Windows Server 2003 will not eliminate the system administrator. To the contrary, features such as the Active Directory and the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) will vastly broaden this role. Rather than spend time on mundane tasks and the management of dozens of disjointed tools, the consolidated approach provided by Windows Server 2003 will free the administrator to concentrate on more mission-critical activities.
The functions of the Windows Server 2003 system administrator are generally those that support the user population and those that support the system. The following list summarizes the most common responsibilities:
Addition and removal of users
Group management
User application support
End-user customer service, education, and communication
Management of basic services such as mail and printing
Booting, shutdown, and everything in between
Backups and restoration
Hardware maintenance, additions, and removal
System accounting and monitoring
System administration logs
System security and password aging
Network support
General troubleshooting
Obviously, this list only scratches the surface of system administration and IT management. However, as a means of setting the reader's expectations, it does underscore the types of activities for which this book can be a guide.