Information systems are at the very heart of operating a business today, many organizations very survival rests upon the availability and accuracy of their IT Systems. Information Technology plays an important role in day to day business and a key role within the Information Technology department is that of the System Administrator. The role of the maintenance/tuning, administration, monitoring/audit and upgrades to organizational systems is given to System Administrators. In this guide, we provide information and guidance on how to become a System Administrator.

There are a number of different but related career paths for Systems specialists, such as Systems Architect, ERP Administration Manager, Network Administrator and Systems Coordinator. Some System Administrators are also in charge of the Systems Architecture and Systems Designer but in larger organizations this is typically the responsibility of a Systems Architect.

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics the demand for Network Administrators and System Administrators (in the USA) combined is likely to grow from 339,500 to 418,400 (an increase of 23%) between 2008 actual and 2018 forecast http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos305.htm .

Salary expectations The following indicators reflect salary expectations for System Administrators:

1. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics – "Median annual wages of Network Administrators and System Administrators were $66,310 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,690 and $84,110. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,070.’’”http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos305.htm
2. According to a January 2010 review of Salary.com, "The middle 50 percent of entry-level System Administrators salaries are between $61,616 and $80,836 with the highest 10 percent earning more than $90,044.”’’ – Source: Salary.com http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?op=salswz_psr&hdOmniNarrowDesc=IT+--+All&hdOmniTotalJobsFound=6&pagefrom=selectjob&redbird=&jobfamilycode=19&joblevelcode=2&hdLocationOption=0&hdSearchByOption=0&hdKeyword=systems+administrator&hdJobCategory=IT03&hdZipCode=Enter&hdStateMetro=&hdGeoLocation=U.S.+National+Averages&hdCurrentPage=1&hdViewAllRecords=0&hdSortBy=0&hdJobCode=IT10000135&hdJobTitle=Systems+Administrator&hdNarrowDesc=IT+--+All&hdJSBoolDisplayAdvertisement=&jobcounter=1&countertype=0&totaljoblistnum=6&rdbSearchByOption=0&txtKeyword=systems+administrator&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=1&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=0&hdAjaxKeyword=systems+administrator&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23systems%23+OR+%23administrator%23

This guide is split into three steps, which should provide you with all the answers you need on how to become a System Administrator, the steps are:

• Step 1: What is a System Administrator?
• Step 2: Personal Attributes and Certifications
• Step 3: Career Path

Building on from the points in the introductory section we will now build further details to help explain, what is a System Administrator?

System administrator(s) will normally work within an Information Technology department. The Systems Administrator role will monitor/audit, tune, backup, upgrade and provide statistics for the systems of an organization.

The role of a System Administrator is wide and varied, here are a list of associated tasks:

Continuous tasks - The following tasks will be done at least daily in most organizations:

1. Completion of scheduled backups
2. Check real time system performance and usage levels
3. Check and remove any runaway processes
4. Check available disk space. Make space available where disk shortages may arise
5. Check access to mail functionality is operational
6. Check access to system printers is operational
7. Check the content of system audit logs, thoroughly investigate concerns and issues
8. Check that LAN/WAN/Mainframe communication links are active

Weekly tasks - Important tasks, but ones which can be performed weekly:

1. Check the printer spooler and all associated status reports
2. Log files need to be deleted, trimmed and truncated (e.g. /etc/wtmp, /usr/adm and /usr/spool)
3. Generate statistics and reports on individual user disk utilization
4. Remove temporary files at the appropriate time

Monthly tasks - Important tasks which need to be scheduled:

1. Perform an unscheduled back-up, just to have a back-up in case of later disaster
2. Various re-tuning exercises on system, reallocation of resources where required
3. Perform maintenance on the tape drive, clean the tape heads and retention drive
4. Change dial-in passwords if necessary
5. Change the system root password if necessary

As and when required tasks

1. Creation and modification of user accounts
2. Record all modifications to systems into a log
3. Restart systems after emergencies, system crashes and power failures (N.B. This may sometimes be out of hours)
4. Maintain the security of Software, Hardware and user permissions and their access to data
5. Upgrades to systems and Application Software
6. The redistribution of filespace in the various subsystems
7. Find “orphaned” files, e.g. files that do not belong to a user

In this section we detail the personal attributes and certifications needed to become a Systems Administrator.

