It’s a well known fact that Linux is one of the simplest operating systems with it’s hosting space being cheap and the database being an open source. Most people prefer Linux servers for hosting and other web application purposes.

But what sets Linux apart from other operating systems is that it once represented a $25 billion ecosystem in 2008. Since its inception in 1991, Linux has grown to become a force in computing, powering everything from the New York Stock Exchange to mobile phones to supercomputers to consumer devices.

As an open operating system, Linux is developed collaboratively without the sole responsibility of just one company being responsible for its development or ongoing support. Companies participating in the Linux economy share research and development costs with their partners and competitors. The idea of contributing to its development amongst individuals and companies has resulted in an efficient ecosystem and software innovation.

System Administration has become a solid criteria for an organization that requires a strong IT infrastructure. Hence, the need for efficient Linux administrators is the need of the hour. The job profile might change from each organization as there may be added responsibilities to the role. Here are some of the duties of a senior Linux administrator:

1. He must be efficient enough to manage all internet applications inclusive to DNS, RADIUS, Apache, MySQL,PHP. Taking frequent back up of data, create new storage procedures and scheduled back up is one of the duties.

2. As a senior Linux administrator, he should be able to support and train other server administrators in the organization.

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3. Reviewing of all the error logs and fixing it is another duty along with providing superior customer support for Webhosting, ISP and LAN Customers on troubleshooting escalated support troubles.

4. Communicating with the staff, vendors and customers in a courteous, professional manner at all times has to be one of his traits.

5. Every Linux administrator is responsible for installing the necessary procedures and security tools. He works with the Data Network Engineer and other personnel/departments to analyze hardware requirements and alternatives and make acquisition recommendations.

6. Linux administrator’s duty is to upgrade the softwares installed on to the server, including upgrading virus softwares and code upgrades.

7. Ability to work with Linux-friendly applications and able to troubleshoot it when issue arises from the server.

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8. Monitoring of servers is also one of his important duties.
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System Admin to setup new environment . Operation team to manage Existing Service so major things here Operation Task.

System Admin
1 )Based on Project Requirement , We Build servers (VM Creation or Physical Server) and  Install OS on servers . it is better to explain which tool we use to create Kickstart

2) Most of the Enterprise they use LDAP/NIS for the centralized authentication so you can say Managing User Accounts in LDAP . Managing servers to add into LDAP/NIS Domain

3) Additional Disk Addition and Disk Extension - (when the application usage grows in FS application team will ask to extend the disk space)
  
4) Installing Monitoring Agent   and Backup Application

For Monitoring

Nagios/Opmanager/ BMC tools/IBM ...etc

For Backup,

Netbackup/Networker/BackupExec ...etc

5)  Setting up the server for Application Team.
Most of the System admin task just to setup server environment  ready . once done application team either DBA or Web Admin will take care their setup 

6) If there is high availability required then we  configure  VCS/Linux  for High Availability.

7) Working on Tickets  -

Example Tickets ,

Server Load Average is high

Memory Usage is High

Unable to Login to Server

Disk Space Full

Network is dropped

8) OS Patching  - All OS vendors release patches to improve their product so it advised to patch all Servers.

For OS patching , we can use many tools , if we add few  tools  into our resume it added advantage

Spacewalk , Bladelogic , Tivoli Provision Manager ,

9) CVS 
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If you are searching for Linux Job then check out Linux System Admin Activities and Daily Job Responsibilities.

Monitoring Tools:

Anyone tool must know – Nagios/Zabbix/Opmanager/ BMC tools/Bash Scripts which is automated for monitoring complete server.
Setup Linux OS Virtual/on-premises Server as per the requirement from Dev team.
  1. Set repository and Install packages and update to its stable version without losing any data.
  2. Create, Delete and modify user and groups
  3. Must be comfortable with CLI, and perform a major task using CLI.
  4. Manage file system permissions for users and groups and apply system policy.
  5. Must be aware of all system configuration file and keep a backup of it.
  6. File sharing for Windows and Linux ( samba, NFS )
  7. Should be able to work remotely without GUI and understating of SSH.
  8. Must have good knowledge of shell scripts, without shell scripting you can’t be a good system admin.
  9. Keep a record of changes and able to solve the problem quickly.
Troubleshoot memory issues, compile rpm and init scripts
Setting up the server for Application Team – So another team will work on it like DB, HA, Web team.
Tip: Keep everything backup as a system admin rule.

Known Issue for Linux System Admin:

Server Load Average is high
Memory Usage is High # top
Unable to Login to Server # ssh hostname/IP –vvv (check ssh in verbose)
Disk Space Full – # df -h
The network is dropped #check ping or cable disconnected

Manual check Commands:

#top (or) #htop
Tips: basic troubleshooting commands:
Install: sar package
To report on previously captured data – type:
# sar -u -f filename > file
View disk I/O and transfer rate stats:
# sar -b 1 10
View memory and swap space stats:
# sar -r 1 10
View swapping stats:
# sar -W 1 10
View network stats:
# sar -n DEV 3 10
View CPU stats:
# sar -P ALL 1 5
Collect disk load for that install sysstat
#yum install sysstat
#iostat -d -x 5

Health Checkup:

H/W Check –
# lshw (or) # lshw –short -> Print information about your Linux system hardware
# lscpu (or) # cat /proc/cpuinfo -> View Linux CPU Information
# lsblk -> Collect Linux Block Device
System Uptime – $uptime (Shows when the system is started, update every 1, 5, 15 min intervals and which user are login.)