Introduction

The system administrator is one of the users of a system, and something more. The administrator wears many hats, as knowledgeable user of UNIX commands, as an operator of system hardware, and as a problem solver. The administrator is also called upon to be an arbitrator in human affairs. A multiuser computer is like a vast imaginary space where many people work and utilize the resources found there. The administrator must be the village elder in this space and settle the disputes that may arise with, hopefully, the wisdom of Solomon.

—Rebecca Thomas and Rik Farrow

(UNIX Administration Guide for System V,

Pearson PTR, 1989)

We find it interesting how little UNIX system administration has changed in the last twenty years. If you substitute "computer network" for "multiuser computer," this description still fits perfectly.