How to Switch from System Administrator to DevOps Engineer?

As you already recognize, the IT industry is a very fast-paced and competitive one with professionals looking for ways to upgrade their skill sets on this rise of career. For example - getting from a System Administrator to a DevOps Engineer role. Both roles are responsible for the effective management and betterment of an organization's IT infrastructure, however, they work on different domains within the spectrum that is your organization's unique IT strategy landscape. In this article, I will discuss the responsibilities of these profiles along with their skills and the expected difference in salary. It also provides the script to be a System Admin and ends with DevOps Engineer, Images that show you solutions for your will-be career hop.

System Administrator

A System Administrator (sysadmin) is responsible for the successful management, and maintenance of an IT infrastructure in an organization. The job includes managing the installation, configuration, and maintenance of hardware and software systems. Sysadmins are responsible for ensuring that all the servers, networks, and other vital IT elements are functioning normally and are secure. Their activities comprise regular system surveillance, applying updates and patches, administering user accounts, and offering technical help to fix the problems. Sysadmins also covers data backup and recovery which ensures that the organization's data is safe and can be restored in the event of data loss. Their emphasis is on maintaining operational stability and ensuring that IT systems are functioning without any issues.

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer works at the intersection of software development and IT operations to streamline and automate the software delivery process. Unlike sysadmins, DevOps Engineers focus on enhancing the efficiency and speed of software development through practices such as continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD). They design and manage CI/CD pipelines, automate deployment processes, and use infrastructure as code (IaC) tools to define and manage infrastructure resources. Their role also involves working with cloud platforms to deploy and scale applications, setting up monitoring and logging systems, and fostering collaboration between development and operations teams. DevOps Engineers aim to create a seamless workflow that accelerates software releases while maintaining high reliability and scalability.

System Administrator

In traditional terms, System Administrators take care of maintaining the IT infrastructure in any organization. DevOps Engineers, automate and optimize the process of software delivery integrating development with Operations to deliver faster throughput for a less painful experience.

Roles and Responsibilities

System Maintenance

• Routine Updates: Regularly update and patch operating systems and applications to ensure they are secure and function optimally.
• Hardware Management: Install, configure, and maintain hardware components such as servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.
• Performance Optimization: Monitor system performance and make necessary adjustments to optimize the efficiency and speed of the IT environment.

Network Management

• Network Configuration: Set up and manage network devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls. Ensure proper network segmentation and IP address management.
• Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve network issues, including connectivity problems, bandwidth bottlenecks, and security breaches.
• Network Security: Implement and maintain network security protocols to protect against unauthorized access and cyber threats.

User Support

• Help Desk Management: Provide technical support to end-users, resolving issues related to hardware, software, and network access.
• Account Management: Manage user accounts, permissions, and access rights, ensuring that users have the necessary access to perform their roles.
• Training: Educate users on best practices for using IT resources securely and efficiently.

Security

• Threat Monitoring: Monitor IT systems for security breaches or suspicious activity, and respond promptly to mitigate risks.
• Security Policies: Develop and enforce security policies, including password management, data encryption, and user access controls.
• Incident Response: Coordinate responses to security incidents, including data breaches and malware infections, to minimize damage and recover quickly.

Backup and Recovery

• Data Backup: Implement and manage backup solutions to ensure critical data is regularly backed up and can be restored in case of data loss.
• Disaster Recovery Planning: Develop and test disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity in the event of a major IT failure.

Skills and Tools Used

Skills

• Operating Systems: Proficiency in managing and troubleshooting both Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Networking: Strong understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VLANs.
• Security: Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, including firewalls, encryption, and intrusion detection systems.
• Troubleshooting: Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex IT issues.
• Backup and Recovery: Experience with backup solutions and disaster recovery planning.

Tools

• Windows Server & Linux: Expertise in managing server environments, including Active Directory, Group Policy, and shell scripting.
• VMware & Hyper-V: Experience with virtualization platforms for creating and managing virtual machines and networks.
• Backup Software (e.g., Veeam): Proficient in using backup tools to ensure data integrity and recoverability.
• Network Monitoring Tools: Familiarity with tools like Nagios, SolarWinds, or PRTG for monitoring network health and performance.

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers are the ones who connect the software development and IT operations together. They are the ones who mainly deal with the software development lifecycle through continuous integration, continuous delivery, and automation.

Roles and Responsibilities

Automation

• Configuration Management: Develop and manage automated tools for configuration management, ensuring that all systems are consistently configured according to organizational standards.
• Deployment Automation: Create scripts and tools to automate the deployment of applications and infrastructure, reducing the potential for human error and speeding up deployment times.

CI/CD Pipelines

• Pipeline Development: Design and implement CI/CD pipelines that automate the process of testing, building, and deploying code changes. Ensure that pipelines are efficient and minimize manual intervention.
• Pipeline Maintenance: Regularly update and optimize CI/CD pipelines to incorporate new tools and practices, ensuring that they remain effective and relevant.

Monitoring and Logging

• System Monitoring: Set up and manage monitoring tools to track the performance and availability of applications and infrastructure. Ensure that monitoring covers all critical aspects of the system.
• Logging and Alerting: Implement logging solutions that capture detailed information about system events and application performance. Configure alerts to notify the team of any issues that require attention.

