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Hello All,

For the past 7 years I’ve been working in helpdesk support and currently working in 2nd line. My job is mainly office based with some onsite work. I’m looking to start working towards moving up to a System Admin and work more in the back end with servers/networking etc and I’m looking for some advice on the following:

  • Has anyone here made the progression and if so what advice can you give on how best to do it?

  • Any particular tech skills that are a must to know to be a successful System Admin?

I have experience with supporting Win Server 2008/2012, Apple Mac’s, Windows OS’s, Office 365 (with basic dabbling in Exchange). I have been looking with interest of learning skills specifically with Virtualization as it becomes more common in businesses and have started dabbling with VMware.

Many Thanks!

@VMware

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It sounds like you already have a lot of experience in assisting people with technical issues and troubleshooting so you’ve certainly got the base skills down.

Based on that, I’d suggest building up your knowledge on networking principles and maybe even look at some certifications in Network+ or CCNA depending on what type of jobs you’re looking at, you don’t necessarily need to get the certs. but they give you a good basis of knowledge to work with.

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It looks like you are likely to move into a Windows System Admin slot. You might want to consider something like the MCSA as a start. Other skills that can make you more attractive to potential employers: networking, Powershell (pretty much a must these days), storage, and virtualization.

See if you can get any projects at your current employer which you can highlight on your resume to give you a boost.

Good luck!

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Can’t say I’ve made that particular jump. I started in Systems Admin and moved to Network Admin.

Sometimes, getting into Systems is more about who you know, rather than what you know; don’t get me wrong though, nobody is going to put you in front of a mission-critical server if you’ve never been on a server before.

I’d say, learn what you want to learn. Talk to people who are in the industry to see what technologies they are working with, then learn them.

If you’re looking for a definitive direction, look to virtualization. Specifically, physical to virtual migrations and managing virtualized environments.

Good luck!

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The caveat to all this is to decide for yourself specifically what you want to do. From there, you can plot a better course of action. For instance, networking - go with CCNA and maybe Security+. Virtualization, especially VMware, start studying for the VCA/VCP. In whatever instance you choose, start with a home lab and play with things and break things, then fix them. You’ll learn a lot that way.

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Get Exchange skills. I would start with Exchange 2010 as a platform to start from.

Also buy a good 2nd hand server from E-Bay. You an pick up a HP G5 / G6 for quite cheaply. Make sure it has more than 2 discs, ideally 3 or 4. Download the relevant smartstart cd for it from their website and start playing. Build it with the smartstart, build it without the smart start, learn how to configure the scsi device for various raid configurations.

Download and install trail versions of Windows operating systems from 2008 up.

I’m sure others will give you plenty of good advise also but thats where I would start from

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Bartonio wrote:

  • Has anyone here made the progression and if so what advice can you give on how best to do it?

  • Any particular tech skills that are a must to know to be a successful System Admin?

I made the transition from essentially help desk to network administrator. I had nowhere near the experience you have in the help desk position (I only had a year and a few months). I have learned A LOT through Cybrary.it. I went thru a lot of their basic videos in order to get a basic foundation. I have now started on a virtual lab.

I only use a laptop to run the virtual lab and are following Microsoft’s Test Lab Guide: Windows Server 2012 R2 Base Configuration. I’m using VMWare’s Desktop Pro 12 to run my VMs. I plan on using VMWare vSphere set up afterwards since that’s what we have in production.

This is my 3rd day with the lab and it’s turning out pretty awesome!

Skills that would be beneficial:
Quick learner
Logical troubleshooting
Understand the network
Think your decisions thru before you make any big changes and understand what those changes mean. I like to make fast decisions, but fast isn’t always best. So, just don’t do major changes in a hurry.

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As you might already know, a system administrator tends to be responsible for the day-to-day operation of an organization’s computer networks and communication systems by installing, supporting and managing the networks and systems. In order to be considered as a potential candidate to future employers, I’d suggest acquiring these certifications:

Not only will you have the basics down, but obtaining these certificates will insinuate that you have the drive and passion for the job.

Regarding Virtualization and VMware, New Horizons offers a variety of different courses in case you’re interested in learning more: New Horizons - Modern IT Training Solutions

Hope this helps, and let me know if you have any questions about our programs!

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I started as a bench tech at a MSP just about 4 short years ago and made the jump to SysAdmin in Feb of 2014. To me it sounds like you are ready, but of course we have to continuously strive to learn and better our skills. I can tell you what I do most:

  • Windows Server admin work (AD, DHCP, DNS, etc) with some Exchange ('07 on-prem) work
  • VMware ESX and vCenter
  • Storage work and physical upkeep of our servers
  • I’ll likely catch flak for this, but I don’t know Powershell and very rarely find use for it, personally (although I’m sure it’s useful).
  • (and of course) support for our users and literally everything they plug into an outlet

Lastly: figure out how to save owners money on IT and tech expenses = you are an invaluable asset to the company.

