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

Mar 12, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Network technicians play an important role in keeping a business or organization's networks running smoothly. If a network fails, the entire organization can suffer from lost data, communication disruption, and a decrease in productivity. The cause of these issues can often be traced back to a network technician's failure to perform necessary maintenance, troubleshoot problems, or properly configure a system.

In order to avoid these negative outcomes, network technicians must have a strong understanding of network protocols and security measures, as well as the ability to diagnose and fix any technical issues that may arise. they should be able to configure systems, install software updates, and develop new solutions to address existing problems. With the right skillset, a network technician can ensure that a business's networks are operating efficiently and securely.

Steps How to Become

Earn a High School Diploma or GED. Most employers require a high school diploma or equivalent for entry-level network technician positions. You may be able to find some entry-level positions that don't require a diploma, but those are few and far between.
Get Some Hands-On Experience. Having some hands-on experience in network configuration, troubleshooting, and installation can help you land a job as a network technician. Consider taking a part-time job as an IT support technician or volunteering with a local organization to gain experience.
Consider a Certificate Program. Employers may prefer to hire network technicians who have some formal training in network administration and support. Consider enrolling in a certificate program at a local college or technical school that offers courses in networking fundamentals, operating systems, and other related topics.
Obtain Industry Certifications. Once you have some experience and formal training, consider obtaining industry certifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). These certifications demonstrate your knowledge of network administration and support and may help you land a job as a network technician.
Look for Jobs. Once you've obtained your education and certifications, it's time to start looking for jobs. Check out job postings on online job boards, contact staffing agencies, and reach out to local businesses to see if they have any openings for a network technician.

In order to keep a network technician updated and efficient, it is essential to stay informed of the latest technologies and trends. Staying up-to-date with the current industry news, participating in conferences and webinars, and reading industry publications are all essential activities for a network technician. Additionally, networking with other technicians, attending training programs, and investing in certifications are all key steps in increasing knowledge and skills. The result of staying informed and investing in learning opportunities is that a network technician is better equipped to understand new technologies, troubleshoot complex network issues, and be prepared for the challenges of the job.

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Job Description

Install, configure, and maintain local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, Internet, and intranet systems.
Analyze and resolve network hardware and software problems in a timely and accurate fashion.
Monitor network performance and troubleshoot problem areas as needed.
Test network performance and provide network performance statistics and reports.
Monitor system resource utilization, trending, and capacity planning.
Provide technical support and training to end users.
Research and recommend innovative, and where possible automated approaches for system administration tasks.
Setup and maintain backups of critical data.
Design and implement new solutions and improve resilience of the current environment
Liaise with vendors and other IT personnel for problem resolution.

Skills and Competencies to Have

In-depth knowledge of network protocols, such as TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP
Proficiency in troubleshooting and resolving network issues
Expertise in configuring and managing switches, routers, firewalls, and other network hardware
Working knowledge of routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and RIP
Proven ability to design, implement, and maintain secure networks
Experience with remote access solutions and VPN
Familiarity with network monitoring tools such as Wireshark, packet sniffers, and SolarWinds
Ability to develop network documentation and support procedures
Expertise in setting up, configuring, and managing wireless networks
Excellent communication and customer service skills

Being a successful network technician requires a variety of different skills, but the most important one is understanding the fundamentals of networking. Being able to identify and troubleshoot network problems is essential for any network technician, as it is the first step to finding a solution. A solid understanding of networking protocols and technologies, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, and Wi-Fi, is also necessary in order to be an effective network technician.

In addition, having strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication skills, is essential for troubleshooting and resolving network issues quickly and efficiently. Finally, having a good understanding of network security measures, such as firewalls, is also important for protecting networks from malicious attacks. By having these skills, a network technician can effectively diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve any network issue.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in network design and implementation?
What challenges have you faced while working on a network?
Describe your experience in troubleshooting and resolving network problems.
How comfortable are you with configuring routers, switches, and other networking equipment?
Explain how you optimize network performance and security.
Are you familiar with the various networking protocols such as TCP/IP, OSPF, etc. ?
What tools do you use to monitor and maintain a network?
How do you stay up to date with the latest trends in networking technology?
Have you ever implemented a new network from scratch?
What strategies do you use to secure a network from potential threats?

Common Tools in Industry

Network Monitor. A tool used to monitor the performance, availability, and utilization of network resources. (Eg: SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor)
Network Mapper. A tool used to map the structure of a network by automatically discovering devices, creating a visual representation of their connection, and providing detailed information about each device. (Eg: Spiceworks Network Mapper)
Protocol Analyzer. A tool used to capture and analyze network traffic by inspecting packets to troubleshoot network performance issues. (Eg: Wireshark)
Network Configuration Management. A tool used to manage configuration changes across multiple devices in a network and ensure compliance with IT policies. (Eg: SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager)
Network Automation. A tool used to automate manual tasks such as provisioning, configuration, and deployment of network devices. (Eg: Ansible)
Network Security Scanner. A tool used to identify vulnerabilities in the network and suggest corrective measures. (Eg: Nessus)

Professional Organizations to Know

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Network Professional Association (NPA)
Association of Telecommunications Professionals (ATP)
American Computer and Robotics Museum (ACRM)
Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
Network and Communications Professionals Association (NCPA)
Society of Information Management (SIM)

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Common Important Terms

Network Infrastructure. All of the hardware, software, and systems that enable a computer network to function. This includes routers, switches, access points, cables, and other networking components.
VPN. Virtual Private Network, a secure connection between two or more computers over the Internet. It is used to protect data and maintain the privacy of users.
IP Address. A unique identifier consisting of four numbers separated by periods (e. g. 192. 168. 1. 1) assigned to each computer or device connected to a computer network.
DNS. Domain Name System, an internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses so that computers can communicate with each other.
LAN. Local Area Network, a group of computers connected within a small geographic area (e. g. a single building or office).
WAN. Wide Area Network, a group of computers located in geographically dispersed areas that are connected to each other over a long-distance connection (e. g. the Internet).
DHCP. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, a protocol used to assign IP addresses to devices connected to a network automatically.
NAT. Network Address Translation, a protocol used to route traffic between two different networks without the need for each device to have its own public IP address.

Frequently Asked Questions

What certifications are needed for a Network Technician?

Network Technicians typically need to have certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).

What are the primary duties of a Network Technician?

The primary duties of a Network Technician include setting up and maintaining computer networks, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and configuring hardware and software.

What type of technical knowledge is required to be a Network Technician?

As a Network Technician, you must have a good understanding of networking concepts, such as LAN and WAN technology, networking protocols, and network security.