Are you considering an AWS SysOps Administrator career and want to know if you’ll enjoy the day-to-day tasks in that role?
AWS SysOps Administrator roles pay well and are easy to find. But a job is more than a paycheck. What does an AWS SysOps Administrator do, and would you enjoy this job?
This article will dive into what it means to be an AWS SysOps administrator.
TL;DR:
Deploys, manages, monitors, secures, protects, optimizes, troubleshoots, and automates the AWS environment.
Supports AWS Services, including:
AWS SysOps job duty categories include:
What is AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides businesses and individuals with a comprehensive and scalable cloud computing platform.
Users can access tools to build, deploy, and secure applications without managing the physical computer hardware.
What is an AWS SysOps Administrator?
The AWS SysOps Admin’s job role is to manage the AWS environment.
The AWS SysOps Administrator role is similar to IT sysadmin responsibilities.
It’s just that much of the AWS SysOps Admin’s responsibilities deal with virtual rather than physical hardware.
If it’s part of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) family of tools, the AWS SysOps Admin likely has a hand running it.
What Does an AWS SysOps Administrator Do? Roles and Responsibilities
What does an AWS SysOps Administrator do? As the sysadmin, you manage, deploy, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot the Amazon AWS cloud service infrastructure.
You will need a solid understanding of EC2, S3, RDS, VPS, IAM, Lambda, DynamoDB, and CloudWatch, to name a few.
EC2 (Elastic Cloud Compute)
AWS EC2 provides scalable virtual servers in the cloud.
Users rent virtual machines (instances) to run their applications or host their websites.
EC2 offers several instance types, allowing users to select the CPU, memory, storage, and networking capacity.
It also provides options for selecting the geographic region where the instances are deployed, enabling users to optimize for latency or compliance requirements.
Users have control over the EC2 operating systems on the AWS, as well as the software and security tools.
EC2 integrates with S3, RDS, and VPC.
S3 (Simple Storage Service)
S3 provides developers and businesses with scalable object storage.
It allows you to store and retrieve any amount of data from anywhere on the web at any time.
AWS S3 is designed to offer high availability and data durability, making it suitable for various use cases such as backup, archival, content distribution, data lakes, and data analytics.
It also integrates with services like Amazon CloudFront for content delivery and provides robust security features to protect stored data.
RDS (Relational Database Service)
RDS provides a managed database service that simplifies running and managing a relational database in the cloud.
Its purpose is to make it easier to set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud.
AWS RDS allows you to select from various database engines such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, or Amazon Aurora.
It provides automated backups, software patching, and database management tasks to offload administrative burdens from users.
It also offers automated scaling, high availability, and replication to ensure database performance, availability, and data durability.
DynamoDB
AWS DynamoDB is a NoSQL-managed database service in the cloud.
NoSQL (Not Only SQL) is both a relational and non-relational database service.
It stores data based on key values, documents, graphs, and columns.
Unlike relational databases, NoSQL handles unstructured and semi-structured data.
NoSQL examples include MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, Neo4j, CouchDB, and DynamoDB.
Amazon describes AWS DynamoDB as having an “unlimited” capacity for storage and traffic.
DynamoDB uses web and mobile applications, gaming, ad tech, and IoT (Internet of Things).
VPS (Virtual Private Server)
AWS VPS is a cloud-based virtual private server service.
You use it to create virtual computing environments without physical hardware.
The cost is based on the VPS instance’s CPU, RAM, and storage.
Users run applications, websites, and services from VPS instances.
The SysOps Admin deploys and configures the VPS infrastructure, allowing customers to create new instances of private servers.
IAM (Identity and Access Management)
AWS IAM is a security service for AWS cloud resources and services.
Its purpose is to provide secure access and avoid data breaches.
You use it to manage and control access to your organization’s cloud resources.
It is built on the traditional security model of users, groups, and roles.
Each group has its own permission to access services and resources.
CloudWatch
AWS CloudWatch is a monitoring tool for the AWS infrastructure.
You use CloudWatch to monitor, manage, and optimize resources and applications deployed on the AWS cloud platform.
CloudWatch provides insights and metrics about the performance and health of various AWS services and resources.
These reports allow you to detect and respond to issues or anomalies in real time.
It tracks metrics, collects and monitors log files, sets alarms, and automatically reacts to changes in the AWS environment.
CloudWatch helps administrators and developers ensure the reliability, availability, and performance of their applications and infrastructure running on AWS.
