Marketing myself as a server admin

[WaitingForNehalem]

I set up a server running CentOS using Samba for my school. It has roaming profiles, provides a .POL file, and has shared folders with permissions. I also setup a mail server at my house using Postfix. I then began wondering if small businesses would pay me for offering significantly cheaper servers since I'm using free, open-source software. I could offer primary domain controllers with roaming profiles, mail, and web servers. The only issue would be that I don't have any certifications and I'm 17. Would businesses hire me?

 

[deimos3428]

Hmm, it's an interesting prospect. I'd approach this as starting your own business rather than someone hiring you -- you might get some hits if you target small businesses that can't afford a full-time system administrator.

However, expect considerable skepticism until you've built up a reputation for yourself. Consider offering a discount to your first few customers if they'll agree to give you a reference. Word of mouth advertising is your best friend.

Also, consider if you're willing to support the machines after they're built as that will make your pitch a lot more desirable. You'll need to figure out how to build ongoing contracts into your business model and plan your time well as the business scales. Good luck!

 

[Red Squirrel]

When I was around that age (think I started at 16 as it was the legal age to start a business) I started a PC support business for home, and to my surprise more then half my customers were small businesses. Word of mouth is best way to go about it, and good customer support.

Also, make sure you setup proper backup strategies or at least give them that option and make them be aware that without backups they could loose everything. Tell them this is a fact no matter what type of server they're running (Windows, Linux, etc). Some people do not realize this and if something goes wrong and there is data loss then they'll blame you. So you just want to try to cover your butt in every way possible.

 

[Emulex]

nifty but i'd rather run supported software (SBS 2008) while linux is cool, especially if you throw it in a vm for easier backup management. It is difficult to replace (you) for support when needed especially if your configurations are not vanilla.

keep an open mind for both sides (unix/windows) and learn how each can help each other out - will go along ways.

 

[Emulex]

nifty but i'd rather run supported software (SBS 2008) while linux is cool, especially if you throw it in a vm for easier backup management. It is difficult to replace (you) for support when needed especially if your configurations are not vanilla.

keep an open mind for both sides (unix/windows) and learn how each can help each other out - will go along ways.

 

[RebateMonger]

I don't recall having seen any Linux servers in small businesses. They don't normally have people who can support them. Linux servers are more often found in medium-to-large size businesses.

SBS 2003/2008, on the other hand, is designed to be IDENTICALLY configured from one office to the next. That means an owner can bring in a certified person, part-time, who immediately understands the setup.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

nifty but i'd rather run supported software (SBS 2008) while linux is cool, especially if you throw it in a vm for easier backup management. It is difficult to replace (you) for support when needed especially if your configurations are not vanilla.

keep an open mind for both sides (unix/windows) and learn how each can help each other out - will go along ways.

Linux is supported, Red Hat offers great support as do many other distros. Just because its "free" doesnt mean it goes without real support

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

Thanks for the advice. I will only be using Linux. How would I go about getting my name out there? Would putting a listing in the classifieds help? Also, would "Server Guy" or "Server Man" be a good name?

 

[Red Squirrel]

nifty but i'd rather run supported software (SBS 2008) while linux is cool, especially if you throw it in a vm for easier backup management. It is difficult to replace (you) for support when needed especially if your configurations are not vanilla.

keep an open mind for both sides (unix/windows) and learn how each can help each other out - will go along ways.

That's usually the argument in the business world, but have you ever tried to troubleshoot a very obscure windows issue? You'll find way more help with Linux. With windows it will usually be "try reinstalling" or "try rebooting" which arn't easy answers with servers. If you call their support they'll find some reason why they don't support what you're doing, and try understanding the india accent.

I believe in using whatever tools are available. Some things are easier and more reliable in Windows, some things are easier and more reliable in Linux.

 

[Emulex]

^^ i agree learn both tools ; they have a place for each.

The number of job requests i get for linux is infinitely smaller than the number of job requests for windows - so the windows jobs can pay the bills and the linux jobs can buy the goodies 🙂

don't forget the bsd 🙂 (osx,freebsd,openbsd) alot of people happen to use them too

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

^^ i agree learn both tools ; they have a place for each.

