Role and duties of a Linux/Windows system administrator
- Create and update repositories. At the same time you must be able to install packages, remove or search them.
- Setting permissions on files and directories. You need to be good with special permissions such as SGID,SUID and sticky bits. Gain knowledge about ACLs.
- Process management. This is something practically required in company environment. Learn basic process management commands such as top, ps, vmstat etc.
- Managing and creating partitions. You must be good with file systems. Also gain knowledge about type of partitions such as swap.
- Sharing of files through NFS and SAMBA.
- Understanding of SElinux concepts. Understand how contexts work in SELinux .
- Learn SSH.
- Learn networking basics and understanding of firewalls would be great.
- Cron scheduling basics.
- Basic understanding of configuration files of various services.
- Basic shell scripting.
Role and duties of a Linux/Windows system administrator
The duties of a system administrator are wide-ranging and vary widely from one organization to another. Sysadmins are usually charged with installing, supporting, and maintaining servers or other computer systems, and planning for and responding to service outages and other problems. Other duties may include scripting or light programming, and project management for systems-related projects.
The system administrator is responsible for the following things:
- User administration (setup and maintaining account)
- Maintaining system
- Verify that peripherals are working properly
- Quickly arrange the repair for hardware in the occasion of hardware failure
- Monitor system performance
- Create file systems
- Install the software using tools such as apt command/apt-get command, dnf command/yum command, zypper command, apk command and others.
- Patching firmware and software
- Create a backup and recover policy (disaster recovery [DR])
- Monitor network communication
- Update system as soon as the new version of OS and application software comes out
- Implement the policies for the use of the computer system and network
- Setup security policies for users. A sysadmin must have a strong grasp of computer security (e.g. firewalls and intrusion detection systems. You must know how to use tools such as Wireshark and Nmap command)
- Documentation in form of an internal wiki. You must know how to read manual pages using the man command or help command.
- Password and identity management
- Network administration
- Database administration
- How to view and troubleshoot with Unix and Linux log files
- Setting up cron jobs on your Unix and Linux system using the crontab command
- Responsible for installing and maintaining all software systems and server hardware
- Maintenance of all system backup and providing training to all users.
- Upgrade the installed software with the new version of OS and create new storage.
- Ability to troubleshoot when required and work in Linux friendly applications
- Monitoring the servers and network communication
- Creating file systems
- Implementation of policies
- Creating security policies for users like firewalls.
- Managing the password and identity
- To monitor and evaluate everyday systems and all resources related to the server.
Linux System Administrator is a person who has ‘root’ access that is a ‘superuser’. It means he has the privilege to access everything which includes all user accounts, all system configurations, home directories with all files therein, and all files in the system.
Linux System Administrator has the following duties (Write any five)
Installing and configuring server
A server is basically a computer program that facilitates the same computer or another computer by providing services to them.
It is the most important element of Modern OS and network design.
It is of the system administrator to configure the server so that the most essential server remains inaccessible. He must be aware of types of attacks and security bugs.
Installing and configuring application software
In order to ensure a correct execution environment, the administrator must provide software that is well configured and validated.
He should ensure adequate memory allotment and resolve software failure and dependency issues.
He must provide a set of activities to control hardware and software configuration and maintain policies for users.
Creating and maintaining user accounts
Users can access their own accounts but the administrator has access to every user account.
He can add, modify, delete or copy a user account.
He is responsible for maintaining security by providing role on a user account that defines the level of access.
Backing up and restoring files
To minimize the loss of data, the administrator must maintain a backup of files nd he should restore it whenever required.
Administrators can take backup in removable media such as hard drives or tapes as protection against loss.
Before creating a backup administrator must decide.
What is necessary to backup?
How frequently backup should perform.
Monitoring and tuning performance
Monitoring and tuning performance is essential for Linux to work more efficiently.
Administrators must identify system bottlenecks and should solve them.
Administrators can use system tools to increase performance, they can determine
when hardware needs to be upgraded.
He should identify the early sign of failure .
Configuring a secure system
It is the duty of the administrator to involve tasks and decisions to run a secure Linux system and maintain data integrity.
It provides strong protection to individuals and corporate bodies and protects parts of the system even if it is under attack.
Administrator should ensure
The system has a firewall.
Not allow connection from unknown network.
Not install software if not needed.
Using tools to monitor security
Linux is the preferred operating system that demands secure networks, but it can be easily cracked by hackers.
It is important for administrators to be aware of the tools hackers use and software used to monitor and counter such activity.
It is duty of the administrator to prevent unauthorized use of his system.
