I’m Brian Wallace, a Systems Administrator with more than 15 years of experience managing Linux and Windows-based infrastructure across small businesses, government contracts, and enterprise environments. I hold a degree in Information Technology and a CompTIA Linux+ certification, and my daily work spans automation, server hardening, virtualization, backups, and incident response.
System administration is the invisible backbone of modern IT. It’s where uptime, security, and operational efficiency intersect. I review sysadmin books because too many learning resources skip the real-world problems: unstable services, failing drives, broken permissions, and undocumented legacy systems. My goal is to recommend books that prepare administrators not only to set up infrastructure - but to keep it running securely and reliably.
Simplicity, Clarity, and Trust - My Engineering Beliefs
As a systems administrator, I believe in simplicity, documentation, and proactive monitoring. I strive to build infrastructure that is stable, secure, and easy for the next person to manage - even at 3am.
- Always monitor what you can’t afford to lose
- Document first, automate second
- Test restores - not just backups
- Patch early, patch smart
- Permissions should be least-privilege by default
- Don’t trust defaults; audit everything
- When in doubt: logs, logs, logs
What It Takes to Keep Infrastructure Running - My Sysadmin Experience
I’ve worked in mixed-environment IT departments and hybrid-cloud setups, supporting hundreds of servers and thousands of endpoints. My tasks range from writing Bash and PowerShell scripts to configuring DNS, LDAP, Samba, and mail servers.
Highlighted Projects:
InfraCheck – Server Health Audit Automation. Built a Python-based system for daily server health checks. Parsed log files, monitored resource usage, and sent Slack/email alerts on anomalies. Integrated with Zabbix and Grafana for visual dashboards.
VaultBox – Secure Backup Infrastructure. Deployed a redundant, encrypted backup solution using rsync, BorgBackup, and offsite SFTP storage. Scheduled full/incremental snapshots via cron and tested restore scenarios monthly.
Win2Linux – Active Directory Migration Project. Migrated a 300-user department from Windows Server AD to FreeIPA with SSSD integration. Handled Samba file shares, ACLs, DNS records, and user training with zero downtime.
VMFarm – Virtualization Cluster on Proxmox. Built and maintained a Proxmox VE cluster running 40+ VMs with HA failover, ZFS storage, and snapshot-based rollback. Automated VM provisioning with cloud-init templates and Ansible.
The Infrastructure Stack I Use to Keep Systems Secure, Stable, and Scalable
As a Systems Administrator, I design, maintain, and monitor critical infrastructure that powers everything from small business services to high-availability production environments. I work across operating systems, networks, cloud platforms, and automation layers to ensure uptime, performance, and security. My focus is on proactive system health, disaster readiness, and seamless DevOps collaboration.
Here’s a breakdown of the key tools, platforms, and services I use to manage modern IT environments:
| Technology / Tool | Using Since | How I Use It in Practice |
| Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, CentOS) | 2013 | I configure and maintain servers for web hosting, databases, containers, and custom services. I handle updates, user management, firewalls, and system hardening. |
| Windows Server (AD, DNS, GPO) | 2014 | I manage Active Directory environments, domain services, group policies, and file servers across small to mid-sized enterprise infrastructures. |
| Ansible / Bash Scripting | 2017 | I automate server provisioning, patching, and config management using Ansible playbooks and custom shell scripts for repeatable infrastructure setup. |
| Docker / Containerization | 2021 | I deploy and manage containerized applications, including custom internal tools, with Docker Compose and secure network isolation. |
| VMware / KVM | 2017 | I create and maintain virtualized environments for development, testing, and failover strategies - with snapshots, backups, and HA clustering. |
| Nagios / Zabbix / Prometheus | 2019 | I monitor infrastructure metrics and service availability, create alerts for anomalies, and ensure fast incident response. |
| AWS (EC2, S3, IAM) | 2017 | I configure cloud-hosted VMs, manage storage and backups, and implement IAM roles and policies for secure operations in hybrid environments. |
| Firewall & Network Tools (pfSense, iptables) | 2013 | I configure firewalls, VPNs, NAT rules, and packet filtering to ensure secure and efficient internal and external traffic. |
So You Want to Be a Sysadmin? Start Here
- Learn "Mastering PowerShell Scripting for SysAdmins" by Anthony Wanger
- Write scripts for boring, repeatable tasks
- Understand user/group management deeply
- Practice log analysis and disk monitoring
- Don’t touch production without versioned backups
- Build a home lab to experiment safely
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important skill for new system administrators?
Troubleshooting. It’s not about knowing every command - it’s about being able to methodically isolate problems under pressure. Learn how logs work, how to monitor services, and how to keep calm when SSH is the only thing working. The best sysadmins are always learning and documenting what they break and fix.
Which book should every sysadmin read?
The Practice of System and Network Administration by Limoncelli et al. It’s a classic because it balances philosophy with practical advice. It covers not just how to manage systems - but how to manage your time, documentation, and workload as a sysadmin. For Linux-focused learning, UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook is excellent.
Do I need to learn scripting?
Yes - scripting is essential. Whether it’s Bash, PowerShell, or Python, scripting allows you to automate routine tasks, prevent human error, and document your logic in code. You don’t need to be a developer, but you do need to think like one when automating.
Is certification important for sysadmins?
It helps, especially early in your career. Linux+, RHCSA, and CompTIA Server+ can open doors. But what matters most is how you manage infrastructure: reliability, automation, and resilience. In interviews, practical skills and experience often matter more than a cert.
How do you stay up to date in the sysadmin field?
I read serverfault, check Reddit subs like r/sysadmin, and follow newsletters like Admin Weekly. I also run a personal home lab to test updates, security hardening, and new automation tools like Ansible or Terraform. Practice is key - nothing beats hands-on experience.
