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

May 13, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Systems Administrator is a vital role in the technical world. Their job is to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of computer systems, networks and related equipment. A Systems Administrator is responsible for the maintenance and repair of hardware, software, networks, and other technology related tasks.

Without a Systems Administrator, a business would be unable to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology. Furthermore, they are responsible for troubleshooting, system security, and data management. In essence, their primary goal is to ensure that all systems are running optimally and securely.

As a result, a company can run efficiently and effectively and meet their customer's needs.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field is required for most technical systems administrator positions. Coursework should include topics such as database management, networking, programming, security, and operating systems.
Gain Work Experience. Relevant work experience can help candidates stand out from the competition and make them more attractive to employers. Technical systems administrators often gain experience by working as systems analysts or network administrators.
Obtain Professional Certifications. Professional certifications can demonstrate a technical systems administrator's expertise in the field. Examples of certifications include Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).
Get Familiar With Emerging Technologies. Technical systems administrators should stay up-to-date with the latest technologies, trends, and best practices in order to ensure their organization runs smoothly and efficiently.
Develop Interpersonal Skills. Communication and interpersonal skills are essential for technical systems administrators because they often work with multiple stakeholders in an organization. They should be able to effectively communicate their ideas and collaborate with their colleagues.
Participate in Professional Development Opportunities. Staying abreast of the latest developments in the field is essential for technical systems administrators. They can do this by attending conferences, seminars, and workshops, reading industry publications, and engaging in online discussion groups.

The Systems Administrator is a key player in any organization that relies on technology systems. He or she is responsible for the efficient and reliable operation of computer systems, servers, and networks. In order to be successful in this role, the Systems Administrator must possess a range of technical skills, including an in-depth understanding of operating systems, computer hardware and software, and networking protocols.

Furthermore, the Systems Administrator must be highly organized, efficient, and have excellent problem-solving skills. When Systems Administrators have all of these skills, they are able to develop and maintain systems that run smoothly and securely, ensuring the organization's technology is always up-to-date and functioning as intended. Consequently, this maximizes the productivity of the organization and facilitates successful operations.

You may want to check Technical Business Analyst, Technical Program Manager, and Technical Solutions Architect for alternative.

Job Description

Install, configure and support operating systems, application software and system management tools
Monitor system resources, including CPU usage, disk usage, and network traffic
Troubleshoot system hardware, software and network problems
Maintain system security, virus protection and data integrity
Implement backup procedures and disaster recovery plans
Monitor system performance and recommend improvements
Design, implement, and maintain network infrastructure
Manage user accounts, permissions and access rights
Develop and document technical procedures and user guides
Provide technical support to users

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of operating systems, network protocols, hardware, and software
Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot computer systems
Familiarity with system administration tools, such as Active Directory
Ability to create and manage user accounts, configure user profiles, and set up access privileges
Knowledge of data backup and recovery procedures
Ability to install, configure, and maintain server hardware and software
Understanding of network security principles and firewall configuration
Familiarity with networking technologies, such as LAN, WAN, and VPN
Excellent communication and customer service skills
Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Having a strong technical systems administrator is essential for any organization that handles large amounts of data and needs to ensure its security and reliability. The ability to manage and troubleshoot a range of software and hardware systems is paramount. A good technical systems administrator should be highly organized and have a comprehensive understanding of networks, servers, databases, and storage solutions.

They should be able to configure, install, and maintain systems while also monitoring performance and diagnosing any issues that may arise. Having strong technical acumen and problem-solving skills is critical for being able to identify and resolve any issues quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, it is important for an administrator to stay up to date with emerging technologies and security protocols in order to protect an organization's data from any malicious attacks.

Technical Account Manager, Technical Consultant, and Technical Support Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How would you go about designing a secure system for a large-scale business?
How do you troubleshoot technical issues in a corporate environment?
Describe your experience with scripting and automation tools such as Bash, PowerShell, and Python.
Explain how you would manage and maintain a wide range of network infrastructure devices.
What strategies do you use to maintain system uptime?
How do you stay updated on the latest technology trends in the industry?
Explain your experience with creating backup and disaster recovery plans.
In what ways do you ensure system security?
Describe your experience with performance monitoring and tuning.
What challenges have you faced when setting up and managing virtualized environments?

Common Tools in Industry

Microsoft Office Suite. A set of productivity applications (eg: Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Windows Server. An operating system for servers (eg: Windows Server 2019).
Network Monitoring Software. Software used to monitor a computer network (eg: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor).
Virtualization Software. Software used to run multiple virtual machines on the same physical server (eg: VMware vSphere).
Backup and Disaster Recovery Software. Software used for backing up data and recovering from disasters (eg: Acronis Backup).
Security Software. Software used to protect computers from unauthorized access (eg: McAfee Total Protection).
Database Software. Software used to store, organize, and manage data (eg: Oracle Database).
Scripting Languages. Languages used to automate tasks (eg: Python).
System Management Tools. Tools used to remotely manage and maintain systems (eg: Ansible).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
System Administrators Guild (SAGE)
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM)
CompTIA
International Society of Automation (ISA)
Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA)
USENIX Association
Open Source Initiative (OSI)

We also have Technical Project Manager, Technical Sales Engineer, and Technical Recruiter jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). A cloud computing service model where the cloud provider provides hardware, software, storage, and other services to customers over the internet.
Platform as a Service (PaaS). A cloud computing service model where the cloud provider provides a platform for customers to develop, run, and manage applications without having to maintain the underlying infrastructure.
Software as a Service (SaaS). A cloud computing service model where the cloud provider provides software applications to customers over the internet on a subscription basis.
Network as a Service (NaaS). A cloud computing service model where the cloud provider provides a network to customers over the internet on a subscription basis.
DevOps. A set of practices and tools that combine software development and operations to automate processes and improve collaboration between teams.
Configuration Management. The process of managing configuration items within an IT environment and controlling changes to them.
Automation. The use of software and machines to reduce the amount of manual labor required to complete a task.
Orchestration. The coordination of multiple tasks or processes to achieve a desired outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Technical Systems Administrator? A1: A Technical Systems Administrator is a computer and network specialist responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining the hardware and software infrastructure of an organization's IT systems. Q2: What are some common duties of a Technical Systems Administrator? A2: Common duties for a Technical Systems Administrator include configuring, deploying, and maintaining hardware and software; troubleshooting technical issues; managing user accounts; and providing technical support. Q3: What qualifications are necessary to become a Technical Systems Administrator? A3: Qualifications necessary to become a Technical Systems Administrator typically include a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, as well as certification in industry-standard technologies and operating systems such as Microsoft, Linux, and Cisco. Q4: What skills are important for a Technical Systems Administrator to possess? A4: Important skills for a Technical Systems Administrator include strong technical knowledge, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently. Q5: What is the average salary for a Technical Systems Administrator? A5: According to PayScale, the average salary for a Technical Systems Administrator is $59,613 per year.