Hey folks! I'm taking on the role of IT admin for my tiny company as we're starting to expand a bit. Since I'm the only one who's somewhat tech-savvy (I'm 20), I've been put in charge of tech support, and I'll also be managing a Synology NAS for data storage and backups. The rest of my coworkers (who are all 50+) aren't too familiar with this stuff, and we've already found that outsourcing hasn't worked out for us. This is my first time in such a position, and although I have no formal training in IT, I'm eager to learn. Can anyone share some essential tips or resources for a beginner sysadmin? What basics should I be aware of?
4 Answers
Remember, you'll inevitably hit the fan at some point! It might be beneficial to consider hiring a consultant for guidance. Trust me, getting someone experienced can save your neck! Just keep learning and adjusting—good luck!
Yup! Training is key, and having a pro in your corner can definitely boost your confidence.
You definitely need to document everything. Make changes only after you understand them, and if possible, invest in a solid book like 'The Practice of System and Network Administration.' It's not tech-specific but covers core concepts really well. Don't forget to check out the sysadmin wiki as well!
Totally! And right, get that pay raise to reflect your added responsibilities—if they expect you to manage IT, they need to treat you like a vital member of the team.
This advice is gold! I appreciate it so much, thanks for sharing!
Honestly, stepping into this role at your age can feel like you're diving into chaos. It's going to be a learning curve, so don’t underestimate what’s ahead. Draw on support contracts and lean on them to help you design the right infrastructure. And yeah, backups are not negotiable!
Haha, yeah, many of us in this sub started out like that! Just remember, there are really no shortcuts in tech—take your time to learn.
Right, and mistakes will happen. The trick is to document everything you do—it's your insurance policy.
First and foremost, get really good backups of your NAS and make sure you can restore them! Seriously, write down the steps on how to do it so you have peace of mind. Believe me, when disasters happen, you'll be thankful you did this. Test your backups regularly; your future self will thank you!
This almost happened to me with a coworker too! I warned him about his Synology hosting critical data, but he waited too long to migrate to a proper host. When it failed, he lost almost everything, except for a bit of luck.
Absolutely, document everything—two is one and one is none. Also, preparing procedures in advance is a lifesaver in emergencies.
Very valuable point! It’s always good to have an expert to bounce ideas off of.