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Abhinava Gopagani
Verified Expert in Engineering
Cloud Specialist and Developer
Calgary, AB, Canada
Toptal member since December 12, 2023
Bio
Abhinava is a senior cloud specialist with 12+ years of experience leading teams, providing technical training, and delivering scalable, cost-effective cloud infrastructures. As an expert focusing on Azure, he deploys pipelines using Terraform, ARM, and PowerShell for IaC and manages SDLC and innovative database solutions. Abhinava worked as a module lead following Agile while playing a major role in noteworthy IoT projects, such as connected cars and safety in mining.
Portfolio
DXC Technology
Azure, Azure VDI, Azure IaaS, ExpressRoute
Enbridge Gas
Azure DevOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Azure, Azure IaaS, Azure IoT Hub...
Teck Resources Limited
Azure, Azure IoT Hub, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Azure DevOps, Terraform
Experience
- Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) - 12 years
- Database Administration (DBA) - 12 years
- C# - 12 years
- Azure Administrator - 10 years
- Azure - 10 years
- DevOps Engineer - 8 years
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - 3 years
- AWS Certified Solution Architect - 3 years
Preferred Environment
AWS IoT, Azure, SQL Server DBA, Python 3, C#.NET, Azure IoT Hub, GitLab, GitHub, Azure DevOps, Windows PowerShell
The most amazing...
...project I've delivered was the connected car project for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, where I led a development team.
Work Experience
Azure Technical Expert
2022 - 2023
DXC Technology
- Designed and built the Azure infrastructure from scratch, establishing a robust and scalable cloud environment. This included the implementation of Azure Virtual Networks (VNets), subnets, resource groups, Azure disks, and other essential services.
- Deployed Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) to support a variety of workloads, catering to specific operational needs. Built an end-to-end framework for setting up the infrastructure of various Azure services such as Azure Databricks and databases.
- Set up integral Azure services such as Azure Active Directory (AD), Azure AD Connect, conditional access policies of the baseline version, and Privileged Identity Management (PIM) in Azure AD.
- Devised and implemented comprehensive security measures to safeguard Azure assets. This included network security groups (NSGs), Azure Firewall, and network flow logs. Enabled automation with PowerShell and Azure CLI for routine tasks.
- Deployed Azure Backup and Azure Site Recovery as part of the disaster recovery strategy, effectively ensuring business continuity. Carried out VM restorations using Azure backups from the Recovery Services vault.
- Used Defender for Cloud, covering Azure and on-premise workloads. Conducted regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Deployed a range of Azure resources, including log analytics, NSGs, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) pools in dedicated and shared models, VMs, Azure disks, VNets, subnets, resource groups, and network interfaces.
- Implemented on-premise connectivity using ExpressRoute with Equinix peering and site-to-site VPN gateway connections. Adopted the hub and spoke and shared service architecture patterns for network design.
- Reviewed regularly and optimized Azure costs and usage with the team, ensuring the appropriate sizing of resources and decommissioning of unused assets. Utilized cost optimization strategies for maximum return on investment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to establish Azure governance policies and resource tagging strategies, helping to efficiently manage cloud resources.
Technologies: Azure, Azure VDI, Azure IaaS, ExpressRoute
Lead Engineer
2021 - 2023
Enbridge Gas
- Designed and implemented CI/CD pipelines for Azure Functions and Azure Data Factory using Azure DevOps for routine maintenance of application configurations for various environments and their subsequent updates through the pipelines.
- Developed and rolled out numerous Bicep modules for various Azure resources such as Azure SQL, App Service, Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Key Vault, and storage accounts.
- Automated the releases of packages and wheels in Databricks and Azure SQL deployments, thereby streamlining the development process. Worked on the CI/CD pipeline for Azure Databricks and Azure AD login for Azure Databricks.
- Deployed self-service Azure DevOps agents and automated IoT Edge module deployments to IoT Edge devices, reducing downtime and facilitating uninterrupted service. Worked with Azure Container Registry, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Helm.
- Prioritized network security using a private endpoint and a private link for all Azure PaaS resources, effectively limiting access to the internal or virtual networks.
- Addressed and resolved issues related to the Azure infrastructure and DevOps pipeline, ensuring system reliability and optimal performance. Conducted peer reviews of other DevOps engineers' work, promoting best practices.
- Provided comprehensive solutions and guidance to application teams on Azure services usage and infrastructure architecture in Azure. This not only helped in optimizing operations but also ensured security and cost effectiveness.
- Deployed and configured Azure API Management (APIM) as part of application deployments. Automation was utilized to streamline APIM configuration during these deployments, thus improving consistency and reducing manual errors.
- Leveraged Azure Application Gateway to manage web traffic to specific resources, thereby enhancing the infrastructure's security, load balancing, and routing capabilities.
- Utilized IaC, Azure DevOps, and Bicep to deploy these resources, ensuring efficient and seamless management.
Technologies: Azure DevOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Azure, Azure IaaS, Azure IoT Hub, Azure IoT Suite, Azure Databricks
Cloud Architect
2019 - 2021
Teck Resources Limited
- Onboarded Terraform and Terraform Enterprise into the organization, introducing modern IaC capabilities. Trained the infrastructure team on Terraform usage, fostering an environment conducive to learning.
- Designed and built the entire Azure environment from the ground up, demonstrating strong architectural and planning skills. This included the deployment of a multitude of Azure services for various application teams.
- Automated deployments and CI/CD pipelines for Azure SQL, Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Databricks. Peer-reviewed engineers' work, reviewed pull requests, and documented standards in the Azure environment and IaC.
