Network administrator

The terms network administrator, network specialist and network analyst designate job positions of engineers involved in computer networks, the people who carry out network administration.

Network administrators are basically the network equivalent of system administrators: they maintain the hardware and software that comprises the network.

This normally includes the deployment, maintenance and monitoring of active network gear: switches, routers, firewalls, etc. Network administration commonly includes activities such as network address assignment, assignment of routing protocols and routing table configuration as well as configuration of authentication and authorization – directory services.

It often includes maintenance of network facilities in individual machines, such as drivers and settings of personal computers as well as printers and such. It sometimes also includes maintenance of certain network servers: file servers, VPN gateways, intrusion detection systems, etc.

Network specialists and analysts concentrate on the network design and security, particularly troubleshooting and/or debugging network-related problems. Their work can also include the maintenance of the network's authorization infrastructure, as well as network backup systems.

They also perform network management functions including:

• provide support services
• ensure that the network is used efficiently, and
• ensure prescribed service-quality objectives are met.

See also

• network architecture
• network engineering
• network management system