What a network system administrator should know. Description of the profession of a system administrator, its pros and cons. Profession - system administrator

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Let's talk in detail about what he has to face, what knowledge he needs to have

You won't be able to hide from new technologies, you need to learn how to manage and use them both in business and for personal purposes. This is not always quick (and cheap). An IT specialist has to study a huge amount of material and test the product before its full implementation (if an integrator is not invited), in a non-standard situation, to approach the task creatively, look for answers on the Internet and visit all kinds of forums.

The responsibilities of the system administrator can be divided into two parts: daily and infrequently used. The solution to the tasks assigned to him depends on the level of training, the availability of automation tools for changing settings, convenient management of any processes and other factors.

Let's talk about the nuances and specifics of work in the administration of different systems. I will give a list of the requirements (tasks) that we faced for several years, thereby making some overview of the work performed by the system administrator.

Task 1. Display on a web page the fullness of folders located on the FTP server (CentOS)

Basically, to solve this issue, monitoring systems are used, their function also includes a warning about the full space of the specified disk. However, such programs do not provide information about the user and the type of files, and you have to search manually. In our case, recursive folder search was implemented, which is based on the use of the Perl language. The result can be seen in Fig. 1.

Advanced knowledge of Linux systems is required.

Task 2. Ability to work remotely

Since we have a hybrid IT infrastructure, we connect to different servers in different ways: to Windows servers - via the RDP protocol using the Remote Desktop Connection Manager program, and to Linux servers - via the SSH protocol, launching Putty.

Task 3. Separate work bookmarks from personal ones in the browser

Services with a web interface were added to browser bookmarks, which became more and more and it was necessary to create separate groups to separate between workers and personal. In order to move the work bookmarks to another place, it was decided to create on the corporate website separate page for system administrators.

With each new challenge The quick navigation page for the service is bloated, but remains convenient, since it uses large pictures with captions (see Fig. 3).

Task 4. Monitor Microsoft OS and software versions, apply the necessary updates

Updating the OS and software is an important task. After all, there are often updates to server and client systems that help to “patch holes” or improve functionality. With the release of new versions, it is necessary to plan actions to minimize costs during business downtime. Here you need to take into account the availability of free disk space and server occupancy. custom applications, in order to guess the best moment for the work.

Knowledge of configuring the WSUS role is required.

Task 5. Move to another domain

The transition to another domain will add a lot of trouble, since this procedure is very, very rare, and you will have to pay great attention to planning. The main problem is the transfer Active DirectoryBecause migrating computers, users with passwords is not a trivial task, and there are not so many automation tools here.

The migration process can be described as follows: an additional server is deployed, then the AD DS role, a trust relationship is established between the two forests / domains, the SQL server is installed, and the Active Directory Migration Tool is launched. which allows users to migrate between domains. After that, the User Profile Wizard utility is installed on the user's computers, with the help of which their profile is transferred.

Knowledge of DNS and Active Directory administration is required.

Task 6. Give up FTP servers on Windows

In a hybrid IT infrastructure, it may be necessary to abandon shared folders and FTP server on Windows systems in favor of Linux systems. Here you need to understand how users are granted rights to files and folders.

Knowledge of configuring Linux systems is required.

Task 7. Planned transition to new versions of Windows OS

Moving client machines to newer OS versions can be time-consuming for IT professionals. This process can be automated and accelerated several times.

To do this, you will need to enable and configure the WDS role on the server, add a reference image of the freshly installed OS and driver there. This will help you install new Windows systems on several computers at once over the network, with just a couple of keys.

To get additional functions for automating processes, it is convenient to use MS SCCM, with the help of which you can centrally manage downloading and installing updates, installing operating systems and applications, connecting to the desktop of a remote computer, taking into account licensed software, comparing the required settings with the existing ones, inventorying computer equipment and other.

Knowledge of configuring DHCP ools is required. WDS.

I have seen many reflections on the Internet on the topic “how to become a system administrator” or “how to grow out of enikey”?

In this regard, I want to tell my story of becoming in this capacity.

It all started back in 2006 already. I had a permanent job in my specialty, in no way related to computer activities. But she did not bring the desired money, and I had free time. In this regard, I started looking for work.

