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What does a senior server administrator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Senior server administrator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior server administrator resumes:

  • Manage all backup, Citrix and remote systems.
  • Manage several internal URLs host under IIS across multiple servers.
  • Manage L2/L3 switches, as well as routers and the company firewall.
  • Assist in managing and creating GPO's to be deploy to enterprise systems.
  • Manage and configure Cisco network equipment including switches and routers.
  • Manage virtual machine snapshots as requested by application management personnel.
  • Grant access to OS folders.
  • Configure SCOM client and reporting for SCCM environment.
  • Handle and troubleshoot operating system installations, software inst.
  • Trouble shooting with errors from databases and Unix system.
  • Perform support for company's intranet web and DNS servers.
  • Train Citrix staff to create new images and deploy virtual servers.
  • Install, upgrade, and configure servers' Linux operating system and hardware.
  • Develop the security patching procedure for SuSE base Linux servers on the Disney account.
  • Install and configure NetApp storage arrays for use as NAS, iSCSI SAN systems.

Senior server administrator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Senior Server Administrators are proficient in PowerShell, Linux, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Multitasking skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Server Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • PowerShell, 7%

    Assist with configuration management using Chef and PowerShell scripts.

  • Linux, 5%

    Supported, maintained, and managed approximately 18 Microsoft Windows 2003/2008 and 3 Red Hat Linux application and Apache Enterprise servers.

  • Troubleshoot, 4%

    Configure and troubleshoot PC and MAC workstation / laptops.

  • DNS, 4%

    Installed and managed NT Server, configured TCP, DHCP, DNS, ODBC, and ensured local / remote access.

  • Microsoft Windows Server, 4%

    Installed and administered Three-Node Cluster Configuration (Active/Active and Active/Passive) in SQL Server 2008R2/2012 on Microsoft Windows Server 2012.

  • DHCP, 4%

    Implemented DHCP standards throughout the Enterprise.

Common skills that a senior server administrator uses to do their job include "powershell," "linux," and "troubleshoot." You can find details on the most important senior server administrator responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior server administrator to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Senior server administrators often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyze and manage database backup and restore, existing stored procedure, queries, views and processes for performance. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior server administrator duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a senior server administrator resume, here's how senior server administrators can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "managed linux based zimbra collaboration suite for email communications, which included postfix, spamassassin, and pop and imap management. "

Multitasking skills. senior server administrators are also known for multitasking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to senior server administrator responsibilities, because "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." A senior server administrator resume example shows how multitasking skills is used in the workplace: "refined skills in multitasking and customer service. "

Problem-solving skills. A big part of what senior server administrators do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to senior server administrator responsibilities because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical senior server administrator tasks: "provide level-2 support for emc clarion san and hp msa san solutions. "

See the full list of senior server administrator skills

Compare different senior server administrators

Senior server administrator vs. Information technology administrator

An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.

The annual salary of information technology administrators is $13,602 lower than the average salary of senior server administrators.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both senior server administrator and information technology administrator positions are skilled in linux, troubleshoot, and dns.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior server administrator are more likely to require skills like "powershell," "microsoft windows server," "server environment," and "t-sql." On the other hand, a job as an information technology administrator requires skills like "customer service," "database," "vmware," and "windows server." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Information technology administrators tend to reach similar levels of education than senior server administrators. In fact, information technology administrators are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior server administrator vs. Systems administrator lead

A systems administrator lead is responsible for planning, designing, and implementing procedures for critical enterprise systems. Typical duties of systems administrators include managing the day-to-day operations of a company's computer and network systems, developing new application and system implementation plans, and establishing guidelines for installing and managing the organization's computer operating systems. In addition, you are expected to ensure the security of computer systems by preventing unauthorized use, user abuse, and acts of nature.

Systems administrator lead positions earn higher pay than senior server administrator roles. They earn a $13,159 higher salary than senior server administrators per year.A few skills overlap for senior server administrators and systems administrator leads. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "linux," "dns," and "dhcp. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real senior server administrator resumes. While senior server administrator responsibilities can utilize skills like "powershell," "troubleshoot," "microsoft windows server," and "server environment," systems administrator leads use skills like "project management," "windows server," "system performance," and "database."

Systems administrator leads earn similar levels of education than senior server administrators in general. They're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior server administrator vs. Lan administrator

LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them. They install, configure, and troubleshoot the local area network or LAN in a corporate office. It is part of their job to ensure that the internet is available for everyone who uses computers to perform their roles. They also evaluate and recommend the computers, hardware and software, and the equipment needed to create a hack-proof server.

An average lan administrator eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of senior server administrators. The difference in salaries amounts to lan administrators earning a $25,855 lower average salary than senior server administrators.Using the responsibilities included on senior server administrators and lan administrators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "linux," "troubleshoot," and "dns.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a senior server administrator is likely to be skilled in "powershell," "microsoft windows server," "server environment," and "sccm," while a typical lan administrator is skilled in "windows server," "network hardware," "desktop support," and "lan."

Most lan administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to senior server administrators. For example, they're 2.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior server administrator vs. Linux administrator

A Linux administrator is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of Linux operating systems to support business operations and high-quality deliverables. Linux administrators handle the resolution of Linux network issues, maintaining its stability and ensuring its safety and security from unauthorized access and malware threats. They also conduct regular maintenance to configure the system navigation and infrastructure, running multiple diagnostic tests to identify defects, and recommending strategic procedures for system enhancement. A Linux administrator must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in providing technical support on faulty servers.

Linux administrators average a lower salary than the annual salary of senior server administrators. The difference is about $6,801 per year.While their salaries may vary, senior server administrators and linux administrators both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "troubleshoot," "dns," and "dhcp. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A senior server administrator uses "powershell," "linux," "microsoft windows server," and "citrix." Linux administrators are more likely to have duties that require skills in "python," "windows," "linux servers," and "bash. "The average resume of linux administrators showed that they earn higher levels of education compared to senior server administrators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.5%.

Types of senior server administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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