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Control of the Integrity of a network

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Why Have a System Administrator

Computers are literal things, but complex. They confuse us subtly, though we generally like them. However, how many people do you know could say of a well used home PC. "I like my computer, it does what I want it to do constantly, consistently, and without error."

This is normally because of the variety of users on the machine loading their own programs which may conflict with others, or load older or different DLL's (internal software) without warning the user.

Thus in order to maintain control and integrity, any person making changes to the system, or installing software must have a full understanding of the specific system he is working on. To this end many years ago the role of System Administrator was created.

What is a System Administrator

In a small company, a System Administrator typically is a single person who has a proper understanding of the system and should appreciate the needs of the users.

He can be compared to the 'company mechanic', who looks after the company fleet, ensuring all machines are serviced, recommends when to replace vehicles etc.
(It can be noted that either professional can be replaced by others from the same sphere, but they could not replace each other!)

By the very nature of the position (Defender of the Computer Systems!) System Administrators can find themselves at odds with the owners of the system.

Problems with employing a System Administrator

The employ of a System Administrator has two distinct effects on a company: restriction, and confidence!

Restriction on users who no longer 'own' their machines, they are no longer able to load software of their own choice, they have to (as they often feel) go cap in hand to the System Administrator, and 'ask nicely'.

Managers however enjoy the confidence that the system will work, and if it breaks they know who to get to fix it. That person (the System Administrator) is aware of what they have changed/modified/updated on the network, and thus, usually able to recover the situation with the minimum of downtime.

It is interesting to note that managers are usually users as well. Thus for the good of the company, the Manager must learn to accept the restrictions put upon them by the System Administrator.