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

Oct 9, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increased demand for virtual systems administrators has caused a need for more skilled IT professionals. This has led to a greater demand for those with the technical skills, knowledge and experience to manage and maintain virtual systems. In addition, the need for virtual system administrators has led to the development of new tools and technologies to help manage these complex systems. This in turn has created new roles and job opportunities in the IT sector, as well as generated more demand for IT professionals with the necessary qualifications.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a Virtual Systems Administrator, you'll need to have a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field.
Acquire Technical Skills. It is important to have a strong understanding of the various systems and software used in virtual environments. You should also have a good working knowledge of networking, system security, and systems administration.
Pursue Certifications. Employers may prefer to hire those with certifications in virtualization, such as VMware, Microsoft, or Citrix certifications.
Gain Professional Experience. Employers may require or prefer applicants with previous experience working in virtual environments. You can gain experience through internships or freelance work.
Consider Specializations. You can specialize in areas such as cloud computing, storage, and security, or become a certified expert in specific hardware or software.
Stay Up-to-Date with Technology. As technology changes, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in virtualization and cloud computing. This will help you to stay competitive in the job market.

Maintaining an up-to-date and efficient Virtual Systems Administrator is essential for a functional IT system. Regularly checking for new software updates and patches, as well as security patches, is essential to keep the system secure and running smoothly. regularly monitoring the system's performance and optimizing resource utilization can help prevent any unexpected issues from arising.

Keeping the system clean by running disk defragmenters and other maintenance tasks can also help keep the system free of any potential errors. Finally, making sure all users have the correct access levels and privileges can help maintain a secure system and prevent any unauthorized access. By taking these steps, a Virtual Systems Administrator can ensure the system is up-to-date and running optimally.

You may want to check Virtual Product Manager, Virtual Human Resources Manager, and Virtual Technical Support Engineer for alternative.

Job Description

Design, install, configure and maintain virtual systems, networks and storage.
Monitor virtual system performance and diagnose system problems.
Create, maintain and troubleshoot virtual machines and related technologies such as virtual storage and virtual networks.
Develop, document and maintain system architecture standards, policies and procedures.
Develop and implement backup and recovery plans for virtual systems and networks.
Research, evaluate and recommend new virtual technologies for use in the organization.
Train staff in the use of virtual systems and networks.
Create user accounts, troubleshoot access issues, set up security policies and monitor system access.
Implement server load balancing, clustering and failover measures to ensure system availability.
Provide technical support to end users for virtual systems, networks and storage.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Expertise in virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, and Citrix
Knowledge of server hardware and components
Ability to configure and manage virtual servers and networking components
Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot system and network issues
Knowledge of backup and disaster recovery processes
Knowledge of security principles and best practices
Familiarity with scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash, Python, etc.
Ability to set up and manage high availability clusters
Proficient in monitoring tools and performance analysis
Familiarity with storage concepts and technologies such as SAN, NAS, etc.
Understanding of different operating systems such as Windows, Linux, etc.
Ability to manage virtual machine images and templates
Understanding of networking concepts such as IP addressing, routing, DHCP, etc.
Ability to deploy and configure applications in virtual environments
Ability to automate tasks using scripting languages or other automation tools

Being a Virtual Systems Administrator requires a wide range of technical skills and knowledge. One of the most important skills to have is the ability to troubleshoot and solve system-related issues. This means being able to identify the root causes of problems, then quickly and efficiently develop a plan to fix them.

it is important to understand networking fundamentals and how they apply to virtual systems, as well as the underlying infrastructure that supports them. In order to be successful in this role, one must also have a strong understanding of software and hardware maintenance, be able to maintain system uptime, and be able to provide technical support for users. Furthermore, it is essential for a Virtual Systems Administrator to be able to work collaboratively with other IT professionals in order to develop solutions to complex problems.

These skills are essential for any Virtual Systems Administrator and will help them to be successful in their role.

Virtual Videographer, Virtual Security Analyst, and Virtual Recruiting Coordinator are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with virtual systems administration?
How comfortable are you working with a variety of virtual systems?
What is your experience with cloud and virtual infrastructure management?
Describe a project that youve completed related to virtual systems administration.
What challenges have you faced while working with virtual systems?
Describe your troubleshooting and problem-solving approach for virtual systems.
What strategies do you use to ensure the security of virtual systems?
How do you stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends in virtual systems administration?
Tell me about a time when you successfully collaborated with a team on a virtual systems project.
How do you ensure the reliability, scalability, and performance of virtual systems?

Common Tools in Industry

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). A Windows protocol that allows a user to access and manage remote networks and systems. (eg: Connecting to a remote server to troubleshoot an issue).
Telnet. A terminal emulation program used to connect to a remote computer and access its resources. (eg: Connecting to a remote server to check status).
SSH. A secure shell protocol used to securely access remote systems without having to use a password. (eg: Connecting to a server to transfer files).
Virtualization Software. Software that allows for the creation of multiple virtual machines on a single physical machine. (eg: Creating a virtual test environment for software testing).
Server Management Software. Software that allows for the management of servers from a central location. (eg: Monitoring server performance and making adjustments).
Network Monitoring Software. Software that allows for the monitoring of network performance and usage. (eg: Analyzing network traffic for security issues).
Backup and Recovery Software. Software that allows for the backup and recovery of data and system configurations. (eg: Backing up critical data in case of a system failure).

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Association of Virtual System Administrators (IAVSA)
USENIX - The Advanced Computing Systems Association
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
Open Source Initiative (OSI)
SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security (SANS) Institute
The Open Group

We also have Virtual Project Manager, Virtual Executive Assistant, and Virtual Technical Writer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Cloud Computing. A type of computing that uses a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
Virtualization. The process of creating a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, such as a server, storage device, or network resources.
System Administration. The management and maintenance of an organizations computer systems and networks.
Network Security. The process of protecting a computer network from unauthorized access and malicious activities.
Storage Virtualization. The process of combining multiple physical storage devices into one virtual storage device.
Resource Management. The process of efficiently allocating and managing the use of resources such as hardware, software, data, personnel, and services.
Disaster Recovery Planning. The process of planning for the recovery of systems and data in the event of a disaster or emergency.
Backup and Recovery. The process of creating copies of data and systems to ensure their recovery in the case of an unforeseen event.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is a Virtual Systems Administrator? A1: A Virtual Systems Administrator is an IT professional responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, servers and networks. Q2: What skills are required to be a Virtual Systems Administrator? A2: To be a successful Virtual Systems Administrator, one must possess strong technical skills, including proficiency in operating systems, networking technologies, security protocols, and cloud-based solutions. Additionally, interpersonal skills and a customer service attitude are essential. Q3: What is the job outlook for a Virtual Systems Administrator? A3: The job outlook for a Virtual Systems Administrator is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 11% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Q4: How much does a Virtual Systems Administrator earn? A4: The median annual wage for computer and information systems managers was $146,360 in May 2019. Q5: What areas do Virtual Systems Administrators work in? A5: Virtual Systems Administrators work in many different sectors, including business, finance, healthcare, education, and government.

Web Resources

Systems Administrator | NC State Online and Distance Education online-distance.ncsu.edu
What Does a Virtual Server Administrator Do? - ECPI www.ecpi.edu
What Is A Systems Administrator? - MyComputerCareer www.mycomputercareer.edu