How to Be Experienced Network Administrator - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

May 18, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Network administrators play an important role in keeping networks running smoothly, as any issues or disruptions can have a negative impact on a companys operations. Experienced network administrators are able to anticipate potential problems and take proactive steps to prevent them, ensuring the network remains secure and highly available. They are also adept at troubleshooting and resolving issues quickly when they do occur, thereby minimizing any disruption to operations. Furthermore, experienced network administrators possess an in-depth understanding of networking protocols, such as TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP, as well as networking technologies, such as routers, switches, and firewalls all of which are essential for the successful management of a network.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming an experienced network administrator is to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. This will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful network administrator.
Obtain Industry Certifications. Many organizations require network administrators to have specific industry certifications to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in certain areas. Popular certifications include CompTIA's Network+ and Microsoft's Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).
Gain Work Experience. Once you have your degree and certifications, the next step is to gain experience in the field. You can do this by taking on internships or entry-level jobs at IT companies or by volunteering to help set up and maintain networks for local organizations.
Pursue Advanced Certifications. To become an experienced network administrator, it is important to stay up to date on the latest technology and trends in the field. One way to do this is by pursuing advanced certifications in areas such as security, cloud computing, and virtualization.
Develop Your Soft Skills. Network administrators must also possess strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills in order to be successful. Working on these skills will help you build relationships with colleagues, customers, and clients and provide better customer service.
Join Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations such as the Association of Information Technology Professionals or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers can help you stay current on industry trends and connect with peers who can help you advance your career.

Maintaining competency as a network administrator is essential for keeping up with rapidly changing technology and best practices. To stay up to date, it is important to continually learn about new products, services, and techniques related to network administration. Additionally, regularly attending seminars and conferences can provide valuable insight into the latest industry trends and help network administrators stay competitive. With the right knowledge and skillset, network administrators can remain competent and ensure their networks are running smoothly and securely.

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Job Description

Configure and maintain network hardware, including routers, switches, firewalls, and wireless access points.
Monitor and analyze network performance, and make adjustments as necessary to ensure optimal performance.
Troubleshoot network issues, and take corrective action as required.
Develop and implement security policies and procedures.
Create and maintain user accounts, and assign appropriate access privileges.
Install and configure software applications related to networking and security.
Maintain records of network activity, inventory, and configuration changes.
Collaborate with other IT personnel to evaluate new technologies and methods for improving network performance.
Participate in on-call rotation as needed.
Respond to user inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of network protocols, routing, and switching
Knowledge of common network hardware, such as routers and switches
Experienced in configuring firewalls and VPNs
In-depth understanding of network security principles and best practices
Familiarity with cloud-based technologies, such as AWS and Azure
Ability to identify and eliminate potential threats and vulnerabilities
Expertise in managing server and storage systems
Proficiency in scripting languages, such as Python and Bash
Ability to monitor and optimize network performance
Excellent communication and documentation skills
Ability to work independently and in a team environment

Having an experienced network administrator is essential for any organization in order to ensure a secure and reliable infrastructure. Network administrators have a key role in keeping networks running smoothly and preventing security breaches, as they are responsible for implementing and maintaining network hardware, software, and security. They must possess a wide range of technical skills and knowledge, including hardware and software configuration, network protocols, troubleshooting, and security practices.

A strong understanding of network architecture is also necessary in order to be able to configure and deploy new networks, as well as troubleshoot and maintain existing ones. Furthermore, experienced network administrators must be able to understand the importance of data security and apply best practices to protect their networks. Lastly, they must be able to effectively communicate with both technical staff as well as non-technical staff in order to ensure the optimal functioning of the network.

All of these skills combined form the basis of an experienced network administrator's capabilities and are essential for the success of any organization.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What kind of experience do you have setting up and troubleshooting networks?
Describe the most challenging network issue you have encountered and how you resolved it.
Are you familiar with the latest networking technologies?
How do you stay up to date on the newest trends in networking?
What security protocols do you have experience developing and installing?
Do you have experience working with hardware and software vendors?
How do you handle network outages and other disasters?
What steps do you take to ensure network performance is optimal?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision related to the network.
What methods do you use to troubleshoot and diagnose network problems?

Common Tools in Industry

Network Management Software. Software used to monitor, configure, and troubleshoot network devices. (Eg: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor)
Network Monitoring Tools. Tools used to monitor the performance of an entire network and the devices connected to it. (Eg: Spiceworks Network Monitor)
Network Protocol Analyzers. Tools used to analyze the data packets that are sent between network devices. (Eg: Wireshark)
Switching & Routing. Software and hardware used to route traffic between networks and devices. (Eg: Cisco IOS)
Firewalls. Hardware and software used to protect a network from external threats. (Eg: SonicWall Firewall)
VPN Software. Software used to create secure connections between networks or remote users. (Eg: OpenVPN)
Load Balancing Software. Software used to distribute network traffic across multiple servers for improved performance. (Eg: F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager)
Network Security Tools. Tools used to detect and protect against potential security threats. (Eg: Tripwire Enterprise)
Bandwidth Monitoring Software. Software used to track the amount of data being used on a network. (Eg: NetFlow Analyzer)
Wireless Networking Tools. Tools used to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot wireless networks. (Eg: Ekahau Site Survey)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International Association of Computer Information Systems (IACIS)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Internet Society (ISOC)
Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR)
Society for Technical Communication (STC)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA)

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Common Important Terms

Network Architecture. The design and layout of a computer network, including the types of devices, their location, and how they are connected.
Router. A device that forwards data packets between two or more networks.
Switch. A network device that connects multiple computers, allowing them to communicate with each other.
Firewall. A security system designed to prevent unauthorized access to a computer or network.
VPN. A virtual private network, which encrypts data transmitted between two or more networks.
DNS. Domain Name System, which translates domain names into IP addresses.
DHCP. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, which assigns IP addresses to computers on a network.
NAT. Network Address Translation, which allows multiple computers to share a single IP address.
WAN. Wide Area Network, which connects two or more LANs over a wide geographic area.
IP Address. A unique numerical address that identifies a device on a network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What qualifications does an Experienced Network Administrator need? A1: An Experienced Network Administrator typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field, as well as 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and troubleshooting complex network systems. Q2: What are the primary duties of an Experienced Network Administrator? A2: The primary duties of an Experienced Network Administrator involve managing, monitoring, and optimizing a company's computer networks. This includes tasks such as maintaining network hardware, monitoring system performance, troubleshooting network problems, and managing user access rights. Q3: What technical skills are necessary for an Experienced Network Administrator? A3: An Experienced Network Administrator must have a thorough knowledge of networking protocols and hardware, including LAN/WAN technologies, routers, firewalls, and wireless networks. Additionally, they need to be familiar with virtualization techniques, scripting tools, and security best practices. Q4: How do Experienced Network Administrators ensure network security? A4: Experienced Network Administrators ensure network security by creating and implementing security policies, monitoring for suspicious activity, and regularly patching systems to address any newly discovered vulnerabilities. They also set up firewalls and other security measures to protect the network from unauthorized access. Q5: What is the salary range for an Experienced Network Administrator? A5: The average salary for an Experienced Network Administrator ranges from $60,000 - $90,000 depending on experience and location.

Web Resources

Network Administrator - Illinois Central College - icc.edu icc.edu
What Does a Network Administrator Do? A Behind-the www.rasmussen.edu
What Does a Network Administrator Do? - Western Governors University www.wgu.edu