A Day in the Life of a Networking Administrator
As a rule, careers in the computer and information technology industry are expected to grow throughout the second decade of the 21st century. One specific job that is projected to see a 23% increase in employment overall is that of a networking administrator. A network administrator is responsible for the oversight of a business’ computer network system. This includes everything from traditional wired Intranets (networks within a department or company) and LANs (local area networks) to the more recent innovations in wireless networking. Caring for these networks involves planning, building, maintaining, and upgrading them. In addition, the networking administrator must make sure the entire network is secure and free of viruses, spyware, and other unwelcome intrusions.
The Importance of Networks
Why all this fuss about networks? It’s an old saying that information is power. In the business world, information can be power, but it can also be money. (Think of your bank account number or credit card number. That information is almost literally money. In the wrong hands, those numbers will do just as well as cash.) While most of us appreciate that it is essential to keep personal and financial information secure, we don’t give much thought as to how it gets from place to place. Any time information – say an email, for instance – goes from one computer to another, there’s a very good chance some kind of network is used. The Internet itself is just one very big Wide Area Network (WAN). The fastest way to store and transfer information isn’t the nearest file cabinet; it’s using a computer network.
A Day in the Life of a Networking Administrator
Anyone involved in the field of Information Technology can tell you that many things – many unexpected things – can happen in the course of a single day. Rather than examine an hour-by-hour day of a networking administrator, let’s discuss the five aspects of the job that were mentioned earlier: planning a network, building a network, maintaining a network, upgrading a network, and keeping a network secure.
- Planning a Network. Like planning a city or building a house, the first step in building a network is to consider what the basic operations will be. Where will it be set up? How many workstations will be using it? The network administrator – possibly working with a network architect to assist in the design – will balance the needs of the company with the capabilities of the software.
- Building a Network. Once the plans are finalized and the necessary hardware and software have arrived, the network is built.
- Maintaining a Network. After the network is up and running, there is still more work to do. Rather like oil changes on a car, regular preventative maintenance will cut down on problems later, but it won’t eliminate them entirely; troubleshooting is an almost-daily occurrence for a network administrator.
- Upgrading a Network. Technology changes, and so does a company’s structure. Workstations are added or removed, software and operating systems change, things need to be replaced. All of this has an effect on the network.
- Keeping a Network Secure. The new trend towards wireless networks is very convenient, but it can leave systems more vulnerable than ever to invasion by hackers and other “unwanted guests”. Keeping things as secure as possible is a major requirement for a network administrator. An important part of this is staying informed about the latest security threats and the technology available to combat them.
As you can see, a networking administrator has many tasks to tackle. One day could see him or her performing one aspect or all of them.
Schools offering Networking training:
Florida Technical College - Jacksonville
Associate, Diploma
Network Administration/Hardware with Wireless Technology, Computer Drafting and Design, Medical Assistant, Medical Assistant Technician, Business and Management Technology, ..
Florida
Coursework
Network Communications and Information Systems, Criminal Justice, Medical Administration/ Coding & Billing, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, ..
Ohio, Kentucky
Associate, Diploma
Computer Programming and Applications, Network Management, Computer Specialist, Legal Administrative Assistant, Graphic Design, ..
Minnesota
Associate, Certificate, Bachelor
Network Security Management, Health Systems Management, Management, Government Contract Management, Accounting, ..
District of Columbia, Virginia, Online School
Associate, Diploma, Bachelor
Computer Animation/Multimedia, Digital Design, Web Design & Development, Computer Programming & Database Management, Network Engineering & Administration, ..
Florida
