Mainframes vs System Admin vs Middleware

[Abhilash Etikala]

Hi everybody,
Can you explain me what is the difference between these job roles..(Mainframes vs System Admin vs Middle ware)...and which could be better being a fresher...
Thank You in advance..

[Andrew Monkhouse]

Very difficult to answer, given that only one of the 3 terms you mentioned is a job title/role.

A mainframe is a type of computer.

A system administrator is someone who ensures that the "system" works correctly, where system can mean anything. You may have an administrator for a mainframe, you might have an administrator for a network of PCs, etc.

Middleware is the software that connects two systems (it sits in the middle).

You might work on mainframe computers or on mini-computers, or on micro-computers (PCs). Stating this only tells us what size the computer is - not what your job is.

You might develop middleware software, or you might develop front end software, or you might develop back end software. You might administer any of those system. You might be an end-user of front-end software, or (less often) back end software. You would not normally be considered a user of middleware software (although you may be a consumer or producer to the middleware solution). You might be a system administrator of any of these systems.

I am wondering if you have some more context that you can provide that might make the sentence make more sense. For example, I could think of two questions that might be answerable (by you):

Do you prefer to develop software or administer systems?

Do you prefer to work on back end systems, middleware, or front end systems?

[Abhilash Etikala]

Hi Andrew thank you for reply,
Actually i am a fresher i don't know exactly all the roles but i have selected in one of the company which specified the roles are these like Mainframes vs System Admin vs Middle ware even i was confused....so what could be the possibilities of the positions...so that i can prepare for it...

[Henry Wong]

Abhilash Etikala wrote:
Actually i am a fresher i don't know exactly all the roles but i have selected in one of the company which specified the roles are these like Mainframes vs System Admin vs Middle ware even i was confused....so what could be the possibilities of the positions...so that i can prepare for it...

Well (as Andrew already mentioned), since in common parlance, a "mainframe" is a type of computer, and "middleware" is a category of software, we can't answer your question. We are just as confused as you are.

Henry

[Abhilash Etikala]

Hi Henry,
The below information is the exact role they specified in their WebSite...

Role : System Admin
Once the training is done they will be placed in Oracle DBA / SQL DBA / SAP Basis / Middleware / Mainframes areas.

so i think now you can understand what is exactly my role could be....

[Henry Wong]

Abhilash Etikala wrote:
Role : System Admin
Once the training is done they will be placed in Oracle DBA / SQL DBA / SAP Basis / Middleware / Mainframes areas.

so i think now you can understand what is exactly my role could be....

The role is the system adminstrator -- not mainframe, not middleware.

So changing your topic title... it should be System Admin of Mainframes vs. System Admin of the Middleware infrastructure vs. System Admin of Oracle (also sometimes known as the Database admin). etc. Or even a combination, from the specification.

Henry

[Henry Wong]

And BTW, good system admins should know lots of areas. So... get a combination of many areas, or even responsibilities with all of them, is good.

Henry

[Abhilash Etikala]

Thanks Henry,
Can i do any programming any where??
Is that field is totally different from Programming??

[Henry Wong]

Abhilash Etikala wrote:
Can i do any programming any where??
Is that field is totally different from Programming??

As with any role in IT, there will be coding. Writing scripts to test stuff. Writing scripts to automate stuff. etc. With some systems, even configurations are done via startup scripts that will need to be modified.

But... as you may have guessed, the system admin role is not generally considered as a developer role. Its more related to the configuration, and maintenance of systems, in the support of its users.

Henry

[Abhilash Etikala]

Thanks Henry once again,
finally how could be that position in future....that is can i get more pay if i go another company after gaining some experience....