Epilogue

We began this book asking for a concise definition of system administration. Now we’re no closer to an answer. If anything, we’ve broadened the definition. Rather than building a crisper definition of system administration, we’ve discussed customer support, repair, operations, architecture definition, deployment, disaster planning, and even management skills. System administration is an extremely broad field, and no simple definition can cover it all.

We hope that you’ve learned a lot from reading this book. We’ve certainly learned a lot by writing it. Having to put into words things that had become second nature has forced us to think hard about everything we do, every habit we’ve developed. The peer-review process stands us naked in front of our mentors and comrades to receive criticism of our fundamental beliefs. We’re better for writing this book, and we hope you are better for reading it. We hope that some day, you write a book and enjoy the same exhilaration.