Land Survey Data BLM Integration Geospatial Analysis Python Web Development
Visit Website

### SharePoint & M365 Migrations

Enterprise Migrations
March 2022 - November 2023

Seamless migration of enterprise data from legacy systems to Microsoft 365 environments. Successfully transitioned organizations from on-premises file servers, Dropbox, Google Workspace, and Egnyte to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business, with minimal disruption and comprehensive user adoption training. Utilized PowerShell automation for large-scale transfers.

SharePoint Online OneDrive Teams Exchange Online PowerShell Migration Tools Systems Administration
Case Study

### TerraTracer Geospatial Engine

Inovin LLC
October 2023 - Present

A Python-based geospatial mapping solution focused on lode/placer claim mapping, property delineation, and GIS integration. Leveraging powerful libraries to provide efficient mapping capabilities for mining, civil engineering, and land management applications, automating complex coordinate transformations.

Python GeoPandas Matplotlib GIS GDAL/OGR
GitHub Repo

### Full-Stack Web Development Solutions

LaForceIT
2021 - Present

End-to-end web solutions for businesses of all sizes, from responsive frontend designs to robust backend systems deployed on containerized infrastructure. Specializing in interactive dashboards, e-commerce platforms, and custom web applications with seamless API integrations.

JavaScript/TypeScript React/Vue/Svelte Node.js/Python API Integration Docker SQL/NoSQL
Visit Example

### AI-Driven Used Car Price Prediction Model

Western Governors University (Capstone)
January 2023 - March 2023

An AI-powered car price estimator combining extensive data analysis with machine learning. Features comprehensive data preprocessing, a Random Forest Regression model with over 90% accuracy, and an interactive Jupyter Notebook interface for exploration and prediction.

Python Machine Learning Scikit-Learn Pandas Data Analysis Jupyter
GitHub Repo

### Infrastructure Monitoring Dashboard

Personal Project / Live Lab
2022 - Present

A custom, real-time monitoring solution for my home lab infrastructure. Features metrics visualization (via Grafana), service status tracking, and resource allocation management, built with web technologies and pulling data from Prometheus/other sources.

Kubernetes (K3s) Prometheus Grafana JavaScript Docker Ansible
Live Demo

### Enterprise Ansible Automation

Infrastructure Automation Projects
2021 - Present

Developing and managing comprehensive Ansible implementations. Designing reusable roles, complex playbooks, and integrating with CI/CD (GitLab CI, GitHub Actions) for automated infrastructure deployment, configuration management (Linux/Windows), and application orchestration.

Ansible AWX/Tower YAML GitLab CI/GitHub Actions Jinja2 Infrastructure as Code
Ansible Sandbox

### CPE WiFi Firmware Test Bed Prototype

Infrastructure Engineering Project
October 2022 - February 2023

Designed and built a sophisticated testing environment for customer premises equipment (CPE) with full remote access capabilities for firmware development and QA testing. Includes thermal safeguards, optimized wiring structure (Visio diagrams), and robust equipment integration with WAN-facing accessibility.

Visio/Diagramming Hardware Integration Network Engineering Systems Administration Linux Remote Access (VPN/SSH) Firmware Testing Electrical Engineering
View Diagrams

### High-Performance Websites & Blogs

LaForceIT Custom Development
Ongoing

Building blazing-fast, SEO-optimized websites and blogs using modern frameworks and best practices. Expertise in Tailwind CSS, Astro, Nuxt.js, Next.js, Django, Hugo, PHP, and more to deliver exceptional user experiences and performance.

Tailwind CSS Astro Nuxt.js Next.js Django Hugo PHP Performance Optimization SEO
View Example

### Dedicated Server & Hypervisor Management

LaForceIT Infrastructure Services
Ongoing

Expert setup, configuration, and management of dedicated servers on platforms like Hetzner, OVH, and Leaseweb. Proficient in deploying and managing hypervisors including VMware ESXi, Proxmox, Hyper-V, and XCP-ng for robust, secure, and high-performance virtualized environments.

Dedicated Servers Hetzner OVH ESXi Proxmox Hyper-V XCP-ng Server Hardening Virtualization

### Database Migration & Optimization

LaForceIT Data Solutions
Ongoing

Specializing in seamless and secure database migrations across various platforms including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL, MariaDB, and SQLite. Ensuring data integrity, minimal downtime during transition, and optimizing database performance post-migration for enhanced application speed and reliability.

Database Migration MySQL PostgreSQL MS SQL MariaDB SQLite Data Integrity Performance Tuning

## Standard Operating Procedures

Examples of comprehensive documentation and process guides for technical operations.

Infrastructure

### Kubernetes Cluster Deployment & Maintenance

Complete guide to setting up, configuring, and maintaining production-grade Kubernetes clusters (e.g., K3s, RKE2), including security best practices (RBAC, NetworkPolicies), monitoring/logging setup, backup strategies, and upgrade procedures.

