Career Details
15-1244.00 - Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
Key Facts

Tasks

Core
- Perform data backups and disaster recovery operations.
- Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
- Operate master consoles to monitor the performance of computer systems and networks, and to coordinate computer network access and use.
- Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures, and maintain control records.
- Design, configure, and test computer hardware, networking software and operating system software.
- Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
- Confer with network users about how to solve existing system problems.
- Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments need to be made, and to determine where changes will need to be made in the future.
- Train people in computer system use.
- Load computer tapes and disks, and install software and printer paper or forms.
- Gather data pertaining to customer needs, and use the information to identify, predict, interpret, and evaluate system and network requirements.
- Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
- Maintain logs related to network functions, as well as maintenance and repair records.
- Coordinate with vendors and with company personnel to facilitate purchases.
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
- Configure, monitor, and maintain email applications or virus protection software.
Supplemental
- Maintain an inventory of parts for emergency repairs.
- Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.
- Implement and provide technical support for voice services and equipment, such as private branch exchange, voice mail system, and telecom system.
Knowledge

- 98%Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- 77%Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- 73%Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- 72%Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- 64%Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
- 64%Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- 63%Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- 59%Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- 56%Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- 56%Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- 56%Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Tools

- Asynchronous transfer mode ATM analyzers
- Communications analyzers
- Network analyzers
- Power meters
- Powerline monitors
- Protocol analyzers
- Synchronous optical network SONET analyzers
- T-Birds
- Bit error rate testers BERT
- Cable verifiers
- Computer tool kits
- Desktop computers
- Mainframe computers
- Notebook computers
- Load balancers
- Network switches
- Optical spectrum analyzers
- Optical time domain reflectometers OTDR
- Punchdown tools
- Wire crimpers
- Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
- Tape libraries
- Screwdrivers
Technology

