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

Feb 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The lack of proper system administrator can lead to a number of negative outcomes. Without a qualified individual to manage the system, it can result in frequent downtimes, lost data, inadequate security protocols, and complicated troubleshooting processes. Additionally, these issues can cause a decrease in productivity and customer satisfaction, as well as an increase in costs due to repair and maintenance. A knowledgeable system administrator can minimize the risks associated with these problems, by ensuring regular maintenance, implementing reliable security protocols, and providing prompt customer service.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. System Administrators may also gain on-the-job experience through an apprenticeship or certification programs.
Acquire technical skills and knowledge relevant to the system administrator role. This includes understanding of operating systems, databases, hardware, networks, and security protocols.
Gain experience with various operating systems and applications such as Linux, Windows, Unix, and Mac OS X.
Develop strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills.
Become familiar with system administration tools and processes such as scripting, automation, and virtualization.
Consider obtaining additional certifications or training in specific areas such as server administration and network engineering.
Acquire experience in customer service and communication skills to effectively interact with clients and colleagues.
Participate in system administration forums and online communities to stay up to date on industry trends and best practices.

Maintaining an up-to-date and capable system administrator is essential for ensuring the smooth functioning of any network or system. Regular updates to the administrator's tools and knowledge are necessary to keep the system secure and running efficiently. Keeping the administrators skills and qualifications up to date helps to ensure that the administrator is fully capable of handling any issues that may arise.

staying abreast of new trends and technologies in the field helps the administrator to be able to adapt quickly and effectively to changing needs and requirements. Regular training, such as attending seminars, reading industry publications, and taking online courses, can be beneficial in keeping the system administrator updated and competent. Finally, having strong communication skills and a solid understanding of customer service is also essential in maintaining a successful system administrator.

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Job Description

Install, configure, and support an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and Internet systems or a segment of a network system.
Monitor network to ensure network availability to all system users and perform necessary maintenance to support network availability.
Design and deploy networks.
Analyze and resolve complex hardware and software problems involving the applications, the operating system, the hardware, the communications infrastructure, or any combination thereof.
Maintain network facilities in individual machines, such as drivers and settings of personal computers as well as printers.
Maintain network servers such as file servers, VPN gateways, intrusion detection systems
Install and test computer-related equipment.
Develop procedures and documentation for installation and maintenance of the system.
Make recommendations for future upgrades.
Monitor systems to ensure security and availability to specific users.
Perform periodic performance reporting to support capacity planning.
Monitor and test web site performance to ensure web sites operate correctly and without interruption.
Monitor system resource utilization, trending, and capacity planning.
Ability to troubleshoot hardware, operating system, and application issues in a timely manner.
Maintain data files and monitor system configuration to ensure data integrity.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Expert knowledge of server and network hardware, software, and configurations.
Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems related to system performance, security, and networking.
Knowledge of system scripting languages such as Bash, PowerShell, and Python.
Familiarity with system automation tools such as Ansible, Chef, Puppet, and SaltStack.
Ability to install, configure, and manage multiple operating systems.
Familiarity with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, and XenServer.
Understanding of storage architectures, technologies, and protocols such as RAID, SAN, NAS, iSCSI, and Fibre Channel.
Knowledge of security protocols and best practices such as firewalls, encryption, authentication, and authorization.
Ability to monitor system performance and resource utilization.
Experience with backup and recovery procedures.
Understanding of network protocols such as TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and HTTP/S.
Familiarity with cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and OpenStack.
Excellent communication and customer service skills.

Being a System Administrator is a highly specialized role that requires a wide range of skills. The most important skill to have is the ability to troubleshoot and problem solve. This involves understanding the underlying technology, as well as being able to identify the root cause of an issue.

it is important to have strong communication and organizational skills in order to effectively manage a system and work with other teams. Understanding IT security principles and the ability to deploy, monitor and maintain a system are also key components of the job. The combination of these skills enables System Administrators to keep systems secure, reliable and efficient, which in turn leads to improved user experience, better productivity and decreased downtime.

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Frequent Interview Questions

Describe your experience in managing and troubleshooting systems, networks, and applications.
What methods and tools do you use for system administration and monitoring?
How do you handle hardware and software installation and configuration?
How do you maintain system security?
What are your strategies for dealing with problems and resolving conflicts?
How do you ensure high availability and optimal performance of systems?
What processes have you developed to automate system administration tasks?
Describe your approach to document management and system changes.
What experience do you have in creating and maintaining user documentation?
How do you stay up-to-date on new technologies in the field?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Windows Server. A server operating system created by Microsoft for use in corporate environments. (eg: Windows Server 2019)
System Center Configuration Manager. Software used to manage the configuration and deployment of Microsoft Windows operating systems. (eg: SCCM 2012)
Virtual Private Network (VPN). A secure and private network that allows users to connect to a remote network from their devices. (eg: OpenVPN)
Active Directory (AD). A directory service that stores information about users, computers, and other resources in a network. (eg: Microsoft Active Directory)
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). A protocol used by Windows computers to remotely connect to each other over a local area network or the Internet. (eg: Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol)
Network File System (NFS). A protocol used to share files and directories over a network. (eg: NFSv4)
Linux-based Operating Systems. Operating systems developed on the Linux kernel, such as Ubuntu, Red Hat, and CentOS. (eg: Ubuntu Server 18. 04)
Apache Web Server. An open-source web server used to host websites and applications on the web. (eg: Apache 2. 4)
Microsoft Exchange Server. Software used to provide email, calendar, and contacts services to users in a corporate environment. (eg: Exchange Server 2016)
Firewall Software. Software used to protect a network from malicious traffic and unauthorized access. (eg: Sophos UTM)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
System Administrators Guild (SAGE)
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
USENIX Association
Network Professional Association (NPA)
Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA)

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Common Important Terms

Server. A computer program or device that provides services to other programs or devices, called clients, over a network.
Network. A system of interconnected computers and devices that can exchange data.
Client. A computer program or device that accesses services provided by another program or device, called a server.
Storage. The physical or virtual space used to store data.
Security. Measures taken to protect a system from unauthorized access or malicious activity.
Software. A set of instructions that are used to control and interact with a computer or other device.
Troubleshooting. The process of diagnosing and resolving problems with a system or device.
Backup. A copy of data taken in case the original is lost, damaged, or corrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the role of a System Administrator? A1: A System Administrator is responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, including software, hardware, and networks. Q2: What technical skills are needed for a System Administrator? A2: System Administrators need to be proficient in server and network technologies such as Windows Server, Linux, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Virtualization. Q3: How many years of experience are required for a System Administrator? A3: Most System Administrator positions require at least two to five years of experience in a related field. Q4: What type of job responsibilities typically fall to a System Administrator? A4: System Administrators may be responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining hardware and software; monitoring performance; resolving problems; creating and maintaining system documentation; and providing support to users. Q5: What kind of certifications are beneficial for a System Administrator? A5: Certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) can be beneficial for a System Administrator.