How to Answer: What process do you use to manage the configuration of the systems you are responsible for?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Systems Engineer job interview.
27. What process do you use to manage the configuration of the systems you are responsible for?
How to Answer
One of the key responsibilities of a systems engineer is to ensure that the systems they manage are properly configured. Doing this prevents most performance and service issues. Having a specific methodology to accomplish this ensures that it is done properly and reduces the time and resources needed to maintain the systems. As with anything within the IT environment, the methodology should be documented and made available to the other systems engineering staff.
Written by William Swansen on August 6th, 2021
Answer Example
"I have found the easiest way to maintain the configuration of the systems I manage is to first create an installation script. I keep this on a server and use it whenever I configure a new system. The script installs the software, sets up the system parameters, and configures items, including the startup options, the services used by the system, and the initially loaded programs. I'd then maintain a schedule for all the systems, prompting me to review their configurations using the MSConfig utility. I check to ensure that all the software is up to date, the most recent patches are installed, and that the system storage and memory are adequate to support the user's needs."
Written by William Swansen on August 6th, 2021