Technology jobs appear to be relatively soft. Although American companies are expanding and developing technology, many information technology occupations are expected to see significant job growth over the next decade. In network and system administrators, the average growth rate of all occupations according to Labor and Statistics is faster. After I explored all the paths I could take in the IT field and researched the relationship through the Department of Labor, I decided to become a network administrator as my professional goal upon graduation. The network manager will be asked to have a broad knowledge of computer hardware and software and how to network in a network mode. I will also be responsible for the security of information found within those networks. Due to the current growth and development of technology in my chosen field, I must stay current and use the most readily available and useful tools. A network administrator is not just an IT guy, but a jack of all network trades.
In the field of networking there are three types of hardware that an administrator should become familiar with: routers, LAN (area network) switches, and proxy/a> . They come on trips of all sizes; from small routers used in the home to a large core router from ISPs (Internet Service Providers). Routers are used to connect multiple networks. A perfect analogy would be UPS (United Parcel Service). Where UPS moves parcels, they move parcel information. Route information will receive and, using algorithms, determine the most efficient route to send information across two or more networks. When used in a LAN, routers can also offer some security when connection”>connected to the Internet working much differently. firewall works. Routes are a vital part of any network and maintaining them is an important aspect of the network administrator’s job.
Where routers connect multiple networks, LAN switches connect multiple computers. LAN comparable commercial light switches. They direct the traffic of information within the LAN and do so as efficiently as possible. Before the switch, LANs used what were known as pings. They would receive data for specific computer-networking”>computers within the network and repeat the signal to each computer in the network. The signal from all it is meant to be ignored by other computers. It is easy to see how inefficient this is. A switch can receive data from a single computer, store the address information for future use, and only send it to that computer in doing so the network makes more progress.
If the routers are the service providers of the United States and the exchanges are traffic lights, then the service agents are the network connections. When a client or user requests a web page, the proxy server interprets the request and sends the request back to the Internet. When the server receives a response, it prepares the response, in this case a web page, and returns it to the client or user. This action provides some security because it is an intermediary server, preventing the Internet from coming into direct contact with the network. The server manager can also be configured to block access to certain sites, which can add to the integrity of the network. Server managers can reduce response time by storing or caching pages, increasing network speed. Where it was used at the same time; routers, LAN switches, and proxy servers provide the network infrastructure that is vital to a company’s success, a success that is predicated on the network administrator’s ability to maintain and manage that infrastructure.
Familiarity with network hardware is certainly essential, but understanding the software that runs on the network hardware is imperative. A network administrator will direct most of his focus on system software when working with a router or switch. Accessing the OS (Operating System) software of the router or switch (known as IOS or IOS XR on Cisco routers and switches and IUNOS on June routers and switches); A network administrator can configure hardware to modify interface settings, protocol settings, override line settings, and filter security settings. Using the OS of a router or switch can increase network security by controlling access to the network, filtering inbound traffic, and configuring firewall settings functions.
System software is not the only software that a network administrator should be proficient in using. Several types of application software are available to network administrators to facilitate their support. Monitoring software and ULMUS (Event Log Management) are two examples of software. A large network software is used to monitor the network condition. If something out of the ordinary occurs, such as a connection failure, monitoring software can alert the network administrator to the problem. Once the problem is diagnosed by the network administrator software, he can take the appropriate steps to fix the problem. This type of software allows the administrator to effectively monitor the network.
Another type of application software used by administrators is ELM. Event Log Management software is used for changes or audits occurring in the infrastructure within the network. For security purposes, this software can log failed login attempts and create a backup email address. When used in certain industries, for example health care, ELMUS can create compliance programs to ensure that the company can prove to be compliant in different federal constitutions. This software depends on the network administrator because it is capable of collecting, analyzing, reporting, and saving things done by routes, switches, servers, and services. The reports generated by this program are used by network administrators to troubleshoot and improve system performance.
Understanding the ins and out of hardware and software is not enough. The network administrator must use all the tools for his use. One of the first tools he can use is the Internet. Staying present can keep the administrator a step ahead. There are several web sites available on the Internet that cater to the network administrator and all that his job entails. The current delay is not only about him until the minute news that the administrator reports, but also uneven use to stop the current. The Internet provides access to software and hardware companies that provide access to their products that can be downloaded. These patches are used to address security issues, update drivers, and provide additional tools that a network administrator uses to maintain the safety and performance of key network components.
A major concern of network administrators is network security. A study by IDC, an IT market intelligence provider, predicts that by 2011 more than 70 percent of the global workforce will connect to their networks using mobile devices. The advent of the mobile workforce means that more and more workers will be using their mobile devices outside of the relative safety of their networks. It will be the network administrator’s job to ensure that the mobile workforce is trained to use the appropriate security measures when connecting to unsecured networks. The use of data encryption, firewalls, firewalls, anti-virus, and anti-malware will help to protect the security of not only the mobile devices used, but also in the network itself when the devices are brought back to the IT infrastructure of the business. . Basically, knowledge is power, and an informed end user is a step in the right direction to foster network security.
Although mobile computing networks can create problems in the environment, there are still some positive aspects to be noted. . The aforementioned network monitoring software includes the ability to send alerts via email or to a designated phone number. The ability to receive text messages or emails on a cell phone allows a network administrator to keep tabs on his network even when away from the office . Also, the creation of remote access software enables the administrator to access the computer within the network while they are away from the network, for example, if they are abroad or at home. These are just two examples of how mobile computing can have a positive effect on a network administrator’s job.
In closing, the job of a network administrator comes with great responsibility. In all networks there must be a knower; including hardware, software and security infrastructure support. A network administrator’s education does not stop once they acquire the job title. He must constantly learn and adapt to the ever-changing field of his IT field. This is becoming easier with the growth in information and technology through the Internet, World Wide Web, and mobile computing.
Sources
Labor and Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos268.htm
New Study Reveals Exploding ‘Culture of Connectivity’ Is Driving Efforts to Change the Way Business Goes or Passes, http://www2.nortel.com/go/news_detail.jsp?cat_id=-8055&oid;=100240534, Nortel : News Releases
