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System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services are critical for any organization that relies on technology to operate. Here are some of the benefits of having a well-designed and maintained IT infrastructure:

Increased Productivity: A well-designed and maintained IT infrastructure allows employees to work more efficiently and effectively. This is because they can access the tools and resources they need to perform their jobs with ease, without being hindered by technology-related issues or interruptions.

Improved Security: System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services help to identify and mitigate potential security risks. This includes implementing firewalls, anti-virus software, and other security measures to safeguard critical business data and protect against data breaches.

Better Data Management: IT infrastructure services help organizations store, manage, and analyze data more effectively. This can help to improve decision-making processes and drive more successful outcomes.

Increased Uptime: System administrators ensure that critical systems and applications are always available and working properly, which minimizes downtime and ensures that business operations can continue smoothly.

Scalability: As an organization grows, its IT infrastructure needs to grow with it. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services can help organizations scale their infrastructure to meet new demands, including expanding storage capacity and upgrading hardware and software.

Cost Savings: A well-designed and maintained IT infrastructure can help organizations save money in the long run. This includes reducing the need for expensive hardware repairs and replacements, minimizing downtime, and optimizing resources to reduce overall costs.

This course was easy to follow and explained the new vocab really well. However, all of the assignments that help you get some hands-on practice did not work for me. I only got 25% of the way through an assignment and then I wouldn't be able to move on to the next step because the 'Ctrl X' function in the editor wasn't working. Also, the end assignment doesn't give you any feedback. I loved the idea of being presented with 'real life' scenarios and having to apply what we learned to solve the issue, but as long as you typed enough characters in the box, it assumed that you answered correctly. I typed out nearly the same solution for two of the scenarios because I was lost and thought that was what should be done, but it straight away gave me 100% for the grade. It said that I "gave five or more examples of how I would resolve the issues and detailed reasons why" but I counted and at most, I only listed 4 in any given one. I also did not give detailed explanations as to why because I am not knowledgeable enough to do so. I simply thought "That sounds like stuff we covered in Week 3, so I will just put a random keyword from there and call it good." This is where Coursera's approach is inferior to that of the Open University. You aren't graded by real people and if you are struggling, there is no one to talk you through it and understand why. I suppose you get what you pay for, huh?

Completing this course was both a challenge and a deeply rewarding experience. The sheer volume of information covered was incredible—and at times, overwhelming—but it opened my eyes to the vast and fascinating world of systems administration and IT. I've always had an interest in technology, which initially drew me to this course. However, I never imagined just how much work goes on behind the scenes to keep systems running smoothly. From intricate configurations to powerful tools and automation platforms, I gained a whole new appreciation for the field. One of the most exciting parts of the journey was being introduced to the world of open-source software—especially the Linux platform, which I had never explored before. Discovering its capabilities and flexibility was truly eye-opening. The coaches were outstanding—knowledgeable, supportive, and always ready to help. Kudos to each of them for making complex topics more accessible. I also have to say, I absolutely loved using the AI assistant throughout the course. I asked tons of questions, especially when something wasn’t clear, and I refused to move on until I truly understood the concepts being taught. Overall, this course has been an amazing journey of growth and discovery. Thank you for this incredible opportunity! Now I am off to learn the AI!! Not sure what I will discover there.