Systems administrators should possess strong problem-solving, analytical and communication skills, in addition to in-depth technical knowledge of the employer’s systems hardware and software. Employer requirements vary depending on system complexity, the types of operating and network systems being supported, and the size of the organization. Though some employers require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, others may accept an associate’s degree or technical training certificate. Three to five years of experience working with the specific types of hardware and software systems used by the company are generally required. Professional certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Sun Certified System Administrator (SCSA) may be commonly sought by employers.
Typical systems administrator duties:
Installing operating system software, patches and upgradesAnalyzing, troubleshooting and resolving system hardware, software and networking issuesConfiguring, optimizing, fine-tuning and monitoring operating system software and serversPerforming system backups and recoveryConducting server builds
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