At that time, I had three years of computer experience, and it was expressed in tinkering with my home computer, celeron 1.7 Ghz, 512MB DDR, 40GB HDD. Over the past couple of years, I have broken it many times, but overall I have successfully repaired it. Although of course my knowledge for work at that time was not enough, but I was carried away by the computer. And then, one fine moment, a friend offered me a job as an installer in a small Internet company.

The offer, of course, was tempting, because it was an acquaintance, but the work of an installer did not appeal to me, I was interested in working with software and hardware, and therefore I still got into this company, without any interview, having talked to the local system administrator, who only asked if I was ready to study hard and hard. Nominally, I got a job as an assistant system administrator. With a salary of as much as $ 200 on probation. Since I didn't have to count on something better anyway, it was fine with me.

By the way, it is now very common to joke about education and diploma. So - education and a diploma of higher education are needed. First, it gives general development in many branches of general scientific disciplines, and in principle develops a person. And during a conversation, as a rule, it is noticeable how a person builds his speech, and his knowledge in economics, politics, geography, and other sciences. All this is needed to interact with other employees and understand the company's business processes. Not at the level of bring it, but at the level of planning the organization's activities. And of course, if you have a specialized education, then this is the foundation on which the knowledge you gain in the process of work will lay. And this foundation greatly accelerates the assimilation of new knowledge. Learn friends from childhood. This will come in handy.

Unfortunately, I did not have a specialized education in IT. Our sysadmin was very fond of BSD systems, and for this reason everything worked for us on FreeBSD and OpenBSD. I remember that I was very impressed by his two monitors, with open consoles, on which different characters ran merrily.

I want to say right away - you will have to spend a lot of time to learn. And even if you buy a large thick book, and even read it, it is not a fact that your knowledge will greatly increase.

It happened to me too. My first book was this: UNIX System Administrator's Guide

No, of course it wasn’t in vain. But I did not understand much of what was written there, because I did not have that very foundation. For example, knowledge and devices of networks. I installed FreeBSD on my home computer, enthusiastically installed KDE on it, set up the desktop, themes, config rules .... It was very interesting to me. At work, my responsibilities were mainly to support users of the Internet company. I was taught to use text editor VI, to prescribe MAC addresses to clients when buying a computer or replacing network card, watch traffic through tcpdump, in order to understand why the client's Internet does not work. And he usually did not work for several reasons. It could be a banal virus that actively connected to port 25 and clogged the entire channel with traffic, or the RIP routing protocol was buggy on the router in the subscriber's network segment. How many wonderful moments of work I remember now ... When, for example, you ask a girl: Tell me please, what is your windows? And in response, after a short reflection, you get: I have a printer. Or after the unstable work of the Internet, a subscriber calls and promises to come to the office with a bat if the Internet does not work in 5 minutes. Sometimes it was difficult to explain the situation. For example, a switch was stolen on the house. A day later, the installers put a new one. The subscribers calmed down and are satisfied. And the next day the switch is stolen again) There were also funny moments. Once a lady came to the office and said that she knew that a computer could be found at the poppy's address. Her husband took home a computer from work, and now he is threatened with jail. Therefore, she asks us to remove the poppy from the system, and gives a little money. We didn't mind - we removed the binding from DHCP to the Mac.

There were also classic situations when installers were asked to install software on a computer, and then it turned out that this was a test purchase.

Working as a technical support specialist, I learned and saw quite a lot for myself. I saw the server rack, rack-mount UPSs, the servers themselves, finally. I learned a little about server hardware, and of course the most important thing is that I gained valuable experience (albeit small in terms of setting) working with UNIX systems... I learned about the EXIM mail server, about Postgresql databases, about FreeBSD, the basics of routing, worked a little with the Barsum system to track PBX traffic.

My next stage of work was the support of the office, and the combination of work in the technical support of the provider. It happened two years later. Since the company united several firms. Now I was sitting alone in the office, answering calls and helping users, ordering hardware, changing cartridges in printers and plotters. So I got acquainted with the application software and real users)) And I learned what Autocad and Revit are, what problems arise with windows XP and windows 7, as well as with package microsoft office.

