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Reddit SystemAdmin. Thanks @reddit2telegram and @r_channels.
Sysadmin into Leadership
I’ve been a sysadmin for 8 years, Jack of all trades, master of none, and I’d like to get into more of a leadership position which presently doesn’t exist in my current company.
In “real life” I’ve lead and directed projects, coordinated with executives, specced products/pricing, acted as translator to specific audiences, presented at company wide meetings… everything except control the purse strings.
There was a job opening for another company that fit my hard and soft skills to a T, but “on paper” I wasn’t the candidate. Totally fine.
How do I position myself for “nontechnical growth”? Do I need to jump to some small company for a few years where the “IT Director is the entire IT department” solely to get a title on my resume?
https://redd.it/1m9wyir
@r_systemadmin
Trying to decide between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 for a small nonprofit — looking for honest feedback
Hey all —
I work at a small nonprofit and we’re trying to decide whether to pay for Microsoft 365 or switch fully over to Google Workspace. We’ve been using a mix of tools up to this point — our staff mostly uses personal Google accounts for work (not Workspace) because Docs, Sheets, and Forms have been easier to use and share than the Microsoft tools. But we’ve also had access to the basic 365 nonprofit plan for free, and Microsoft is about to stop offering that.
Now we’re being asked to choose between $5.50/month for Microsoft 365 (not sure if that’s per user or per device) or $6.50/month for Google Workspace.
Our new Executive Director came from a much bigger organization and is leaning toward Microsoft — probably because of some of the bells and whistles (365 seems much more powerful when used in full-force)— but I’m not totally convinced it’s the right move for a small team like ours. I haven’t been in the meetings with the Microsoft or Google reps, so I haven’t been able to ask the detailed questions myself.
Here’s what I’m trying to figure out:
1. Ease of public sharing
We frequently link to Docs and Sheets from our website or trainings. People don’t need to log in — they can just open them. If we update the doc, it updates everywhere. Can OneDrive or SharePoint do this? Or do people get stuck needing a login?
2. Do files stay synced across links?
In Google, if we link a doc in five places, we only have to update it once. Does Microsoft handle that the same way, or would we need to re-upload things or replace links to reflect changes?
3. Can Microsoft replicate Forms → Sheets → Maps?
We use Google Forms to collect data, which auto-populates a Sheet, and that Sheet is connected to a map we use to show engagement by location and populate relevant information connected to each pin. Is there a Microsoft equivalent? Would we need to use Power BI for the map part? And is Power BI included in the license or extra?
4. Can people without Microsoft accounts access stuff easily?
We work with students and families, so it’s important that people can open links without needing an account. Does Microsoft allow that? Or are login prompts going to be a problem?
5. What’s the deal with device limits?
We do a lot of field work and so we use multiple devices per person — desktops, laptops, tablets. If we go with Microsoft, does one license cover all of someone’s devices, or do we have to pay per device?
6. How steep is the learning curve?
We don’t have an IT department and don’t have a lot of time to train people on totally new systems. Is Microsoft 365 going to be a huge shift from Google tools? How long would it realistically take to get everyone up and running confidently?
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s helped a small org or team make this decision. Especially curious if anyone has experience with public-facing content and real-time collaboration needs like ours. Thanks in advance.
https://redd.it/1m9rkzl
@r_systemadmin
Odoo or ERPNext for ERP system?
Background:
- Medium company with 40 employees in logistic and manufactoring fields.
- Only me work as developer (I'm similar with Python but never develop ERP before)
Problem:
- Since our company old ERP is not working as we want (lacking of functions and customizable) and we want move to new ERP
I was consider between Odoo and ERPNext and after researching I more prefer ERPNext and its framework but I'm not sure so I wanna ask your guys opinions.
Which I should pick?? Thank so much.
https://redd.it/1m9q6ug
@r_systemadmin
Alternative to Graph API for sending emails through M365
I have a couple of reports that get sent weekly to roughly 30 people. The reports are generated in a Node.js application and then get manually emailed to the relevant people.
