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Difference between System and Network Administrator

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by m.i.t

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I often get these confused, even though when looking for job, they tend to mean the same thing. I recently visited www.sageweb.sage.org and they make it sound like System Administrator is something totally different.
Can someone explain. Thank you

6 replies

by timwalsh

In many organizations, the two terms ARE used inerchangably (especially in companies that have small or one-man IT organizations). In common use, either is generally meant to designate the person charged with the care and feeding of all things dealing with computers (essentially the same definition as given on the SAGE website for the system administrator).

The term System Administrator appears to be more in vogue in Unix-based organizations, while Network Administrator appears to be used more in Windows-based organizations

by chris..

I'm seeing that there is a differentiation here. The network admin tends to be (at least in larger orgs) the guy/gal that handles the actual management of the network and the related equipment, data/voice lines, firewalls and stuff like that. Where as the System Administrator is more geared to Systems such as Servers, PC's etc..

But like Tim said, the terms are interchangable these days. Personally I've always been more of a Sys Admin than a Network geek, though by virtue of the places I choose to work, I'm both.

make sense?

by kevin203

I'm responsible for all my client network stuff like server, client, connection adapter or even website maintenance but others like software and web application is handle by my collegue

So what should i use to be? More likely?

My designation in my company is as an IT Technical Specialist.

by rick_b

I use single job codes for different positions.
An example would be my engineers are Technical Specialist/MIS no matter what do they do. This allows me to have a small number of job codes for HR.
This also encourages cross training in all areas.
I have someone who take care of all issues at the branches, network,server,phones and at the corporate headquarters I have engineers who are responsible for their areas, but can cover if we have someone out sick or on vacation.

by chris..

Just based on asking the question, and I'm not meaning to be rude or harsh here. But if you have to ask and you have those responsibilities I would say that at Best you would be a Jr. Sys Admin

by kevin203

Hi Chris.

I already change employer early this year.
Now i am an IT Executive in EDP Department but i wonder what is EDP department anyway and what exectly this department doing?

Regards

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