- Set up Azure AD Connect, SSO, Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR), and Azure PIM, which involved Conditional Access policies and Identity Governance. Implemented Azure AD access packages and access reviews and worked with Azure Traffic Manager.
- Managed guest user lifecycle through Azure PowerShell and Identity Governance, ensuring secure and controlled access to Azure resources. Developed a Terraform module and transferred large datasets to Azure.
- Set up automated user provisioning via Azure AD for Databricks, streamlining user management. This was achieved using managed identity and Azure AD, implementing role-based access control (RBAC) models for well-regulated and secure access.
- Addressed and resolved issues related to Azure databases with Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL VMs, demonstrating problem-solving abilities and technical expertise. Implemented principles of least privilege and configured Azure Defender for Cloud.
- Set up VPN site-to-site connections to on-premise networks, worked with Equinix peering, and implemented hub-spoke and shared service model patterns. Reviewed Defender recommendations, worked on Azure, and implemented private endpoints and links.
- Implemented the Cloud Adoption Framework and landing zone pattern. This included working on landing zone deployment and automating it using Terraform. Implemented a centralized logging solution.
- Provided expert guidance on Azure SQL and other SQL products in Azure, Deployed and used private DNS, implemented Azure Sentinel, and used Azure Lighthouse. Collaborated with the finance team to automate processes using Azure Logic Apps.
Technologies: Azure, Azure IoT Hub, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Azure DevOps, Terraform
Lead Azure Consultant
2018 - 2019
Microsoft
- Acted as the lead in the Microsoft Global Delivery division for the connected car, i.e., IoT, project for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. Executed infrastructure deployments using ARM templates and deploying Azure Service Fabric.
- Spearheaded the development of the module responsible for device registration into the Azure IoT Hub, successfully incorporating the chain of events pattern and microservices.
- Operated as the lead for a key module in the connected car project, collaborating directly with Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors and functioning within the scrum of scrums model.
- Developed and implemented several features, successfully deploying the module in production. Managed post-live support and handled bug fixes.
- Employed various Azure technologies, including Azure Cosmos DB, Azure storage account, Azure Queues, Azure Service Bus, and APIM to ensure seamless operations.
- Led an internal project aiming to consolidate Exchange Online login logs of all Microsoft customers, identifying customers who were still using basic authentication and those who were not.
- Developed data pipelines that automated the entire process. Devised and developed data pipelines to handle the large dataset challenge and query optimization in Kusto using Azure Data Factory and Azure Data Explorer.
- Created Power BI reports, providing comprehensive summary reports to leadership and helping them make informed decisions.
- Played a crucial role in disabling basic authentication in Exchange Online for over one million clients, significantly enhancing security across the platform. Utilized Azure DevOps for CI/CD.
- Deployed Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory, and Key Vault and engaged in rightsizing Azure SQL for optimized resource utilization. Developed SQL stored procedures and monitored the running of Data Factory pipelines, troubleshooting where necessary.
Technologies: Azure, C#, Azure SQL, Azure IoT Hub, Azure Data Factory (ADF), Data Engineering, Azure Service Fabric
Experience
Disabling Exchange Online Basic Authentication
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/exchange/clients-and-mobile-in-exchange-online/deprecation-of-basic-authentication-exchange-onlineI led a team in building several automation and optimized data pipelines for this process at Microsoft. Specifically, I created a process to understand the current basic authentication usage across millions of tenants, each with millions of sign-in logs.
Connected Mobility for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance
https://global.nissannews.com/en/releases/190320-02-eAlliance Intelligent Cloud is a platform that enables Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors to provide connected services to their customers. I led the development of one of the critical modules in the project while working at Microsoft.
Education
2010 - 2012
Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering
Andhra University - Visakhapatnam, India
2006 - 2010
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University - Hyderabad, India
Certifications
AUGUST 2023 - AUGUST 2024
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
Microsoft
JUNE 2023 - AUGUST 2024
Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
Microsoft
JUNE 2023 - JUNE 2024
Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
Microsoft
JULY 2022 - MAY 2025
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Amazon Web Services
MAY 2022 - MAY 2024
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
HashiCorp
MAY 2022 - MAY 2025
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Amazon Web Services Training and Certification
MARCH 2022 - SEPTEMBER 2024
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Microsoft
MAY 2020 - MAY 2022
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (Legacy)
Microsoft
MAY 2020 - PRESENT
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Microsoft
MAY 2020 - MAY 2024
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Microsoft
APRIL 2016 - PRESENT
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft
APRIL 2016 - PRESENT
Microsoft Specialist: Programming in C#
Microsoft
Skills
Tools
Terraform, HashiCorp, Azure IoT Hub, GitLab, GitHub, Azure IoT Suite, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Exchange Online, Windows Azure SDK
Languages
C#.NET, C#, SQL, Python 3, Java, C, Kusto Query Language (KQL)
Frameworks
Windows PowerShell
Platforms
Azure, Azure IaaS, AWS IoT, AWS IoT Core, Azure Service Fabric
Storage
Database Administration (DBA), SQL Server DBA, Azure SQL, Azure SQL Databases, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Table Storage, Azure Queue Storage
Paradigms
Azure DevOps
Other
Azure Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Cloud, Architecture, AWS Certified Solution Architect, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Engineering, Cloud Engineering, IoT Security, Telecom Equipment & Solutions, Communication, Packet Communication, Networking, Azure VDI, ExpressRoute, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory (ADF), Data Engineering, Azure Log Analytics Workspace, Cosmos, Azure Service Bus
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