Haramaya University

College of Computing and Informatics

Department of Information System

System and Network Administration

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 Chapter 1:
Introduction to System and
Network Administration

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Outline
 Overview of System and Network Administration

 Responsibilities of System and Network administrator

 Network Operating System

– Characteristics of NOS

– Types of NOS

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 Part I. Overview of System Administration
What is System?
 An organized collection of components (i.e., computers) interacting
with a group of users looking for services to accomplish work.

Servers PCs

Us
Network
run

e
on

Service User
s s
help to accomplish work
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 What is System Administration?
 System Administration is the design, installation,
configuration, operation, and support of servers to support
the operational need of information technology infrastructure
of an organization.
 Generally it is planning, installing, and maintaining
computer systems involving servers and clients that works
together in a network environment.
 System administration functions include user management,
system monitoring, backup and recovery, and access control.
 Its overall goal is ensuring the systems are running efficiently
and effectively.

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 System Administrator
 A person who is responsible for planning, installing, and
maintaining computer systems involving servers and
clients that works together in a network environment
using system like Windows Server or Linux platform.

 A system administrator, or sysadmin, is a person who is

responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable
operation of computer systems; especially multi-user
computers, such as servers.

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 Responsibilities of System administrator
(May vary from place to place but commonly include)

 Installation, configuration and maintenance of hardware and

software
 Installation, configuration and maintenance of computer
systems (database systems, email systems, ERP systems etc.)
 User Administration(user account management, file access
management, authentication & authorization of users).
 Monitor system performance (CPU, memory, disk, network)
 Create a backup and recover policy
 Implement the policies for the use of the computer system
and network
 Setup security policies for users. A sysadmin must have a
strong grasp of computer security (e.g. firewalls and intrusion
detection systems)
 Ensuring that all systems are up and running. 7
 Responsibilities of System administrator…
 Applying operating system updates, patches(security
updates), and configuration changes
 Analyzing system logs and identifying potential issues with
computer systems.
 Introducing and integrating new technology to the existing
data center
 Disable unnecessary services on servers
 Verify that Peripherals are Working Properly
 Monitoring security configuration,
 User Assistance
– Hardware usage, maintenance, and troubleshooting
– Schedule and communicate downtimes
– Giving Training
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 Qualities of a Successful Sysadmin
 Customer oriented
– Ability to deal with interrupts
– Communication skills
 Technical knowledge
– Hardware, server Security, network, and software
knowledge
– Debugging and troubleshooting skills
 Time management
– Automate everything possible
– Ability to prioritize tasks: urgency and importance

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 How to be a system admin ??
Unlike many other professions, System Administration is a
profession with no fixed career path.
– Few degree granting programs
– Heavy reliance on practical experience
– In some cases, candidates are expected to possess industry
certifications such as Cisco CCNA or CompTIA's A+, Microsoft
MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, HCNA, Linux Professional Institute
among others.
– Sometimes, almost exclusively in smaller sites, the role of
system administrator may be given to a skilled user in
addition to or in replacement of his or her duties.

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Part II. Overview of Network
administration

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 Overview of Computer Network
 A computer networks is a collection of two or more
computers interconnected by communication mediums
that allow sharing of resources.

 The Goal is: allow two hosts to share data with one
another

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 Overview of Computer Network…

We need two aspects to setup computer network

 Hardware's used to connect the systems together(The
Hardware Components used to build the network).
• Network media
• Devices (Router, switches, Computers)
• NIC

 Software installed on the computers to allow them to

communicate.
• Operating system with TCP/IP configuration
• Protocol standards

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 Overview of Network Infrastructure
Network infrastructure
 Encompasses the software, the hardware, network and
services required for an organization to operate in an
Enterprise IT environment.

IT infrastructure for a given 14

 Overview of Network Infrastructure…
Datacenter a brain of the
internet

Activities:
1.Install, configure and
maintain service
2.Device configuration
3.Security issues
4.Hardware & software
update / replacement
6.System monitoring

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 Classifications of Networks
 Based on geographic area they cover (size): PAN, LAN,
MAN, and WAN
 Based on their architecture: Peer-to-peer and
Client/Server
 Based on the ownership: private and public
 Based on the transmission medium they used: wired and
wireless
 Based on the Topology they used:
• Physical topology(bus, star, ring, mesh, hybrid)
• Logical topology: how data communicates (broadcast and
sequential)

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 Internet, Intranet, and Extranet
Three types of Internet Networks:
 Internet: If you wish to expose information to everyone
in the world, then you would build an Internet-type
application.
 Intranet: a local network that only people within the
organization can access. It’s the most restricted
network.
 Extranet: is the type of network that allows users (for
instance, selected business partners or customers) from
outside to access the organizational network, but
they’re not available to the public.
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Internet, Intranet, and Extranet…

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 What is Network administration?
 Network administration is the management of
organizations network infrastructure such as routers
and switches.

 Network administration involves a wide array of

operational tasks that help a network to run smoothly and
efficiently. Without network administration, it would be
difficult for all but the smallest networks to maintain
network operations.

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 Network Administrator
 A person who maintains network infrastructure such
as switches and routers, and diagnoses problems with these
or with the behavior of network-attached computers.

 Responsible for ensuring the network runs efficiently and

meets users’ needs. Installs, configures and maintains LANs,
WANs, wireless networks, intranets and Internet systems.

 Identify and resolve connectivity issues.