Good luck!

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I actually just became a systems administrator in November with only having about 3 years of IT under my belt. I was working help desk for 16 months prior and before that I had an internship during college. I would advise you to look at jobs that you want and see what kinds of skills and experience they are looking for in their descriptions. Once I had a good sense of what most employers were looking for, I started to study and review a lot of book and websites to learn the skills required. I also had a home lab which impressed the interviewer.

Basically in a nutshell, you should know how to work with servers and their various roles (DNS, AD, DHCP, etc), know how to do backup, virtualization, basic troubleshooting, firewalls/switches, basic networking. Scripting is becoming a big must for most jobs and it wouldn’t hurt to know something about SQL Server or comparable. This was basically what I was asked during my interview. Also, know how to use google, which most IT people do.

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  • ESXi 5.5 - 6.0

  • Shared storage (SAN management)

  • Switching and Routing

  • Firewall configuration

  • OS management

  • Basic SQL admin tasks (backups, restore, permissions)

  • Active Directory

  • DR

Knows these things and it will land a sys admin job. As businesses move more and more to the cloud (public and private) VMware expertise will rise in demand.

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Lots of things to learn that others have listed above. I’d suggest using Hyper-V so you can get familiar with it; plus it comes with Windows Pro. You can use all the Windows eval software to setup your own domain with DHCP, DNS, etc and then hook it up to Office 365.

I wouldn’t recommend Exchange unless you have an interest in it. Lots of people moving to Office 365 and less need for Exchange admins.

You could start looking for a Systems/Network administrator job. Nothing like OTJ training!

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This is a pretty popular article on making the leap, penned by yours tryuly :slight_smile:

@paulbarton

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This is a good thread for me. I just passed 4 months at help desk at my job. Prior to that I have just my internship experience, January to mid October and school.

I want to make the jump to sys admin asap but I know that I dont have the necessary skill set. Once again, this is a good thread for me.

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Start looking now, get your CV up to date. Got a home rig to play with? if not get one if possible. Set up VCenter jump in. I was thrown into the deep end with VSphere 5.5 and managed to swim. As far as CERTS, I am on the fence. I’ve met people with more MS’s in their title, and couldn’t find dns with both hands. I’ve met guys with no CERTS and they knew their stuff.

Like izu said “You could start looking for a Systems/Network administrator job. Nothing like OTJ training!”

That’s how I was trained. I went from a warm body answering the phone and logging issues, to managing AD, OD VCenter etc.

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Approximately one year ago I made this exact change! I worked on the Help Desk for approximately 2 years before a Sys Admin position opened up on the Infrastructure team. In my opinion, a willingness to learn and the ability to take ownership of the things that are assigned to you are the most important skills for someone wanting to make this jump. From a technical standpoint, I had to really dig in to Active Directory, Powershell, and Exchange to get up to speed.

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Either move to a smaller company where you can gain some experience as a sys admin or look for opportunities at your current place by buddying up with a Sys Admin or taking on more Sys Admin tasks.

But usually in large organizations, help desk is a black hole especially if your company would rather hire a Sys Admin rather than promote from within. If you do leave for a smaller organization, get the experience and leave after two or three years if the company isn’t going anywhere.

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I made this jump 5 years ago and it was great until the company was shutdown. :slight_smile: I truly enjoyed working with that team. The transition was easy and fun because they were willing to train and share what they know.

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Second this! Learn about visualization, either VMware, HyperV, or whatever your company uses. I would recommend starting to learn Linux/Unix as much as you can. Most Sys Admins have to know both Windows Servers and Linux.

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I’m sure you’ve seen AS to some degree in Support.

You’ve also must have a good foundation in Technical support as well, and the Basics of Networking and computer Principle.

What would be new is on the Server side, Hardware’s to networking, applications, and management of the entire sys.

If your going into a Large company, most of them have a team to manage the entire sys. means there certain people dedicated to each area. This would be the more preferred route as it allows you to grow your skills over time.

If you fall into a one or two man squad, (remembered when you forgot and didn’t study for that Mid-term exam last night, then on the day of the Exam you Cram for 1-2 hours before the Exam) its going to be something new everyday.

Something to Keep in mind

Get Certs

Learn VM, AD, Office in the cloud, Cloud networking, MS server, Networking the fundamentals, and Back up and Restore software’s.

also Expanding your social skills help as well, allows your to gather the information you need from those of your users

Your be a great Admin one day, then your remember this one line “My computer not turning on”

:slight_smile: