What Does A Network Administrator Do

What Does A Network Administrator Do?

Network administrators have long been an integral part of the Information Technology industry. They are responsible for maintaining and managing a company’s network infrastructure, which can include everything from local area networks (LANs) to wide area networks (WANs).

Working with coworkers to optimize data storage, connection efficiency, and the flow of information is part of the job. They may educate coworkers about appropriate data downloading and uploading in order to avoid system breaches. The network administrator also checks the data network on a regular basis to ensure that data is flowing freely throughout it.

There is a need for network administrators in a large business to deal with equipment failure, network problems, and technological difficulties so that everyone may work without interruption. A network administrator is responsible for networks’ hardware, such as cables, routers, switches, hubs, and servers. They also manage software installation, configuration, and optimization of systems like network operating systems (NOS), email clients (EMC), databases (MS SQL or Oracle), redundant backups (RMAN), and other company-wide applications.

MyComputerCareer is an educational institution that will help you earn all of the industry’s top certifications in Network Administration, Helpdesk, and IT Security. Contact us today for more information. That said, many people think that network administrators and system administrators are the same. Despite the fact that these are both tasks in information technology, their duties vary somewhat.

The Difference Between Systems and Network Administrators

Network administrators and systems administrators are both critical positions in the Information Technology field, but they have different job responsibilities. A network administrator is responsible for the network infrastructure and ensuring that all devices on the network are functioning properly. They also manage network security and make sure that all data passing through the network is protected. Network administrators typically work with companies that have a large number of employees, as they need to ensure that everyone has access to the network and can send and receive data as needed.

Systems administrators are responsible for the overall health of the company’s computer systems. This includes installing new software, maintaining hardware, monitoring system performance, and troubleshooting issues. Systems administrators typically work with companies that have a smaller number of employees, as they are not responsible for managing the network.

Although there is some overlap between these two careers, the primary distinction is that network administrators manage the network. In contrast, system administrators are in charge of servers and computer systems in large businesses. In larger organizations, these duties might be divided between two people, whereas, in smaller companies, these job roles can be covered by the same person.

What Are The Job Duties of a Network Administrator

These are typical duties and activities that a network administrator performs daily.

  • Maintaining, upgrading, and repairing network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and firewalls
  • Installing and configuring network devices, software, and services
  • Monitoring network performance and troubleshooting network issues
  • Planning and designing network architecture
  • Providing training and technical support to users
  • Consulting stakeholders to determine what systems are necessary
  • Testing network inefficiencies and vulnerabilities
  • Upgrading operating systems and software
  • Implementing all essential security features
  • Constantly looking at ways of improving network efficiency
  • Regular systems backups

What Are The Network Administration Skills Needed For the Job?

A network administrator is responsible for the maintenance and security of a company’s computer network. They install and maintain network hardware and software and configure network settings to ensure optimal performance for users.

To be successful in this role, you will need strong technical skills and knowledge of networking technologies. You should also be able to effectively manage people and projects and have good troubleshooting skills.

Technical Skills

When it comes to the essential technical skills needed to be a successful network administrator, candidates should consider the following:

  • network installation and configuration
  • network monitoring and troubleshooting
  • network security
  • operating systems (OS) administration
  • computer hardware knowledge

If you have a working knowledge of the OSI model and experience with popular networking tools such as Cisco’s IOS, you will be in a much better position to land this job..

Soft Skills

Aside from the hard technical skills, network administrators also need to have several soft skills that will further help them in this role. Such skills include:

  • Problem Solving – Network administrators must think logically and repeatably when confronted with an issue. Even if you aren’t sure how to solve a problem right away, you must be able to figure out where it is and how to fix it in a reasonable length of time.
  • Critical Thinking – It is crucial to build a technological answer to a company problem using your skills and experience. It’s vital to use critical thinking to determine the finest solution for evolving needs.
  • Time Management – The ability to multitask and keep track of numerous projects at once is something that network administrators must be able to do. Project management is another important competence that will help system and network managers.
  • Communication Skills – Communication skills are just as important for network admins as for any other IT professional. You must be able to interact with coworkers and stakeholders, persuade them of the best path forward, and so on. The network administrator must also pass on industry best practices to those utilizing the computer network and systems.
  • Learning Nature – The field of information technology is always changing. If you’re not a lifelong learner who can change with the times, this isn’t the job for you. The IT professional must be able to absorb new data, understand and store it, and modify their procedures as conditions change.

If you can effectively communicate with others and solve problems on your own, you will have a much better chance of succeeding as a network administrator. Additionally, having leadership and project management abilities will help when working with teams or managing larger projects. And finally, if you’re good at troubleshooting, then chances are you’ll be able to resolve issues quickly and efficiently when they arise.

Conclusion

Network administrators are responsible for the maintenance and security of a company’s computer network. They work with routers, switches, firewalls, and other network devices to keep the network running smoothly. Network administrators also monitor network traffic and performance and troubleshoot any problems that may arise. In addition, they may be responsible for installing and configuring new network hardware or software.

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