Gernot Schmied is an independent consultant, analyst, and researcher focusing on systems integration, networking, UNIX, and security. He has worked for several years in enterprise and ISP environments with a focus on senior engineering and architecture projects, service, and portfolio development. Gernot holds two masters' degrees in applied physics and information systems and is currently working on his Ph.D. thesis in his "spare" time. Gernot lives in Vienna, Austria.