I want to automate the emailing of the reports. Ideally I would just do the via M365 and the Graph API however our IT team won't allow this, I believe because the don't understand Graph and think it's a security risk.
A workaround I have found is to have the Node application create the emails via Outlook on the command line which works to create the email and attach the report file however still requires pressing the send button on each email.
Is there any other way I can send these emails automatically via M365 without involving IT?
https://redd.it/1m9piel
@r_systemadmin
Trying to Break into Sysadmin from Healthcare. Would a Master’s Degree Help or Hurt?
Hey everyone, looking for advice from those of you who are already working in IT/sysadmin or infrastructure roles.
I recently graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and have spent the last few years working in clinical healthcare (oral surgery, dental assisting). While I’ve gained a lot of transferable skills, I’ve realized that I don’t want to stay in patient-facing or clinical roles long-term.
What I do enjoy is the technical side of things:
• I’ve done basic computer troubleshooting, software installs/updates, and even hardware replacements
• I’ve often been the unofficial IT support person for the office
• I like fixing problems, setting things up, and working with systems quietly in the background
Now I’m seriously considering transitioning into sysadmin or IT infrastructure work ideally in a stable, backend role with long-term growth and minimal sales or client-facing interaction.
1. Would you recommend going the certification route first (CompTIA A+, Net+, Server+, maybe Linux+) to break in?
2. Would it make sense to target healthcare orgs for IT support/sysadmin jobs, since I already know the clinical environment?
3. Has anyone here successfully broken in without a CS degree and how long did it take?
4. If I eventually wanted to level up further…
Is there any master’s degree that’s actually useful in this field (IT, MIS, Cybersecurity, etc.)?
Or is grad school mostly a waste of time/money unless I’m aiming for management or a completely different area?
My ultimate goal is to get into a stable, well-paid sysadmin/IT role that allows me to grow within a company. I’d be grateful for any advice on the best first step and whether grad school should be part of the plan at all.
Thank you in advance!
https://redd.it/1m9i6yz
@r_systemadmin
How do you prevent phishing without annoying your team?
We’ve had a few close calls with phishing emails, but long training sessions don’t work.
Anyone using short, effective tools or services that actually change habits without annoying people?
https://redd.it/1m96kk4
@r_systemadmin
Give me the new computer and setup my old one for the new guy!
On this holy sysadmin day, I'd like to recant a fond memory from my first small client: Every time the boss hired someone, he'd get the new computer, then I'd have to setup his old one for the next person down the chain. All 8 employees got someone else's hand me downs with the new one coming in always going to the boss. Never mind how long this took, not like I was being paid extra. Thankfully, wasn't my client for very long.
https://redd.it/1m9dmrd
@r_systemadmin
SysAdmin Appreciation Day Freebies
What are some freebies that we can grab for SysAdmin Appreciation Day?
https://redd.it/1m8yqk7
@r_systemadmin
Happy SysAdmin Day to the unsung heroes of uptime! 🖥️💾
You keep the networks running, the servers humming, and the users (mostly) happy.
Here’s to caffeine, clean logs, and zero panicked 3 AM calls. 🎉
\#SysAdminDay #RespectTheAdmins
https://redd.it/1m8zkze
@r_systemadmin
Happy SysAdmin Day to me with a dead XP machine in manufacturing
Power outage last night caused a bunch of issues, even with battery backups and a back-up generator. This morning one of the techs tells me that the XP computer that runs specialized software for a large manufacturing machine in production won't power on and gave a blue screen "KERNAL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR" and after a reboot, nothing. Black screen.
So now I'm reaching out to the database admin who is still in touch with the person who had my role before me who supposedly used to make clones of this hard drive in an effort to figure out where he might have kept these backup drives. Meanwhile production is stalled. Happy Friday! Happy Sysadmin Day!
There were no notes about this when I started six months ago and I'm just learning about it now. And I'm supposed to leave early for a friend's wedding this weekend. Sheesh.
https://redd.it/1m8zatu
@r_systemadmin
26th System Administrator Appreciation Day. Let's thank them from the industry itself this year.
