SharePoint Administrator
The role of SharePoint administrator includes setting up the SharePoint infrastructure with servers and services; SharePoint 2007/2010, Exchange Server, Active Directory, Windows 2003 and 2008 Servers, SQL Server 2005/2008, IIS 6.0 and 7.0, network infrastructure, ISA server, etc. He is responsible for maintaining and optimizing the SharePoint farm.
A SharePoint administrator requires knowledge of both SQL Server and Windows Server. Since SharePoint stores all of its data in SQL Server databases, DBA knowledge is critical. However, the Windows Server knowledge required to build and maintain a SharePoint farm is considerable. The administrator role is often split between two people who work closely together: a Windows Server administrator and a SQL Server DBA.The DBA skills required are the standard set required for any SQL Server but the features of Windows Server that a SharePoint Administrator needs to have some knowledge of include:
Good knowledge in IIS and the architecture of it
Windows Server Manager
Active Directory (LDAP,ADLDS,ADAM etc)
DNS and SMTP
Network Load Balancing (NLB)
Firewall (Hardware and software NLB)
Event Viewer and Performance Monitor
PowerShell scripting will be added advantage if looking in SharePoint 2010
Managing and checking the overall server health and functionality
Monitoring SharePoint disk space usage through the built-in SharePoint reports for each site collection
Managing SharePoint permissions
Analyzing and reporting upon SharePoint usage and activity
Moving/copying sites
Supporting network load balancing needs and ensuring its correct operation (NLB)
Regular review of the events and messages reported in Event Viewer and Performance Monitor
Regular review, clean-up, management and configuration of SharePoint accounts and sites. This portion of the role will work closely with an Active Directory administrator if they are separated.
Regularly analyzing SharePoint content and storage
Monitoring SharePoint trends (e.g. site usage and growth, disk space usage and growth)
Setting up alerts and enforcing policies
Regularly auditing your SharePoint environment
Identifying and reporting governance violations
Checking for operating system, SQL Server and SharePoint patches and cumulative updates.
Daily Activities
1. Review Windows Event Logs for high-priority issues
2. Review the SharePoint Logs for high-priority issues
Weekly Activities
1. Review Search Usage reports
2. Attempt searches upon typical end-user searches – verify they work properly
3. Verify Alerts are functioning properly
4. Enhance search through audit of Search patterns (implementation of noise words, best bets,
keywords, thesaurus entry, etc.)
5. Review and maintain current BI cubes and web parts (if applicable)
6. Audit server utilization (disk IO, disk space, CPU, etc.) and update baseline
7. Review past week questions and issues and update FAQ
8. Ensure off-site backup procedure working properly
Monthly Activities
1. Review overall server architecture based on current use
2. Audit individual server design (each server)
3. Review released patch list for Windows Operating System, SQL Server and SharePoint
4. Apply patches per the pre-defined patch approach
5. Review patches or maintenance to third party controls (web parts, iFilters, etc.)
4. Review overall server architecture diagrams and documentation for updates and revisions
5. Review search architecture for new areas to index, crawl or exclude
6. Report on SharePoint uptime and SLA compliance
7. Review security hierarchy
8. Review new functions or sites deployed. Determine if training needs to be updated
9. Verify backups are valid and contain data
Quarterly Activities
1. Review company disaster recovery plan
Annual Activities
1. Exercise a company disaster recovery plan