The number of job requests i get for linux is infinitely smaller than the number of job requests for windows - so the windows jobs can pay the bills and the linux jobs can buy the goodies 🙂

don't forget the bsd 🙂 (osx,freebsd,openbsd) alot of people happen to use them too

Why would it matter whether the server runs Linux or Windows? It's invisible to the end-users.

 

[kevnich2]

SMB owners want servers that they think they understand - that's windows - not linux. There is a VERY small market for linux but as it's been said it's mostly with larger businesses. SMB's want something their familiar with and something that other businesses run as SMB owners talk alot to other owners. If you want to get your name out there for being a server admin - you'd better know Windows Server. Knowing linux is just a plus on top of it but not the other way around.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

That's usually the argument in the business world, but have you ever tried to troubleshoot a very obscure windows issue? You'll find way more help with Linux. With windows it will usually be "try reinstalling" or "try rebooting" which arn't easy answers with servers. If you call their support they'll find some reason why they don't support what you're doing, and try understanding the india accent.

I believe in using whatever tools are available. Some things are easier and more reliable in Windows, some things are easier and more reliable in Linux.

Not on the issues I've had to call Microsoft on -- they've been very helpful and always managed to help me solve the problem without having to resort to rebuilding the server or reinstalling the problem application.

OP, RebateMonger is right. Sure, you might think to yourself "What difference does it make since the end user will never see the server OS?" Who is going to be administering the server (user account management, permissions, etc)? What is the business going to do if you get hit by a bus tomorrow? It is typically much more difficult (and expensive) to find Linux expertise than it is Windows expertise.

To those talking about Linux support options with vendors such as Red Hat -- I was under the impression that you needed to pay for a support agreement with Red Hat. Is that not correct?

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

SMB owners want servers that they think they understand - that's windows - not linux. There is a VERY small market for linux but as it's been said it's mostly with larger businesses. SMB's want something their familiar with and something that other businesses run as SMB owners talk alot to other owners. If you want to get your name out there for being a server admin - you'd better know Windows Server. Knowing linux is just a plus on top of it but not the other way around.

Well, knowing Linux would separate me from all the other server admins and allow me to offer much cheaper prices. I don't have to worry about licensing issues or how many users will be connected. It's also pretty easy to add a user or a network share graphically.

 

[Spicedaddy]

In my experience, small businesses use Outlook and nothing else. So they have SBS servers.

Saving a thousand or two on software won't mean much to a 45 year old guy when you tell him you're taking away his Outlook... 😀

 

[WaitingForNehalem]

In my experience, small businesses use Outlook and nothing else. So they have SBS servers.

Saving a thousand or two on software won't mean much to a 45 year old guy when you tell him you're taking away his Outlook... 😀

You still use outlook. Again, it's invisible to the end-user.

 

[Emulex]

dude we're just tellin' you how it is.

good luck with 2008 level active directory and *nix 🙂.

Make sure you know the basics of exchange and sql server and active directory.

 

[RebateMonger]

Well, knowing Linux would separate me from all the other server admins and allow me to offer much cheaper prices. I don't have to worry about licensing issues or how many users will be connected. It's also pretty easy to add a user or a network share graphically.

I (and the others, too) don't want to hit on anybody's sensitivities here. Being a Linux expert is a valuable skill and Linux certainly has a place in the business world. But it's a much smaller market than Windows servers or desktops.

It's also understandable to think of free Linux licensing as a huge advantage. Well, it's an advantage, but when you consider that the lifetime of a small business server is five years and that SBS Server 2003 licensing came to about $80 per User for five years...the cost of a nice lunch once a year. Compared to the cost of the server itself, backups, installation, configuration, and maintenance, the licensing costs for the server software are pretty small.

Anyway, whatever you decide to do, the best of luck to you. The IT business, at least where I live is VERY tough right now.

And, yeah, take a look at Outlook combined with MS Exchange. That's a VERY different animal from hooking Outlook up to an IMAP or POP server.