Today is the 26th System Administrator Appreciation Day!
Let's thank them from the industry itself this year. Many have been working in the midst of a digital war for years and, as a result of the "move fast and break things" mentality, are confronted daily with problems they didn't cause. Do you hear CrowdStrike, Microsoft (SharePoint), Citrix (Netscaler), and Cisco (ISE)?
Oh, and also a "thank you" from Microsoft to all system administrators for providing mental support to users transitioning to the New Outlook. Perhaps (if it's not too much to ask) a more friendly pricing model from Broadcom, TeamViewer, and the other companies on the IT-naughty step.
Have a great day, colleagues ;-)
https://redd.it/1m8rt39
@r_systemadmin
Outsourcing IT
I am a Network Administrator and I recently learned our CRM provider secretly flew in and had a meeting about outsourcing our department. My manager said in management's mind they are looking to outsource parts of it to save money, but to me I see the writing on the wall.
Before I dust off my resume does anyone have any suggestions or past experiences with this? Anything that may help me? Nothing has been decided yet (according to my manager).
https://redd.it/1m8qhky
@r_systemadmin
How do you train new hires on cybersecurity without overwhelming them?
We’ve had new staff click suspicious links or use weak passwords.
We want to include security in onboarding, but without drowning them in policies.
Any formats or services that make this easier to roll out?
https://redd.it/1m8gzfk
@r_systemadmin
Why can’t Microsoft just build SCCM in the cloud?
I don’t get why Microsoft insists on pushing everyone to Intune when SCCM already does everything better — faster deployments, real-time policy pushes, detailed logs, solid control. Why not just build a cloud version of SCCM? Put the DC and SCCM server in Azure, tunnel traffic through a connector like AD Connect, and call it a day.
Intune is painfully slow — app and policy changes can take 30–90 minutes to apply, even with a manual sync. That’s just not acceptable in an enterprise, especially during emergencies. SCCM can push changes instantly.
Microsoft already supports hybrid stuff like Azure AD DS and Azure Arc, so why not offer SCCM-as-a-Service for those of us who still need real control?
Feels like we’re being forced into a tool that’s still not ready for prime time, just because it fits Microsoft’s cloud strategy better.
Anyone else frustrated by this?
https://redd.it/1m8bw2g
@r_systemadmin
"We'll clean it up in post" but it's enterprise software
I, for one, welcome our new LLM overlords
https://redd.it/1m8hcsj
@r_systemadmin
Junior admins : what course would you love to follow ?
I am thinking about publishing courses on Udemy but I am not exactly sure I'd meet my audience there. Specifically, I am very good with silent deployments and scaling things up and would love to pass on that knowledge, and leveraging PSADT, Intune and Powershell in general.
However, I am not exactly sure this is worth a complete course and I am not certain people would be interested. I had a few people that I mentored and I absolutely loved it but I can't do it anymore (no one to mentor in my current org and probably not going to change) hence the call for creating courses. It's a bit hard for me to understand if there's a need for my knowledge out there since I already know what I know.
Therefore I am asking : as a junior admin, would you like to know everything there is to know about leveraging PSADT for silent deployments in complex scenarios (like mixed system / user contexts, pushing software without silent switches, finding silent switches and so on ?)
https://redd.it/1m9vcgu
@r_systemadmin
First time deploying a real-world project – feeling a bit lost
Hi everyone,
I'm a relatively new software engineer. I've worked on several development projects (both web and mobile), but none of them made it past testing—they never reached deployment or production.
Now, I’m finally working on a project that will go live, and I’m realizing how little I know about the deployment process. I've read a lot, but honestly, it's just made me more confused. I understand the theory behind deployment and production environments, but I don’t know what concrete steps I need to take or what tools/infrastructure are required.
Here’s some context about the project:
Web platform: Built with Laravel and MySQL, intended for admins and internal users.
Mobile apps: Built with Flutter, using Firebase Firestore and Riverpod for state management. These apps are for end users.
