What I do as a systems administrator
The job of systems administrator is so varied that not even the System Administrator's Guild can create a
definition valid for all systems administrators. Some have college degrees,
some don't. Many have no certifications, and are self-taught. Some aren't
even called systems administrators. Even if their job description includes
"systems administrator", many perform tasks unrelated to systems
administration. Here's a incomplete unordered list of things I do:
- Manage software installation on workstations and servers.
- Setup network monitoring and notification procedures.
- Assist users in solving problems they encounter, à la help-desk.
- Track down network and hardware problems.
- Call in outside support as needed.
- Inform users of planned network outages.
- Manage ticket-tracking software to ensure prompt, orderly solutions to
problems.
- Setup and manage a reliable backup and archiving system.
- Organize special room use, particularly for the MCM modeling
competition.
- Provide reliable, spam-free (as far as possible) email transfer.
- Provide reliable, secure user access to email over IMAP, POP, and
webmail.
- Maintain a variety of database backends, including Postgres and
MySQL.
- Maintain useful, usable documentation for users on the use of the
computer systems.
- Install new copper and fiber optic cabling as needed.
Last updated: Wednesday, 05-Oct-2005 01:26:30 EST
© 2012 Skylar Thompson