CS3353: System Administration J. Childress KEP U331

System Administration (in the context of computing systems) Those activities that make the computer system functional.

The System Administrator AKA the SA Those responsible for making computer systems functional. –One can be an SA at home or at work.

System Admin Tasks Performing backups Adding and removing users Installing and de-installing hardware & software Restoring (lost) files Maintaining hardware & software Monitoring system activity Maintain documentation.

System Admin Tasks Disaster planning, avoidance, and recovery. General user support. Designing functional and scalable system infrastructure. Integrating *technology to meet demand –* old, current, new, future …

System Admin Tasks Security Management Interaction with vendors Optimizing System Performance Managing resources (disc, memory, CPU) Writing scripts to automate as many of the above tasks as possible.

SA Demand Almost every business in the world is using computer technology: –Daily business operations (payroll, invoices, ) –Facilitate communication –Information storage and retrieval –Improve overall productivity –Research and development

SA Requirements Patience – not everyone is an expert Tenacity – not all problems are easy Organizational Skills Well developed logic, reason, and critical thinking skills. The ability to comprehend technical information.

SAGE-Systems Admin Guild Established 1992 out of USENIX/LISA conferences (Large Installation Systems Administrators) A professional body for practicing SAs. SAGE is made up of SA organizations from all over the world.

SAGE We as professional System Administrators do hereby commit ourselves to the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, and agree to be guided by this code of ethics, and encourage every System Administrator to do the same.

SAGE-Code of Ethics Integrity must be beyond reproach Do not unnecessarily infringe on the rights of others. Contact with all clients and colleagues must be kept to the highest standards of professional behavior. Maintain an exemplary work ethic Must display professionalism in the performance of duties at all times.

SA Mantra The computer environment does not exist solely for the amusement of the SA. –(Mantra-mystical words or sounds used to facilitate a meditative conscious state.)