My current thinking is that once we're done with testing, I can deploy the Laravel app and MySQL database to either a physical server or a VM (I have access to both). Then I’d set up a domain and IP address for access. But this feels like a half-baked plan. I'm sure I’m missing important steps or considerations, and I’m figuring all of this out on my own.
As for the mobile apps, I know I’ll need to publish them on the Play Store, but are there other deployment considerations for Flutter + Firebase apps?
I’ve also used some open-source tools like OSM and OSRM What do I need to be aware of when using these in production? Are there rate limits or hosting considerations I should know about? Should I consider self-hosting map tiles? or simply switch to google maps for example?
If anyone has guidance, resources, or even just a deployment checklist they follow, I’d really appreciate it!
Thank you.
https://redd.it/1m9qlau
@r_systemadmin
No Bootable Device Found (Windows 11)
I tried to dual boot kali linux and windows 11 (windows was my primary) and installed the iso file of kali into my card reader (32GB) using rufus and I inserted the card reader and after restarting, it showed me the typical kali linux installation loader. However, I cancelled the installation halfway through the process and when I pressed F12/F2, there was no option for the windows bootloader. Both the UEFI firmware BIOS settings and the F12 showed only the kali option. I was wondering if somebody knows how to revert back to windows 11 with all of the files intact.
I tried installing windows iso file in my other usb hoping it would give me the recovery options but it showed me the "Install driver to show hardware" instead
https://redd.it/1m9qrao
@r_systemadmin
How did you spend your SysAdmin Day?
How did you spend your day? Fighting fires or finally getting a thank you?
https://redd.it/1m9o0js
@r_systemadmin
Chromebook Licenses suspended- even after purchasing licensing from Google they need to be physically reprovisioned
Anyone run into this issue, its wild to me that even after purchasing licensing, I am unable to un-suspend the devices. These devices are scattered throughout Texas and its not physically possible to go to all locations in one weekend.
Anyone deal with this?
https://redd.it/1m9i1lv
@r_systemadmin
Happy Sysadmin day to me at a small Font studio with an expired code signing cert, forcing us to urgently revamp legacy code
Happy Friday everyone. This is a long one. Not so much of a rant as it is a vent of frustration at myself.
So, we don't sign EXE's and DLL's here, we sign... Fonts. Yes, those little TTFs everyone knows and doesn't think much of, but are actually full of extremely deep technical challenges if you dig far enough.
Inside fonts they have a little database of properties listing all kinds of things like supported scripts and such, with one property named DSIG, which is where signatures are stored. But what I didn't know was that we were leaning on an application my ex-ex-ex-boss wrote in C++ maybe 20 years ago to insert signatures into that field, that no one in the company knew how it worked - not even the person who made it. Our devs are all Python/Rust/Web based devs, so dissecting that yesterday was fun for them I'm sure.
Additionally, I found out yesterday that the way we checked to see if a font was signed was from a vaguely mentioned, closed source and no longer supported Microsoft .EXE from 1999 - chktrust.exe - which we had to download from webarchive (found through here!) Their newer officially supported signtool.exe that's installed through Windows SDK doesn't report that fonts have any signatures, so we can't use that. Boo.
We have our GitLab + GitLab Runners on Google Compute Engine where the fonts get compiled and traditionally signed, so we figured we'd use Google HSM for this. Based on how this new process works we figured out that with SSL.com the process would have to;
- download a custom Docker image which can do the signing
- give it the TTF file
- get back the signed TTF file
For this process to work on a font, it would require the Docker image from SSL.com to understand fonts, and since SSL's "black box of magic" had no documentation any seemingly no way to call its API's, we decided to go the Google HSM route.
After finally getting hold of someone from SSL.com yesterday evening at midnight, I also found out that I also needed to implement Publicly Trusted Timestamping Service and a Validation Lookup Service (no idea what this is yet). We use a pool of some free Timestamping Services, but I didn't realise that this was set up as a pool because we keep hammering them and getting time-banned. Some projects can take up over 100 signings at once. Think a single family, all the weights (Bold, Heavy, Italic, Thin, etc), them double all of them for Italic, then double all of those again since we offer both Full and Trial fonts. And that's just covering Latin scripts - Greek/Cyrillic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic... we can end up with hundreds of files if the project is big enough. Any suggestions for a reliable paid one that can handle a hammering occasionally are very welcome.
