In this paper, we explore how some of the principal ideas in machine learning can be applied to the specific task of monitoring computer systems. We show that machine learning can be a valuable tool for accomplishing everyday administrative tasks, and a worthy addition to the arsenal of tools utilized by the system administrator. Difficulties in utilizing machine learning do not arise from the ...

While some work has discussed hiring system administrators, and other work has focused on the technical and mechanical requirements for terminating a system administrator, there has been very little published regarding how to review or evaluate a system administrator. This paper presents one approach to doing such a review, followed by scenarios that explore the approach. The system developed i...

This paper describes the implementation of a parallel world model using Linux containers. A parallel world (or parallel universe) model allows a user to create multiple execution environments, called worlds, in a single operating system and to manipulate these worlds. This model enables a system administrator to create a new test world that looks like a production world. The system administrato...

How can we improve the process by which System Administrators (SAs) help users? SAs spend much of their time responding to requests from users. Better system administrators use a similar, structured, process. I present the structured process as I have seen and practiced it, examples of each step in the process, and the pitfalls of eliminating various steps. Finally I look at the paper in the la...

For the past twelve years I have taught a one-term college-level class introducing students to the discipline of system administration. I discuss how the class was created, the considerations that went into designing the class structure and assignments, student outcomes, how the class has evolved over time, and other observations on teaching. Links to detailed course materials and other resourc...

This article presents a configuration distribution system that assists system administrators with the tasks of host and service installation, configuration and crash recovery on large and heterogeneous networks. The objective of this article is twofold. First, to introduce the system’s modular architecture. Second, to describe the platform independent protocol designed to support fast and relia...

A large number of enterprises need their commodity database systems to remain available at all times. Although administrator mistakes are a significant source of unavailability and cost in these systems, no study to date has sought to quantify the frequency of mistakes in the field, understand the context in which they occur, or develop system support to deal with them explicitly. In this paper...