How to Be Operating System Administrator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Aug 10, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The Operating System Administrator plays an important role in ensuring the smooth operation of a computer system. In particular, the OS admin is responsible for installing, configuring, managing and maintaining the operating system and its related applications. If the OS admin fails to perform these duties properly, the consequences can be severe.

For example, the system may become unstable, leading to data loss or corruption, or even complete system failure. Furthermore, users may experience significant performance issues, such as slowdowns and application crashes. Therefore, it is essential that an OS admin have the necessary technical skills and knowledge to fulfill these duties in order to keep the computer system running optimally.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become an operating system administrator, the minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering or information systems.
Pursue Professional Certifications. Professional certifications demonstrate a mastery of operating system administration and can help a job candidate stand out from the competition. Certifications are available from Microsoft, Apple, Linux, and other vendors.
Gain Experience. Operating system administrators typically need experience in designing, developing, and troubleshooting operating systems and their applications. This experience can be gained through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work.
Get a Job. Once the necessary educational and experience requirements are met, the next step to becoming an operating system administrator is to find a job. Most positions require previous experience in the field, so those without experience should seek entry-level positions. Job postings can be found on company websites, job search engines, and professional organizations.
Develop Specialized Skills. As technology evolves, so do the skills and abilities needed to be a successful operating system administrator. Pursuing continuing education courses or certifications can help keep an administrator's skills up to date with the latest trends in the industry.

The role of an Operating System Administrator requires a deep understanding of computer systems and software, as well as the ability to troubleshoot technical issues and maintain a reliable network. A reliable and capable Operating System Administrator must have a good working knowledge of the latest operating systems, be able to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues, and be able to deploy and configure systems quickly. They must also be able to communicate effectively with other members of the organization so that technical issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently. The success of an organization often depends on the skill and reliability of its Operating System Administrator, as they are responsible for ensuring the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the computer systems.

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Job Description

Install, configure, and maintain operating systems, application software, and system management tools
Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues
Perform system backups and disaster recovery operations
Manage user accounts, permissions, and access rights
Develop and implement system security measures
Install and upgrade hardware and software components
Monitor network performance and ensure system availability
Monitor system resource utilization and optimize performance
Analyze system logs and identify potential issues
Research, evaluate, and recommend new technologies

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems
Networking and TCP/IP protocols
Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
Installing, configuring, and maintaining computer systems
Experience with automation tools
Knowledge of security best practices
Scripting and automation expertise
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Understanding of system monitoring tools
Excellent problem-solving skills

Operating system administrators play a critical role in keeping computer systems running smoothly. One of the most important skills for any OS administrator is the ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems. This involves being able to diagnose issues, identify root causes, and then develop solutions that solve the problem.

A good administrator must also have a deep knowledge of operating system architecture, an understanding of security protocols, and experience with a variety of hardware and software platforms. OS administrators must also be able to communicate effectively with users and other IT personnel to ensure that the most effective solutions are implemented. Without these skills, an operating system administrator would not be able to properly manage a computer system and ensure it runs efficiently.

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Frequent Interview Questions

Describe your experience with Windows, Linux, and/or Mac OS X operating systems.
What challenges have you encountered in managing and maintaining operating systems?
What strategies do you use to ensure system security?
How do you manage user accounts, permissions, and security policies?
How do you troubleshoot operating system issues?
How do you handle software updates and upgrades?
What experience do you have with virtualization technologies?
What processes do you use for system backups and disaster recovery?
How do you monitor system performance and address issues?
What strategies do you use to stay up-to-date on the latest operating system technologies?

Common Tools in Industry

Ansible. Automation platform for configuration management, orchestration, and deployment (eg: automating deployment of applications to servers).
Puppet. Configuration management software used to automate the deployment of applications and systems (eg: provisioning new servers with the necessary software).
Chef. Automation platform that allows users to define, manage and deploy applications and systems (eg: creating and deploying a web application with a single command).
Nagios. System and network monitoring software used to alert administrators of server outages or other problems (eg: monitoring server resources and sending an alert if CPU usage exceeds 90%).
Splunk. Analytics platform used for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing machine-generated data (eg: analyzing system log data to identify potential security threats).
Docker. Container platform used for developing, deploying, and running applications in isolated environments (eg: deploying a web application with all its dependencies in a single container).
Terraform. Infrastructure-as-Code tool used for provisioning, changing and versioning cloud infrastructure (eg: creating a new AWS EC2 instance with a single Terraform command).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International System Administrators Association (ISSA)
System Administrators Guild (SAGE)
Microsoft System Administrators Association (MSSA)
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
Open Source Initiative (OSI)
Internet Systems Consortium (ISC)
USENIX The Advanced Computing Systems Association
Apple System Administrators Association (ASAA)
The Unix and Linux System Administration Community (ULSAC)

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Common Important Terms

Network Administrator. A network administrator is responsible for maintaining the computer networks of an organization, including installing, troubleshooting, and monitoring network hardware and software.
System Security. System security is the process of preventing and detecting unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, and data. It includes measures such as firewalls, antivirus programs, and encryption.
System Backup. System backup is the process of copying, archiving, and storing a computer systems data, settings, and configuration in order to be able to restore it in the event of data loss or corruption.
System Performance Tuning. System performance tuning is the process of optimizing a computer system's configuration and settings in order to maximize its speed and efficiency.
Disaster Recovery Planning. Disaster recovery planning is the process of creating a plan to ensure that essential business operations can continue in the event of a disruption or disaster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Operating System Administrator? A1: An Operating System Administrator is a professional who is responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance and management of operating systems and related software. Q2: What responsibilities are associated with the role of an Operating System Administrator? A2: An Operating System Administrator is responsible for setting up systems, troubleshooting technical issues, monitoring system performance, installing security updates, and managing hardware and software resources. Q3: What skills and qualifications are required to become an Operating System Administrator? A3: To become an Operating System Administrator, one must have experience working with computer hardware and software, an understanding of network systems, the ability to troubleshoot technical issues, and knowledge of scripting languages such as Python and PowerShell. Q4: What type of certifications are available for an Operating System Administrator? A4: In order to become an Operating System Administrator, one can pursue certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) or the CompTIA Linux+ certification. Q5: How much can an Operating System Administrator expect to earn in salary? A5: The average salary for an Operating System Administrator is $65,000 - $90,000 per year. Salaries can vary depending on experience, certifications, and location.