A guide to system administration

System administration involves the maintenance and operation of computer systems and networks. System administrators are qualified IT professionals and their day-to-day job involves installing, supporting, and maintaining hardware and software, including servers. They are qualified professionals who have a degree in IT administration, for example a MCSA certification or a Linux course certificate. This article gives you an insight of what is involved in system administration.

System administration guide/topics

Administering user accounts -Adding, modifying and removing users and groups -Assigning and controlling passwords -Controlling logins and locks -Assigning special powers to select users -Tracking/changing the system security -Troubleshooting -Limiting access to servers Maintaining file systems and planning resources -Creating file systems on primary and secondary drives -Making file systems accessible on the network -Checking, repairing or removing file systems -Maintaining free space -Maintaining an optimum and efficient file system - for example, for Linux systems they can use yum Linux, a file installation for Red Hat and Fedora Linux. -Setting up reboots and shut-downs -Safeguarding databases -Determining logical database page size -Testing servers before deployment -Installing appropriate software -Allocating physical resources -Resource planning -Setting up a maintenance schedule -Server admin set-up Backing up -Creating a backup system -Installing and setting up a backup device -Scheduling backups -Running scheduled backups -Running unscheduled backups -Automating the backup process -Restoring files and file systems -Maintaining historical data for future analysis -Making a disaster recovery plan
Managing printers -Adding local and remote printers -Titling printers and connections -Setting up default printer -Removing printers -Enabling and disabling printers -Maintaining printers Maintaining system security -Understanding the system and the kind of security it requires -Administering a security system -Creating data protection systems -Creating and monitoring activity reports -Handling data corruption issues -Enabling/disabling appropriate programs -Managing remote servers Systems and server audit -Setting up a system audit process -Setting audit parameters -Conducting periodical audits -Collecting audited data -Generating reports -Analysing reports and fixing weaknesses in the system -Monitoring users, file system usage -Keeping a check on usage of systems resources -Checking logs and fixing bugs Managing memory -Understanding virtual memory requirements -Creating and using swap space -Sharing swap space with operating systems

Summing up

A system administration guide is a voluminous document and system administration task which depend on organisations. The pointers above can help the reader to understand what is required but they can in no way make for the real thing. Every organisation needs a system admin. People who want to take a system administrator's course can find gainful employment easily, even in depression. They must take a MCSA exam, or a Linux/Unix certification. They will study all the topics covered above.