Server builds and migrations
New RHEL, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux servers, and migrations from end-of-life versions such as CentOS 7 and RHEL 7, planned to avoid downtime.
Linux administration & automation
Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Rocky Linux servers that are secure, patched and identical by design. From a handful of virtual machines to estates of thousands, built with automation so nothing depends on memory or luck.
- 7,000Red Hat servers administered on one platform
- RHCSARed Hat certified
- CISbenchmark hardening as standard
Why it matters
Servers you can rebuild in minutes, not days
Linux runs most of the world’s critical infrastructure, but hand-built servers drift apart over time. Patches are applied unevenly, configuration lives in someone’s head, and rebuilding a failed machine becomes guesswork.
I build and manage Linux environments the way large, regulated organisations do, scaled to your size. Every server is defined in code with Ansible, patched on a schedule, hardened to CIS Benchmarks and tied into central identity, so you know exactly what is running and who can access it.
This is the same approach used to run an international gaming platform of around 7,000 Red Hat servers, applied with equal care to a business running five.
What’s included
How I can help
Patch and lifecycle management
Red Hat Satellite or Foreman for controlled, staged patching with content views and reporting, so updates are tested before they reach production.
Security hardening
CIS Benchmark hardening with SELinux enforcing, secure SSH, audit logging and documented, justified exceptions, ready for auditors.
Central identity and access
Red Hat Identity Management or FreeIPA for single sign-on, sudo policy, SSH key and host-based access control across every server.
Automation with Ansible and Terraform
Infrastructure and configuration defined as code, stored in Git and applied consistently, from a single role to full environment builds.
Monitoring and troubleshooting
Performance tuning, capacity planning and monitoring with tools such as Zabbix, plus hands-on investigation when something goes wrong.
Technologies and standards
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux
- Rocky Linux
- AlmaLinux
- Red Hat Satellite
- Foreman
- Red Hat IdM
- FreeIPA
- Ansible
- Terraform
- SELinux
- Podman
- Docker
- KVM
- VMware vSphere
- OpenShift Virtualization
- Zabbix
- MariaDB
- Git
How it works
From first call to handover
Assess
An inventory of your current servers, versions, patch levels and access, with risks and quick wins identified.
Design
A standard build, patching cycle and access model agreed with you and written down.
Automate
Ansible roles and pipelines that build and maintain servers to that standard, tested before use.
Operate
Hand over to your team with documentation and training, or ongoing support from Proton IT Services.
What you receive
Deliverables
- Hardened, documented server builds
- Ansible roles and playbooks in your Git repository
- Patching schedule and runbooks
- Central identity and access policy
- Compliance report against CIS Benchmarks
- Handover documentation and training
FAQ
Common questions
Do you only work with Red Hat Enterprise Linux?
Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its compatible distributions, Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux, are the main focus, but Debian and Ubuntu systems can also be supported.
Can you work with our existing team?
Yes. Most engagements involve working alongside an in-house team, building the automation together and handing over the knowledge so you are not dependent on outside help.
Do you offer ongoing support?
Ongoing support and maintenance can be arranged after a project, with the scope and response times agreed in writing.
Will hardening break our applications?
Hardening is applied in stages and tested on non-production systems first. Where an application genuinely needs an exception, it is documented with the reason, rather than switching security off.
Related services
Often combined with
Let’s talk about your infrastructure
Tell me what you are working on. The initial consultation and quote are free, and if I am not the right fit I will say so and point you to someone who is.