Solaris System Administrator

Solaris System Administrator - Contract

A Solaris System Administrator is responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting the Solaris operating system on servers within an organization, ensuring optimal performance, security, and system availability, often including tasks like patching, user management, backup operations, and disaster recovery planning specific to the Solaris platform. 

Qualifications for a Solaris System Administrator:
•    5+ years of experience in Solaris administration, with demonstrated expertise in managing enterprise-class environments.
•    Deep expertise in Solaris operating system administration (across various versions) 
•    Proficiency in shell scripting (bash, ksh) for automation and system management
•    Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, NFS) and network configuration on Solaris 
•    Knowledge of storage management solutions on Solaris systems
•    Familiarity with system security best practices on Solaris platforms 
•    Experience with system monitoring and performance tuning tools

Key responsibilities of a Solaris System Administrator:
•    Cluster Installation and Configuration:
Installing, configuring, and maintaining Oracle Solaris Cluster environments, including setting up cluster nodes, shared storage, network configurations, and cluster services. 
•    Cluster Management:
Monitoring cluster health, managing resource allocation, performing failover testing, and troubleshooting cluster-related issues. 
•    LDOM and Zone Management:
Creating, configuring, and managing LDOMs and Zones on Solaris servers. 
Assigning CPU, memory, storage, and network resources to individual zones. 
Cloning and migrating zones for rapid deployment and scalability. 
Monitoring zone performance and resource utilization. 
Troubleshooting zone related issues.
•    Installation and Configuration:
Installing and configuring Solaris operating systems on servers, including hardware compatibility checks, network settings, and system partitioning. 
•    Patch Management:
Applying security patches and updates to Solaris systems to maintain a secure environment. 
•    Performance Monitoring:
Monitoring system performance metrics like CPU usage, memory utilization, disk space, and network bandwidth to identify potential issues. 
•    Troubleshooting:
Diagnosing and resolving technical issues related to Solaris systems, including application errors, system crashes, and network connectivity problems. 
•    User Management:
Creating, managing, and maintaining user accounts and permissions on Solaris systems. 
•    Backup and Recovery:
Implementing and maintaining backup procedures for Solaris systems, ensuring data integrity and efficient restoration capabilities in case of emergencies. 
•    Security Management:
Implementing and enforcing security policies on Solaris systems, including access controls, firewall configurations, and vulnerability scanning. 
•    System Upgrades and Migrations:
Planning and executing upgrades to newer versions of Solaris, including compatibility testing and data migration. 
•    Capacity Planning:
Proactively assessing system resource needs and planning for future hardware upgrades or system expansions. 

Required skills for a Solaris System Administrator:
•    In-depth knowledge of Solaris operating system:
Familiarity with Solaris commands, system administration tools, and architecture. 
•    Scripting skills:
Proficiency in shell scripting (Bash, Korn Shell) for automating tasks and system management. 
•    Networking knowledge:
Understanding of network protocols, network configuration, and troubleshooting network issues. 
•    Security best practices:
Awareness of security protocols and procedures to protect Solaris systems from unauthorized access. 
•    Problem-solving skills:
Ability to diagnose complex technical issues and develop effective solutions. 
•    Strong communication skills:
Effectively communicating technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.