Editing System administrator (section)

==Duties==
A system administrator's responsibilities might include:

* Analyzing [[Computer data logging|system logs]] and identifying potential issues with computer systems.
* Applying [[operating system]] updates, patches, and configuration changes.
* Installing and configuring new [[Computer hardware|hardware]] and [[Computer software|software]].
* Adding, removing, or updating [[user account]] information, resetting [[password]]s, etc.
* Answering technical queries and assisting users.
* Responsibility for [[computer security|security]].
* Responsibility for [[documentation|documenting]] the configuration of the system.
* [[Troubleshooting]] any reported problems.
* System [[performance tuning]].
* Ensuring that the network infrastructure is up and running.
* Configuring, adding, and deleting file systems.
* Ensuring parity between dev, test and production environments.
* Training users
* Plan and manage the machine room environment

In larger organizations, some of the tasks above may be divided among different system administrators or members of different organizational groups. For example, a dedicated individual(s) may apply all system upgrades, a [[Quality control|Quality Assurance (QA)]] team may perform testing and validation, and one or more [[technical writer]]s may be responsible for all technical documentation written for a company. System administrators, in larger organizations, tend not to be [[systems architect]]s, [[Systems engineering|systems engineers]], or [[systems design]]ers.

In smaller organizations, the system administrator might also act as technical support, [[database administrator]], network administrator, storage (SAN) administrator or [[application analyst]].