Web Developer turning Sys Admin?

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andromeda

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#113350 14-Jan-2013 16:57

I've been a web developer for the past 4 years and I'm no longer enjoying it. I'm now interested in a Sys Admin career. How do I make the transition? Do I get Microsoft or Linux qualified? How do I get a job when sys admin experience is required?

freitasm

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#744663 14-Jan-2013 17:00

Moved to correct forum.

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JamesL

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#744686 14-Jan-2013 17:53

It's up to you whether you want to do Linux or Windows, if you have no experience in Linux then I would go with Windows as the latter is easier to learn.

Unless you catch a lucky break I'd say you'd most likely start on the service desk. When I worked at Gen-i I saw a lot of Field Force Engineers (the guys that do on site desktop support/keyboard swapping/server racking/grunts/etc) being hired as Sys Admins who knew hardly anything about Windows Server Operating Systems as it seemed like a natural progression for them. I'm going to assume that whilst you probably work with the underlying operating system you might not necessarily know how to manage it other than IIS/Apache/etc

Anyway, I would look at studying for an MCITP specifically starting with Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring and Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring. These will give you a good foundation moving forward.

Zeon

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#744718 14-Jan-2013 18:47

If you want to be really good you kind of have to know quite a bit about everything. I look at what I work with and it goes from understanding SIP so can troubleshooting to complex IP routing, intrusion prevention, pretty advanced windows server and low-mid level Linux knowledge. Storage system building, virtualization just a huge list. Experience is the key I think.

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onebytemike

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#744743 14-Jan-2013 19:40

What type of company do you see yourself working in? That will play a big part as to which skillsets you should aim for.

Noodles

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#744782 14-Jan-2013 21:29

Have you ever thought about doing DevOps? It's the best of both worlds, being a developer and being in operations. I worked in a web company as a web dev for years, but just kept on pushing to do more and more server work. The company was happy for me to move in this direction as there wasn't anyone else to manage servers/networks and I wrote code as well.

I now work for a startup (I say startup, it's being going for about 10 years now) as a CTO. It's my job to come up with the architecture for the site, look after the servers/network and I still write code.

kyhwana2

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#744800 14-Jan-2013 22:21

Security Security Security.
(Also, backups)

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andromeda

7 posts

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#745485 16-Jan-2013 09:04

i prefer working with linux, but was thinking theres more money with windows work, and also theres oportunity to get employed by larger companies. not sure how correct i am there. so, id like to work for a large company.

devops sounds good, will look more into that. guess there will be less of a drop in salary compared to getting into a helpdesk position (and then easing into sys admin work). ive actually applied to many helpdesk jobs but got no replies, meanwhile php web dev positions were easy to get. maybe they think im crazy and then ignore me?

Kingy

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#745696 16-Jan-2013 13:45

I'm currently a DevOps Analyst in Wellington and can say that I'm doing a lot more work on servers than development, so you should definitly think about that.

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