A systems administrator keeps an organization's servers, networks, user accounts, backups and security running so everyone else can work. Think of it as being the building's engineer for computers: when things work nobody notices you, and when they break you find out why and fix it. You can learn this path for free. The core idea is to build a home lab, break it on purpose, and fix it. You will start with how computers and networks work (why), then Linux and Windows Server (how), then automation and cloud. Most people get hired through a help desk or IT support role first, so aim for that earl
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Stage 1 of 4 · about 12 weeks
Understand how computers, operating systems and networks work. Learn the OSI model, IP addressing and subnetting, DNS, DHCP, and basic Linux command line and Windows administration. Build a small home lab with virtual machines and make it talk across a virtual network.
How computers and operating systems work
Every problem you will troubleshoot as an admin, such as a slow server, a machine that won't boot, or a full disk, comes back to hardware, the OS and how they cooperate. If you know the parts, you can find the broken one.
Networking fundamentals and subnetting
Your job description starts with LANs and WANs. You cannot fix 'the internet is down' without knowing where a packet can get stuck. Subnetting is also the skill hiring managers most often test.
DNS and DHCP
Most 'the network is broken' tickets are really DNS or DHCP. If you can test each one separately, you will solve them quickly and look very capable.
Linux command line basics
Most servers in the world run Linux and most have no graphical screen. The command line is how you will manage them every day.
Windows administration basics
Most US offices run Windows desktops and Windows Server. Entry-level jobs expect you to find your way around and fix common problems on it.
Building a home lab on a virtual network
A lab is your proof. Employers hire people who have built and fixed things, and the lab is where every earlier skill comes together and sticks.
Then 3 more stages (about 78 weeks in all) with lessons, drills, projects, 10 interview questions with strong answers and free resources.