''Internet System Administrators are the data cowboys of the computer world. They maintain networks so that the user community can have unbroken access to the Internet,'' says Paul Cheffers, an Internet System Administrator.

It is estimated that there are about 1,300 Internet system administrators working in Western Australia, mainly in the Perth Metropolitan area.

Each year, approximately 800 training places are offered in degrees majoring in an information technology discipline. Not all of these course graduates will choose to work as Internet system administrators, many opting instead for careers in software development, web design or as an IT technician.

An Internet system administrator is responsible for establishing and maintaining networks that are connected to the Internet. Given their technical capabilities, they may also be known as Internet technicians. They work mainly with network servers, powerful computers dedicated to the task of facilitating data transfer between machines. An end user's PC communicates with a server in order to access the Internet.

System Administrators need to be familiar with a diverse range of systems. The majority of network servers are UNIX or sometimes WINDOWS NT machines. Common server software packages include Apache and Squid, both of which act as web servers.



You've Got Mail!

Email is central to modern computing, yet few people have any understanding of how it works, transferring information between different and generally incompatible computer systems with apparent ease. It is the system administrator who is responsible for keeping mail transfer agents functioning.

According to Paul Cheffers, there are many configuration parameters, which must be set to make these programs work properly. As a result, system administrators spend a lot of their time installing, configuring or upgrading these programs. Often, the system administrators are required to spend a fair amount of time using Internet resources to find out how to configure the system and to acquire the necessary software.



Internet system administrators also investigate software or hardware problems. For example, they may have to install new serial port cards, components that enable communication between telephones and computers. If two machines on a network are not communicating properly, it is their job to figure out why. Performing this task requires a detailed understanding of exactly how it is that computers communicate to one another.

Exchanging Information

In addition, system administrators also configure and monitor routers. These are very robust, special purpose computers that ferry 'packets of information' between one computer network and another. Routers are connected to at least two networks and decide which way to send each information packet based on their understanding of the state of the network. System administrators would generally connect routers using phone lines or ethernet cables (network cables).



Useful Computer Skills

The Internet runs on a protocol called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which enables machines to communicate with each other both locally over Intranets, and over the Internet itself. System administrators need to have an excellent understanding of how software packages use these protocols to assist in the transfer of data between machines. Should a breakdown in this transfer occur, system administrators must understand the nature of communications protocols in order to isolate the problem, and solve it.



Paul says the main component that TCP/IP protocols rely on is IP numbers, otherwise known as IP addresses. These numbers define the location to which a data packet is to be sent. The IP system is the central defining communications protocol of the entire Internet.

''So an understanding of the IP system is crucial in this job,'' he says.

If this occupation has your name all over it, then it would be beneficial to have skills in UNIX systems administration and PERL programming, as well as an aptitude for Internet services administration.



Where You'll Find These Data Cowboys

Internet system administrators work indoors in an airconditioned office environment at their company's headquarters. They don't physically have to be at a user's desk to deal with problems. Using software, they can stay at their desks and deal with any incidents or problems from there. They would just telenet into a machine, which is like a virtual console that listens in on the Net, and provide services, such as assisting the browser find what it needs.

According to IT industry representatives, most large organisations utilise the services provided by Internet system administrators. In fact, where once these administrators were largely employed on a contract basis, there is now a shift toward permanent employment according to an Icon (IT) recruitment specialist. Demand for these computing cowboys is currently sound.

The starting salary in this occupation is about $30,000 per year and this may go as high as $80,000 for someone with several years experience in the industry.

There are many academic pathways to enter this profession. One option is to complete a degree in information technology, information systems, computer science, management information systems or in software engineering or science.

Most universities in Perth offer computing science degrees. Prerequisites are usually the appropriate TEE score, with passes in English and mathematics. Please contact the preferred institution for more details or refer to the Universities website below.

Another study option is to complete a Ceritificate IV or a Diploma in Information Technology or Information Systems offered through various TAFE campuses. Prerequisites can vary. For further information, please refer to the TAFE site below.

Private providers also offer the above diplomas and certificate courses. For further information, please refer to the NTIS website (listing the registered training organisations) below.

Traineeships are now being offered in Information Technology and this may be another good way to get into the industry and gain valuable experience. For further information on obtaining a traineeship, contact the New Apprenticeships Hotline on 1800 639 629.

Industry advice is that the Certificate IV in Information Technology provides you with the relevant information to sit the vendor exams (exams that software companies like Microsoft have created, which are universally recognised computing qualifications).


Relevant industry experience may also be advantageous to gaining entry into this occupation.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full time TAFE courses available throughout WA.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Australian Computer Society (WA)
PO Box 30 Victoria Park WA 6100 Phone: (08) 9470 4878

Information, Electrotechnology and Utilities ITC (WA)
PO Box 597 Balcatta WA 6021 Phone: (08) 9240 2688

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