About the author
Hello. As you may have guessed from the title, I'm Simon Haslam and this blog is, mainly, dedicated to building and administering systems running Oracle Fusion Middleware.
Here's a little information about what I do, how I do it and other bits 'n pieces.
What do I do?
I work on high availability call-centre and web site systems using Oracle technologies (primarily Oracle Application Server/Fusion Middleware). My roles vary: architecture design, reviews and health-checks right through to full installations from time to time.
For my sins I'm also Chair of the UK Oracle User Group (UKOUG) Application Server & Middleware SIG. We run 3 full-day meetings a year aimed at Middleware Administrators - see forthcoming events (corporate members of UKOUG are entitled to one free place per SIG).
What do I enjoy?
Well, one of the nice things about working in middleware is that you have to cover an interesting variety of technologies - here are a few, from the outside-in if you like:
- Networks, routing, firewalls (IOS, VLANs)
- Load balancers (I'm proficient with both F5 BIG-IP and Cisco CSS)
- Oracle Fusion Middleware/Application Server which covers a multitude of sins: Oracle HTTP Server (Apache 1 & 2), OC4J and more recently WebLogic Server, Webcache, Oracle Reports, Oracle Enterprise Manager
- Oracle Application Development Framework (ADF)
- Oracle Identity Management - Oracle Internet Directory, Single Sign-on, Windows Native Authentication (SPNEGO), directory interation, e.g. with Microsoft Active Directory
- Oracle Database, e.g. Fast Connection Failover and Transparent Application Failover to RAC and Data Guard
- Data-centre environments: server power consumption, remote management, what to look for in a co-location data centre
How did I get here?
Once upon a time I used to work for a rather well known global Systems Integrator, but left to create Veriton Limited in 1997. Veriton does a variety of projects - from fixed price developments, through to support and consultancy - all using Oracle technologies.
My IT philosophy
I'm a strong advocate of server-based computing; from web-delivered applications, through to terminal servers and virtualisation. Centralised management and control... what's not to like?!
Getting in touch
I'm based in Dorset but work all over the UK (and sometimes further afield). You can often find me commenting, or just lurking, on the OTN,VMware, F5 or Cisco forums too.
I can be hired for short-term consultancy assignments, as well as longer duration work, such as assisting with technical architecture or troubleshooting for a day or two a month. If you'd like to contact me I'm on (UK) +44 (0)1935 816100 or drop me an email ("SimonH" at... or see the contact page on the veriton.co.uk website).
Software running this blog
Finally, what does this blog run on? It's Apache Roller 4.0, Oracle Application Server 10g and Oracle Database XE (well, you hadn't expected it to be PHP had you?!). Apache Roller is open-source weblog software that runs on J2EE application servers.