During this period of time I was gaining applied knowledge. Trying to read literature, for example, about an exchange server, without having a test bench at hand, it was difficult to understand and remember something other than theory. Yes, and perhaps I did not have the opportunity to raise virtualization at home. But even then I got my first private orders. Not much, and not difficult, but it was money people paid me to repair their laptops and computers. Now, with the passage of time, I remember people related to IT who were engaged in computer repair. And in most cases, these masters knew the topic superficially, everything burned out for them only because of the ignorance of the customers to whom you can say anything you want. I've never been able to do the job halfway. If I am asked to install windows I will always look first bIOS settings, switch the controller to AHCI modeIf necessary, I will turn off unnecessary devices, install the latest drivers, and small things - archivers, viewers, etc. That is, I will make it so that when turned on, an ordinary person can work. Most did it differently - they just installed windows and that's it.

So I worked for 4 years, when I realized that I needed to move on. And then there was a problem with employment. Nobody wanted to take me as a system administrator. And the problem was simple - I had no experience in administering server and application programs. Not support, namely installation and search for errors in work. And then I realized that, in general, something needs to be changed, because I work in essence as an enikem, and I risk never climbing higher.

As a result, I got a job in a large holding, for a position that was called a technician there. It was a large company, 2000 people. She was served by about 10 system administrators, and our group, which was entrusted with 600 people. Our department consisted of two girls on the phone - receiving calls, four technicians - fulfilling requests, and a senior technician - distributing and controlling requests. There was a lot of work. But what I liked about this company was that the management and IT infrastructure were well planned and implemented. There were regulations and instructions for everything and everyone. And the system worked like a well-oiled mechanism. Here my knowledge and skills gained in the previous jobs came in handy. I completed 200 applications a month, received awards and was in good standing. I was ready to develop and learn, but unfortunately a year later the company started having problems and it went bankrupt.

I had to look for a job again, with practically the same characteristics as the last time. We can say that I went for a promotion. This time I got a job as a system administrator. Now I had access to vmware, servers and exchange server. My responsibilities, as before, consisted of supporting the office, office equipment, laptops, and everything related to technology, servicing, setting up and installing. now I was doing it alone. Since I had access to live hardware, and I could watch live consoles, server logs, vmware and hyper-v. There was an incentive to study what I see.

For this, the books were purchased: Windows server 2012 R2 complete guide:

Now, in the evenings, I started hyper-v at home, configured and installed and tested the windows server and its roles. Iron finally made it possible to do this. Thanks to practice and books, as well as preparation, I was able to take an important step in my career - I received the MCSA certificate for windows server 2012. How it was given to me can be read here - this is the first of three exams that must be passed for this status. On every issue affecting a specific role, I raised it in virtual machine and studied. So I learned all the roles of this operating system.

At one point, we decided to license everything and everyone in our company. For this Microsoft gave us free vouchers for education. We were asked to choose microsoft courses to study. I chose microsoft exchange server for myself.

This course was called: “Basic solutions with using Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 ”. Tuition for money would have cost 32,000 rubles. For myself, I learned a lot of new things on these courses, and was eager to study them.

The Microsoft exchange server 2013 complete guide has become a handbook for me:

Again hyper-v, again testing, installing, configuring. As a result, I have an MCSE messaging certificate, as well as a specialist certificate: Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2016.

In order to be a universal specialist, you still need to be well versed in networks. It is not enough to install and configure windows server and exchange server. You also need to configure interaction with them over the network. This requires an understanding of how the network works. Understanding the OSI model, and how the L3 switch differs from L2. And also why the L3 switch is still a switch, not a router.

Two books helped me a lot in this. The first is rather boring, the second is more interesting. It is written in them about the same thing. But to consolidate the material, I saw fit to read both. Olifer computer networks and Tannenbaum Weatherall computer networks:

Both books provide fundamental knowledge of networking in all areas. They describe both the provider protocols and multiplexing, and how wi-fi and the GSM network work. And of course, what are poppy addresses, ip addresses, packet and frame headers, the difference between MTU and MSS, and much more.

After reading these books, I chose for myself the study of devices from cisco. Having worked for some time with switches and routers of this company, I can say that if at first nothing is clear at all, then after a while the puzzle still begins to take shape, and as you understand the logic of the networks, the logic of the command interface is also understood ios (cisco os).