CloudFormation
CloudFormation manages and provisions AWS infrastructure resources.
You can add automation to create safe and repeatable management tasks.
You will use your AWS CloudFormation skills to deploy automation scripts you create.
The CloudFormation allows you to define and deploy infrastructure as code using templates, which can be version-controlled and shared across teams.
CloudFormation provides a consistent and reliable method for creating, updating, and deleting resources.
It allows its users to create and manage their cloud infrastructure without manual intervention.
You can use it to provision complex resource dependencies and allow users to replicate their infrastructure across different regions and accounts consistently.
Lambda
AWS Lambda provides serverless computing that allows developers to run code without the need to provision or manage servers.
It enables developers to build and distribute applications and services that respond to events and automatically scale as per the demand.
Developers pay for the compute time consumed by their functions.
It also offers automatic scaling, high availability, and built-in management and monitoring capabilities
it is used in web and mobile backends, data processing, and real-time file processing.
What an AWS SysOps Administrator Does, According to the Job Market
One of the best places to get AWS System Admin role information is to look at job listings.
I pulled a random listing from a job board to explore the real-world requirements of an AWS SysOps Admin.
I summarized the requests and expanded on the tasks for your information.
Here is what an AWS SysOps does, according to a job listing.
System Administration
The job listing calls for system administration skills in Linux or Windows.
The sysadmin skills include configuring, networking, securing, and troubleshooting.
You are responsible for system administration tasks involving:
- Linux
- Windows
- Networking
- Security
- Troubleshooting
Cloud Security
The SysOps Admin manages AWS security.
You will implement and manage IAM roles, locking down access to services and resources.
The SysOps Administrator enforces security best practices.
You will implement security measures to protect AWS resources and user data.
You will also ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
You provide secure access to protect data integrity, which requires knowledge of:
- Security best practices
- Resource lockdown
- IAM
- Access Control
- Secure Data
- Data regulations and standards
Networking Knowledge
You will design the network architecture with Virtual Private Cloud (VPC).
Amazon VPC allows you to manage subnets, routing, security groups, load balancers, and VPNs (virtual private networks).
You will provide networking tasks that require knowledge of:
- Network Architecture
- Virtual Private Cloud
- Subnets
- Routing
- Security Groups
- Load Balancers
- Virtual Private Networks
Automation and Scripting
You will use languages such as Python, PowerShell, or Bash to automate routine tasks.
Tasks might include resource provisioning, configuration management, and monitoring.
You will automate tasks by creating scripts using AWS CloudFormation, AWS CLI (command line interface), or AWS SDKs (software development kits).
Your automation tasks will include knowledge of the following:
- Scripting with Python, PowerShell, or Bash
- Resource Provisioning
- Configuration Management
- System Monitoring
- CloudFormation
- CLI
- SDKs
Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving
SysOps admins are problem solvers.
You will need excellent problem-solving skills.
You should understand how to break tasks into parts to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
You will diagnose and resolve system, network, and application problems.
You will collaborate with different teams to bring systems online if there is an outage.
Tasks include analyzing log files, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing corrective actions.
Your troubleshooting tasks will include knowledge of the following:
- Troubleshooting skills
- Root cause analysis
- Log file analysis
- AWS configuration problem resolution
Monitoring and Optimization
A SysOps admin uses tools like CloudWatch to monitor and optimize the AWS cloud.
You will configure alarms, analyze logs, and optimize resources.
Your goal is the high availability and performance of the infrastructure.
You might be tasked with identifying opportunities for performance improvement.
That will require an understanding of system tuning and keeping resources balanced while scaling up the size of an application.
You will monitor the infrastructure and applications running on AWS to ensure optimal performance, availability, and security.
This may involve setting up monitoring tools, analyzing system metrics, and proactively identifying issues or bottlenecks.
Your monitoring skills include knowledge of:
- CloudWatch
- Alarm configuration
- Log analysis
- Optimization
- System tuning
- Balanced resources
- Scaling applications
- Performance optimization
- Security measures
- Proactive problem-solving
Disaster Recovery and Backup
A sysadmin plans backups and restorations for disaster recovery.
The AWS SysOps Administrator is responsible for implementing the business continuity planning that keeps a business alive during a crisis.
One day, you perform AWS on-premise resources backup tasks; the next, you recover from a devastating flood.
The backup tasks include AWS Backup, AWS Disaster Recovery, and AWS Glacier.
This may involve setting up automated backup processes, testing recovery procedures, and maintaining backup systems.
