A server administrator manages a company’s servers, networks, and workstations, troubleshooting issues, managing operating systems, and ensuring network security. They may need to obtain vendor certification and work around the clock to keep systems running smoothly.
A server administrator is a person who is responsible for a company’s servers, networks, and workstations and performs a variety of tasks that keep the company’s systems running smoothly. It monitors the computer systems and network for problems and troubleshoots any issues that arise. Server administrators may work with servers using a variety of operating systems and often train or obtain certification for each vendor. A company’s computer systems are often a critical part of the organization; therefore, a server administrator must also be prepared for any potential disasters and have a recovery plan in place.
Server administrators plan and manage the operating systems on the company’s servers and can install programs, add users, update the operating system with the latest patches, and manage the server’s security policy. Each server operating system has its own way of performing these tasks; therefore, server administrators need to be trained on each operating system and may be required to obtain vendor certification. He or she is also responsible for knowing how the components in the servers work and usually has a college degree in information systems, computer science or information technology. Many server administrators assume their position after working in a support or networking role and benefiting from their prior experience.
A company’s workstations must communicate with the server, so the server administrator also configures and manages the company’s network. This includes setting up the company’s domain, installing new network services, and monitoring the network for potential problems. It usually uses the operating system’s monitoring utilities to keep an eye on data coming in and out of the network, and is usually also responsible for keeping the network secure; therefore, a network administrator can also respond to network security questions by enforcing network firewall settings.
Troubleshooting is a necessary skill required of a server administrator to replace or add new hardware to servers, workstations, and network devices. He or she may also be responsible for support tickets across the organization and will be expected to fix any issues within a reasonable amount of time. Critical issues can occur outside of business hours, so some server administrators work around the clock to ensure that the company’s computer systems continue to function properly. It can also perform data backups, install operating system updates, and perform maintenance tasks when other people are not using the systems.
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