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

Nov 9, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Systems Administrator Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring that computer systems are running smoothly and efficiently. If a Systems Administrator is not performing their job correctly, it can lead to numerous issues, such as network disruptions, security breaches, and data loss. These issues can cause major problems for businesses, such as decreased productivity and lost revenue.

To avoid these issues, the Systems Administrator must have a thorough knowledge of computer systems and be able to troubleshoot any issues that might arise. Furthermore, they must also be able to configure and manage systems to ensure that they are running effectively and securely. The Systems Administrator must also be able to update the systems regularly to keep them secure and up-to-date with the latest technological advancements.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. Obtaining a bachelors degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field is the first step to becoming a systems administrator specialist.
Gain Relevant Experience. Aspiring systems administrators specialists should gain as much relevant experience as possible by working as an intern or volunteering in the IT field.
Pursue Professional Certification. Professional certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) or the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are beneficial for systems administrators specialists.
Stay Up-to-Date with Technology. Systems administrators specialists should stay abreast of new technologies and security measures to ensure their systems are secure and up to date.
Develop Advanced Skills. Systems administrators specialists should develop advanced computer skills such as programming, networking, and troubleshooting.
Participate in Industry Events. Participating in industry events and conferences is a great way to network and stay informed on the latest advancements in technology.

The role of a Systems Administrator Specialist is to ensure that the systems they manage run smoothly and efficiently. To do this, they must have a strong understanding of the software and hardware they manage, as well as a deep knowledge of networking and security protocols. they must be highly organized and able to multitask, as they often need to juggle multiple tasks at once.

Furthermore, they must have excellent problem-solving skills and be able to think on their feet. When all of these skills are combined, a Systems Administrator Specialist is capable of providing ideal solutions and support for their teams. As a result, their work is essential for businesses to stay up-to-date with their technology and to prevent costly downtime.

You may want to check Business Analysis Specialist, Customer Service Specialist, and Legal Compliance Specialist for alternative.

Job Description

Manage and maintain corporate networks, server hardware, and virtualized environments.
Install, configure, and maintain operating systems, applications, and security systems.
Monitor system performance, diagnose problems, and implement solutions.
Design, plan, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
Research, design, and implement new technologies to increase system performance and reliability.
Create and maintain documentation for network configurations and procedures.
Develop and test disaster recovery plans to ensure continuity of operations.
Train end users on new systems and software applications.
Assist with user account setup and maintenance.
Assist with software and hardware upgrades and installations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Networking: Experience with LAN/WAN design, routing protocols, DNS, DHCP, VPNs and other network technologies.
Operating Systems: Expertise in Windows Server, Linux/Unix, and virtualization technologies.
Security: Knowledge of security best practices and implementation of firewalls, anti-malware, encryption, and other security measures.
Troubleshooting: Ability to diagnose and resolve system issues quickly and efficiently.
Automation: Knowledge of scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.
Cloud Computing: Understanding of cloud computing concepts and experience with cloud platforms such as Azure and AWS.
Storage: Experience with SAN, NAS, and other data storage technologies.
Monitoring and Performance Tuning: Monitoring of systems performance and tuning to optimize system performance.
Backup and Disaster Recovery: Designing and managing backup and disaster recovery plans.
Documentation: Ability to create accurate system documentation and procedures.

Systems Administrator Specialists play a critical role in the upkeep of computer systems and networks. This job requires a high level of technical proficiency, as well as the ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly and efficiently. The most important skill for a Systems Administrator Specialist is the ability to analyze and interpret system logs, performance metrics, and other data to identify the source of the problem and develop a solution.

Having a thorough understanding of the underlying operating system and network infrastructure is also paramount to success in this role. it is essential that Systems Administrator Specialists have excellent organizational and communication skills, as they must be able to collaborate with colleagues and customers to resolve issues in a timely manner. Finally, having a strong customer service focus is also important, as Systems Administrator Specialists must ensure customer satisfaction.

