In a broad view, a Systems Administrator is responsible for the computer system on a network (servers and storage), while the Network Admin is tasked with making sure that these computers are able to connect to each other.

 

In the world of IT there are many different job titles and often two jobs with the same title will have completely different responsibilities. If you are looking for a job and want to know what is expected of you, you read what the responsibilities are and ask the recruiter specifically what you will be doing. It is important to take the job title with a grain of salt.

 

Typically in a smaller organization job responsibilities are much more broad. So in those cases a Network Admin may be more likely to also to the tasks normally assigned to a Systems Admin and vice-versa.

 

Using the traditional definitions for these two jobs, there are very distinct differences in their day-to-day workflow, though there is some overlap between them.

 

Bellow I'll cover:

 

1. How these jobs are different.
2. How they are the same.
3. Which job is better.

 

1. What is the difference

 

Sysadmin

 

Responsibilities

 

Sysadmins have the potential for a greater diversity of responsibilities and thus the skillset it more broad. They might be responsible for dozens of different servers, made up of several different types of operating systems.

 

They are also responsible for the software applications that reside on these severs. These could be application for just about anything but common ones are Exchange, Active Directory, DNS, and DHCP.

 

Skills

 

• Linux/ Unix
• Powershell
• Windows Server
• Exchange
• Backup and Recovery
• Active Directory
• Virtualization Technologies
• Command Line

 

Network Admin

 

Responsibilities

 

Network Admin is a more specialized job potentially requiring a smaller set of skills. A network admins job is primarily about keeping the traffic flowing efficiently while keeping intruders off of the network.

 

Skills

 

• TCP/ IP
• Routing / Switching
• Firewalls
• Network Design
• Packet Capture/Analysis
• VPN
• Network Monitoring
• Command Line

 

2. How are these jobs the same

 

• On-call hours - Networks and Systems are mission critical and require 24/7 uptime.
• Basic Networking - DNS, DHCP
• Security - Both play a role in controlling who can access resources.
• Command Line
• College degree is desired for both jobs but experience and certifications can be enough.

 

Network Admin and Sysadmins work very closely together so the more skills they have in the other field, the easier collaborating will be.

 

3. Which one is better

 

Sysadmin - Pros

 

• Many more jobs available though this may vary regionally.
• More opportunity to work remotely and have flexible hours.
• Having Sysadmin experience is useful if you want to get a career in Cloud Technology, which is a very fast growing and diverse field.

 

Network Admin - Pros

 

• More clearly defined field - If you are good at networking, those skills should transfer to just about any networking job. A Sysadmin may have a set of skills that is useless at a different Sysadmin job.
• Having Network Admin experience is helpful if you want to go into Cybersecurity which is a very lucerative and interesting field.

 

Both jobs have similar salaries, job satisfaction ratings, and have about the same job growth rate.

 

It appears that sysadmin is a slightly better job than Network Admin but not so much that your personal preference shouldn't take prescience. If you're personal interests align slightly more with Networking then you should defiantly choose that. If not then Sysadmin is the job for you!

 

When trying to decide weather to become a Sysadmin or Network Admin it is import to consider where you ultimately want to end up in your career. If you want to eventually work in Cyber Security then Networking will be a better route, but if you prefer working with software or want become a Cloud Architect then Systems Admin will make more sense.

 

Conclusion

 

Understanding the difference between these 2 roles is important for job seekers. Knowing the difference will streamline your efforts in choosing which career is right for you and what are the specific skills that you need to get their.

 

That's not to say that once you head down a certain path you can't change directions later. Then great thing about working in IT is that there is a lot of crossover. For example, the skills that a Network Admin have are going to be valuable to just about any IT position, and the same goes for Sysadmins. So working in just about any IT position will further your IT career because all IT departments work together and it will never hurt you to have an understanding of you fellow IT teammate's workflow.