To hone your skills, there is a cisco packet tracer emulator. In the theoretical part, two Cisco CCENT / CCNA books will help us:


These books are designed to consolidate the knowledge we gained in the two previous books. They will also teach you how to work with vendor equipment that works all over the world. And specialists are always in demand.

You can now take the CCNA ROUTING AND SWITCHING exam. This is the second step of certification, showing that you firmly know the basics of networks, and can work with them, understanding what it is.

This is the way I went from enike to system administrator. And I want to say that apart from books I did not spend money on education. Now I work in this position in a small company, in a single person, and I have my own server room. But the IT world does not stand still. To grow you need to learn every day. And every day I understand that in our profession you can only be a specialist in one specific area. For example, an exchange server administrator, or a cisco network engineer. Or know just a little, but in every area.

If you have any questions, ask them at, or below in the comments.

The position of a system administrator is provided in the staff of most large companies. A specialist of the appropriate profile performs functions important for his organization related to ensuring correct work computer networks and other elements of digital infrastructure. What should a system administrator know to successfully complete the tasks assigned to him?


"Sysadmins" can have different specializations. Among the most common:
  • server management;
  • maintenance of databases;
  • ensuring the work of the corporate network;
  • maintenance of digital equipment and PCs (usually in small companies).

Let's consider in more detail the features of these areas of activity of system administrators.

Server management

A company may own its own servers either because it is a service provider (such as web hosting) or because of an objective business need (for security or economic reasons). System administrators of the corresponding profile are responsible for the health of the infrastructure associated with the operation of the servers of the most different types... For example, those used to host web pages and content or to organize the work of corporate mail.

The system administrator responsible for the area of \u200b\u200bactivity under consideration must, first of all, have a good understanding of software, in particular, in the specifics of the functioning of operating systems that control servers. Now the most common solutions in this area are Linux, FreeBSD, Windows Server... The organization of the servers also uses solutions such as Apache, IIS, mail standards Sendmail, Postfix, etc.

It is also useful for a "sysadmin" to have knowledge in the field of "hardware" used in organizing the corresponding infrastructure. If, for example, the hard disk of the server is out of order or begins to function with malfunctions, then an administrator with the necessary skills will be able to quickly recognize this problem... Although, it should be noted, in many corporations such activities are not included in job duties specialists who are engaged in the considered direction of work. In this case, "sysadmins" are responsible only for the software component of the servers.

Database maintenance

The need for database maintenance can arise not only in large organizations, but also in small and medium enterprises. The DBMS contains data about the company's employees, transactions, management orders and other information important for business development.

It happens that adjustments in the content of one type of database directly affect the information posted on other resources. If, for example, in the DBMS that reflects information about the company's employees, the data about the employee changes (as an option, he gets a promotion), then the corresponding changes should be made to the sources in which salaries, vacations and other significant aspects of labor legal relations with human participation.

Such synchronization, as a rule, is carried out automatically, but the system providing this option must function correctly. This is what the "sysadmin" responsible for working with databases is called upon to monitor. At the same time, the range of duties of an administrator can be much wider.

As in the case of ensuring the operation of servers, the bulk of the tasks solved by the "system administrator" involves the use of "software". A specialist of the appropriate profile must own the key types of software used as a DBMS or as a tool for their maintenance. Among the most common solutions are MySQL, Oracle, Firebird, Informix. Knowledge in the field of operating systems that run the databases is important - Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and others based on Unix, Windows Server. The "sysadmin" will need to know the SQL language used in the DBMS.

Ensuring the work of the corporate network

In most Russian small and medium-sized enterprises, not to mention large businesses, employees' computers are combined into common network... Company employees exchange messages, files, communicate in a social format - both on intranet and external resources. Integration of corporate networks of different companies is possible. In some cases, it is necessary to organize remote access to the appropriate resources of the organization - for example, if an employee is on a business trip and needs to receive certain files or, for example, he wants to send a message to a colleague over a secure channel.

