Author: Kurt Schauer
Sometimes it takes a certain technical know-how to successfully achieve a goal. That’s when he’s needed: our system administrator and coordinator in the web department Rainer Mack. In his expert interview, he gives you an insight into his daily work at KAOS and reports on his tasks as a system administrator.
Rainer, which program are you most familiar with, or which program is your „workhorse“ in terms of technical knowledge?
I am more of a „Jack of all trades“ and work with many programs in the design and web world. Broad knowledge is often helpful in error detection, as various systems, especially on the web, need to work together, and it’s not always clear where to start when something isn’t working as expected.
My favorite operating system is macOS, which I have been using for a very, very long time.
How do you handle support for users and endpoint systems?
When something isn’t working, there can be many reasons. So I always try to find out how an error occurred first. This already resolves many situations, and I then try to explain to the user in understandable language why it happened. We tend to throw around as many technical terms as possible.
Exactly, very apt.
How do you handle current positions, backups, and restorations?
Internally, it is of course also essential that all employees have backups of their work devices. This way, the previous state can be quickly restored at any time.
For websites, we offer our customers a maintenance and backup service. Regular backups are extremely important, as errors can occur repeatedly in connection with different systems that are not caused by the user themselves. For updates, a backup is always performed before execution, so that in the worst case, one can immediately revert to the original version.
Of course, we also regularly check that the backups actually work. Even here, one is not immune to failures.
Very popular.
What was the most difficult problem you have ever solved?
Phew, fortunately, I haven’t had a real meltdown yet. Knock on wood that it stays that way. There are always tricky situations, mainly occurring when multiple systems have to work together, and you have to figure out the root cause of the problem step by step.
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technical changes?
Newsletters are the most important source. I have subscribed to one or more newsletters for each of the different areas to stay as well-informed as possible. Exchange with colleagues is also not to be forgotten. And, of course, one should also attend an event now and then. On the one hand, you learn a lot about the respective topic, and you also pick up one or two things in conversation with other participants.
Finally: What does a typical workday as a system administrator look like for you?
There is no typical workday, as tasks and requirements constantly change. What often comes up is providing phone support, monitoring and checking systems, performing administrative tasks, and, of course, repeatedly solving smaller and larger problems.
Thank you, Rainer, for the brief insights into your work as a system administrator.
Do you have questions?
Kurt Schauer
Managing Director
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