what does a virtual server administrator do?

Cloud computing and virtualization have transformed the typical IT shop, morphing responsibilities so much that the traditional data center roles don’t make sense.

Historically, organizations built their IT departments using a silo approach. Staff with specialized skills were separated into their respective groups, comprising distinct teams for handling hardware, networking, telecom, data, and applications. The teams interacted but essentially remained distinct because their responsibilities were specific to each group.

Virtualization changed that. The lines that clearly defined the relationships between the tools started to blur and with that came a reorganization of responsibilities.

How Virtualization Changed IT Roles

Looking at how virtualization has changed technology infrastructure explains the shift in responsibility.

With traditional technology, individual servers were procured and configured to hold individual resources. One server would house an application, and could talk to a networked server that held the data needed for the application. Virtualization enables staging operating systems, data, networking resources, and applications on a single server regardless of what other operating system and applications are already there. Having a virtual server housing resources enables multiple virtual servers to reside on one physical server.

The concept grew quickly enabling IT shops to reduce their use of hardware, specifically servers, and started the blurring of responsibilities. Where before you needed a hardware technician to install the physical server, a network administrator to enable servers to communicate, and a server administrator to configure and load the server, virtualization put everything on one server, eliminating the need for the three roles. Enter the virtual server administrator. 

What is the Job of a Virtual Server Administrator?

As technologists dove into learning the new technology, IT shops shifted responsibilities and created new roles such as cyber security and system monitoring.

The primary responsibility for the new virtual server administrator was to learn and implement the new technology. This role tended to fall to server specialists, although they often needed information from the network and hardware specialists to do the job properly.

Virtual technology was different enough that it created a new literal IT role. Every IT shop is different, but generally the Virtual Server Administrator will be expected to know the new tools, and be involved in the overall configuration, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of virtualized environments.

Day-to-day Tasks

Every job is a little different, but tasks regularly performed by a virtual server administrator include:

  • Manage Windows Server from the Operating System perspective
  • Massive moves for disk space balancing or server replacement
  • Rollout patches, new versions of system software and firmware of supported servers
  • Server capacity management
  • Server installation for internal and business projects
  • Update parameters or changes in the configuration
  • Conduct system audit reviews
  • Coordinate efforts with other work groups and personnel to resolve incidents or events related to systems and supporting infrastructure
  • Deploy, load, troubleshoot, and maintain servers
  • End-Of-Life old server hardware through migrations and retirements
  • Interface with Application support team in changes needed for application upgrades or problem resolution
  • Monitor and deal with performance issues of the operating environment
  • Perform daily system checks and maintenance functions as required to ensure system health.
  • Perform server patch management.
  • Server builds/loads and upgrades
  • Server Infrastructure Administration
  • Server installation and certification for internal and business projects
  • Server Troubleshooting
  • Test disaster recovery for applications
  • Update parameters or changes in the configuration

Tools of the Trade

Jobs listings for virtual server administrators often ask for these skills and tools:

  • Hardware on different platforms
  • System Software: Print queues, Antivirus, Monitoring tools, etc.
  • Active Directory
  • Change control standards and procedures
  • Clustering
  • Operating system: NT4, W2K, W2003 and W2008
  • Domain Name System
  • Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
  • The use of remote server management tools
  • Troubleshooting techniques
  • SCOM, VCM, SCCM, VSphere

And, most positions now ask that the applicant possess VMware Certified Associate (VCA) certification.

Become a Virtual Server Administrator

The virtual IT industry is growing and anyone who wants to enter it is expected to know how to complete these tasks and use these tools. At ECPI University, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a concentration in Cloud Computing that could start you on that virtual path to knowledge, expertise, and certification. Our curriculum is relevant to today’s work environment and our faculty members meet with technology professionals to ensure our programs meet the needs of employers. Contact us today to learn more—it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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