Your backup tasks require knowledge of the following:
- Backup plans
- Restoration options
- Business continuity
- Backup automation
- Recovery plan testing
- Backup maintenance
- AWS Backup
- AWS Disaster Recovery
- AWS Glacier
Collaboration, Communication, and Documentation
The ideal SysOps Admin has excellent communication skills, enjoys collaborating with others, and can explain business processes in writing.
Your tasks will put you in contact with developers, architects, and operations co-workers.
Collaboration often involves discussing changes and gathering requirements from stakeholders.
You might need to explain your decisions, so communicating ideas, issues, and solutions will be essential.
You will document system configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides for future reference.
Communication is not always easy for the neurotypes who become system administrators.
When you become an AWS SysOps administrator, you can expect some pressure to be social on the job.
Realistically, the ones who communicate best are those who practice the skills required.
Public speaking classes are a good way to improve your communication skills.
Collaboration tasks require knowledge of the following:
- Communication skills
- Collaboration skills
- Documentation skills
- Requirements gathering
- Plan justification
- Communicating solutions
- Defining procedures
- Explaining troubleshooting
Continuous Learning
The learning path of the AWS SysOps Admin is never done.
Amazon constantly pumps out new tools, upgrades, and AWS documentation.
To maintain your career as an AWS SysOps, you will need to take classes to adapt to the changes.
The best administrator is willing to learn continuously and to stay updated with advancements.
You will attend AWS training courses, workshops, and boot camps to gain the knowledge and skills that will continue to make you valuable to your employer.
You should consider AWS certifications and participate in the AWS community for the most salary impact.
The Amazon SysOps Administrator certification tracks well with the real-world tasks you will perform.
Certification validates your ability to perform on the job.
The SysOps certification shows you have deep AWS Cloud services and management knowledge.
Certified professionals gain immediate respect for putting in the hard work and demonstrating deep knowledge of the responsibilities of AWS SysOps and AWS solutions.
Your continuous learning tasks require knowledge of:
- Keeping informed of AWS changes
- Finding courses, workshops, and boot camps to stay up-to-date
- Getting AWS certification for greater salary bargaining power
- Maintaining a connection with the AWS Community
AWS SysOps Administrator Tasks Questions and Answers
What is an AWS SysOps Administrator?
An AWS SysOps Administrator is a professional responsible for managing, deploying, and operating applications and systems on the AWS platform.
How can I become an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator?
To become an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, you must pass the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate certification exam.
What are the responsibilities of an AWS SysOps Administrator?
The responsibilities of an AWS SysOps Administrator include monitoring the health of systems, managing and maintaining AWS resources, improving system performance, optimizing costs, and ensuring high availability and security.
What is the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate exam?
The AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate exam is a certification exam that validates your knowledge and skills in operating and managing systems on the AWS platform.
What is cloud computing, and how does it relate to AWS?
Cloud computing uses a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data. AWS is a leading cloud computing platform that offers a wide range of services for enterprises and individuals.
How can I prepare for the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification exam?
To prepare for the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification exam, enroll in the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification course, study the official AWS documentation, and practice with hands-on exercises.
What are the job opportunities for AWS SysOps Administrators?
AWS SysOps Administrators have job opportunities in various industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. They can work as system administrators, cloud administrators, DevOps engineers, and more.
What are the benefits of obtaining the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification?
Obtaining the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification demonstrates your expertise in managing and operating systems on the AWS platform. It can enhance your career prospects and open up new opportunities in the cloud computing industry.
What topics does the AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification cover?
The AWS SysOps Administrator – Associate certification covers various topics, including deploying, managing, and operating scalable systems on the AWS platform, implementing and controlling AWS services, optimizing costs, and ensuring high availability and security.
What are some of the AWS services commonly used by SysOps Administrators?
Some of the AWS services commonly used by SysOps Administrators include Amazon CloudWatch for monitoring, AWS Elastic Beanstalk for deploying and managing applications, AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for access control, Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) for storage, and Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) for database management.
Conclusion
The AWS SysOps Administrator keeps the Amazon maintains and optimizes the Amazon cloud infrastructure.
As a sysadmin, you perform tasks in system administration, cloud security, network, automation, troubleshooting, optimization, and business continuity.
It helps if you have practiced communication to meet with stakeholders and ensure everyone’s on the same page.
As the sysadmin, you will bring a deep understanding of EC2, S3, VPC, VPS, and the rest of the Amazon AWS cloud services.
