Module-1-System-Administration-and-Maintenance-Introduction.pdf

An Introduction to System Administration  Chapter Objectives ✘Explore the world of the Sysadmin. ✘List the duties of the Sysadmin. ✘List the skill set required of the Sysadmin. ✘List a few personality traits of a typical Sysadmin.  System Administration The field...

An Introduction to System Administration  Chapter Objectives ✘Explore the world of the Sysadmin. ✘List the duties of the Sysadmin. ✘List the skill set required of the Sysadmin. ✘List a few personality traits of a typical Sysadmin.  System Administration 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 Administrator A system administrator, or sysadmin, is a person who is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems; especially multi- user computers, such as servers.  What is System Administration? In a “small company” the Sysadmin may be the entire information technology staff. ØThe Sysadmin may do everything from telephone, to fax, to computer management. ØSysadmin may have to order supplies, deal with users, develop software, repair hardware, and laugh at the CEO’s jokes!  What is System Administration? In a large company the Sysadmin may be one member of a large group. ØMay be responsible for one aspect of the data center operation. Programmers Database Administrators Network Administrators Operators ØMay not even know what the CEO looks like.  Common System Administration Traits ✘A Sysadmin is a customer service agent! ✘The Sysadmin must be able to communicate with technical and non-technical users. ✘The Sysadmin should be patient, and have a sense of humor.  Common System Administration Traits ✘The Sysadmin must be able to solve difficult technical problems. ✘The Sysadmin must be able to work in a group setting. ✘The Sysadmin must document activities in order to reproduce the results.  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Plan and manage the machine room environment Ødesign machine room; specify cooling, cabling, power connections, and environmental controls (fire alarm, security)  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Install and maintain operating system software, application software, and patches. ✘Determine hardware and software pre- requisites, which patches to install, which services to provide, and which services to disable.  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Schedule downtime to perform upgrades/patches, and test devices and schedule downtime to manage devices. ✘Install and maintain user accounts; develop acceptable use policy and login-name policy; determine password change policies; install/configure/manage name services; and manage licenses.  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Determine disk quota, police/manage disk space, and monitor log files. ✘Train users on software and security. ✘Ensure that users have access to documentation. ✘Help users and provide help-desk support and problem tracking system to answer user questions.  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Configure network services: Øprinting, file sharing, name service. Ødetermine file sharing needs and printing policies. Ømanage security for shared resources.  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Install/maintain system devices, hardware/drivers; specify supported devices; determine spares practices. ✘Install/configure/manage web servers, configure web access agents  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Configure and maintain business applications Øweb agents Øe-mail Øcalendar software Øorder/problem tracking software  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Install/configure/manage e-mail software Ømail transfer agents. Ømail readers.  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Configure and manage system security Øsecurity for business applications, Øread security mailing lists and CERT notifications, Øinstall/configure "firewall" software to limit intruder access, Øcollect evidence in case of successful intrusion and clean up after intrusion  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Configure and maintain connectivity between hosts Ømonitor connectivity Øtroubleshoot connectivity problems Øinvestigate complaints of poor response  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Configure and maintain system backups, Ødetermine backup strategy and policies, and Øconfigure backup software Øperform backups Ømonitor backup logs Øcheck backup integrity Ødetermine disaster survival plans Øperform restores  What Does a System Administrator do? ✘Troubleshoot and repair system problems; and determine, locate, and repair/replace problem components ✘Document the system, and develop and maintain documentation on local setup and local policies  A SysAdmin’s skills ✘ Critical thinking ✘ A technical mind ✘ An organized mind ✘ Attention to detail ✘ In-depth knowledge of computer systems  A SysAdmin’s skills ✘ Good communication skills ✘ Ability to describe technical information in easy-to- understand terms ✘ Patience ✘ Enthusiasm ✘ Discretion  Chapter Summary ✘Sysadmins are often viewed as “a jack of all trades” ✘Sysadmins are customer service oriented. ✘Sysadmins need to be able to communicate clearly. ✘Sysadmins need to be able to solve problems ✘Sysadmins need to be analytical thinkers.