Security

### Zero Trust Network Implementation Guide

Step-by-step procedures for implementing zero trust security architecture using tools like Cloudflare Access/Tunnel or self-hosted alternatives. Covers identity verification (SSO/MFA), network segmentation (VLANs, Firewalls), least privilege access control, and device posture checks.

Automation / DevOps

### Ansible Playbook Development Standards

Guidelines and best practices for developing maintainable and scalable Ansible automation. Includes role structure conventions, variable management (inventory, group_vars, host_vars), secrets handling (Vault), idempotency checks, linting/testing (Molecule), and GitOps integration patterns.

Cloud / Migration

### M365 Tenant-to-Tenant Migration

Comprehensive workflow for planning and executing complex Microsoft 365 tenant-to-tenant migrations. Covers pre-migration assessment (data volume, dependencies), identity mapping, tool selection (e.g., BitTitan, ShareGate), phased execution strategy (mailboxes, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams), communication plan, and post-migration validation.

## Expert Services

Comprehensive IT solutions tailored to your business needs, from network infrastructure to cloud migration.

### System Administration

Expert management of Windows & Linux servers, virtualization, and cloud infrastructure. Ensuring your systems remain secure, optimized and reliable.

Windows Server Linux VMware Proxmox

### Network Engineering

Design and implementation of robust network infrastructures. Specializing in routing, switching, firewalls, and network security solutions.

pfSense OPNsense VPN VLAN

### Cloud & Virtualization

Implementation of virtualization technologies and cloud solutions. From VMware and Proxmox to containerization with Docker and Kubernetes.

Docker Kubernetes K3s Azure

### M365 Migrations

Seamless migration to Microsoft 365 environments. From email and SharePoint to Teams and OneDrive, ensuring minimal disruption to your business.

Exchange SharePoint Azure AD Teams

### IT Security

Comprehensive security solutions to protect your business. Including firewall configuration, VPN setup, security audits, and best practices implementation.

Zero Trust Cloudflare Endpoint Security Auditing

### DevOps & Automation

Infrastructure as code, CI/CD pipelines, and automation solutions using industry-standard tools and best practices to streamline your operations.

Ansible Python PowerShell Bash

## Live Infrastructure Lab

I maintain a production-grade homelab that serves as both a testing ground and showcase for my technical skills.

### Lab Architecture

My lab consists of multiple physical and virtual machines running Proxmox, Docker, and Kubernetes (K3s), all secured behind Cloudflare Zero Trust.

#### Current Infrastructure:

- Proxmox Hypervisor Cluster
- OPNsense Router (Physical + VM)
- K3s Kubernetes Cluster
- Traefik Ingress Controller
- Gitea, VSCode Server, NAS
- Cloudflared Zero Trust Tunnel

View Live Dashboard Ansible Sandbox (Offline)

### Real-Time Metrics

System Status ONLINE
CPU Usage 42%
Memory 57%
Storage 63%
Network 28%

#### Active Services:

Gitea
VSCode Server
rTorrent
NAS
Traefik
K3s
Cloudflared
FileBrowser
OpenWebUI
Ollama
Obsidian Blog
Obsidian Notes
Ansible Sandbox
Jellyfin
Plex

### How I'm Running Services

Here's a sample of how I deploy and manage services in my infrastructure:

`# K3s deployment for Gitea with persistent storage
apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: Deployment
metadata:
name: gitea
namespace: argobox
spec:
replicas: 1
selector:
matchLabels:
app: gitea
template:
metadata:
labels:
app: gitea
spec:
containers:
- name: gitea
image: gitea/gitea:latest
ports:
- containerPort: 3000
volumeMounts:
- name: gitea-data
mountPath: /data
`

## Featured Projects

A showcase of technical solutions I've built and deployed.

### TerraTracer

A GIS mapping tool for prospectors to automate mining claim boundary plotting, terrain analysis, and compliance with BLM/state regulations.

Python Node.js JavaScript GIS

### Zero Trust Lab

A secure home lab infrastructure using Cloudflare Zero Trust tunnels, network segmentation, and security best practices.

Cloudflare OPNsense VLAN VPN

### Ansible Sandbox

An interactive demo environment where users can spin up preconfigured services using Ansible automation.

Ansible Proxmox Python Docker

## Professional Experience

A history of delivering reliable IT infrastructure and solutions.

### Inovin LLC

#### Freelance Consultant – GIS, Infrastructure & Security Solutions

April 2023 – Present

Providing specialized consulting services in virtualization, containerization, network security, and custom GIS solutions.

### Previous Roles

#### System & Network Engineering Positions

Prior Experience

Extensive experience in MSPs, network engineering, and diverse IT environments.

## Let's Connect

Have a project in mind? Reach out to discuss how I can help.

### Email

daniel@laforceit.com

### LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/danlaforce

### GitHub

github.com/danlaforce

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