SysAd313 What is System Administration

Objectives:
Define what system administration is. Enumerate the skills a system administrator must have. Describe the different ways to be a competent system administrator . List other fields related to system administration.

Concept
Introduction
If you have tried installing software applications in your personal computer at home or even in your laptop, configured a LAN card, troubleshoot a WiFi connection, or taught your younger sister how to use a computer and the applications installed in it multiply that a hundred times or a even a thousand then you have done a simple system administration. Typically system administration encompasses a wide-ranging discipline of technical skills and knowledge. It entails a deep familiarization of operating systems and various applications, troubleshooting hardware and software. System administration deals with establishing solid policies and procedures in how or what purpose people in a company utilize the computer resources. A system administrator (the person employed for system administration) should have the ability to communicate effectively with both the endusers/clients and managers. System administration deals also with securing and maintaining the integrity of data.

System Administration Defined

Deals with managing maintaining installing operating troubleshooting computer systems and computer networks

Skills Required To Be A Competent System Administrator

problem-solving and analytical skills interpersonal skills (communication, respect, accommodating etc) computer technical skills (hardware, software, network, etc) good attitude

Roles
Oversees the economical and effective utilization of computing resources including personnel and equipment supporting different platforms Informs management of recurring or projected resource, capacity and security problems and initiates and coordinates capacity planning and/or corrective action Evaluates the performance of systems resources such as operating systems, servers and databases and implements change where required to improve performance on the platforms used. Develops, implements and manages reports to be used for general review, trends analysis and capacity planning Monitors related industry trends, technological developments, and emerging practices in the IT industry and higher education in anticipation of changing customer needs and expectations and makes recommendations to management and initiates project. Assumes leadership for the implementation of new policies and directions and the application of new technologies to existing problems as they relate to the systems and services used Coordinate hardware ad software purchases and prepares recommendations to the I.T. Manager Coordinates and helps prepare hardware installation Designs, plans and oversees the implementation of voice, data and video communication cable and hardware to support requirements of the scope and scale consistent with the company;s network Monitors network performance with the appropriate hardware and software tools Creates, modifies or updates network, process or customer documentation including establishing standard procedures that may be followed by IT professionals

Responsibilities
installing and configuring computer hardware operating systems and applications monitoring and maintaining computer systems and networks talking staff/clients through a series of actions, either face to face or over the telephone troubleshooting system and network problems and diagnosing and solving hardware/software faults providing support, including procedural documentation following diagrams and written instructions to repair a fault or set up a system supporting the roll-out of new applications setting up new users accounts and profiles and dealing with password issues responding within agreed time limits to call-outs rapidly establishing a good working relationship with customers and other professionals (e.g., software developers) testing and evaluating new technology conducting electrical safety checks on computer equipment

Related Fields
Security Administrator specialist in network security Network Administrator maintains network infrastructure Database administrator responsible for the integrity of the data and the efficiency and performance of the system Web Administrator maintains web server services that allow for internal or external access to web sites Technical Support Staff respond to individual users' difficulties with computer systems, provide instructions and sometimes training and diagnose and solve common problems Computer Operator performs routine maintenance

SysAdmins Are Not..

Cookie cutting software engineers Developers It is not usually within your duties to design new applications software But, you must understand the behavior of software in order to deploy it and to troubleshoot problems, and generally should be good at several programming languages used for scripting or automation of routine tasks such as shell, awk, perl, python etc.