As a person that switched from and IT job to a non-IT job, and working in a school where we are currently considering moving to a Thin-Client / Server model, I'm wondering how much time it would take me to play the role of 'server administrator' for our school, given that it is a volunteer position with no allocated work time for it.
In the past, (about 10 years ago), I remember that server administrators needed a lot of detailed product knowledge and hardware knowledge. Also, I realize the roles and responsibilities for a server administrator are different in different companies. And of course, your answers will be based on the particular software/hardware products and platforms with which you work.
Taking into account your personal experiences given the variations listed above, I ask:
Has the server administrator job gotten easier in recent years due to improved s/w and h/w products ? If so - how has it gotten harder, and how has it gotten easier ? What server products have you found to require the least in-depth knowledge, and causing the least user and maintenance problems (esp. in terms of Thin-Client solutions) ?
If I've left out information - please interpret the question in a way in which you'll have something meaningful to add : )