What should a system administrator responsible for the correct functioning of a corporate network know and be able to do? First of all, a person will need skills that reflect the specifics of the implementation of the TCP / IP protocol and VPN standards, the specifics of hardware and servers. It is also useful for the "sysadmin" to be able to work with software related to the organization of the functioning of the company's digital infrastructure. As in the case of the specialization in the profile of server management and database maintenance, it can be a Unix-based OS, Windows Server, various auxiliary interfaces.

The duties of the "sysadmin" who solves the tasks within the framework of the considered area of \u200b\u200bactivity often also include ensuring the secure operation of the network. Although, it should be noted, in many companies this is a separate specialization due to the large amount of work performed by the administrator. The main task in this area of \u200b\u200bactivity is to ensure the safe exchange of files between company employees, as well as with external entities: partners, the tax service, and supervisory structures.

A "sysadmin" specializing in network security must know how data encryption protocols work - for example, SSL, RAS, RADIUS, file access control mechanisms (such as SecurID). The duties of the administrator may also include the use of information backup systems. They are presented in a wide range of solutions: Acronis Backup & Recovery level software is designed to work with large and small networks, the Cloud Backup Robot program and its analogues are used to copy data from personal computers.

The main thing is that everything works

In small companies and those organizations in which a developed digital infrastructure is not main criterion efficiency (although there are not very many of them - even the most conservative government agencies are actively computerized), the duties of "sysadmins" can be reduced, in fact, to the maintenance of employees' PCs, as well as accessories for them. The management will require one thing from the administrator - that everything works.

In most cases, a specialist of the profile in question can possess basic, sometimes even theoretical knowledge about any aspect of the work of computer technology. Therefore, such positions often involve graduates or students with no experience. At the same time, in their work record, the position is often indicated in the same way as in the case if a specialist is engaged in solving complex problems associated, for example, with organizing the work of servers.

By the way, the most important fact should be noted - the profession of “system administrator” has not yet been approved in the Russian legal system. The main source of data from where the job titles are taken for making entries in the work book is OKPDR, the all-Russian classifier, which reflects the professions of workers and employees. It can be found on the website etks.info. Thus, there is no information about system administrators in the OKPDR.

There is a draft order of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation on the approval of the corresponding professional standard. You can get acquainted with it here: http://base.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/online.cgi?req\u003ddoc;base\u003dPNPA;n\u003d9168. However, this document has no official status. Therefore, HR specialists have to design "sysadmins" as "information security engineers" or, for example, as "software technicians" - in accordance with the OKPDR. But it is possible that soon one of the most demanded professions in Russia will nevertheless receive an official status.

Each of us, at work or in everyday life, faced the need to seek help from a system administrator. Surely everyone had an unforgettable experience of this attempt to communicate. Now imagine that a friendly sysadmin himself came to your office to find out if everything is working fine and if there are any questions. Miracles? In fact, for a modern system administrator, only panic can be worse than a lack of communication skills. We will talk about the most important skills in the work of a good system administrator with our expert - the course teacher Vadim Tsaplin.

Tell us a little about yourself: how long have you been doing system administration and what projects do you consider the most interesting?

I have been doing professional system administration since 2004, it turns out, for 10 years already. Before the professional level, I had a period that can be called "like everyone else": friends-acquaintances-relatives asked for help with computers. At first it was just a hobby, then they started paying me for some work. Somehow, little by little, it became a profession. My generation is a generation of self-taught people, since there was no special specialized education for future admins (I'm not sure what it is now). Later, having got a job, I was able to attend additional courses in areas of interest at the expense of the company. That way I was able to complete two Novell Certificate Linux Administrator (NCLP) courses and several courses to prepare me for the Cisco Certificate Network Associate (CCNA) certification exams and graduate to the Cisco Certificate Network Professional (CCNP) level.

We can talk about interesting projects for a long time. It was the design of all kinds of IT systems, and the implementation of ready-made solutions, there was also a lot of work on the development of new and old equipment.

Tell me, what is modern system administration? What are its features, difficulties, from your point of view?

Let's just say, in general, the administrator's job is to put all the components of the company's information infrastructure together so that they work as required. If we talk about modern system administration, now there are much more ready-made, beautiful-looking integrated solutionswhere the administrator is only required to press a button. There is a lot of unnecessary marketing information in product descriptions that you have to pass through many filters in your head. In many companies with which interaction is required, there are very few technical specialists of a decent level with whom to establish technical cooperation. But there are a lot of sales managers.

