Systems Administrator
Runs the servers and core services an organisation depends on - accounts, directory services, email, file shares, backups and patching - on Windows, Linux or both.
What the job involves
A systems administrator keeps an organisation's servers and core services running: user accounts and directory services, email and file storage, virtual machines, backups, patching and monitoring. When a shared system slows down or fails, the systems administrator finds out why and restores it.
Where the work is
Public institutions and agencies, hospitals, banks and insurers, universities, telecom companies, hosting and cloud providers, NGOs, and any organisation large enough to run its own servers or manage cloud services for itself.
How people get into it
Most systems administrators start in IT support or on a helpdesk after a diploma or degree in IT, computer science or computer engineering. Growing responsibility for servers, backups and accounts leads to the role, and certificates such as Linux+, RHCSA or Azure Administrator show the depth employers want.
Guides for this position
- Exam guide
What written tests for systems administrator posts draw on: Windows and Linux servers, directory services, backups, storage, security and troubleshooting method.
- Practice questions
Systems administrator practice questions with answers: servers, directory services, Linux, storage, security and support scenarios, plus worked examples to try.
- Worked calculations
Systems administrator calculations with full working: RAID usable capacity, subnet details for servers, Linux permission modes and password strength for policies.
- Interview questions
Systems administrator interview questions with model answers: a failed login, a full disk, backups, patching, server hardening and working under pressure.
- 30-day study plan
A 30-day systems administrator study plan balancing Windows, Linux, networking and security, with hands-on practice, two timed mocks and weekly review days.
- Skills and qualifications
The skills systems administrator adverts ask for: Windows and Linux servers, directory services, backups, virtualisation, security and scripting.
- Job description
A systems administrator job description: purpose, daily and periodic duties, the systems looked after, who the role works with and how performance is judged.
- How to become one
How to become a systems administrator in Rwanda: qualifications, first jobs in support, Windows and Linux skills, certificates and public-service applications.
- Mistakes to avoid
Mistakes that cost systems administrator candidates marks: ignoring dependencies, confusing backup types, permission errors and neglecting one operating system.
- Key topics
Systems administrator key topics with quick reference tables: Linux commands, common ports and RAID levels, plus the connected ideas server questions rely on.
- CV guide
How to write a systems administrator CV: matching the advert, showing the systems you ran, describing results, listing certificates and avoiding common mistakes.
- Certifications
Certifications for systems administrators: A+ early on, Linux+ or RHCSA for Linux, Azure Administrator for cloud, Security+ for all, and the order to take them.
What to study for this position
The suggested emphasis reflects what this position works with day to day. It is a study guide, not a published exam blueprint.
| Area | Suggested emphasis | Questions in the bank | Practise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware and operating systems | 23% | 961 | Hardware & OS |
| Linux command line | 23% | 360 | In the full bank |
| Networking fundamentals | 15% | 2,636 | Networking |
| Cybersecurity | 15% | 541 | Security |
| IT fundamentals and support practice | 15% | 484 | Hardware & OS |
| Cloud and emerging technology | 8% | 188 | In the full bank |
5,146 questions in the bank cover these areas.
Open adverts for this position
No open Systems Administrator advert matched when the jobs board was last checked. It is refreshed every morning.
Practise
- MIFOTRA Hardware and Operating Systems · Hardware, operating systems, mobile devices and support practice.
- MIFOTRA Networking · OSI layers, addressing, routing, wireless and troubleshooting.
- MIFOTRA Security and Cybersecurity · Threats, cryptography, access control and incident response.