Mr. Muhammad Tahir

About

With over 12 years of extensive experience in the public sector, I have developed a robust professional background in maintaining, troubleshooting, installing, and training others on specialized equipment within industrial and scientific domains, particularly in higher education institutions. Currently serving as Deputy Director IT at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), I oversee a wide spectrum of IT infrastructure, ensuring operational reliability and high-performance standards across multiple campuses.
My core expertise lies in network and system administration, where I have managed the end-to-end deployment of network infrastructure, including passive and active components. I have hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst 9500 (core), 9200 (distribution), 2950/2960 (access), Cisco 9800 WLC, and 9100 Series Access Points. These systems were configured to support Biometric Machines, IP Cameras, Access Points, IP Phones, and projectors, ensuring seamless connectivity and security.
I have successfully designed and implemented Site-to-Site and Remote Access VPNs (L2TP/IPSec with PSK) to enable secure communication and remote access for administrators. My work also includes configuring Network Policy Servers (NPS/RADIUS) for AD-based authentication, bandwidth distribution via pfSense firewalls, and real-time monitoring using SolarWinds, Zabbix, and PRTG, with customized dashboards and automated alerting for network health.
In the data center environment, I have been instrumental in deploying a VMware-based Software Defined Data Center, using vSphere and ESXi (6.5/7.0), with Virtual Distributed Switches configured using LACP for redundancy. I optimized server performance and availability by managing Dell PowerEdge R740xd, T310, and Cisco UCS C220 M4 servers, alongside managing power systems like APC UPS for uninterrupted operations.
My responsibilities also extend to system services administration, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP (with high availability), GPO, RODC setups for remote campuses, and Google G-Suite configuration for institutional email systems.
Throughout my career, I have led training initiatives for internal staff and external candidates, particularly under IUB Testing Services (ITS). I’ve conducted sessions on custom exam software installations, system usage protocols, and troubleshooting guidelines. I also managed online examinations.
In addition to my technical work, I have authored and maintained technical documentation and user manuals, ensuring repeatable procedures and smooth handovers. I regularly collaborate with vendors for product evaluations, warranty handling, and procurement.
I hold CCNA certification from CISCO, HCNP certification from Huawei and CCNP certifications from Cisco, and , which validate my professional competencies in network technologies. My hands-on technical leadership, combined with in-depth experience across IT infrastructure, has been integral to enabling reliable, secure, and scalable IT environments in institutional settings.

Areas of Expertise