Scribd
Upload
16 views17 pages

1 An Introduction To System Administration

The document provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of a system administrator (sysadmin), highlighting their duties in managing computer systems, ensuring security, and providing user support. It outlines the essential skills and personality traits required for a sysadmin, such as problem-solving, communication, and customer service orientation. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of documentation and training in the sysadmin's role.

Uploaded by

rex xebex
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views17 pages

1 An Introduction To System Administration

The document provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of a system administrator (sysadmin), highlighting their duties in managing computer systems, ensuring security, and providing user support. It outlines the essential skills and personality traits required for a sysadmin, such as problem-solving, communication, and customer service orientation. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of documentation and training in the sysadmin's role.

Uploaded by

rex xebex
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 17

AN INTRODUCTION TO

SYSTEM
ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTER 1
ALLEN A. LLORCA
OBJECTIVES

• Explore the world of the Sysadmin.


• List the duties of the Sysadmin.
• List the skill set required of the Sysadmin.
• List a few personality traits of a typical Sysadmin.
WHAT IS SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR?

A system administrator, or sysadmin, or admin is a person who is responsible for


the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems,
especially multi-user computers, such as servers.
The system administrator seeks to ensure that the uptime, performance,
resources, and security of the computers they manage meet the needs of the
users, without exceeding a set budget when doing so.
WHAT IS A SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR?

In a “small company” the Sysadmin may be the entire information technology


staff.
• The Sysadmin may do everything from telephone, to fax, to computer
management.
• Sysadmin may have to order supplies, deal with users, develop
software, repair hardware.
WHAT IS A SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR?

In a large company the Sysadmin may be one member of a large group.


-May be responsible for one aspect of the data center operation.
• Programmers
• Database Administrators
• Network Administrators
• Operators
WHAT IS A SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR?
In general, sysadmins must be comfortable working with
• application and
• file servers,
• desktops,
• routers,
• wide area networks,
• databases,
• information security systems cybersecurity protocols and
• storage.
COMMON SYSADMIN TRAITS
• A Sysadmin is a customer service agent!
• The Sysadmin must be able to communicate with technical and non-technical
users.
• The Sysadmin should be patient, and have a sense of humor.
• The Sysadmin must be able to solve difficult technical problems.
• The Sysadmin must be able to work in a group setting.
• The Sysadmin must document activities in order to reproduce the results.
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?

• Plan and manage the machine room environment


• design machine room; specify cooling, cabling, power connections, and
environmental controls (fire alarm, security)
• Install and maintain operating system software, application software, and
patches.
• Determine hardware and software pre-requisites, which patches to install,
which services to provide, and which services to disable.
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?

• Schedule downtime to perform upgrades/patches, and test devices and


schedule downtime to manage devices.
• Install and maintain user accounts; develop acceptable use policy and login-
name policy; determine password change policies; install/configure/manage
name services; and manage licenses.
• Determine disk quota, police/manage disk space, and monitor log files.
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?
• Train users on software and security.
• Ensure that users have access to documentation.
• Help users and provide help-desk support and problem tracking system to
answer user questions.
• Configure network services:
• printing, file sharing, name service.
• determine file sharing needs and printing policies.
• manage security for shared resources.
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?
• Install/maintain system devices, hardware/drivers; specify supported devices;
determine spares practices.
• Install/configure/manage web servers, configure web access agents
• Configure and maintain business applications
• web agents
• e-mail
• calendar software
• order/problem tracking software
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?
• Install/configure/manage e-mail software
• mail transfer agents.
• mail readers.
• Configure and manage system security
• security for business applications,
• read security mailing lists and CERT notifications,
• install/configure "firewall" software to limit intruder access,
• collect evidence in case of successful intrusion and clean up after intrusion
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?
• Configure and maintain system backups,
• determine backup strategy and policies, and
• configure backup software
• perform backups
• monitor backup logs
• check backup integrity
• determine disaster survival plans
• perform restores
WHAT DOES A SYSADMIN DO?

Flow of change
SKILLS REQUIRED
• Delegation and Time Management
• Ethics
• Ability to create/follow Policies and Procedures
• Desire to learn
• Customer Service Attitude
• Knowledge of technical aspects
• Hardware
• Software
• Problem Solving
SUMMARY

• Sysadmins are often viewed as “a jack of all trades”


• Sysadmins are customer service oriented.
• Sysadmins need to be able to communicate clearly.
• Sysadmins need to be able to solve problems
• Sysadmins need to be analytical thinkers.
REFERENCES

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_administrator
• https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/system-administrator
• Cisco Networking Academy - Routing and Switching Essentials V6 Companion Guide (2016, Cisco Press)

You might also like