So yeah, the software developers are now in a mad rush to rewrite our legacy application into Python/Rust, I'm still waiting for SSL.com to get back to me for some answers since their documentation really isn't clear about certain critical things, and am just ready for this to all be over.
Edit: cut out a long section explaining my huge communication woes with SSL.com, who were failing to grasp that I was not based in the US and being surprised at things like how many numbers our phone number has (I included the regional code).
https://redd.it/1m92j8x
@r_systemadmin
Happy sysadmin day! 🥳
Nothing says “we appreciate you” like a critical switch going into a bootloop in a production environment.
I’m working as an IT System Engineer at an MSP, and today a customer’s Cisco Catalyst 1000 switch (part of a hardware stack) decided it was a great day to endlessly reboot itself. The fun part? It boots perfectly fine—as long as the stacking cables are unplugged. Classic.
Quick research showed: no active service contract. Even better. Dug a little deeper—turns out the contract was just renewed yesterday. Perfect timing, right? So I opened a Cisco TAC case immediately.
For now, I’ve isolated the switch, running it standalone, and registered it in Cisco ISE as a RADIUS client to get the customer’s production site in India back online. Temporary band-aid, but hey, production is running.
A troubleshooting session with Cisco GTAC is scheduled for Monday. Until then, the stack is a very expensive shelf decoration.
SysAdmin Day? Just another Friday in IT. 🎂🔧
https://redd.it/1m94u78
@r_systemadmin
Disdain for training new people, same money, “More experience”, But damn useless…
I’ve been in my Role as SA for 8 years.
When I walked in there wasn’t any documentation, the previous guy just walked out, and manager hired me was a Buffoon who was sacked 2 months in.
When I started there were tasks to be done, I had no idea I just used what I did know, and what I could piece together and just cracked on.
Prime example is finding out where the last guy installed printer monitoring tools for consumables.. ah the SQL server because of course.
Some suits of software I had no idea, and a manager that broke things went off to lunch.
I sat reading forums, manuals, Teaching myself and just getting on with it.
Jump forward to this year, they hired a second to “Offload” onto. The first individual didn’t have a clue and left after 3 months.
The new guy again, older and “more experienced”.
Like a rabbit in the headlights.
I give something to do “can you show me how, and walk me through it”
To me at the point it’s easier to just crack on and do it myself.
Then when I asked the company about doing through some courses to expand on my knowledge “there’s not enough time”…. Followed by a sit down chat asking me to spend more time training the new guy…
Who’s on the same package as me, yet clueless on the basics.
Am I an ass? for just being like “nah, it’s not worth my time spoon feeding someone”, here’s the forums I read, figure it out. Or to be fair. Should know the basics.
What would you guys do?
Edit
I would just like to say thank you, even the critical comments about me need to handle it better, it’s true and I understand, I’m taking it all in and will think of my step forward.
https://redd.it/1m9154k
@r_systemadmin
FYI: the recent update for Greenshot includes an Imgur plugin by default
For some strange reason, despite it having had an unpatched 7.8 CVE for several years, we use Greenshot at our company. They recently released an update that patches that old CVE, which I guess is good, and computers in our environment started updating to this new version via Patch My PC this week.
However, one thing we have noticed is that it installs and activates the Imgur plugin by default.
This plugin adds an 'Upload to Imgur' option after taking a screenshot. The screenshot is immediately uploaded to Imgur, and a link to the image copied to the clipboard. By default, the upload is anonymous, so there is no way to delete uploaded images from Imgur. This is clearly an information security risk.
It looks like there is a way to apply a custom configuration to disable the Imgur plugin when you install Greenshot,, and I'm sure there are ways to skip the installation of the plugin through command-line parameters. But, if not (I haven't really done any client stuff in 3-4 years, so I'm kinda behind), you can modify the config file to disable it.