People often say that they are looking for a "good sysadmin". Aside from what employers mean, what is a "good sysadmin" from a professional's point of view?

Let's start with the fact that anything can be included in the job description; large companies also sin with this. They can start with a system administrator, and end with knowledge of Java or C #, just in case. You also need to understand that the skills of a particular specialist depend on where and with what he works every day. In general, a good sysadmin is an old experienced kamikaze. It seems to me that this is one of those professions where experience decides a lot. Although the same experience sometimes gets in the way.

Young administrators in large companies often start their activities by working with users in technical support, where it is important to pay attention not only to the technical side of the issue, but also to their appearance, speech, and manner of communication. A friendly admin is forgiven many sins and many secrets are revealed. The same colleagues: IT people are not particularly social, but if you find a common language with them, you can easily solve complex puzzles by comparing their knowledge and comments.

This means that the old anecdote that the system administrator is such an unsociable guy on the wire is no longer relevant. How important is the personality of a sysadmin to work?

No, there are also such completely asocial personalities who have worked for a long time in small companies as the only system administrator - almost a king and a god. However, in large companies it is quite difficult for them. This requires teamwork, and the user is more spoiled by the presence of a certain level of service. In my opinion, such things are already the last century, now there is a more “customer-oriented approach”, let's say. And there is also competition in the labor market. This does not mean at all that we are all so soft and fluffy here, but we try to keep the necessary level of service.

Is there a standard range of tasks, skills, responsibilities, abilities that a sysadmin should possess?

Today, system administration is a fairly broad concept. There is both a hierarchy and a specialization. There are junior and senior administrators, there are general-purpose administrators, and there are specialized administrators, for example, database administrator, network administrator.

I don't know how to generalize this, but every day we start by reading letters from the monitoring system. We look at what is going on in our farm, fix something, check something additionally. We communicate with colleagues from neighboring units. We can visit some users. Then we just work.

From skills, for example, it will be useful to be able to work with interrupts, sort them by priority. It does not always work out, but you need to try.

Having worked in the field for 10 years, how do you define for yourself: system administration is a vocation, Tao? Or is it more of a craft?

Yes, it's all together. In my opinion, if something is good, it goes into your hands, why not call it a vocation?

How difficult is it to master the profession of a system administrator? As far as I understand, one cannot do without constant self-education, and in a variety of areas. What do you need to know and be able to for a specialist to be called literate?

In fact, the first thing you need to know is some basic things for the specialty. This is the ABC: the basic principles of networking, computing and operating systems - such knowledge is fundamental, and I cannot say that they are strongly and often outdated. Yes, the same Internet works on a technology that can be called, from a modern point of view, ancient. But it works! You need to know her!

Further, some specificity will be superimposed on this base. I always ask the basics from junior system administrators, because how to find some recipe for solving the problem that has arisen can also help Google, but what words to search for and whether it is possible to apply what was found to a specific situation, you have to think.

Is it possible to come to high level in a profession without any special education, only self-education, by experience? Or is there some minimal preparation required? The same courses, for example?

For what I love educational programs, so because I left my workplace for a week and no one pulls me. I am fully committed to teaching. We tried to organize on-the-job training, but nothing productive happened. And then you plunge into the whole process, and many things are perceived, fit into your head much easier.

On the other hand, modern courses are very dense information flow... It is extremely difficult to sit out for 6-7 hours and perceive something new. Branded courses also often try to hook administrators into their technical solutions. And nevertheless, the courses very well give an acquaintance with some basics, terminology, materials. It is much easier to take courses and focus on the learning task. This is more comfortable.

Regarding special education ... I have not yet seen graduates from IT specialties who would start working right away. Experience is needed, including experience with the user. All young admins start with this one way or another. Very rarely, someone immediately gets to administer some systems.

Please tell us about the upcoming ... What will be discussed and what will students get from it?

The course is new, but despite this, I can say that it has a significant difference from others. For example, from authorized courses, behind which are large companies and place a great emphasis on studying and offering their commercial solutions. We are not representatives of any company.

