My dilemma

[Hunki]

I have this unix system admin interview for the following position but most of my time since the last few years I have been working as unix application admin... can somebody give their personal experiences on how to tackle this interview and then how to tackle the job itself , I dont have SAN experience with me.

Here is the profile :

Complete management of servers and their respective resources to include performance management. Advanced experience with the Solaris Operating Environment required.
Maintain knowledge of disk technologies, to include SAN, NAS, and locally attached configurations. In-depth understanding of the effects of different configurations and RAID layouts required.
Management of back-end and supporting systems, to include DNS, print, backup, and monitoring services.
Management of corporate disaster recovery solutions.
Maintain in-depth knowledge of the companys strategic business plans, and posses the ability to architect and implement solutions to meet those plans.
Design, develop, and oversee implementation of end-to-end integrated systems.
Qualifications:
Experience working with the Solaris Environment in a large, enterprise environment.
Solaris Certification (Solaris 8 or 9) strongly preferred.
Knowledge of naming services and their operation, LDAP preferred.
Strong shell scripting ability.
Knowledge of EMC Disk array solutions and Veritas Net.Backup operations.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and customer service skills required.

Should I take up this job if I happen to clear the interview or stay with unix application admin role. I have gud expirience on Unix, Solaris, Netbackup but none on SAN.

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

Shalom,

Based on what I see here you are interviewing for the wrong job. Based on experience, I'm not sure I'd consider you for it. Of course, I don't see a CV here either.

Unix Applicaiton Admin is totally different than Unix admin. You are probably focused on application issues with little regard to where your LUNS are etc.

You ask:
Should I take up this job if I happen to clear the interview or stay with unix application admin role. I have good (my correction) expirience on Unix, Solaris, Netbackup but none on SAN.

Every good Israeli answers a question with a question

In your heart, what do you like to do. Do OS installs and patching and late nights appeal to you? Do you feel a rush when you have configured a system and overcome a problem or the user is very happy with you?

If you have never done the last question, I would not worry about getting the job. If you have experienced that rush, that feeling of power, go for it.

SEP

[Allan Bowman]

Just to add to Steven's remarks...

It sounds like you are interested in moving towards a system admin role but are just unsure of how your lack of SAN experience will impact your job performance. I would just be up front at the interview - make sure they are aware of all of your strengths, but also mention that you are weak in the SAN area and would be interested in additional training. If that is your only weak point, most employers will work with a 90% qualified candidate vs. none at all.

Allan in Atlanta

[Victor Fridyev]

Hi,

I think you don't have to be afraid of this requirements. They are looking for an ideal configuration, but probably can be satisfied with a normal SysAdmin. The only one thing, which seems problematic is SOLARIS, which is almost terra incognita for me. In any case you can see a set of possible questions here:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=710819

HTH

[Hunki]

Thanks!