How can you tell if remote work is right for you as a System Administrator?

I agree with this one. Beginners it’s better to be onsite in the data center to get more familiar with the environment. However mid to senior roles you are experienced and can remotely complete most tasks. Only some things require onsite.

It really depends on the environment and the support scope. If most if not all of your job can be achieved behind a screen, it doesn’t matter where that screen is. Which means whether you’re a beginner or not, if your job allows it why wouldn’t you work remote. The idea that beginners need to be monitored physically is situational. If again the work type requires some physical aspects then yes. But the reality is 90% of sysadmin work is behind a screen so the need to be together physically is flawed. Proper management, regular informal catch-ups or perhaps drop-in virtual “rooms” will give the same effect as the physical with the luxury of remote work.

Another factor to consider is your learning style. If you tend to have difficulty learning independently (videos, reading, online research), remote work can slow your professional growth. Working remotely requires a great deal of intentionality for growth as it is much easier to coast in the privacy of your own home. I've seen multiple examples of this with junior sysadmins who lack in-field experience. These individuals fell behind the growth curve of their more experienced peers, and corrective actions were required to get these individuals back on track. This ultimately costed the company more time and money to raise these individuals' skill levels.

I think that the major consideration that should be weighted is how much travel time you lose to get to/from your onsite job. if it's too long and too stressfull the remote job is perfect for you. anither consideration is how much time you need to intervene physically on the server (cgange of ram,extension of CPU, change if disk) if it"s often then the remote job is not a possibility

It all comes down to personal preference. However I agree for beginners it would be beneficial to be onsite. For seniors, yes remote working should be fine. This is also not for stagnators, if you have that mindset rather onsite. As mentiomed by other contributers, there are still some tasks that need physical presence, if that can be overcome then all is good. I think every remote position that you apply to, you should honestly ask yourself will I be able to perform and overcome the difficulties that sometimes goes with remote work.

Critical path communication is required in remote high-paced sysadmin roles. Coming from the managed service provider world, I would argue that communication directly impacts efficiency. Communication's complicated factors (tone, language choice, emphasis, etc.) are amplified in a remote environment. We are usually only given a few pieces of the typical communication structure that is received in an in-person conversation. Body language is not visible in an email. Tone is often misread over a text. The most impacting advice (shout out to my wife) I have received on this topic is: Believing the best in someone. Allowing someone to clear up your misunderstanding can produce giant leaps in communication efficiency.

Actually feel that communication within systems teams tend to be pretty structured, comment in this chat, create a ticket with this information. Externally, thanks to covid, a lot more people have learnt to properly raise tickets and communicate issues be it over chat or via messaging platforms like whatsapp so its less of a factor. And even if in the office, there is a tendency to use digital communication over face to face unless things are just not clear /fast enough. So I'd wouldnet consider this much

Flip side is that many companies just don't invest in equipment. I find that most tech staff will invest in their own personal equipment which is usually far better and ones where we are most used to. Going into office to squint at single small monitor when you have 3 monitors with mood lighting just cannot compare.

Many companies spread their hardware configuration policies and information security policies even on personal equipment used for work. This should be clarified in advance so no conflicts arise later.

While I agree with this, it would be a miss not to mention your employer's infrastructure and environment access structure. This has a much more significant impact on a remote sysadmin's daily duties than the sysadmin's laptop.

During the many years I worked from home, having a backup internet connection, was a must have for me. There were times that my work only got completed because of my UPS and cellular internet connection. If I had been smarter, I would have negotiated compensation for having that available.

Don't forget to assess your ability to refrain from unrequired overtime work when working remotely. Some people tend to work overtime simply because work and rest are in the same location, so there are no clear boundaries. This might lead to a decrease in productivity and burnout.

It may also help to have work clothes separate from non-work clothes. It will make video calls more professional and show the other people in your home that you are working.

Also mention you get global exposure and compete in a global market and not your city/state or country. This can boost your career allowing you to go above the limited options you may have locally.

Unleash remote System Administration prowess: wield technical mastery over systems, networks, and the cloud, armed with scripting finesse and security savvy. Communicate as a beacon, manage time like an arrow's flight, and adapt like a shape-shifter. Solve problems with unwavering focus, attend to details with precision, and wield customer service like an empathetic shield. Stand self-motivated, collaborate seamlessly, and draw from seasoned experience—administering systems and projects with finesse. Cybersecurity knowledge fortifies your arsenal. Rise, remote admin superhero, and carve your legacy in the virtual realm! ??????♂?

Remote system administrator is naturally self-driven and eager to lend a hand to others. This combination of traits makes for a truly exceptional professional who can excel in a virtual work environment.

Determining if remote work is suitable for a system administrator depends on factors such as their job responsibilities, personal preferences, and the company's policies. Consider these aspects: 1. **Job Nature**: Evaluate whether the system administrator's tasks can be effectively performed remotely. Some tasks might require physical presence, while others can be managed remotely. 2. **Communication Skills**: Effective communication is crucial for remote work. If the administrator can collaborate, troubleshoot, and convey information well remotely, it's a positive sign. 3. **Self-Motivation**: Remote work demands self-discipline and motivation. If they can stay focused and productive without direct supervision, it works. To be cont.

The down side to remote work is knowing when to stop the job and live some life... the work hours blend into work life balance and can consume us.

I live in a multigenerational household. When I am at home, I am frequently called upon to do "emergency" child care. One day, I am on a remote call when somebody turns off the power to my computer and my router. The computer reboots just fine. The router, however, has a hissy fit and requires a second power cycle before it will connect.... So now I work in an office, or we work, or something like that, not at home.

Hours gained in commute. 1 hour commute translates to 2 saved hours a day and 10 hours a week, not counting the need to iron clothes and dress up. Massive increase in standard of living if current job requires commute