About me

I work in IT and embedded systems. I have been self-employed since 2005 and am VAT-registered. I value long-term working relationships — I have worked with some of my clients for more than twenty years — but I am equally happy to take on one-off projects.

Unix • Python • C • PostgreSQL • networking • cybersecurity • electronics

My work overlaps with the roles of sysadmin, network specialist, developer and embedded/IoT systems designer, but goes beyond any one of them.

Among the things I do regularly and repeatedly:

• design reliable switched and routed network topologies;
• configure, secure and manage networks — Cisco, HPE, UniFi;
• configure and manage firewalls — Check Point, Fortigate, and others;

but also:

• design and bring up electronic boards (KiCAD, rework);
• subject hardware and firmware to stress testing and track down even rare bugs;
• develop and debug firmware (STM32, Microchip/Atmel, C, assembler);
• build and maintain a custom-tailored Linux distribution (Yocto, RAUC);
• install and manage Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat and others on servers;
• write back-end code (Python, PostgreSQL, sqlite3, Docker);
• design and implement network protocols (Python, C);
• all while keeping security, reliability and discretion front of mind.

Over the years I have come to realise that the greatest value I bring is my ability to navigate many disciplines at once. For example:

• Network specialists rarely know how to programme. As a result they sometimes work inefficiently — doing things manually, slowly, with a risk of errors — when they could be automating tasks and integrating systems; for instance, pulling data from a business system and using it to configure network devices or firewalls.
• Developers often lack a deep understanding of networking technologies and protocols. When writing a networked application, they may overlook security risks or handle them incorrectly.
• Someone who is genuinely at home in both worlds can provide consultancy or write software that makes life easier for network engineers while remaining secure, portable and designed with its environment in mind.
• That person is me.

Experience has taught me to avoid over-specialisation. Several times in my career I have become a specialist with detailed knowledge of particular technologies and products — Cisco MARS or Cisco IPS, for example — only to watch the vendor discontinue them shortly afterwards.

I enjoy learning new things and make a point of passing knowledge on to younger colleagues. When working on a larger project, I take care to document the procedures I follow.

I speak Czech (native) and English.

I have an interest in typography and take care with my writing. If I use an em dash — and I do so readily — it does not necessarily mean the text was written by AI. The reality is that all the Czech text on this site is my own, and the English translations were produced with the help of AI.

If my profile interests you and you would like to make use of my services, get in touch. I look forward to future challenges!