Responsibilities, tasks, skills of the system administrator

Description and functions of the position of a junior linux system administrator

The “System Administrator” profession is the position of an IT specialist , whose duties include ensuring the smooth operation of computer equipment, local network and software (repair, regularly updating, setting up, etc.). And the demand for this specialty is constantly stable because no sphere of human activity can do without the use of computers. 

Below, we present to you a list of responsibilities, skills and knowledge that are important to have in order to become a system administrator.

Is it easy to master the profession?

The profession of a system administrator is not easy to master. mandatory requirements for a sysadmin are most often in-depth knowledge of the Windows family (for example, often offices use Active Directory to control the domain), free orientation in hardware settings (wi-fi access points, routers, printers, etc.), the ability to organize / configure a computer local network (both physical and virtual) and so on. 

Sometimes companies hire young assistants for sysadmins (they are also called enikeys or specialists in everything), who are engaged in small tasks that often require not deep technical knowledge, but patience and free time (for example, installing a program for accounting or reinstalling Windows). In order to become an assistant to the system administrator, deep knowledge is not required (often people with burning eyes and a desire to learn and minimal technical skills are hired for it). With the proper approach, Enikeys gradually acquire experience and in a year or two can become full-fledged administrators. 

Salary level

The salary level depends on the specialization (specializations can be, for example, a pure Windows admin, a Window / Linux admin, an admin for servicing virtualization systems such as VMware, universal specialists in all intra-office tasks), the depth of knowledge within the specialization, the size of the company and much more. Typically, the salary for a system administrator is higher than that of a technical support engineer or QA engineer (manual), but lower than that of DevOps or Developers.

Pros and cons of being a system administrator

Pros:

good salary

a deep level of understanding of how modern IT works (because things that system administrators work with - from hardware to virtualization systems)

Minuses:

multitasking (many small things from a large number of employees)

often routine tasks (for example, reinstalling the system)

Responsibilities of the system administrator

The responsibilities of system administrators are very broad and varied. These include:

Maintenance of computer, office and office equipment:

Repair of used equipment

Keeping all PCs running smoothly and troubleshooting

Assistance to staff members working with PCs and office equipment, e-mail, etc. in case of difficulties

Updating and purchasing the necessary equipment and their components

Ensuring the normal operation of the operating systems used and a set of working programs (Windows OS, MS Office, etc.):

Installing and configuring software for correct operation

Timely update of the required software

Ensuring information security and protection against hacker attacks and spam

Create backup copies of data, delete and restore them if necessary

Organization of a computer network

Network setting 

Setting up network equipment

Ensuring operability 

Securing your network

Network expansion

Working with user accounts

Creating and deleting accounts

Formatting / editing accounts

System administrator skills, knowledge and tasks 

Knowledge of TCP / IP

Ability to work with web servers (Apache, Ngninx, IIS)

Understanding the OSI Model

Knowledge of operating systems Unix / Linux, Windows

Skill and experience of management, administration of MySQL and MySql Workbench, Oracle databases and knowledge of their syntax

Knowledge of frontend and backend architecture

Knowledge of control and tracking systems: Cacti, Munin, Nagios, Zabbix

Skill to diagnose and analyze problem areas

Ability to recognize the consequence / reasons for incorrect operation of software or technology.

Network traffic analysis

Network infrastructure security analysis

Knowledge of tools for network security testing Burp Suite, Metasploit, Nmap, etc.

Knowledge of the mail and file services of the main OS

Work with local documentation and progress reports

Types of system administrators

System administrators can have a narrow focus and general (so-called generalists). System administrators with a general specialization are versed in various issues related to PC maintenance, and such specialists are most in demand in non-IT companies. It is more difficult for sysadmins with a narrow specialization to find a job, however, such specialists can solve the most complex problems and may be in demand in IT companies.

Types and types of system administrators:

Web server administrator (in fact, this is the minimum knowledge of how to configure Apach, Nginx or IIS) 

Network administrator (more biased in networking - working with routers, VPN settings, etc.)

Network Security Administrator (anti-intrusion bias, running scanners to detect vulnerabilities, installing updates, etc.)

Administrator of mail servers (specializes in maintaining the health of mail servers, protecting users from unwanted messages, backing up, working with quotas, etc.)