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 Responsibilities of Network administrator
(May vary from place to place but commonly include)
 Designing and planning the network(LAN,WAN and internet system)
– Making Decision about the type of network that suits the need of your
organization
 Setting up the network
– Install the hardware and software’s that makes up the network
– Installation, configuration and maintenance of network devices (switch,
routers, firewall, etc.)
– Install and configure network services(DHCP, DNS, FTP, HTTP, NFS, etc.)
– Management and implementation of routing protocols such as ISIS, OSPF, BGP,
routing table configurations and certain implementations of authentication
– Network address assignment
 Maintaining the network
– Administering network services
– Troubleshooting network problems
– Administering network security
– Keep running the overall network system
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 Expanding the network
 Responsibilities of Network Administrator…
 In smaller organizations, network administrators may also
be technically involved in the:
o maintenance and administration of:
• servers,
• desktop computers,
• printers, routers,
• switches,
• firewalls,
• phones, IP Phones, personal digital assistants, smartphones,
o Software deployment,
o Security updates and patches as well as a vast array of additional
technologies inclusive of both hardware and software.

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 How to be a Sys/Net Admin
 Learn Operating System basics e.g. Unix/Linux
 Learn shell utilities and script programming
 Learn how to Install and Configure OS
 Learn DNS and DHCP configuration
 Learn TCP/IP networking
 Learn NFS

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Goals of System/Network Administration

 Put together a network of computers

 Get them running

 Keep them running (despite Users….)

 Provide a Service to Users

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 PART III: Network Operating Systems
 A Network Operating System is an operating system as other
types of operating system that runs on a server and provides
the server the capability to manage data, users, groups,
security, applications, and other networking functions.
 Unlike operating systems, such as Windows, that are
designed for single users to control one computer, network
operating systems (NOS) coordinate the activities of multiple
computers across a network.

 A network operating system (NOS) is a computer operating

system that is designed primarily to support workstation,
personal computer, and, in some instances, older terminal
that are connected on a local area network (LAN).
 Features of NOS
 Basic operating system features support like protocol
support, processor support, hardware detection, and
multiprocessing support for applications.
 Security features like authentication, restrictions,
authorizations and access control
 Features for file, web service, printing and replication
 Directory and name service management
 User management features along with provisions for
remote access and system management
 Internetworking features like routing and WAN po r ts
2 6`

 Clustering capabilities
 Common tasks associated with NOS
 User administration

 System maintenance activities like backup

 Tasks associated with file management

 Security monitoring on all resources in the
network

 Setting priority to print jobs in the network

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`
 Network Operating systems: Where to use?
 NOS can be used in:
• Routers, switches, and hardware firewall

• PCs in Peer-to-Peer networks

• Client-server Architecture

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`
 The Most Popular NOS

Microsoft Windows Server Linux Server

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 Differences Between PC (client OS) and NOS
 In a client OS, A number of users may have
accounts on a PC, only a single account is active
on the system at any given time.

 NOS supports multiple user accounts at the same

time and enables concurrent access to shared
resources by multiple clients.

 NOS run on a server and can be accessed through

client machines connected on the network
however Client OS runs on the computer it30s̀elf.
 Windows Server
 Windows servers are more powerful versions of their
desktop operating system counterparts and are designed to
more efficiently handle corporate networking,
Internet/intranet hosting, databases, enterprise-scale
messaging and similar functions.
 Windows Server 2022 or Windows Server 2022 Edition is
the tenth and latest release of the Windows Server
operating system.
 Windows Server 2022 is derived from the Windows 10
codebase and, like its predecessors, is only compatible with
64-bit processors.

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Windows Server…
Microsoft products are regarded as the standard option
for most businesses.

Cost is also an important factor; license fees are

expensive. The more employees you have, the more
expensive it will become.

Versions of Windows Server

• Windows Server 2022 (August 2021) • Windows Server 2008
• Windows Server 2019 (October 2018) • Windows Server 2003 R2
• Windows Server 2016 (October 2016) • Windows Server 2003
• Windows Server 2012 R2 (October • Windows Server 2000
2013)
• Windows NT 4.0
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2008 R2
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 Linux Server
 A Linux server is a high-powered variant of the Linux open
source operating system that's designed to handle the more
demanding needs of business applications such as network
and system administration, database management and
Web services.
 Linux servers are frequently selected over other server
operating systems for their stability, security and flexibility
advantages.
 Leading Linux server operating systems include CentOS,
Debian, Ubuntu.
 You can download, modify it and re-distribute it without
spending any money.
 Linux is installed on over 95% of the world's best
supercomputers demonstrating that it is the fastest
performing OS with the smallest resource footprint. 33
 Linux Server Distributions
The followings are Leading Linux server operating
systems
(Top 10 Linux Server Distributions (2021 Edition)
Source fossilnux.com
1. Ubuntu server version(most popular)
2. Red Hat Enterprise Linux
3. Fedora Server
4. OpenSUSE Leap
5. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
6. Debian Stable
7. Oracle Linux
8. Oracle Linux
9. Arch Linux
10. Slackware OS
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 Advantage of Linux
 You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux
and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License.
 Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance
levels.
 Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on
networks.
 Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and
has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server
systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux.
 Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop
applications, and embedded systems.
 Linux is designed to do many things at the same time.
 Linux is one of the most secure operating systems
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 Individual Assignment
• Research about the following points and prepare no more
than 5 pages report:
– Protocols in TCP/IP suite
– Network Devices - from TCP/IP suite perspective
– Routing and Routing Protocols
– VLAN
– Subnetting and IP Addressing

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End of Chapter 1

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