Collaboration

• Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with development and operations teams to improve communication and collaboration. Participate in meetings, code reviews, and joint problem-solving sessions.
• Feedback Integration: Collect and integrate feedback from operations teams into development processes to improve the efficiency and reliability of software delivery.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Infrastructure Definition: Use IaC tools like Terraform, Ansible, or CloudFormation to define and manage infrastructure resources in a consistent and repeatable way.
• Environment Management: Create and manage multiple environments (development, staging, production) using IaC practices, ensuring that all environments are consistent and easily replicable.

Skills and Tools Used

Skills

• Scripting & Automation: Proficiency in scripting languages like Python, Bash, or PowerShell for automating tasks and managing configurations.
• CI/CD Expertise: In-depth knowledge of continuous integration and continuous delivery practices, including pipeline creation and management.
• Cloud Computing: Strong understanding of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, including services like EC2, S3, and Lambda.
• Infrastructure as Code: Expertise in using IaC tools to manage infrastructure resources through code.
• Collaboration: Strong communication and teamwork skills to work effectively across development and operations teams.

Tools

• CI/CD Tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI): Experience with tools that automate the software development lifecycle.
• Containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes): Proficient in using containerization platforms to deploy and manage applications.
• IaC Tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible): Skilled in defining and managing infrastructure through code.
• Monitoring & Logging Tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana): Experience in setting up and managing monitoring and logging systems to track system health and performance.

Additional Responsibilities Compared to System Administrator

Scripting and Automation

DevOps Engineers are required to have advanced scripting skills, enabling them to automate complex tasks and manage configurations across multiple environments. This includes writing custom scripts for deployment, monitoring, and infrastructure management, reducing the need for manual intervention.

CI/CD Management

DevOps engineers are responsible for the whole CI/CD process, starting with the design of pipelines and ending with their execution. It involves integrating various tools and technologies to ensure that code changes are tested, built, and deployed automatically with the minimum human intervention. The tasks of this person include the use of version control systems, automated testing, and deployment strategies.

Cloud Services

Unlike System Administrators, who may focus more on on-premises infrastructure, DevOps Engineers often work extensively with cloud platforms. They must be skilled in deploying and managing applications in cloud environments, using services like AWS CloudFormation or Azure Resource Manager to automate infrastructure provisioning and management.

Infrastructure as Code

DevOps Engineers are expected to handle Infrastructure as a Code where every aspect of the infrastructure becomes controlled by means of code. The practice provides the means for making risk-free and repeatable deployments, furthermore, it is relatively easy to introduce and manage infrastructure resources. Familiarity with IaC tools such as Terraform or Ansible is also a prerequisite for DevOps Engineers, as these tools allow them to automate the provisioning and configuration of infrastructure in a programmatic manner.

Salaries: System Administrator vs DevOps Engineer

Transition from System Administrator to DevOps Engineer

Necessary Skills

1. Scripting and Automation

• Languages: Gain proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, or PowerShell. These languages are essential for writing automation scripts that manage and configure infrastructure.
• Tools: Familiarize yourself with automation tools like Ansible or Puppet, which help in automating configuration management and deployment processes.

2. Understanding CI/CD

• Concepts: Learn about continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) practices. Understand how these practices improve the software development lifecycle by automating testing and deployment.
• Tools: Get hands-on experience with CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI to build and manage pipelines that automate the integration and delivery of code changes.

3. Cloud Platforms

• Services: Acquire knowledge of cloud services and platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
• Certifications: Consider pursuing cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Administrator Associate) to validate your skills and knowledge in cloud technologies.

4. Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

• Tools: Study IaC tools like Terraform or CloudFormation, which allow you to define and provision infrastructure through code. This practice ensures consistency and scalability in managing resources.
• Concepts: Understand IaC principles, including version control of infrastructure code, modular design, and environment management.

5. Collaboration and Communication

• Soft Skills: Develop strong collaboration and communication skills to work effectively with development teams. Being able to articulate technical concepts and collaborate on improvements is crucial in a DevOps role.

Steps to Transition

Educational Resources

• Courses and Tutorials: Enroll in online courses, workshops, or bootcamps focused on DevOps practices, automation, CI/CD, and cloud technologies. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Pluralsight offer relevant courses.
• Books and Articles: Read books and articles on DevOps methodologies, automation, and infrastructure management to build a theoretical understanding.

Hands-On Experience:

• Projects: Work on personal or open-source projects to apply DevOps principles and tools. Building and managing CI/CD pipelines, deploying applications to cloud platforms, and using IaC tools will provide practical experience.
• Lab Environments: Set up a home lab environment or use cloud-based lab environments to practice deploying and managing infrastructure, creating automation scripts, and working with CI/CD tools.

Certifications:

• Certify Skills: Obtain certifications related to DevOps, cloud platforms, and automation tools. Certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer, Certified Kubernetes Administrator, or Docker Certified Associate can boost your credentials and demonstrate your expertise.

Networking and Community:

• Join Communities: Engage with DevOps communities, forums, and groups (e.g., DevOps Subreddit, LinkedIn groups) to learn from peers, share experiences, and stay updated with industry trends.
• Attend Meetups and Conferences: Participate in DevOps meetups, webinars, and conferences to network with professionals and gain insights into best practices and emerging technologies.

Professional Experience:

• Internal Opportunities: Look for opportunities within your current organization to get involved in DevOps-related projects or initiatives. Express your interest in transitioning to a DevOps role and seek mentorship from existing DevOps Engineers.
• Apply for DevOps Roles: Once you have acquired the necessary skills and experience, start applying for DevOps Engineer positions. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant projects, skills, and certifications.