Why is the course based on the Linux operating system? Despite the existence of a large number of such systems, they are all related to each other. It is enough to be able to work with one of the options, and it will not be so difficult to switch to another version of the distribution kit. In addition, these are quite professional systems, most interesting and high-load projects are built on them, at the same time, their modified varieties live in many tablets and smartphones. Many administrators are very happy to see the familiar console on their home router. "Yes there is Linux!" So everything is all right.

Do you need any special training, restrictions on its passage?

At a minimum, a person should have an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat a "file", a "folder" is, what a "site" is, an IP address. We do not require any deep and specific knowledge. This is another significant advantage of the course: we try to tell about the complex simple language... We will not be able to give any super-deep knowledge either, but, as I said, we will give the basic skills without fail.

Tell me, is this knowledge enough for a beginner who has successfully completed training to start working right away?

I hope that this knowledge will help a beginner to find her and successfully pass an interview, and then a probationary period. I think that those who undergo training will adapt to the workplace much faster and will take less time from their older comrades for their training. The time saved will allow you to start to benefit the employing company earlier, and this can already give the person additional benefits.

And in conclusion, a few words for those who want to become system administrators, and all our readers.

The most important thing is not to panic! Worse than a panicking admin, I don't even know ... Well, and the second, perhaps: with users you need to be as friendly and calm as possible, but not put on your neck.

We can only remind ourselves that starts at the IT-Academy of Alexey Sukhorukov June 18... So, if you want to learn how to communicate not only with networks, but also with such a category of people as users, welcome to the walls of the Academy!

System administrator (from English literally "system manager") or in colloquial slang "sysadmin" is one of the most difficult professions that has emerged quite recently, but has already become indispensable for the stable, well-established work of administrative and educational institutions, banks, production, business, sphere sales and services, etc.

A lot of anecdotes, humorous stories about their complex relationships and misunderstandings with network users, mysterious professional language, "strange" working hours and characteristic habits are associated with system administrators.

History of the profession

Initially, this profession was mastered by talented self-taught, as a rule, men, confidently mastering the technical, mathematical and organizational areas of knowledge. Today there is an opportunity to get an excellent secondary specialized or higher education in this specialty, to take specialized training courses. However, in the field of system administration, practice, possession of the necessary skills and abilities will always prevail over theoretical calculations.

At the present time, the rapid advancing development of network technologies, computerization of companies and state institutions, the profession of a system administrator is becoming super relevant and in demand... Its improvement and further development is expected in the long term.

About who system administrators are, see the following video clip:

Basic requirements for an employee

A system administrator (or IT-administrator) is an employee whose job responsibilities are to ensure the regular operation of a fleet of computer equipment, a network and software, as well as information security In the organisation.

The position of a system administrator exists today in almost all organizations where there is a large computer network. Small firms have to turn to hiring such a specialist through what is financially more profitable than maintaining the position.

Many users confuse the profession of a system administrator with those related to it, calling him a computer scientist or programmer. For this reason, sometimes the sysadmin's responsibilities are either narrowed down to just technical support of a working network, or incredibly expanded to a specialist who can solve any problem related to computers.

Specialization in system administration depends on a specific area of \u200b\u200bwork. There may be the following types of profession: web server administrator at a hosting company, database administrator, network administrator, systems engineer or system architect, etc.

As a rule, a system administrator begins his career with small firms, where he gains experience for a nominal salary, and then, having become a specialist in his field, gets a job in a large promising company.

The following are presented to the specialist qualification requirements.

System Administrator must know:

  • software fundamentals (MS Office, 1C, graphics and other computer programs) and methods of its development;
  • architecture of modern PCs and computers, the content of the hardware of computers;
  • principles of network protocols and building computer networks;
  • fundamentals of data organization, methods and mechanisms for managing them;
  • principles of organizing expert, operating and file systems;
  • linux system and some programming languages \u200b\u200bat the entry level;
  • english for the technical field;
  • foundations of higher mathematics and computer science, theory of algorithms;
  • legislative norms in the field of information, copyright and related rights;
  • rules for preparing technical documentation;
  • safety engineering and fire protection, labor protection standards;
  • information protection methods, information security basics.

