System Administrator
Description: Computer networking jobs involve designing, setting up, and maintaining a network.
Requirements: Although most users today have their own home networks, setting up, troubleshooting, and maintaining a corporate network can be a much more complicated task. Often, networking jobs also require a good understanding of how a network works, and in some cases how all the underlying protocols and structure of how networks work.
Recommendations: There are numerous network and network related certifications available today, such as the CCNA, MCSE, etc. Often depending on the level of certification and the job you are applying for, the certifications will be more than enough to quality you for most network jobs. Some of the higher networking positions, especially in the development of network hardware or programming side, may also require past experience in networking or a degree.
Difficulty: (MEDIUM - HIGH) Depending upon the job specifications and the complexity of the network usually determines the difficulty of this job.
Networking Security expert
Description: Test and find vulnerabilities in a system, hardware device, or software program.
Requirements: This position is for someone who has a strong familiarity with how software, hardware, and networks work and how to exploit them. Often, you need to have a good understanding of how the overall system works as well as good programming skills.
Recommendations: Keep up-to-date with all security news, advisories, and other related news. The majority of security vulnerabilities are through software, and in order to understand these vulnerabilities or find new security vulnerabilities, you'll need to understand how to program and have a good understand of how software works and interacts with computers.
Difficulty: (MEDIUM - HIGH) The difficulty of this job depends on what you are testing or trying to find any vulnerabilities in.
There is no concrete answer to this, but in theory a systems admin would manage the server infrastructure while a network admin would manage the network infrastructure (ie, routers, switches, etc.) In some organizations, primarily smaller ones, people holding one of these titles does both. They may also have management responsibilities over those lower on the food chain than them, ie, helpdesk and desktop support, computer operators, etc. With IT supporting the business but not directly providing a source of revenue, many organizations either outsource some of these responsibilities or try to get by with as little as possible. My current organization is no different.
Those already in these positions typically get there by working their way up. Nobody is going to let you touch their core infrastructure without having some history of successfully providing support in a professional environment. Tinkering with computers at home, fixing Windows problems for friends, etc. may get you in an entry level job, but that's about it. If you're serious about it, this is the avenue I would pursue. Certifications are important in reaching these positions, so start browsing the requirements for obtaining certs from Microsoft, Cisco, etc. One online option may be Western Governor's University, which will allow you to obtain certs on the way to a BS - IT degree. good luck.
Network administration also entail active monitoring and management of network activity with say, a protocol analyzer or other real-time or passive monitoring resource (tools, applications, and devices), with the aim of showing changes in network traffic and other network activities. In practice, however, and depending on the size of the organization, network administration may involve other tasks such as administering of databases to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organization's data, as well as provide network user (internal and external) support services.
On the other hand, systems administration involves the smooth operation of the different parts that make up any system – be it a network system, other IT systems that may encompass sub systems; for example: a building security system, or other technical systems that are non IT or networked in nature. Furthermore, in addition to encompassing all functions of network administration , and again, depending on the size of the organization and how their IT department is structured (big department with internal IT staff versus outsourcing of services to third party), systems administration may involve performing tasks such as backup and storage, ensuring network/information security and business continuity planning, and software patching and operating systems updates.
Systems administrators can also be involved in e-commerce/website initiatives and CRM systems management, software development and roll-out projects, integration of physical security systems with IT security, field services and support operations for other organizational units like the sales department, etc. In essence, network administration is narrow in scope while systems administration is generalist; systems administration tasks can encompass other operational functions beyond IT/network and technical systems support services within the organization.
So yes, network administration is just one aspect of systems administration, however, the nature of the job title and relegation of functions differ from company to company (it is possible to have both network administrator and a systems administrator as job titles within the same organization). I hope my rambling makes sense...
A network Administrator is someone who is in charge of making sure the network is fully functional. Such as security between servers, traffic, Internet and Intranet (External Internal). someone who helps maintain firewalls for a DMZ zone for webpages. They also make sure zone tranfsers and backups are done so different branches of a company can work as efficient as possible. While a Systems Administrator is someone who is mainly in charge of the Servers themselves. Now both do work closely together so that the entire Infrastructure is as perfect as possible. The systems person would be more versed in Server security, Databases, Exchange for email, and having the entire structure work.
When you get your certs like MCP, MCSA, MCSE...you learn how to do both of these. From there you can specialize in one or the other if you'd like. For example jumping into Cisco would most likely claim you as a network person. More specialized Microsoft would push you more towards Systems Administrator.
A Systems Administrator duties go beyond the installation and maintenance of just the Network:
A system administrator, systems administrator, or sysadmin, is a person employed to maintain and operate a computer system and/or network. System administrators may be members of an information technology department.
The duties of a system administrator are wide-ranging, and vary widely from one organization to another. Sysadmins are usually charged with installing, supporting, and maintaining servers or other computer systems, and planning for and responding to service outages and other problems. Other duties may include scripting or light programming, project management for systems-related projects, supervising or training computer operators, and being the consultant for computer problems beyond the knowledge of technical support staff. 