The Linux system administrator responsibilities play a pivotal role in the organization, as he/she is responsible for executing some major duties. The duties comprise installing the server system, doing configuration updating, operating and maintaining the system hardware as well as software, managing the failures in the system, etc. This professional also needs to troubleshoot and maintain the servers, the user accounts, security, etc., and is also responsible for managing the disk space as well as the back up. He/she is accountable for changing the contents of the file or its attributes like its ownership or permission and can delete any file even if it is write-protected. He/she resets new passwords and constantly monitors the special services and security of the servers as well.
To be a successful Linux system administrator, you should be a self starter who is highly motivated, detail oriented, flexible and willing to follow the directions given by his/her superior. You must be ready to learn new things and apply the latest technologies that would help the organization to grow. The individual in this position must also possess excellent interpersonal skills and should be comfortable working in a team environment. He/she has to be able to work independently and maintain excellent customer service skills. He/she should be able to identify the system issues and solve them in an effective manner. He/she must be able to work well even under pressure and must also have the ability to respond to and prioritize the incoming work according to the stringent deadlines.
Though the minimum qualification to be eligible for this position is a high school diploma or GED, the individuals who have completed a BS in information technology, computer engineering, or those who have security certifications will definitely have an upper hand. The individuals who have a master's degree in a related field or who possess a deep understanding of Linux will definitely be the most preferred candidate by the employers. MCP, MCSE, RedHat or any other equivalent combination of certification and experience would be advantageous.
The work of this professional is demanding, and he/she needs to work under stressful conditions. He/she may need to work overtime on several occasions. Even if he/she is out of office, he/she has to make sure that he/she is available at any point of time via mail or telephone. He/she also has to be flexible to work in the evenings, including the weekends and public holidays, as per the situation.
The remuneration package for this professional is in the range of $80,000 to $87,000. The lowest salary offered is in the range of $49,000, while the maximum can go upto $102,000. This may vary depending on the individual skills, education and experience of that particular person as well.
There is a great scope for development and growth of the Linux system administrators. Those who are updated with the latest knowledge will definitely have more chances to rise to higher positions. Thus, if you are familiar with the basic system administration processes and tools and have previous experience in configuring, maintaining and troubleshooting issues, then nothing can stop your career from progressing.
So, if you are an individual who has exposure to database systems, computer related technology and programming skills, then handling the Linux system administrator responsibilities will definitely be much easier.