This specialist you need to be able:

  • install and maintain various versions of Windows OS and server software;
  • build a corporate network in the office and support its work;
  • interact with network users, consult them;
  • perform network administration processes in various operating systems (Windows, Unix, Novell, etc.);
  • support the work of the Internet, mail, automatic telephone exchange;
  • work with hardware, PC and office equipment, diagnose and troubleshoot equipment;
  • realize backup data;
  • create and keep up to date user accounts;
  • support work antivirus software.

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Range of duties

To the staff of a large enterprise as a system administrator can be appointed candidate with higher professional education, experience maintenance personal computers and office equipment, knowledge of the basics of local networks.

Process specifics system administration in an enterprise involves the maintenance of an extensive local network, consulting a large number of users, interacting with many departments.

Here is a specialist is responsible for installing operating systems and software on servers and workstations, as well as configuring and maintaining them in working order. They also register local network users and mail server, assigning passwords and identifiers.

At a large enterprise, the issue of training personnel in the basics of computer literacy and working with application programs... The functional area of \u200b\u200bthe system administrator includes technical support users, their advice on the operation of the local network and programs, identification and correction of errors in the software.

Specialist carries out monitoring and development of the network infrastructure, makes proposals for its modernization, cooperates with the management on information and technical issues. It also provides information protection, security of interconnection and the operation of anti-virus programs. The most important responsibility is to maintain the health of the equipment and troubleshoot the system.

For work in an office environment, system administrator should have higher technical education and preferably one year or more work experience. The main task of the specialist will be to ensure the smooth operation of the company's network, protect confidential information, back up data and restore it through the fault of any of the employees - network users.

It is also important to timely correct malfunctions in the operation of various devices, maintenance of computer equipment and other devices (replacement of cartridges in the printer, setting up the scanner), internal automatic telephone exchange.

Office sysadmin must understand perfectly in network protocols, construction and modernization of local computer networks, maintenance of computer databases. His responsibilities also include installing, configuring and optimizing system software and software tools.

A specialist is required to maintain a positive moral climate in the office, exercise trust and mutual assistance. He should provide comprehensive assistance to users - employees of the company in working with computer equipment and programs, as well as interact with the administration on information activities and the use of computer technologies.

The system administrator of the office helps to conclude agreements with third-party organizations on the technical equipment of the enterprise, carries out information exchange with external organizations. He may be entrusted with the procurement of office equipment.

To work as a system administrator to school specialists are appointed with higher education and work experience of at least one year. In addition to knowledge of the regulatory framework of their activities, the system administrator must also be familiar with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Federal Law "On Education", the charter and local legal acts of the school.

The specifics of the work presupposes constant communication with the administration, the teaching staff and the students of the school, therefore, the specialist must be patient with the requests of users, be responsive and attentive.

The system administrator performs in school such functionslike: creation and development of intraschool computer network, setting up the basic software and hardware, development and implementation of the school's network policy, organization of the normal functioning of all elements of the educational institution's information system.

He provides technical support for equipment, is responsible for security when working on the Internet, ensures the operation of a local network and an Internet server, makes a schedule of distance classes for students with age-specific features.

Working at a school, a specialist must take care of compliance with industrial discipline, rules and regulations of labor protection, safety, fire protection, health and safety of students.

For an example of the work of a system administrator at a school, see the following video:

The employee has the right:

  • To be familiar with the documents defining his professional rights and obligations, criteria for assessing the quality of work;
  • Establish and adjust the rules for using the local computer network;
  • Discuss with management proposals for improving the system administration process;
  • Require the management of the company to provide organizational and technical conditions for the performance of their duties
  • Expect users of the information system to comply with the software operating instructions;
  • Improve your qualification level in the prescribed manner at courses, seminars, scientific events;
  • Defend your professional honor and dignity.

First of all, a system administrator is a competent user, information analyst and administrator who has a good command of the subject area of \u200b\u200bknowledge. His main personal quality is sociability, the ability to both lucidly advise ordinary employees, and effectively interact with management to solve current and future issues of informatization of the enterprise.

The system administration specialist is a kind of liaison between the organization and the software developers. It creates an optimal secure information environment for users united by work for a common result. It depends on him how efficiently this or that automated section at the enterprise will work, how the information system as a whole will function.

For more details about this profession, see this video report: