Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!convex!convex.convex.com!felps From: felps@convex.com (Robert Felps) Newsgroups: comp.unix.large Subject: Re: Difference between "operator" and "system administrator"? Message-ID: Date: 26 Oct 90 11:31:50 GMT References: <680@dynasys.UUCP> Sender: news@convex.com Lines: 88 In <680@dynasys.UUCP> jessea@dynasys.UUCP (Jesse W. Asher) writes: >A local company is going unix in a big way and one of the MIS Dept. >managers posed a question I was unable to answer. They have AS400's and >a couple of VAXs for which they have "operators". The question was: What >is the difference between a system administrator and an operator? They are >trying to figure out the definition of system administrator in relation >to what an operator does. Can anyone give me an idea of how to answer this >question? I'm not familiar with what an "operator" does, so I couldn't >answer the question. Any suggestions would be welcome. In my own words, A UNIX Operator, "THE GRUNT", often answer this way. Performs the menial/mundane tasks of system administration. May also perform techinician type tasks. For example, Shutdown and booting Backups File System Checks User Account Administration Mail checks(from cron), the S.A. should automate! Terminal Connections/Setup Printer Connections/Setup Basic User Support(Optional) etc. In the mainframe world an operator is a "tape monkey" plus console request handler. Of if you will, a console monitor. A UNIX System Administrator, "THE TRAIL BLAZER", often on fire him/herself. Should always carry a phillips & flat bladded screw driver, where mountain boots, have a spare ding-dong & twinkie, keep tinker bell in shirt pocket, carry a lamb and lumber in tool box, wire clippers in hip pocket, box of paper on sholder, reference manual under left arm, and resume in briefcase. Performs any tasks related to keeping the UNIX system operating smoothly. Usually performs the installation, setup and initial operation of all hardware and software. For example, Shutdown and booting Backups File System Checks User Account Administration Mail checks(from cron), the S.A. should automate! Terminal Connections/Setup Printer Connections/Setup -plus- Shell Programming(Optional but hard to survive without) C Programming(Optional but often helpful) Security Issues UUCP TCP/IP-Ethernet Advanced User Support Utilities Expert(Optional but VERY useful) System Recovery(Disk recoveries) Disaster Recovery Hardware Upgrades Software Upgrades Tuning and Performance Capacity Planning Keep contracts up-to-date Purchase New Equipment Local system configurations(sysgen) Local documentation etc. The larger the shop the more likly it seems you have operator(s) and system administrator(s) with separate job descriptions. But it is all up to the company and boss. I've been both!!! Thanks, Robert Felps felps@convex.com Convex Computer Corp OS System Specialist 3000 Waterview Parkway Tech. Assistant Ctr Richardson, Tx. 75083 1(800) 952-0379