SYSTEMS AND
NETWORK
ADMINISTRATION
By
Seguya Asad
What is system
administration?
System administration is the field of work in
which someone manages one or more
systems, be they software, hardware, servers
or workstations. Its goal is ensuring the
systems are running efficiently and effectively.
System administration is typically done by
information technology experts for or within
an organization.
Their job is to ensure that all related computer
systems and services keep working (e.g. a
website).
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System administration is a job done by IT experts for
an organization.
The job is to ensure that computer systems and all
related services are working well.
The duties in system administration are wide ranging
and often vary depending on the type of computer
systems being maintained, although most of them
share some common tasks that may be executed in
different ways.
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What is network administration?
Refers to the activities, methods, procedures,
and tools that pertain to the operation,
administration, maintenance, and provisioning of
networked systems.
It is about putting together a network of
computers (workstations, PCs and
supercomputers), getting them running and then
keeping them running in spite of the activities of
users who tend to cause the systems to fail.
It includes monitoring the network to spot
problems as soon as possible, ideally before
users are affected.
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Many organizations staff other jobs related to systems
administration.
In a larger company, these may all be separate
positions within a computer support or Information
Services (IS) department.
In a smaller group they may be shared by a few
sysadmins, or even a single person.
A database administrator (DBA) maintains a database
system, and is responsible for the integrity of the data
and the efficiency and performance of the system.
A network administrator maintains network
infrastructure such as switches and routers, and
diagnoses problems with these or with the behavior of
network-attached computers.
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A security administrator is a specialist in computer
and network security, including the administration
of security devices such as firewalls, as well as
consulting on general security measures.
Technical support staff respond to individual users'
difficulties with computer systems, provide
instructions and sometimes training, and diagnose
and solve common problems.
A computer operator performs routine
maintenance and upkeep, such as changing
backup tapes or replacing failed drives in a RAID
array.
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A systems analyst documents, trouble
shoots, and develops existing and new
computer and work processes and systems.
In some organizations, a person may begin
as a member of technical support staff or a
computer operator, then gain experience
on the job to be promoted to a sysadmin
position and afterwards an IT Manager.
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Who is a system administrator (SA)?
A system administrator (sometimes
abbreviated as sysadmin) is a person who is
responsible for managing a multi-user
computing environment, such as a local area
network (LAN).
What are the goals of system
administration?
Ensure that computing systems run correctly
and as efficiently as possible
Ensure that all users can and do use the
computing systems to carry out their required
work in the easiest and most efficient manner.
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Essential Tasks of Systems
Administrator
The tasks of system management varies
dramatically from sites to sites.
Some possible tasks
Adding and removing users
Adding and removing hardware
Performing backups
Installing new software
Monitoring the system
Troubleshooting
Maintaining local documentation
testing and maintenance
Help users
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Daily operations
emergencies
regular tasks (automate)
system monitoring
Hardware and software
programming
evaluation
purchase
installation
testing and maintenance
upgrading
phasing out 01/20/2012
Essential Tasks of Systems
Administrator
Administration and planning
documentation
time management
policy
self-education
planning
Interaction with people
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How does one become a Sysadmin ?
Unlike many professions, there is no single path to
becoming a Sysadmin.
Few Universities have specific programmes for
Systems Administration.
So many Sysadmins have a degree in generic
fields:
Information Technology, Computer Science,
Computer Engineering, etc.
In addition, because of the practical nature of
Systems Administration and the easy availability
of open source server software, many Sysadmins
enter the field self taught.
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How does one become a Sysadmin ?
Generally, a prospective administrator will be
required to have some experience with the
computer system he or she is expected to
manage.
In some cases, candidates are required to
possess Industry certifications before being
considered.
For example, some one applying for a job
administering Microsoft windows systems
may be expected to have the Microsoft
Certified Systems Administrator MCSA
certification. 01/20/2012
How does one become a Sysadmin ?
For Linux Systems there are three common
certification programs:
1. LPI (Linux Professional Institute)
2. RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer)
3. Linux+ - a CompTIA certification of knowledge
of Linux operating systems from their
installation
and use to the basics of applicable free
software
and open source licences.
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How does one become a Sysadmin ?
