Top Network Administrator Skills

Key Network Administrator Skills

Here are some of the key technical and non-technical skills required to become a successful network administrator.

1. Network Security 

With network security skills, professionals implement security measures like VPNs, firewalls, prevention systems or intrusion detection.

2. Problem-solving and Troubleshooting

A network administrator must possess these skills to recognize and resolve network issues, such as performance issues, connectivity problems, and security breaches.

3. Network Configuration and Management

These professionals must know how to configure and manage firewalls, routers, switches, and other networking devices.

4. Optimization Skills

Network administrators should possess good monitoring and optimization skills to ensure optimal performance and quick address. 

In addition to this network administrator skills list, these professionals should possess soft skills such as good communication, technical support know-how, research, collaboration, and planning skills. 

How to Get a Network Administrator Role?

Getting the role of network administrator requires patience, hard work, and determination. It is a reputed job that requires a smart set of quality education, certifications, skillful experience, and deep networking knowledge. Aspirants should go step by step, i.e., take bachelor's degree courses in relevant streams and other related certifications to get better theoretical and practical knowledge and experience in networking. This simple process allows one to get a network administrator’s job easily.  

Qualifications Required for a Network Administrator

Like any other career path, a network administrator’s role requires a basic qualification and a standard skill set. To start a career in this domain, at least an associate’s degree in a computer stream with relevant certification courses is necessary. Aspirants can also opt for a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, network engineering, or security. Systematic degrees (bachelor’s and Master's) can provide a solid foundation for any career path.

Aspirants can also take courses from reputed providers in Cybersecurity, network administration, and related fields.

Conversely, certification can polish your resume and boost your employability. Certain certifications are provided by reputed universities that demonstrate your expertise. CompTIA Network, Microsoft Certified, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), and Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) are some of the best certifications to help you land your dream career in the networking domain.

Above all, experience is also necessary to become a successful network administrator, which can be achieved by working on industry projects.

What does a Network Administrator do?

A network administrator is responsible for various networking operations, such as installing, configuring, and managing computer infrastructure. This may include switches, routers, and cables that support an organization’s computer network.

Their main task is to monitor and maintain the network performance of systems. They can also troubleshoot and solve network issues. Security management is also one of their main jobs by implementing network security measures. They protect data integrity through encryption and ensure compliance with security policies and protocols. They make needed upgrades and repairs to networks and ensure that systems operate correctly.  

In addition to these crucial operations, network administrators are responsible for many important tasks, such as user support, network optimization, documentation and reporting, and backup recovery.

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Importance of Network Administrators

Have you ever considered a situation where your system stops working properly during your important project work? Here comes the importance of the network administrator, who ensures the stable operation of the computer network.

These professionals are like caretakers of computer networks, keeping everything running smoothly. They ensure that everyone connects to the Internet and shares information safely. Therefore, every large organization requires skilled network administrators to connect and coordinate different systems and computers.

Network administrators are responsible for:

• network performance and reliability
• network configuration and management
• network security
• problem solutions and troubleshooting
• user support and training
• network scalability and planning
• compliance and standards, and many more crucial tasks.

Job Opportunities

As network administrators are crucial for companies, they have a broad range of career opportunities globally. There is a high demand for network administrators with job roles such as:

• System administrators
• Network administrators
• Network engineers
• IT support specialists
• Cloud network administrators
• Network security administrators
• Network analysts
• Computer network architects
• Network admins
• Lab engineers
• LAN administrators
• Network system coordinators
• WAN system administrators, etc.

These professionals can also try for better career opportunities in similar careers, such as:

• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer support specialists
• Computer and information systems managers
• Computer hardware engineers
• Computer programmers
• Computer system analysts
• Web developers
• Software developers
• Electronics engineers

Companies Hiring for Network Administrators

As the world experiences digital evolution, many leading organizations hire skilled and expert network administrators to manage their network operations and issues. Some of the companies that are hiring network administrators are listed below.

1. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)

This company hires network administrators and pays around $86,745 annually, along with health insurance and flexible work choices. 

2. HCL Technologies

It offers an average salary of $105,333 annually. HCL also offers many other benefits, such as paid time off, health insurance, and job security with long-term career growth. 

3. Dell Technologies

It also offers its network administrators a good salary package ($84756 per year) and other advantages, such as flexible savings accounts and insurance.

4. LTIMindtree

LTI pays an average salary of $89,966 annually to network administrators with attractive benefits like free transport and food with health insurance.

Besides these companies, Robert Half, Wipro, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), AT&T, Microland, Tech Mahindra, IBM, Capgemini, Accenture, Infosys, DXC technology, etc., also hire network administrators to provide better services to their customers.

How to Improve Network Administrator Skills?

Everyone wants to reach a professional level within the organization. This requires continuous learning, determination, and hard work. A network administrator can also stay up-to-date and ahead of their competitors by following some steps and improving their skills to achieve their goals.

It starts with earning the appropriate certification, hands-on practice, upskilling, advanced training, joining professional communities, and learning new skills like scripting and automation, robotics, etc. All these steps can help professionals improve and enhance their networking skills to explore their hidden potential.

Conclusion

To summarize, a network administrator is critical in maintaining and managing an IT infrastructure. For the digital business world, a good network system is always a top priority that can only managed by well-qualified and skilled network administrators. Therefore, those willing to land or upgrade their career in this domain can upskill themselves by pursuing the CompTIA Security+ (Plus) Certification - SY0-701 Exam Training and successfully grab a decent job! Explore and enroll today!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main role of a network administrator?

The main role of the network administrator is to ensure smooth, uninterrupted, and stable computer network operations. Their job includes planning, developing, installing, configuring, managing, maintaining, supporting, and optimizing all network hardware, software, and systems, along with communication links.

2. What are the three types of network administrators?

The main three types of network administrators are network security administrator, network operation administrator, and network infrastructure.

In addition to these crucial roles, lead network administrator, Microsoft network administrator, wireless network administrator, voice network administrator, and many more types of network administrator job roles are available.

3. What kind of job is a network administrator?

A network administrator’s job is related to information technology. They ensure that an organization’s computer networks and group of digital devices share information properly and operate smoothly to meet the organization’s requirements.

4. What is the future of network administrators?

Though the networking field is evolving rapidly, the future of network administrators is bright. However, these professionals must pay more attention to upgrading themselves with advanced technologies. A network administrator should gear up skills by learning new techniques like cloud computing, automation and AI, cybersecurity, IoT (Internet of Things), Edge computing, and SDN (software-defined networking).

5. Why hire a network administrator?

Hiring a network administrator is important in any organization as it ensures smooth, efficient, and secure networking operations. These professionals are responsible for many crucial tasks that any other professional can not offer. They ensure network reliability and performance and enhance network security in an organization. So, it is worth hiring a network administrator.