Managing users and hardware is a critical responsibility for sysadmins in maintaining an organization's IT infrastructure. Here are some key aspects of this role:

1. User Management:

   • Sysadmins need to create and manage user accounts, ensuring that employees have the necessary access to company resources.
   • When employees leave the company, sysadmins are responsible for disabling or deleting their accounts to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Machine Provisioning:

   • Sysadmins set up user machines, ensuring they have the required software and configurations.
   • They may also standardize machine settings by using imaging techniques to deploy consistent configurations.

3. Hardware Lifecycle:

   

   • Sysadmins need to consider the hardware lifecycle, including procurement, deployment, maintenance, and retirement stages.
     • Procurement, this is the stage where hardware is purchased or we use for an employee.
     • Deployment, this is where hardware is set up so that the employee can do their job.
     • Maintenance, this is the stage where software is updated and hardware issues are fixed, if and when they occur.
     • Retirement, in this final stage, hardware becomes unusable or no longer needed.
   • This involves purchasing and allocating hardware for employees, maintaining and updating machines, and properly retiring old or unusable hardware.

4. Efficiency and Automation:

   • In larger organizations, manual provisioning and configuration of machines can be time-consuming.
   • Sysadmins often implement automated methods to streamline the process and save time.

Efficient user and hardware management is crucial for maintaining a well-functioning IT environment, especially as organizations grow in size.