As companies strive to keep up with the growth of technology, network administration continues to be one of the most in-demand tech jobs in the modern workplace. If you like working with both hardware and software, networking administration is a great career option for you.
We asked premier IT training institution Experts Academy to shed light on some of the most frequently asked questions on network administration.
1. What is network administration?
Network administration is one of the job functions of a team within an IT organization that is in charge of the network infrastructure operations. It involves responsibilities such as hardware and software configuration, monitoring network equipment health and utilization, troubleshooting, optimization, network device privilege access management, and documentation.
2. What is a network administrator?
Network administrators are skilled individuals that carry out the responsibilities mentioned above. They are authorized to manage and configure network devices, and are responsible to ensure that the network is functional and performing to the expectation of end users.
3. What are the tasks and responsibilities of a network administrator?
The tasks of a network administrator vary from one organization to another, but in general there are separation of duties within a network administration team. For example, a junior network administrator may be assigned with simple tasks such as monitoring, or performing basic troubleshooting on a limited privileged access. On the other hand, a senior network administrator may have a bigger responsibility of performing analysis and assessment on a regular basis, to ensure optimum network performance and/or resolve a recurring problem.
4. What skills do i need to be a network administrator?
Regardless of job level, a network administrator must be equipped with fundamentals on network technologies (OSI layers, TCP/IP, IPv4 / IPv6, IP routing and switching, IP services, network security, etc.), as well as with knowledge of the proprietary systems (ex. Cisco, Juniper, Extreme Networks, Check Point, etc.) present in the working environment.
As a network administrator grows in the job, the required expertise also becomes more demanding. Depending on the role, a seasoned network administrator is expected to create network designs, perform network health check assessment, or implement security hardening.
5. What certifications do I need to be a network administrator?
Certifications like CompTIA Network+ is an excellent measurement of one’s understanding on various aspects of networking technologies, including TCP/IP and the OSI model. It also tests knowledge of network components and where they function in association with the OSI model, network cabling, network security, and network troubleshooting.
On the other hand, the ever popular certifications of Cisco Systems (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, etc.) provide validation of one’s knowledge on configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Cisco networks. However, because of Cisco’s involvement in the academe and its large industry footprint, their certifications have practically become the standard in testing the knowledge on fundamental networking technologies.
6. How are the job prospects for network administrators?
Network administrators are needed everywhere and in demand in industries such as BPOs, banks, medium and large enterprises, and telecommunications, among others. In this age of digitization and technology driven economy, opportunities for network administrators abound.
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Experts Academy is the premier career-focused institution in the Philippines that aims to bridge the gap between the academe and the Information Technology (IT) industry. Headquartered in Makati City where the main training facility is located, Experts Academy currently has training centers in Laguna and Pampanga. To date, the company is engaged in partnership with more than 20 colleges and universities, and has produced thousands of certified IT professionals at 99.95% passing rate making Experts Academy the number one producer of certified professionals in the country.