To be successful in this role, one must possess a wide range of technical skills and the ability to think critically and solve problems.

Data Processing Specialist, Production Control Specialist, and Credit Analyst Specialist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in systems administration?
How do you handle difficult technical problems?
What experience do you have with server virtualization technologies?
Describe your experience with networking and security protocols.
What strategies do you use for troubleshooting technical issues?
How do you stay up to date on new technologies in systems administration?
What challenges have you faced in your previous systems administrator roles?
Describe your experience managing a large IT infrastructure.
How do you handle user requests and complaints?
What processes have you implemented to ensure system uptime and performance?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft PowerShell. A task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, used to automate system administration tasks. (eg: Automate system maintenance tasks such as creating users, configuring services, etc. )
Windows Server. A server operating system developed by Microsoft, used for network management, file sharing, and various other services. (eg: host websites, manage user accounts and access control)
Apache Web Server. An open source web server software used to serve webpages and other content. (eg: host static HTML pages, dynamic content through scripting languages, etc. )
VMware vSphere. A virtualization platform from VMware, used to create virtual servers and cloud computing environments. (eg: Create multiple virtual machines on a single physical server)
Ansible. An open source automation platform used to manage software deployments, configuration management, and IT infrastructure. (eg: Deploy applications quickly and reliably across multiple environments)
Nagios. An open source monitoring system used to monitor the performance of systems and services. (eg: Monitor server performance, alert users when problems arise, etc. )
Docker. An open source containerization platform used to package and deploy applications in isolated containers. (eg: Deploy applications quickly and reliably across multiple environments)
Splunk. A machine data analytics platform used to monitor and analyze logs from various sources. (eg: Monitor application logs for errors, search for patterns in log data, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
Open Group
Systems Administration Networking and Security Institute (SANS)
International Association of Computer Information Systems (IACIS)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)

We also have Database Specialist, Recruiting Specialist, and Accounting Specialist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Network Administration. The management of a computer network, including the maintenance of network hardware and software, network security, and network performance.
System Administration. The management of computer systems and applications, including the installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of hardware and software.
Security Administration. The management of security systems, including the implementation of security policies, procedures, and protocols.
Database Administration. The management of databases and related software, including the design, development, optimization, and maintenance of databases.
Operating Systems. The software that controls computer hardware, allowing applications to run on the machine.
Storage Administration. The management of storage systems and related software, including the installation, configuration, and maintenance of storage hardware and software.
Virtualization. The deployment of multiple virtual machines on a single physical host machine.
System Monitoring. The tracking of system performance and related data over time to identify potential problems and areas for improvement.
Server Management. The management of servers and related software, including the installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of servers and server-related software.
Automation. The use of scripts or other software to automate routine tasks or processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications are needed to become a Systems Administrator Specialist?

To become a Systems Administrator Specialist, individuals must have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. They must also have several years of experience working in systems administration.

What tasks does a Systems Administrator Specialist typically perform?

A Systems Administrator Specialist is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of computer systems, from installation and upgrading to monitoring and maintenance. They may also be responsible for troubleshooting hardware and software issues, providing technical support, and creating/maintaining user accounts.

What tools does a Systems Administrator Specialist use?

A Systems Administrator Specialist may use a variety of tools to complete their tasks, such as scripting languages, remote access software, system monitoring tools, and version control systems.

How many hours per week does a Systems Administrator Specialist typically work?

A Systems Administrator Specialist may work anywhere between 30-40 hours per week, depending on their employer's needs.

What is the average salary for a Systems Administrator Specialist?

According to PayScale, the average salary for a Systems Administrator Specialist is $66,194 per year.

Web Resources

IT-Systems Administration Specialist - Madison Area Technical madisoncollege.edu
IT - Systems Administration Specialist | Northwood Technical www.northwoodtech.edu
Systems Administrator | PSU Human Resources hr.psu.edu