System Administrator Checklist

Daily
1.

Review Audit logs

Tasks
Check application log for warning and error messages for service startup errors, application or
database errors and unauthorized application installs
b) Check security log for warning and error messages for invalid logons, unauthorized user creating,
opening or deleting files
c) Check system log for warning and error messages for hardware and network failures
Check web/database/application logs for warning and error messages
d) Check directory services log on domain controllers Report suspicious activity to IAO
a)

Tools Windows
Event Viewer
2.

Perform/verify daily backup

Tasks
a) Run and/or verify that a successful backup of system and data files has completed
b) Run and/or verify that a successful backup of Active Directory files has completed on at least one
Domain Controller
Tools
Windows Backup Tool
Veritas Backup Software

3.

Track/monitor system performance and activity

Tasks
a) Check for memory usage
b) Check for system paging
c) Check CPU usage
References
www.Microsoft.com - Monitoring Server performance
Tools Windows
o Microsoft Management Console
o Performance Log and Alerts
o Task Manager
o System Monitor
o Microsoft Operations Manager

4.

Check free hard-drive space

Tasks
a) Check all drives for adequate free space
b) Take appropriate action as specified by site's Standard Operating Procedures
References
www.Microsoft.com - Monitoring Server performance

Tools Windows
Disk Defragmenter
Disk Management
Disk Quotas
5.

Physical checks of system

Tasks
a) Visually check the equipment for amber lights, alarms, etc.
b) Take appropriate action as specified by site's Standard Operating Procedures

Weekly
1.
2.

Archive Audit logs

Tasks
a) Archive audit logs to a media device with one year retention
Perform/verify weekly backup
Tasks
b) Run or verify that a successful backup of system and data files has been completed
Tools
Windows Backup Tool
Veritas Backup Software