Personal Attributes

1. Ability to cope with stressful situations —The Systems Administrator needs to be able to smoothly manage high stress situations
2. Adaptability/Flexibility —With constant changes/enhancements to systems an adaptable and flexible approach is essential
3. Analytical Thinking — An analytical mindset is needed, there is lots of analysis and use of logic required
4. Attention to Detail — Substantial analysis is required in the role, a high level of attention to detail is required
5. Dedication – A System Administrator needs to be dedicated to both the systems and people they support
6. Dependability — System Administrators need to be highly stable and dependable and protect the systems they administrate
7. Initiative — The ability to work with initiative and purpose is critical
8. Patience - There is need to show patience when obstacles/challenges arise
9. Problem solving skills - Difficult situations will arise, which require creative workarounds

Certifications The following certifications all play a valuable role in the progression and career path of a System Administrator:

1. Apple ACSA – Apple Certified Systems Administrator http://training.apple.com/certification/acsa
2. HPCP HP-UX (CSA) – HP Certification Path in Unix as a Certified Systems Administrator http://www.hp.com/education/courses/hc634aae.html
3. Linux Systems Administration Certification http://www.linuxcertified.com/training.html
4. Microsoft MCSA – Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcsa.aspx
5. Microsoft MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional in Enterprise Administration http://www.seeklearning.co.uk/microsoft-training/mcitp-enterprise-administrator.asp
6. Oracle Systems Administrator http://blogs.oracle.com/certification/2009/07/0120.html
7. Red Hat RHCE – Red Hat Certified Engineer http://www.redhat.com/certification/rhce/
8. Sun SCSA – Sun Certified Systems Administrator http://uk.sun.com/training/certification/solaris/scsa.xml.

In step 3 we consider the career path of how to become a System Administrator. Within the role, there are 2 levels of System Administrator we have identified, these are:

1. System Administrator
2. Senior System Administrator

In some organizations there may be just 1 or 2 System Administrators. This scenario would change roles and Systems Administrators by necessity would have to perform both roles

System Administrator - indicative salary $70,000

The requirements to become a System Administrator are:

Bachelors Degree

• It is preferable to study for and obtain a bachelor's degree in a related subject to Systems Administration and Information Technology. The majority of employers require a Bachelors Degree , in subjects such as Computer Science, Management Information Systems or Information Science. For your convenience, if you click on the following link you will see a state by state link to Universities offering degrees, which are applicable to a future role in Systems Administration.http://www.all-computer-schools.com/featured/Systems-administration-programs

Familiarity with Systems and Systems Administration principles

• The following experience would be useful in becoming a System Administrator:

1. Working through the ranks and progressing through more junior systems roles (e.g. Computer Support Specialist). Perhaps working on an IT Helpdesk and resolving any systems issues that you can get involved in
2. Internship experience. Whilst you are in college, experience should be gained in Systems Administration through internships
3. Certifications. You will have become qualified in a number of the certifications discussed in step 2, especially in a given area of specialism

Career experienced qualified System Administrators

• It is possible to become a System Administrator through career experience.
• This would require obtaining some of the certifications listed in step 2 and finding an employer that isn't insistent on a Bachelors Degree qualification. The employee would work their way through the ranks obtaining certification along the way and eventually be appointed as a System Administrator.

Years of working experience Entry level Systems Administrator roles experience requirements range from 0 – 5 years but would require the Bachelors degree and familiarity with Systems Administration listed above.

Senior System Administrator - indicative salary $90,000 http://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/layoutscripts/swzl_salaryresults.asp?hdSearchByOption=0&hdLocationOption=0&hdKeyword=systems+administrator&hdJobCategory=IT03&hdNarrowDesc=IT+--+All&hdZipCode=Enter&hdStateMetro=&hdGeoLocation=U.S.+National+Averages&hdCurrentPage=1&hdViewAllRecords=&hdJobCode=IT10000136&hdJobTitle=Systems+Administrator,+Sr.&hdCurrentTab=1&hdZipCodePosted=&hdPaycheckCalc=&hdpageName=&hdOmniJobTitle=Systems+Administrator&hdOmniNarrowDesc=IT+--+All&op=salswz_psr&pagefrom=salaryresults&hdOmniState=&hdOmniGeoLocation=U.S.+National+Averages&d50th=70722.0736&jobcounter=1&countertype=0&totaljoblistnum=6&wsrcode=SW2&geo=U.S.+National+Averages&metrocode=&geometrocode=&zipcode=Enter&jobcode=IT10000135&narrowcode=IT03&state=&statecode=&r=salswz_salresnxt_psr&educationcode1=&cmbEducation=&joblevelcode=2&jobfamilycode=19&rdbLocationOption=0&txtZipCode=&hdNarrowDesc=&hdAjaxDisplaySection1=1&hdAjaxDisplaySection2=&hdAjaxKeyword=systems+administrator&hdAjaxKeywordWithOR=%23systems%23+OR+%23administrator%23

A Senior System Administrator would have all the requirements of a System Administrator plus the following:

Years of working experience At a senior level the typical years of experience are between 5 and 10 years.

Additional requirements

1. The man management of System Administrators and other IT staff
2. Design of company systems to meet company objectives
3. Demonstration of leadership skills and a commitment to Continuous Professional Development (CPD)