System Administrator

System Administrator also known as a computer system administrator is a professional who manages the operation of a computer system or particular electronic communication service. They are responsible for managing, overseeing and maintaining a multi-user computing environment, such as a local area network (LAN). Their duties vary, depending on the association demands. System Administrator should possess strong technical knowledge and skills, as well as expertise in personnel management. Besides this, they are also accountable for ensuring that the servers are backed up and the server data is acquired from any kind of unapproved access.

Responsibilities of System Administrator include:-

• Monitors network communication.
• Updates system upon release of new OS or software.
• Implements computer, network and security policies for a system and network users.
• Certain preparation for service and system interruptions.
• Creates user accounts and assigns user permissions.
• Set up system-wide software.
• Installs maintain and troubleshoot workstations, servers, OS’s, software applications.
• Executes anti-virus devices.
• Creates backup and retrieval strategies. Also hires bulk storage.
• Creates file systems
• Should possess high-level technical knowledge and technical support experience.
• Light programming or scripting
• Project management related to system
• User training and management

A computer system has become an integral part of our everyday life and most of our commercial and non-commercial activities are based on it. A system administrator must be well-efficient in problem-solving skills. For example, if a system suddenly fails, the system administrator is responsible for analyzing the issue and seeking a correct operation.

 A number of system administrator have degrees in relevant fields, like IT, computer engineering, information management and computer science. Some specialised training programs offer degrees or certifications, such as Microsoft (MCP, MCSA, MCSE), Red Hat (RHCE, RHCSS) and Cisco (CCNA, CCIE). In fact, an increasing number of professional system administrators are self-taught through practical computing experience and open-source software training programs.

Characteristics Of A System Administrator:-

1.Education: To enter this field, you need a bachelor's degree related to information science or computer science. A system administrator never stops with degrees and continues to learn more.  A system administrator contemplates these changes by investing in formal courses, certifications and possibly acquires a master's degree.

2.Certification: Certifications for experts in this field are often provided by software firms and software/hardware merchants. Certifications you should look into include:

• CompTIA A+ and Network+
• Cisco CCNA (Certified Network Associate)
• Cisco CCENT (Certified Entry Networking Technician)
• Sun Certified Network Administrator
• Linux Professional Institute certifications

3.Qualities: Apart from the education and certifications, the system administrator also needs to possess following personality traits and skills in order to succeed in this job:

4. Analytical skills: From designing to deciding the performance of the network and the systems, an administrator needs the ability to process a lot of information from different sources.

5.People skills: A network and computer systems administrator interacts with people from all levels of the organization. From the higher levels of a management right down to the individual user, an administrator needs to describe the problem, and explain the solutions.

6.Technical know-how:- Administrators have to work with different kinds of computers and network equipment, so they should be familiar with how to run these, both as standalone appliances and as part of a bigger network.

7.Quick Thinking: An Administrator must be very active and must be able to quickly come up with solutions to every problem that leaps up. This is because the network is a vital part of business operations and any delay will be pernicious to the enterprise.
Ability to multitask: Administrators often deal with different kinds of problems on top of what they usually do. They must be able to handle the pressure of attending to different tasks all at the same time.

The process to become a System Advertiser:-

STEP1:- After completion of 10+2 with Maths and physics as the main subject, the aspiring System Administrators have to apply for a degree or diploma course in computer engineering, computer science,  information system or information technology. These courses are offered by many private as well as government colleges.  Aspiring candidates can also go for advanced Degrees for System Administrators provided by some universities in the US that actually have specific System Administration graduate degree programs.

STEP2:- After completion of Graduation/ Certification and acquiring the knowledge and skills to manage the computer systems one can apply against the vacancies lying vacant in a various organization. Some of the organizations in which qualified system administrator can look for the jobs are:

• Microsoft Corporation
• Sun Microsystems
• Cisco Systems
• Oracle Corporation
• Google
• Yahoo

The process to become a System Advertiser:-

STEP1:- After completion of 10+2 with Maths and physics as the main subject, the aspiring System Administrators have to apply for a degree or diploma course in computer engineering, computer science,  information system or information technology. These courses are offered by many private as well as government colleges.  Aspiring candidates can also go for advanced Degrees for System Administrators provided by some universities in the US that actually have specific System Administration graduate degree programs.

STEP2:- After completion of Graduation/ Certification and acquiring the knowledge and skills to manage the computer systems one can apply against the vacancies lying vacant in a various organization. Some of the organizations in which qualified system administrator can look for the jobs are:

• Microsoft Corporation
• Sun Microsystems
• Cisco Systems
• Oracle Corporation
• Google
• Yahoo

Salary Packages:-

With the rising amount of data and the ever-growing importance of analyzing it, a career in Network and Computer Systems Administration is very promising. To be on the receiving end of growing salaries and new opportunities, you need to excel in certain key characteristics and skills.

• A system administrator is a professional who is responsible for maintaining a multi-user computer system, including a local area network.
• With the inflation in technologies, there are hundreds of fruitful job vacancies available for skilled individuals.
• One can get an ample salary package in any institution with a number of facilities.
• A fresh system administrator can expect to get Rs 40,000 to 50,000 anywhere and with little experience, the package can get as high as 60,000 and even more than that.
• The mediocre salaries in the industry depend on the job profile, place of posting, knowledge, experience, and skills of the individual.
• System administrator deals with switches, hub and routers on the network
• It looks after the status of core networks and server.