How to Be Systems Administration Generalist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Nov 22, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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An effective Systems Administration Generalist requires a combination of technical and administrative skills to maintain, monitor, and secure computer systems and networks. This includes installing, configuring, and troubleshooting hardware, software, and networking components. the position requires effective communication skills to maintain user accounts, document procedures, and respond to user requests.

In turn, providing an efficient and reliable IT service helps to ensure the smooth running of business operations and the growth of the company. As a result, having a knowledgeable and experienced Systems Administration Generalist is essential for the success of any organization.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. Most employers require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. An advanced degree may be necessary for certain positions.
Develop Technical Skills. A systems administration generalist needs to be well-versed in many areas of technology. Acquire knowledge of multiple operating systems, virtualization, storage, cloud computing, scripting, and networking.
Gain Work Experience. Many systems administration generalist positions require experience working in the field. Get an entry-level job or an internship to gain hands-on experience with systems administration tasks.
Seek Certifications. Obtaining certifications from companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, or Oracle demonstrate a candidate's expertise in specific areas of systems administration.
Network. Networking is essential for any job search, especially for technical positions. Attend industry events and job fairs to build your professional contacts.

Staying ahead and competent in systems administration requires a commitment to ongoing learning and education. Keeping up with industry trends, best practices, and new technologies is essential for staying ahead. In addition to formal education, taking advantage of on-the-job training, attending conferences, and reading industry publications are all great ways to stay current.

networking with peers in the field and building relationships with experts can be incredibly helpful in staying ahead. By continually learning, growing, and adapting, systems administrators can ensure they remain competent and knowledgeable in the ever-evolving field of systems administration.

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Job Description

Develop and maintain system administration processes, protocols, and best practices.
Monitor system performance and ensure availability of services.
Troubleshoot system issues and document solutions.
Install, configure, and maintain hardware and software systems.
Manage user accounts and permissions.
Perform system backups and restores.
Upgrade systems as needed to maintain current state of operations.
Create user training materials and provide technical support for users.
Develop automation scripts to streamline system administration tasks.
Research and evaluate new technologies to enhance system operations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

System design and architecture
Server installation and maintenance
Networking, routing and switching
Storage management and backup/recovery
Security and system access control
Automation and scripting
Database management
Monitoring and performance tuning
Troubleshooting and problem resolution
User and application support
Documentation and reporting

Systems administration generalists are highly sought after in the tech industry due to the broad range of skills they possess. A successful systems administrator must possess a wide range of technical and problem-solving skills, including strong knowledge of computer systems, networks, and operating systems. They must also have strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, allowing them to anticipate and identify potential problems with systems and networks before they arise.

Furthermore, they need to have excellent communication skills to interact with clients and colleagues, as well as an understanding of business operations and processes. This combination of skills makes a systems administrator a valuable asset to any organization, as they are able to ensure the smooth functioning of the IT infrastructure, maximize productivity, and reduce costs.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working with Windows, Linux and Mac OS systems?
What is your experience with managing and troubleshooting hardware and software issues?
How do you stay up to date on the latest trends in systems administration?
Describe a time when you successfully implemented an automated system to streamline an administrative process.
How do you ensure good communication between systems administrators and other IT personnel?
Have you ever written scripts or automated processes to manage systems?
What experience do you have in developing or implementing backup and recovery plans?
Explain your experience with virtualization technologies, such as VMware or Hyper-V.
Are you familiar with writing or troubleshooting SQL queries?
Are you experienced in configuring and managing network devices such as firewalls or routers?

Common Tools in Industry

Puppet. Puppet is a configuration management and automation tool used to manage server infrastructure. Example: Automating configuration changes across multiple servers.
Ansible. Ansible is an open source automation platform used for configuration management, orchestration, and application deployment. Example: Automating OS and software patching across multiple servers.
Chef. Chef is a configuration management and automation tool used to configure and manage systems in an automated manner. Example: Provisioning and managing cloud infrastructure.
SaltStack. SaltStack is a configuration management and automation tool used to manage server infrastructure. Example: Automating system updates and package installations.
Nagios. Nagios is an open source monitoring and alerting system used to monitor applications, servers, networks, and services. Example: Monitoring system resources such as CPU, memory, and disk space usage.
Jenkins. Jenkins is an open source automation server used to automate software development processes. Example: Automating the build and deployment of applications.
Logstash. Logstash is an open source data collection and log analysis tool used to collect, parse, and store logs for further processing. Example: Collecting system logs for auditing and troubleshooting.
Grafana. Grafana is an open source monitoring and visualisation platform used to monitor applications, servers, networks, and services. Example: Visualising system performance metrics such as latency and throughput.

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Systems Administration Professional Association (SAPA)
International System Administrators Association (ISSA)
USENIX Association
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certification
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA)
Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Certified Professional

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Common Important Terms

Network Administration. The management of a network, including the configuration and maintenance of network devices, addressing, routing protocols, security protocols, and other network services.
System Administration. The management and maintenance of computer systems, including the configuration and installation of hardware and software, the maintenance of system security, user accounts, and the optimization of system performance.
Cloud Computing. The delivery of computing services such as storage, databases, networking, software applications, and other IT resources over the internet.
Server Administration. The management and maintenance of server hardware and software, including the configuration of hardware and software for optimal performance, security, resource usage, and user access.
Database Administration. The management and maintenance of databases, including the configuration and optimization of database performance, security, and user access.
Security Administration. The management and maintenance of computer networks, including the implementation and enforcement of security policies and procedures to protect information systems from unauthorized access, misuse, or modification.
Virtualization. The creation of a virtual environment in which multiple operating systems and applications can be run on a single physical server.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Systems Administration Generalist?

A Systems Administration Generalist is a professional with expertise related to managing, configuring, and maintaining computer hardware, software, and networks in an organization.

What skills are needed to be a Systems Administration Generalist?

A Systems Administration Generalist should have strong technical skills, including expertise in operating systems, networking, scripting and automation tools, security, and virtualization technologies. Additionally, they should have good problem-solving skills, communications skills, and organizational skills.

What type of certifications are available for Systems Administration Generalists?

Certifications available for Systems Administration Generalists include the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA Network+, and ITIL Foundation certifications.

What is the typical salary for a Systems Administration Generalist?

The typical salary for a Systems Administration Generalist can vary depending on experience and location. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Systems Administration Generalist is $59,508 per year in the United States.

What is the job outlook for Systems Administration Generalists?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for computer network support specialists, which includes Systems Administration Generalists, is expected to grow 8% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.