re:UNIX administrators

[Guest_imported]

Hey,


Guys I am studying all of the things essential to being a UNIX system administrator. I would like to know from experienced system administrators what are some of the weak areas of sys admins that you work in. What areas.....mail....scripting. I know everyone is different but I am trying to make sure I cover all corners.

 

[MikeLacey]

Hi there,

A lot of people who actually start out as sysadmins (rather than as programmers) seem to be weak at shell scripting; it's not a bad area to pay some attention to as it's needed to automate system admin tasks. The better your shell scripts are the more able they are to automatically deal with things going wrong. Mike
michael.j.lacey@ntlworld.com
Email welcome if you're in a hurry or something -- but post in tek-tips as well please, and I will post my reply here as well.

 

[KenCunningham]

I agree with Mike. Good scripting skills are a definite plus for any sysadmin, and can make your life easier even if the effort of writing a script to automate tasks does seem to take a long time initially.

Various flavours of unix require different skillsets, but it's always to your advantage to learn as many variations as you can- you never know when you're going to be asked to look after a box with one of the more exotic OS' on it.

I'd also recommend getting a good grounding in comms, particularly TCP/IP as it's often the case that you've got a problem and the network guys are away at their Christmas party or other shindig (can you tell I speak from personal experience here? ;-) )

Whatever you do, try to enjoy what you're doing - it makes work seem that little bit more pleasurable if you can pull that off!! Hope this helps and good luck.

 

[trunix]

I have found from experience that a good sys admin needs to know his / her systems inside out. Not only the operating system, but also the hardware, the networks, the databases and the applications which run on the machines. By having a basic understanding of these other areas, you will gain respect and admiration from your colleagues who support these areas....... And of course it looks good on your CV !

 

[Guest_imported]

Thanks guys.....................your responses were fast. My friend was right this is a very good internet place to be.

 

[bjverzal]

My $.02 :

Don't treat UNIX systems like PC's. You shouldn't boot a system because it is acting weird. UNIX has been around over 30 years. Don't treat a UNIX server like a PC or PC server. Most people just reboot the system when it acts weird.

It is paramount that a UNIX administrator knows how to troubleshoot; get into the nitty gritty. Ask questions to developers, hardware vendors.

Know the hardware product line that your company uses inside and out. Know the limitations of the hardware.

Regards, Bill.

 

[630111]

tretex,
Here is a link to, quite possibly, the best article I've ever read about being a UNIX System Administrator.

http://www.informit.com/content/art...3169}&st=73D3ED2A-2F5C-492E-9C2D-6226A53CC325

 

[aixmurderer]

Weak areas of sysadmin? Got to be company management, especially the non-Unix Windows type who cannot exist without a GUI interface. Because of the communications gap they fail to understand the importance of their Systems Administrator.

They fail to understand that the Sysadmin has to know EVERYTHING on the system to keep it under control, even get stroppy when you change the root password to stop user hackers upsetting the fine balance you have achieved over a period of time.

They seem to think that the Sysadmin sits around doing nothing all day, not realising an idle Sysadmin means a system under control and running smoothly. They seem to forget who has to save the day when users accidently"delete files and that has to be restored, who has to take the responsibility 24 hours 7 days for ensuring the system availability while the other users work 9 to 5, go hoe and relax, enjoy peaceful weekends, etc.

So, know your system, know your manager, brush up on smooth talk techniques, educate your manager (if possible!).

Finally, learn a programming language like java so you can get yourself out of this dead-end, lowly paid, non-appreciated job into a nice cushy highly paid programming position as soon as possible. IBM Certified Specialist - MQSeries

 

[Guest_imported]

Hey,


Well thanks aixmurderer you really shed some reality on this.....I was debating after getting myself a UNIX job should I become a DBA......Hmm, java sounds more attractive. I could understand about not being appreciated I presently do windows support and man, well no comment. Thanks for your input and it is highly appreciated.