Administrators of Systems in certain
fields using specialize software may
also be required to have experience or
have received certification to use the
said packages.
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Successful System and Network
Administration
Need to find a balance between
Authority and responsibility
Service and cooperation
The few basic strategies include the
following:
Plan it before you go for it
Make changes incrementally
Know how things really work.
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Keep a copy before any change to the
configuration file
Keep the current modification date
Plan how to back up if the change didn’t
work i.e. system does not even boot
Such as boot to single user mode and
copy the old version back
Test the change on a non-production
environment first
Eliminate the most obvious problems
Make one major change at a time
Make the test easier
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Careful planning
Habit
Change root password regularly
Faithfully making backups ( no matter
how tedious)
Testing every change several times
Sticking to policies you’ve set
Handling crises
Have the foresight
Take time to anticipate and plan for the
emergency 01/20/2012
Prevent crises by carrying out all careful
How to be a good system
administrator
Becoming a good system administrator
requires a blend of technical skills,
interpersonal qualities, and continuous
learning.
Here are some key aspects to cultivate:
1. Strong foundation in operating
systems: Master the intricacies of
Windows, Linux, and other OS platforms
you'll manage. Understand hardware
architecture, networking principles, and
security concepts.
2. Expertise in server administration: Know
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3. Scripting and automation: Learn scripting
languages like PowerShell, Bash, or Python to
automate routine tasks, analyze logs, and
manage configurations efficiently.
4. Troubleshooting and problem-solving: Develop
a methodical approach to diagnosing and
resolving system issues, utilizing logs, monitoring
tools, and analytical reasoning.
5. Security awareness and best practices: Be
vigilant about system security, implement robust
access controls, and stay updated on emerging
threats and mitigation strategies.
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6. Cloud and virtualization
technologies: Familiarize yourself with
cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, GCP, and
virtualization solutions like VMware to
adapt to modern infrastructure trends.
7. Stay updated on technology
trends: Regularly learn about new
software, hardware, security threats, and
best practices to maintain your skillset's
relevance.
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8. Attend industry conferences and
workshops: Network with other
professionals, learn from experts, and keep
abreast of new developments.
9. Contribute to open-source
projects: Practice your skills while
participating in the community and gaining
valuable experience.
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Ethical issues of a systems admin
• Systems administrators hold a critical role in
the digital world, managing the infrastructure
that governs communication, data storage,
and countless essential processes.
While their technical expertise is crucial, their
actions can also raise ethical concerns. The
following are the ethical issues:
Access to sensitive data: Systems
administrators often have access to vast
amounts of sensitive user data, including
personal information, financial records, and
communications
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Monitoring and surveillance: Monitoring user activity
can be necessary for security and troubleshooting, but
it raises concerns about potential overreach and
invasion of privacy.
Data breaches and leaks: Systems administrators often
play a role in responding to data breaches and leaks.
They must act promptly and ethically to minimize
damage, notify affected individuals, and implement
mitigation measures to prevent future incidents.
Vulnerability to cyberattacks: Systems administrators
must constantly balance security protocols with user
convenience. Implementing overly restrictive measures
can hinder accessibility, while inadequate security can
leave systems vulnerable to cyberattacks.
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Unauthorized access and privilege escalation:
Systems administrators have the potential to
bypass security measures or abuse their
privileges.
Censorship and content control: In some contexts,
systems administrators may be involved in
filtering or blocking content based on specific
regulations or policies.
Intellectual property and licensing: Understanding
and respecting copyright laws and software
licensing agreements is essential for systems
administrators to avoid ethical violations related
to software installation, usage, and distribution.
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Fixing problems
Problems are an accepted part of Systems
Administration
Being able to diagnose and solve
problems is an essential part of Systems
Administration
Guidelines
Remain calm
Learn to appreciate self-reliance
consult all available sources of
information
know the best places to look
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Refrain from asking spurious questions
Challenges of System Administration
Designing a network which is logical and efficient.
Deploying large numbers of machines which can
be easily upgraded later.
Deciding what services are needed.
Planning and implementing adequate security.
Providing a comfortable environment for users.
Developing ways of fixing errors and problems
which occur.
Keeping track of and understanding how to use
the enormous amount of knowledge which
increases every year.
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