Network administrators run computer networks and keep them functioning well.
Network administrators are responsible for maintaining computer infrastructures for companies and organizations, with special emphasis on networks. Network administrators may be college educated or have certifications like CompTIA Network + or MCSA that provide the training needed to handle the tasks of a network administrator.
A network administrator’s day may be spent in a number of different ways. If the network isn’t functioning like it should, the network administrator might need to troubleshoot, investigate, and figure out the problem so it can be solved. This can take hours or days, depending on the problem.
For serious problems within the network, administrators may have to work together with security techs or other professionals to get things up and running again. Most days for network administrators are probably the typical eight hours, but on days where the network is down or malfunctioning, overtime may be required.
On days when the network is working well, a network administrator’s day may look something like this:
9:00 a.m.—Check updates that were run the previous night while no one was online, making sure the updates were completed and that the systems continue to be operational.
10:00 a.m.—Conduct a training on an updated software program so that sales reps are aware of the new capabilities of the software and how it will make their jobs easier.
11:00 a.m.—Sit in on a meeting of the board to present a report on the network’s functionality over the previous month, and discuss how the board members would like to see the network upgraded to help achieve goals and objectives over the next 3 months.
12:00 p.m.—Lunch with a colleague to hear concerns and mentor the colleague, who is looking to get promoted.
1:00 p.m.—Look at reports to determine how to improve future network functioning.
2:00 p.m.—Brainstorm applications and software that can be used to make the improvements indicated by the data collected.
3:00 p.m.—Research ways to implement those improvements, looking at possible options and solutions.
4:00 p.m.—Meet with your team to share ideas and get input on more possible options for the improvements you want to make; begin planning a timeline for implementation of the solution you and the team eventually decide on.
5:00 p.m.—Everything is working as it should be, so it’s time to go home for the day.
One of the great things about the being a network administrator is that there’s a balance between routine tasks (like updating, running tests, and gathering data) and creative tasks like solving problems, making improvements, and conducting trainings.
It’s not far from the truth to say that no two days will be exactly alike, although there will be enough familiarity to develop a routine at least some of the time. In larger companies with robust networks, network administrators will have to juggle many tasks simultaneously, as well as deal with people’s concerns and questions about the network. Contact us about our programs that prepare IT professionals to be network administrators.
Rameez Khizer, IT Marketing