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

Mar 20, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Having an experienced Systems Administrator as part of an IT team can be incredibly beneficial. Their expertise and knowledge of server infrastructure, networks, and computer systems can help to protect against cyber threats, improve system performance, and reduce the risk of system outages. This, in turn, can lead to improved user experience and better productivity, while also providing cost savings due to the reduction in downtime and maintenance costs. Ultimately, a Systems Administrator can provide a business with invaluable support to maintain a secure, efficient, and reliable IT system.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step in becoming a systems administrator is to earn a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. A degree in one of these fields will provide the necessary technical knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this role.
Get Certified. There are several certifications available for systems administrators that can help enhance their resumes. Certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) are all considered valuable credentials for this role.
Gain Experience. It is important for prospective systems administrators to gain hands-on experience before applying for jobs. Many employers prefer to hire candidates who have at least a few years of experience working with computer systems. This experience can be gained through internships, volunteering, or through entry-level positions.
Stay Up-to-Date. As technology continues to evolve, it is important for systems administrators to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry. This can be accomplished by reading industry publications, attending seminars, and participating in online forums and discussion groups.
Network. Building professional relationships with other IT professionals can be beneficial for systems administrators. This can help them stay informed about job openings, industry trends, and new technologies. Networking also provides an opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise to potential employers.

A Systems Administrator is a highly skilled and competent individual who is responsible for maintaining the computer systems of an organization. This can include installing, configuring, and troubleshooting hardware, software, and networks. To be successful in this role, the Systems Administrator should have an in-depth understanding of computer systems and networks, as well as experience with troubleshooting and problem resolution.

With this knowledge and experience, they can ensure the systems are running smoothly and efficiently, which will lead to increased productivity and cost-savings for the organization. their efforts will help protect the companys data from security breaches, which can have serious implications if left unchecked.

You may want to check Systems Network Engineer, Systems Technician, and Systems Software Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments, including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Monitor network performance to determine if adjustments need to be made, and to determine where changes might be made in order to improve performance.
Install and maintain network hardware and software.
Diagnose hardware and software problems, and replace defective components.
Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
Monitor system security and perform necessary maintenance to ensure security of data.
Maintain records of hardware, software, and other related equipment.
Maintain and modify procedures and documentation related to network administration.
Develop training materials and procedures, or train users in the proper use of hardware and software.
Perform backups of all data as required.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of computer hardware and software systems.
Knowledge of networking protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and FTP.
Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware and Hyper-V.
Ability to configure and maintain server operating systems such as Windows Server and Linux.
Knowledge of system security measures and best practices.
Knowledge of scripting languages, such as PowerShell and Bash.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical issues quickly.
Knowledge of cloud computing platforms such as Azure and AWS.
Ability to manage storage networks and configure storage solutions.
Ability to create and maintain backups and disaster recovery plans.
Ability to monitor system performance and optimize systems for peak performance.
Experience with automation tools such as Puppet and Chef.
Understanding of database management systems such as MySQL and SQL Server.
Ability to design and implement new IT solutions.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.

The ability to troubleshoot and problem solve is arguably the most important skill for a Systems Administrator to have. Without this key skill, a Systems Administrator would be unable to identify and resolve any technical issues that may arise. This could lead to system downtimes, loss of data, or security breaches which can have a lasting effect on an organizations reputation and bottom line.

strong communication skills are essential for a Systems Administrator. They must be able to effectively communicate their findings to both technical staff and non-technical staff alike in order to ensure that the problem is properly addressed. Finally, a Systems Administrator must be highly organized and detail-oriented in order to ensure that all hardware and software is properly managed and up to date.

By having these essential skills, a Systems Administrator can keep an organizations IT infrastructure running smoothly, secure, and efficient.

Systems Business Analyst, Systems Project Manager, and Systems Integration Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with server and network administration?
What is your experience with virtualization technologies?
How do you go about troubleshooting technical problems?
How do you manage and automate system administration tasks?
What methods do you use for maintaining system security?
Describe your experience with scripting languages.
What processes do you use for monitoring system performance?
What strategies do you have for developing and maintaining system documentation?
How do you handle large scale system upgrades and migrations?
How do you prioritize tasks and manage your workload?

Common Tools in Industry

Puppet. An automation platform used to manage system infrastructure and applications. (eg: Keeps software up-to-date and configured correctly across multiple servers)
Ansible. Configuration management, deployment, and task-automation platform. (eg: Automates the process of provisioning and configuring new systems)
Chef. Automation platform that transforms infrastructure into code. (eg: Allows for automated testing and deployment of applications)
Nagios. Network monitoring system to detect issues before they become critical. (eg: Tracks network performance, alerting operators if thresholds are exceeded)
Splunk. Tool for monitoring, analysing, and visualising machine-generated data. (eg: Gathers data from multiple sources to track application performance and security)
Docker. Container platform for deploying and managing applications. (eg: Develop and run applications as lightweight, portable, self-sufficient containers)
Kubernetes. Container-orchestration system for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. (eg: Coordinates multiple containers to enable scaling of applications)
Bash/Shell Scripting. Programming language used to automate tasks in a Linux environment. (eg: Automates system management tasks such as creating users, installing packages, etc. )

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
System Administrators Guild (SAGE)
USENIX Association
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
Professional Association of SQL Server (PASS)
Windows Server User Group (WSUS)
Internet Systems Consortium (ISC)
Network Professional Association (NPA)
International Webmasters Association (IWA)

We also have Systems Process Engineer, Systems Integration Specialist, and Systems Designer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Network Administration. The management and maintenance of a computer network and related components, such as servers, routers, switches, and firewalls.
System Administration. The management and maintenance of a computer system. This includes ensuring the system is up-to-date, secure, and operational.
System Security. The practice of protecting a computer system from unauthorized access and malicious activity.
Network Security. The practice of protecting a network from unauthorized access and malicious activity.
Data Backup. The process of creating copies of data to protect against data loss or corruption.
Disaster Recovery. The process of recovering data after a disaster, such as a fire, power outage, or cyber-attack.
System Monitoring. The practice of monitoring a computer system for any changes and potential issues.
System Troubleshooting. The process of diagnosing and resolving system problems.
System Optimization. The process of making a system more efficient by improving its performance and reducing its resource usage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of a Systems Administrator?

The primary role of a Systems Administrator is to manage and maintain the computer systems and networks of an organization, including installing and configuring software, setting up user accounts, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and ensuring proper security measures are in place.

What types of qualifications do Systems Administrators need?

Systems Administrators typically require a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Additionally, they must have strong technical skills and strong communication and problem-solving skills.

How many years of experience do Systems Administrators typically have?

Systems Administrators typically have five or more years of experience in the field.

What is the salary range for Systems Administrators?

The salary range for Systems Administrators varies depending on location, experience, and other factors. Generally speaking, the median annual salary for Systems Administrators is around $75,000.

What certifications are available for Systems Administrators?

Several certifications are available for Systems Administrators, including the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), CompTIA A+, and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).