1. Go to C:\\Users%USERNAME%\\AppData\\Roaming\\Greenshot\\
2. Edit 'Greenshot.ini'
3. Add 'Imgur Plugin' after 'ExcludePlugins='
4. Add 'Imgur' after 'ExcludeDestinations='Comma separated list of Plugins which are NOT allowed. ExcludePlugins=Imgur Plugin Comma separated list of destinations which should be disabled. ExcludeDestinations=Imgur
Though I'm sure the more security conscious people here will have already moved onto other tools already...
https://redd.it/1m90opi
@r_systemadmin
Happy Sysadmin Day, y'all.
May your tickets be few, your phones quiet, and your users grateful.
https://redd.it/1m8x0vd
@r_systemadmin
Weekly 'I made a useful thing' Thread - July 25, 2025
There is a great deal of user-generated content out there, from scripts and software to tutorials and videos, but we've generally tried to keep that off of the front page due to the volume and as a result of community feedback. There's also a great deal of content out there that violates our advertising/promotion rule, from scripts and software to tutorials and videos.
We have received a number of requests for exemptions to the rule, and rather than allowing the front page to get consumed, we thought we'd try a weekly thread that allows for that kind of content. We don't have a catchy name for it yet, so please let us know if you have any ideas!
In this thread, feel free to show us your pet project, YouTube videos, blog posts, or whatever else you may have and share it with the community. Commercial advertisements, affiliate links, or links that appear to be monetization-grabs will still be removed.
https://redd.it/1m8v5ey
@r_systemadmin
Happy SysAdmin Day!
A big shoutout to all the admins who work tirelessly to keep systems running smoothly and secure. Your hard work behind the scenes powers everything.
https://redd.it/1m8pkus
@r_systemadmin
The quintessential Microsoft ticket experience
Raise ticket
'Engineer' asks for logs.
Gives logs
'Engineers' fuck around and pass the ticket around for around a month.
Constantly requests for an update
'Product team' needs fresh logs.
Asks what happened to the first set of logs.
"Oh, they're already stale. We need fresh logs to start investigation"
Asks what they did for an entire month
Random escalation manager replies to thread assuring everything is being worked on correctly.
Gives fresh logs. Somehow finds a solution or issue fixes itself or people just give up.
Email from MS: "Tell us about your Microsoft support experience"
I'm tired, boss.
https://redd.it/1m8lyiu
@r_systemadmin
Suddenly the Only IT Person — No Raise, No Title Change, No Bonus Eligibility?
Has anyone here ever been hired as a regular IT employee, only to end up becoming the only IT person after your supervisor leaves without a title change, raise, or extra compensation?
That’s what happened to me.
I was hired to do standard IT support and project work, but once my manager left, I was informed I’m now on call 24/7. I’m expected to handle:
• All helpdesk tickets
• Infrastructure/system admin
• Product procurement
• Emergency calls even on weekends, overnights, and while I was in the hospital
According to our employee handbook, employees working extra hours outside their standard duties are eligible for bonus pay as long as they aren’t supervisors or execs. I’m not a supervisor, yet was told I don’t qualify because I’m salaried.
To top it off, my predecessor made $100K more than I currently do, and I was told that I’m not eligible for a raise until the annual review period at year’s end.
Just wondering has anyone else had their role quietly change like this without any proper recognition? How did you handle it?
https://redd.it/1m8idga
@r_systemadmin
Thanks for making licensing for 365 confusing Microsoft.
Long story short - I'm migrating licenses from Microsoft 365 E5 to Microsoft Business Premium. However, some users utilize Planner and Project Plan 3 so when I try to assign the license I get the following error:
"To assign a license that contains Project Online Service, you must also assign one of the following service plans: SharePoint (Plan 2)".
I went into apps and unchecked Project Online Service for now - but what exactly is it for? Is it just the web version of Project? We do not have SharePoint P2 licenses - and aren't really looking to buy any.
The constant renaming of licenses and changing of dependencies has me frazzled.
https://redd.it/1m8fjnn
@r_systemadmin