# What Do System Administrators Do in an HPC Environment?

System administrators (sysadmins) are responsible for keeping HPC systems operational, efficient, and secure. Their responsibilities span software, networking, users, and physical infrastructure.

## Core Responsibilities of HPC Sysadmins

**System Maintenance and Configuration**

- Install and maintain Linux distributions on login, compute, and management nodes
- Apply security patches and updates
- Configure system services
- Monitor uptime, performance, and hardware health

**Physical Infrastructure**

Sysadmins in HPC environments often help design and maintain the physical layout of cluster hardware. This includes: 

- Racking servers, switches, and storage nodes into data center racks
- Cable management for power, Ethernet, and Infiniband connections
- Ensuring proper cooling and airflow
- Moving hardware, installing new nodes, or replacing failed components
- Labeling and documentation of all hardware components
- Coordinating with facilities teams for power usage and backup planning

**Job Scheduling and Resource Management**

- Configure and manage the job scheduler
- Set up partitions, limits, and accounting policies
- Monitor job queue behavior and help users troubleshoot failed or inefficient jobs
- Ensure fair usage and optimize cluster utilization

**Security and Access Control**

- Set up user accounts and manage authentication
- Enforce file and data permissions
- Monitor for unauthorized access or abuse
- Implement firewall rules and access controls across the cluster

**Monitoring and Performance**

- Use tools to monitor system health
- Collect and analyze logs for errors, anomalies, or performance issues
- Identify bottlenecks and optimize hardware or configurations

**Documentation**
- Maintain detailed records of system configurations, hardware layouts, and network topologies
- Document operational procedures, troubleshooting guides, and best practices


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## Resources
- [Guidance on Becoming an HPC Administrator](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/guidance-becoming-hpc-administrator-mohammad-huwaidi-8stff/)