Despite the many overlapping and collaboration responsibilities, these roles have their

differences as well.
System administrators manages and focus more on computer systems as a whole, including
servers, operating systems, and hardware.
Network administrators specialize in network-related tools and tasks, such as IP addresses,
routing, and configuring and maintaining Local Area Networks (LANs.) It is not uncommon to
see competencies from both fields listed under the same job description.
In short, the following table shows the difference and overlapping characteristics by comparing
them with each other.
Categories System Administration Network Administration
Scope • managing and maintaining computer • on managing and maintaining the
systems and servers. network infrastructure
• ensuring that operating systems and • ensuring that network connectivity is
applications run efficiently stable and secure

Typical • Installing, configuring, and • Setting up and configuring network

duties maintaining servers and their
operating systems
• Managing user accounts, permissions,
and access rights
• Installing and updating software
applications, patches, and service
packs
• Monitoring system performance,
managing resources, and ensuring
system uptime
• Implementing and managing backup
solutions to ensure data is protected
and can be restored in case of failure
• Diagnosing and resolving hardware,
software, and system issues
• Implementing security measures, such
as antivirus software and firewalls, to
protect systems from threats
Skill • Knowledge operating systems
required • Understanding of server hardware
and software
• Proficiency in scripting and
automation tools (e.g., PowerShell,
Bash)
Table 1:Comparison between network and system administrator
devices such as routers, switches, and
firewalls
• Implementing and managing security
measures to protect the network from
unauthorized access and cyber threats
• Continuously monitoring network
performance and traffic to detect and
resolve issues
• Diagnosing and resolving network-
related problems
• Performing routine maintenance on
network equipment and updating
firmware and software
• Designing network architectures and
plan for future expansion and
upgrades
• Keeping detailed records of network
configurations, changes, and policies
• Knowledge of networking protocols
• Understanding of network security
practices and tools
• Proficiency with network hardware
(e.g., routers, switches, firewalls)
• Familiarity with network tools