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Demonstrate knowledge of the hardware components and software applications, perform installation and updates to multiple operating systems, proprietary, and open-source software.

Identify and compare new IT trends and technologies to build an understanding of their potential influence on industry practices.

Utilize solutions (version control, data backup, cloud, etc.) to maintain data integrity.

Recognize and analyze potential IT security threats to develop and maintain security requirements.

Demonstrate knowledge of network integrity protection by incorporating network segregation where appropriate using various network topologies and solutions.

Identify and describe quality assurance concepts to develop an understanding of the requirements for IT products and services.

Interpret documentation, author, and analyze logs and data to identify issues.

Install and configure physical hardware (racks, power, cabling, server components, etc.).

Configure and manage storage solutions (RAID, NAS) and media types (SSD, HDD, SAS, SATA).

Install and configure server operating systems (HCL, GUI, partitions and volumes, file system types, installing via different media types, imaging, etc.).

Configure servers in different network infrastructures (DNS, FQDN, IPv4, IPv6, DHCP, IP configuration, VLANs, etc.).

Configure server functions and features (print, file sharing, allowed applications, group policy, data migration, remote desktop, user and device management, etc.).

Explain the importance of high availability in servers (clustering, fault tolerance, load balancing, etc.).

Utilize scripting techniques in server administration (Bash, batch, macros, PowerShell, VBScript, etc.).

Understand and demonstrate appropriate asset management techniques (asset tags, warranties, inventory, labeling), project management, documentation (manuals, diagrams, baselines), and licensing (open source, volume, subscriptions).

Understand data and physical security concepts (encryption, data retention, passwords, biometric, RFID, SSO, multi-factor, audits).

Understand data security risks and mitigation strategies (hardware failure, malware, social engineering, log analysis, data monitoring, etc.).

Implement server hardening methods (anti-virus/anti-malware, host intrusion, patching, firewall configuration).

Describe and perform backups (full, incremental, differential) on-premise/off-premise and restores (overwrite, side by side, validation).

Troubleshoot common hardware failures (memory, hard drive failure, POST errors, power supply, environmental, overheating, etc.).

Utilize monitoring tools to diagnose common OS, software, and storage problems (SMART).

Use the appropriate network software tools and commands from multiple operating systems and routers (speed test, ping, ipconfig, nslookup, tracert, netstat, nmap, traceroute, mtr, tracepath, arp, Wireshark, etc.).

Explain troubleshooting methodology (problem identification, determine probable cause, create/implement action plan, document findings, actions, and outcomes).

Perform server hardware and software maintenance (firmware updates, remote drive access, swapping drives, BIOS, UEFI, TPM, etc.).

Identify and implement quality assurance processes to maximize information system operation.

Provide IT support and training to maintain proper network functioning.