In-house Server Administrator

Sections: What is In-House Server Administrator | Requirements | Technical Expertise | Where To Find | Relationships

What is In-House Server Administrator

An in house server administrator is one option for managing your dedicated server. In house server administration is an alternative to managed hosting or outsourcing the server administration functions to a third party or offshore company. If you are going to select a server administrator to work in house, then you need to consider the general requirements that the person you select will need to meet. There may also be specific technical expertise requirements depending on the hardware and software that will be running on your server.

Requirements

An in-house server administrator is responsible for all aspects of managing a network. The job of a server administrator may begin with setting up your servers, choosing the right hardware and installing the correct software to make sure that you have a secure, fully functional network. But this is only the beginning.

The system administrator is responsible for maintaining records of the system's configuration, which will help when changes need to be made. Changes tend to be frequent as software is updated. An in-house server administrator is responsible for updating the server's operating system and installing and configuring new software and hardware. Whenever software is updated, the in-house server administrator should be aware of this and should apply the updates, though only after testing that the updates will not affect critical data or network functions.

The in-house server administrator must audit systems and software regularly and must tune the performance of the system so that you get the service your require. Most of all the in-house server administrator must keep the network running, because your business cannot afford any downtime.

Security is a key aspect of the responsibilities of a system administrator or in-house server administrator. As well as applying security updates and patches, the in-house server administrator is responsible for configuring and managing firewalls and for backing up your data regularly so there is no data loss.

The in-house server administrator will also be in charge of working with users to troubleshoot problems with the server or individual computers linked to the network. This includes adding new users, removing those who have left the company, setting up email and file storage quotas, updating user account information, resetting passwords and many other user related functions, such as FTP quotas. A system administrator will set up permissions levels for users (you may not want all users to have access to all levels of information). This role will also include the provision of technical support for users.

With all these functions, a system administrator or in-house server administrator must be an all rounder, able to handle customer service and user interactions at the front end, as well as backend technical requirements for server management.

Technical Expertise

The networking environment alters quickly, so it is difficult to give a one size fits all shopping list of what the ideal in-house server administrator looks like. This will depend on individual companies' specific requirements. However, there are several factors that most people look for in a system administrator. Here's a list to get you started.

An in-house server administrator will have a number of technical qualifications and a variety of work experience. Many companies will require a degree in computer science or information technology or certification related to the field, such as Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MSCE), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) or Citrix. It's best to find someone with hands on experience in the field. Most companies ask for anywhere from three to upwards of seven years' experience of the core technologies and functions they require.

An in-house server administrator will need to troubleshoot and support systems running Unix, Windows 2003, Windows NT Server, Active Directory, Exchange. The system administrator should be able to manage Dell, Compaq, HP server hardware and more and will need to be aware of current solutions for system and network backup. These may include Networker, Storage Area Networks, IIS for moving websites, tape backup software and other tape backup technology.

In-house server administrators will also need to be able to manage server applications and databases such as Apache, VMWare, SQL Server and Oracle Application Server. Communications and internet technologies are also key. These include IP networking, DNS,WINS, DHCP, TCP/IP and more.

System administration may also require website design and management, and some companies ask for proficiency in HTML, XHTML, CSS and scripting such as ASP, PHP, Java, CGI and Perl. There may also be requests for system administrators to be familiar with particular web design software programs such as Dreamweaver. Familiarity with Office and Photoshop may also be required, depending on the scope of the job.

Where To Find

For companies, one of the best ways to find an in-house server administrator is to advertise on one of the many job boards. System administrators are likely to be looking online, and job boards such as Dice.com, Indeed.com, CareerBuilder.com and many others are good places to start. Dozens server administrator jobs are posted each day and if you are about to get your first in-house server administrator, browsing the boards is a good way to find out what skills to request in your job posting and what compensation to offer.

Another option is to try web hosting related forums, of which there are several. Many of them incorporate job boards or have threads where system administration and other web related posts can be advertised. Try to find a well respected forum which is used by web professionals for the best results.

Relationships

Your in-house server administrator is the person who will keep your network and any websites and applications running smoothly, so it is essential to have a good relationship. To do that it will help if you communicate your needs clearly and hire excellent and committed people with the right expertise for your needs. Someone who is adaptable and willing to learn will also be useful in the fast changing environment of system administration.

One way to ensure that your relationship is one of trust is to get a personal recommendation from someone. After all, if they are happy, you will be too. You can also speak to the system administrator on the phone to get an idea of whether he or she is someone you can trust. After all, if this person is managing your network and sensitive data, you can't afford to make a mistake. Using a contract is the best way to make sure you have some legal recourse if there is a problem.