How Difficult is it to Learn Server Administration?

Are you curious about learning server administration but worried it might be too hard? Of course, the difficulty that comes with learning a new skill is somewhat subjective. The challenges of learning server administration depend on your familiarity with computer science concepts and how deep you want to take your education.

No matter your current schedule or comfort level with server administration, plenty of tools are available to help make learning more accessible than you might think.

What is Server Administration?

Server administration involves the management of computer servers. It includes several tasks, such as upgrading software and hardware, storing and organizing data, and developing processes and protocols. Server Administrators work with end-users to access information, recover lost passwords, and troubleshoot technical problems with both hardware and software. Server Administrators also play an important role in cybersecurity. They are responsible for updating database security, including setting up antivirus and firewall programs. They work closely with the IT team to update protocols and processes and educate end-users on security best practices. 

Server Administrators play a crucial role in managing and securing company data and information. Individuals interested in a career as a Server Administrator require coding knowledge in programming languages such as Java, C++, and Python. They also need to know how to set up and create custom databases. Server Administrators make an average salary in the US of $70,000 a year, though this may swing heavily in either direction depending on your area. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for server administrators is expected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029. 

Read more about what server administration is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Server Administration?

Server administration can be an exciting and fulfilling career. Server Administrators play a vital role in maintaining company information and troubleshooting end-user issues. In this way, Server Administrators know their services are always needed to help the company and its employees flourish. Serving in an essential role can lead to a sense of fulfillment with seeing that one’s job duties have a daily impact. Every company needs ways to manage its data and keep information secure in today's digital world. Thus, Server Administrators can impact virtually any industry of their choosing.

Server administration is an excellent role for individuals who enjoy problem-solving. Whether troubleshooting hardware, identifying needed systems patches or analyzing system logs, Server Administrators face daily challenges and get to flex their intellectual muscles. Server Administrators also experience the thrill of working with new technologies. Over the past few decades, Server Administrators have moved from physical servers to cloud servers. Cybersecurity threats also continue to grow and involve. For individuals who like learning new things, Server administration possesses opportunities for gaining new skills and talents. 

Server Administrators learn various cybersecurity and database management skills and programming languages. Professionals who learn server administration skills can pursue other careers by further focusing on cybersecurity, database management, or computer science skills. Server Administrators can pursue positions in IT, Cybersecurity, or Web Development, to name a few.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Server Administration?

Learning server administration isn’t particularly difficult. However, server administration heavily involves computer science concepts. Individuals who are creatively minded or other disinterested in computer science will likely struggle learning server administration. If you’re uncertain about computer science, the best way to gauge your interest in server administration is to explore classes or free resources that teach computer science fundamentals. These classes and resources are great for beginning learners, but having prior knowledge can make you feel more confident in the classroom when you dive deeper into learning server administration. 

How Does Learning Server Administration Compare to Other Fields?

Server administration involves skills and job roles similar to other careers, such as systems administration, web development, and cybersecurity. Systems administration is a term you may commonly come across when searching server administration. The two roles perform similar job duties, including troubleshooting, updating systems, and securing information. The main difference is that while a Systems Administrator works with networks within a company, a Server Administrator primarily focuses on servers. The two roles may overlap, but server administrator is considered a level above systems administration.

Server administration and web development are different fields that share some overlap. Web Developers create and update websites while Server Administrators maintain the servers those websites run on. Web Developers primarily work on the front end of web development, while Server Administrators work on the back end. Thus, while Server Administrators don’t need to have web development skills, it’s a good idea for independent Web Developers to have skills in server administration to keep their websites secure and up to date.

Server administration plays a vital role in information technology (IT) and cybersecurity, though both are different fields. IT professionals manage information within a company and work to keep it secure, while cybersecurity professionals focus solely on security and preventing cyberattacks. Server Administrators work closely with IT in developing policies and protecting against attacks, though a Server Administrator’s primary focus is on company servers. IT professionals and Server Administrators play an essential role in a company’s overall cybersecurity. Server Administrators can advance their skills and careers by pursuing roles in IT or cybersecurity.

Prior Computer Science Experience

Server administration relies on computer science fundamentals. Server Administrators need to know how to install and update software and hardware, manage networks and databases, develop and implement security policies and best practices, and troubleshoot problems. These duties involve various computer science concepts, including coding and cybersecurity. While professional classes in server administration will teach these concepts, learning computer science fundamentals beforehand can make learning server administration quicker and easier and provide you with greater confidence. 

Why is it Worth Learning Server Administration?

As server administration job duties require knowing the fundamentals of various computer science concepts, learning server administration can be an excellent entry into other computer science careers. Server Administrators can deepen their understanding of programming languages to become website or software developers. By increasing their knowledge of cybersecurity, they can pursue cybersecurity job positions. Or a role in information management could launch a career in database management or data analytics. In the end, server administration is a well-rounded computer science career that can lead professionals to any other computer science career they should wish to pursue. 

Learn Cybersecurity & Tech Skills with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Server Administrators require cloud computing, cybersecurity, and database administration skills. Individuals can learn all of these skills through Noble Desktop. Their small class sizes feature industry-expert instructors with free retake options. Courses can be taken in-person in NYC or online from anywhere.

Cloud Computing with AWS focuses on Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the most popular cloud computing platforms. Students learn how to build and secure enterprise-level cloud environments with AWS. 

Python is a coding language commonly used by Server Administrators. Noble Desktop offers Python for Network Security, where students learn how to use Python for network monitoring and security. Students must be comfortable coding with Python or have attended Noble Desktop’s Python Programming Bootcamp. 

The previously mentioned courses are available through Noble Desktop’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. In this extensive course, students learn cybersecurity threats and prevention practices and how to use Python for cybersecurity, Linux for cybersecurity, digital forensics, and cloud computing. Individuals can also view all of Noble Desktop’s cybersecurity courses should they wish to take them individually. 

An additional course not included in the Cybersecurity Bootcamp that Server Administrators may be interested in is the SQL Server Bootcamp. Students learn the coding language SQL for managing databases, querying information, and extracting insights.