From ZFS to command-line tools: Build systems that just work

Automation, backups, and tools that make your life easier without losing sight of the mission.

Jim Salter, aka “the Sanoid guy,” sat down with the All Things Open team to highlight how smart automation helps sysadmins avoid costly mistakes. His open source tool, Sanoid, automates ZFS snapshot management using simple, human-readable policies. Instead of relying on manual snapshots, sysadmins can trust their systems to stay protected in the background.

Jim emphasized that computers should work for people, not the other way around. Supporting small and mid-sized businesses, he’s seen how often human needs get overlooked. Tools like Sanoid and its companion Syncoid reduce risk and restore confidence, even when things go wrong at scale.

He also shared a few of his favorite tools: nbtscan for spotting NetBIOS-enabled devices on the network, and ARP scan for identifying all local IPs with associated MAC addresses, even behind firewalls.

Read more: 10 essential networking commands for sysadmins

His advice for learning? Don’t just read a book: Build something! Jim’s own journey started with a file server in his apartment and turned into a full career in systems and support.

Key takeaways

• Automate for safety: Tools like Sanoid automate snapshot management to avoid human error and ensure recoverable states are always available.
• Backups beyond the basics: Combining Sanoid with Syncoid extends resilience across machines and locations—even in catastrophic scenarios.
• Doing > Reading: Start small, build something real, and let practical needs guide your learning in open source environments.

Conclusion

Jim reminds us that the mission isn’t the machine—it’s what people want to accomplish with it. By embracing smart tools and human-centric thinking, sysadmins and developers alike can build systems that support people first, scale effectively, and bounce back fast. Whether you’re learning a new platform or just exploring the hallway track at ATO, connection and curiosity will take you further than any manual ever could.

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