Network Administrator

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of a network administrator is often described as picking up where the network engineer’s responsibilities end. Whereas the engineer focuses on lifecycle network implementation, the daily operations and maintenance (O&M) of the network often falls to the network admin. Still, the administrator’s role is often a proactive one, helping prevent security comprises before they happen, instead of reacting afterwards.

The breadth and depth of a network administrator’s responsibilities can depend on the size of the organization. In larger organizations, one or several network administrators could share the following roles and responsibilities:

• Monitoring and maintaining computer infrastructure, particularly emphasizing:
  • On-site servers
  • Interactions between the software and the network
  • Network integrity and resilience
• Testing networks for weaknesses or potential sites of compromise
• Staying abreast of necessary updates
• Implementing security programs with hardware and software

In smaller organizations, a network admin may also be responsible for:

• Procuring new hardware
• Rolling out new software
• Managing email and internet filters
• Maintaining disk images for new installs
• Ensuring licenses are current
• Addressing poor data management practices

Peers and Reporting

Network administrators frequently report to network engineers, as their roles are closely related. In time, a network admin could be groomed to move into a network engineer role.

Network administrators also interface with many members of IT and the company at large, as problems warrant.

Job Requirements

While a BS in a computer-related field is helpful, it may not be necessary for a network admin role. Many organizations prefer specific training and certifications alongside relevant hands-on experience. Common training and certifications for network administrators can include Juniper, Cisco, Brocade Certified Network Engineer, Microsoft, and Red Hat.