Three Sysadmin Ultimate Rules

Rule 1: Backup Everything

 

Experienced sysadmin knows that production system will crash someday, no matter how proactive we are. The best way to be prepared for that situation is to have a valid backup.

 

Rule 2: Master the Command Line

 

There is not a single task on a Unix / Linux server, that you cannot perform from command line. While there are some user interface available to make some of the sysadmin task easy, you really don’t need them and should be using command line all the time.
So, if you are a Linux sysadmin, you should master the command line.
On any system, if you want to be very fluent and productive, you should master the command line. The main difference between a Windows sysadmin and Linux sysadmin is — GUI Vs Command line. Windows sysadmin are not very comfortable with command line. Linux sysadmin should be very comfortable with command line.

Rule 3: Automate Everything

Lazy sysadmin is the best sysadmin. (oh~ i love that sentence!).

There is not even a single sysadmin that I know of, who likes to break this rule. That might have something to do with the lazy part.
Take few minutes to think and list out all the routine tasks that you might do daily, weekly or monthly. Once you have that list, figure out how you can AUTOMATE THOSE. The best sysadmin typically doesn’t like to be busy. He would rather be relaxed and let the system do the job for him.