Networks

Of course you do. While a Porsche could not carry more than a spare server or two, it would get you there really fast, and you would enjoy the ride.

An iPad or any tablet, in my opinion, is about the least practical item on earth for doing admin tasks. The obvious lack of a keyboard makes even routine tasks like configuring a Cisco router a whole new level of difficulty.

A big issue for many tasks is that the utilities that are needed do not run on any OS other than Windows. For example, while there is a VMWare Vcenter app for the iPad, it's hardly more than a demo. Some web-based configuration tools use Flash, which is not an option with the iPad.

Let's say you want to use a tool such as WireShark to do packet capture: Nope. Apple does not allow ANY apps that do packet capture in the apps store, for security reasons.

So my opinion is that using a tablet for network admin is a bad idea. What you need it a rugged netbook.

robo_dev has given you some very good advice there. It is up to you if you want to get your hands on a ipad. We do not make your mind up on here, that is up to you to do that, we just give out good advice on what to do or have, what you do about that advice is up to you. If it where me i would stay away from Apple (waiting for the Apple stampied here). Get a good laptop, at least you can put on your own software of choice instead of being locked into one, on the plus side of a laptop/notebook you have USB ports to attach a usb wireless dongle to connect either through a mobile network or wifi. You can not do much with a ipad for what you need.

I have one thinking it would reducing the need for laptop.. Nope. It is Great for what it is designed for.. Surfing @home, long battery life, good speciality apps (bible software)... Otherwise it's useless or nearly useless for admin tasks. No USB connectivity, no console to Network Devices, keyboard from ****, no flash,... I wouldn't spend the money again ... At least with admin task in mind.

What does iPad have in terms of mobile internet connectivity that a laptop can't? Built-in, even - no tether or USB stick. Heck, I have a small old Dell which supported, for wireless and network:
Bluetooth, WLAN, LAN, Modem, broadband, and SIM cards.
So why an ipad?

But here is the question: Just what sort of remote administration <i>do</i> you do? Do you see iPad apps covering that? Then go for it. But you'll have less flexibility.* Remember, you can't even fully control your own iPad without rooting it.

Have a look at:
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/mac/ipad-and-logmein-make-potent-troubleshooting-and-repair-duo/684
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/mac/desktop-connect-ipad-app-enables-secure-remote-windows-server-administration/650
for remote administration ideas for iPad.

*When you want to expand the capabilities, you'll need to wait until someone writes an app for that, then you have to get it from the apple store.

and reached pretty much the same conclusions as those shared above. I use a Kindle to store all my reference documentation and have a cellular-enabled Netbook for remote administration tasks. The combination of the two is very light-weight to carry, battery life is a non-issue and with 3G (soon to be 4G LTE) connectivity to a VPN, there are few places from which I cannot diagnose, intervene and solve issues when I am not in the office.
But your mileage may vary - I am a *very* command-line centric nerd so keyboard functionality is huge for me. Were I more comfortable with a GUI environment, I might have a different view. If my interventions typically consisted of rebooting a device and I could create a secure front-end accessible by a browser, I might be able to get an iPad to work.
But as it stands, I could only honestly justify an iPad as a means of educating myself about them but not as a productivity tool for network administration.

School sys admin here, too. Responding from my iPad, but on my couch. Best use, as you suggested, was to use as an evaluation unit for deployment in classrooms. As an admin, i think I was hoping to get a little more mileage out of it, but just haven't been able to. It has some cool factor to some people and if you want to use it for it's size versus even most net books, then get one. Grab one, too, if your boss says you should get one and will pay for it... As was my case.

It has its place. I'm just not sure it's a sysadmins best option including much of what has already been said.

(note: not that the device takes much learning, but if administration wants them, you would be best served getting one, too, to be able to best support.)

Depending on your role and responsibilities you generally are going to need specific tools. And when onsite responding to an an outage than takes more than 5 min to fix taping on a virtual keyboard will get old.. FAST.

I recommend something more stout a little netbook will do but here be wary. Some do not have USBs (for thumb drive or serial converter) some do not have Ethernet ports an instead use only wifi or 3g. So know what you are looking at.

The best option, ESPECIALLY if work is paying for it is really to go with an ultra portable. Have a look at the MacBook Air, the Samsung Series 9, or the Sony counterpart (vaio x series I think). And tether it to your phone if you need to, because you already pay for the data there. If the company wants you available on short notice express your needs and let them put resources to meet them before you come out of pocket.

As a tip of advice if you working in an environment where data security is particularly at issue. NEVER volunteer your own personal property or even bring it on site. This will avoid the potential for many bad things in the future.

Cheers and good luck in whatever you decide to do.