- Access management software
- Amazon Simple Storage Service S3HOT
- Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormationHOT
- CitrixHOT
- IBM Domino
- Mac HelpMate
- Microsoft Windows Terminal Services Access Manager
- Remote desktop control software
- Storage area network SAN software
- Tivoli
- Virtual network computing VNC software
- Active directory software
- Berkeley Internet Domain Name BIND
- Citrix XenApp
- DockerHOT
- Domain name system DNS
- GitHubHOT
- Network addressable storage NAS software
- Oracle WebLogic ServerHOT
- ParentSquare
- Red Hat OpenShiftHOT
- Red Hat WildFlyHOT
- Secure shell SSH software
- Skype
- Adexa eGPS SuiteHOT
- Delphi Technology
- Enterprise resource planning ERP softwareHOT
- Microsoft DynamicsHOT
- Microsoft Dynamics GPHOT
- NetSuite ERPHOT
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Oracle Fusion ApplicationsHOT
- Oracle HyperionHOT
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
- Oracle PeopleSoftHOT
- Oracle PeopleSoft FinancialsHOT
- SAPHOT
- SAP Business ObjectsHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
- Apache Subversion SVNHOT
- Atlassian JIRAHOT
- GitHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe ActionScript
- Advanced business application programming ABAPHOT
- AJAXHOT
- Apache AntHOT
- Apache GroovyHOT
- Apache KafkaHOT
- Apache Maven
- Apache StrutsHOT
- Apache TomcatHOT
- Application management software
- Atlassian BambooHOT
- Automated installation software
- C
- C#HOT
- C++HOT
- Chef
- Command interpreters
- Common business oriented language COBOLHOT
- Computer system diagnostics software
- Configuration management software
- DjangoHOT
- DrupalHOT
- Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML
- Eclipse IDEHOT
- Enterprise application integration EAI software
- Enterprise JavaBeans
- Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
- Extensible markup language XMLHOT
- GoHOT
- Hewlett Packard LoadRunner
- Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
- IBM InfoSphere DataStage
- IBM WebSphereHOT
- Integrated development environment IDE softwareHOT
- JavaScriptHOT
- JavaScript Object Notation JSONHOT
- jQueryHOT
- Jupyter Notebook
- LAMP Stack
- Microsoft .NET FrameworkHOT
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASPHOT
- Microsoft ActiveX
- Microsoft ASP.NETHOT
- Microsoft ASP.NET Core MVCHOT
- Microsoft AzureHOT
- Microsoft PowerShellHOT
- Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services SSISHOT
- Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAHOT
- Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptHOT
- Microsoft Visual StudioHOT
- Microsoft Windows Sysprep
- Node.jsHOT
- Oracle Fusion MiddlewareHOT
- Oracle JavaHOT
- Oracle JavaServer Pages JSPHOT
- Patch and update management software
- Perforce Helix software
- PHP: Hypertext PreprocessorHOT
- Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
- PuppetHOT
- PythonHOT
- Requirements management software
- RubyHOT
- Ruby on RailsHOT
- SwiftHOT
- Systems and applications migration software
- Systems integration software
- TKSoftware
- VMWareHOT
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Fireworks
- Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
- Diagramming software
- Google Sites
- Microsoft ExcelHOT
- Microsoft PowerPointHOT
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft VisioHOT
- Amazon DynamoDBHOT
- Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2HOT
- Amazon RedshiftHOT
- Amazon Web Services AWS softwareHOT
- Apache CassandraHOT
- Apache HadoopHOT
- Apache HiveHOT
- Apache HTTP ServerHOT
- Apache PigHOT
- Apache SolrHOT
- Apache SparkHOT
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Blackboard software
- CA Erwin Data Modeler
- Customer information control system CICS
- Data entry softwareHOT
- ElasticsearchHOT
- FileMaker Pro
- Hibernate ORM
- IBM Cognos ImpromptuHOT
- Microsoft AccessHOT
- Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting ServicesHOT
- MicroStrategyHOT
- MongoDBHOT
- MySQLHOT
- NoSQLHOT
- Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise EditionHOT
- Oracle JDBCHOT
- Oracle PL/SQLHOT
- Oracle softwareHOT
- PostgreSQLHOT
- Qlik Tech QlikViewHOT
- Relational database management softwareHOT
- SAP Crystal ReportsHOT
- Structured query language SQLHOT
- TableauHOT
- Teradata DatabaseHOT
- Transact-SQLHOT
- Ansible softwareHOT
- ConfluenceHOT
- Help desk software
- Human resource management software HRMS
- Marketo Marketing AutomationHOT
- Microsoft OfficeHOT
- Microsoft ProjectHOT
- Microsoft SharePointHOT
- Microsoft Teams
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
- Oracle TaleoHOT
- Apple macOSHOT
- BashHOT
- Hewlett Packard HP-UX
- Job control language JCL
- KornShell
- LinuxHOT
- Microsoft WindowsHOT
- Microsoft Windows ServerHOT
- Oracle SolarisHOT
- Red Hat Enterprise LinuxHOT
- Shell scriptHOT
- Ubuntu
- UNIXHOT
- UNIX ShellHOT
- Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
- Dartware InterMapper
- Dynamic host configuration protocol DHCP
- Element management software
- Ethereal
- Hewlett-Packard HP Network Node Manager
- IBM Director
- IBM NetView
- Lavalys Everest
- LogMatrix NerveCenter
- Management information base MIB software
- Micromuse NetCool
- Multi-router traffic grapher MRTG software
- NagiosHOT
- Network address management software
- Network and application load and performance testing software
- Network and component performance analysis software
- Network availability monitoring software
- Network documentation software
- Network intrusion prevention systems NIPS
- Network management software
- Network modeling, mapping, and analysis software
- Network shutdown software
- Network traffic flow monitoring and analysis software
- Network traffic probe software
- Network, server and operating system optimization software
- Novell NetWare Management Station
- Online traffic calculator software
- Open source routing protocols OSPF
- Operating system process control software
- Optical network management software
- Oracle Net Manager
- Packet tracing software
- Quest BigBrother
- Quest Foglight
- Remote monitoring software
- Simple network management protocol SNMP software
- Snort
- SolarWinds
- Tcpdump
- Voice over internet protocol VoiP system softwareHOT
- WiresharkHOT
- Zabbix
- Cisco Systems Webex
- ESRI ArcGIS softwareHOT
- Geographic information system GIS softwareHOT
- IBM NotesHOT
- Microsoft ExchangeHOT
- Microsoft OutlookHOT
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD softwareHOT
- Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
- Epic SystemsHOT
- Root cause analysis software
- SASHOT
- StataCorp Stata
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareHOT
- Computer based training software
- Moodle
- Encryption software
- Firewall software
- Honeypot
- Intrusion prevention system IPS
- McAfee
- Network and system vulnerability assessment software
- Network intrusion detection software
- OpenService Open NerveCenter
- Packet filter software
- Password management software
- Ping Identity
- Root kit detection software
- Security incident management software
- SymantecHOT
- Virtual local area network management software
- Virtual private networking VPN softwareHOT
- IBM Power Systems software
- Splunk EnterpriseHOT
- Symantec Ghost Solution Suite
- System and data disaster recovery software
- Veritas NetBackup
Certifications

Licensing

Related Programs

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
The Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Information Technology degree program provides a broad view of various relevlant topics within the field of IT.
The major puts students in the middle of the exploding information revolution where they study technological advances such as object-oriented software, communication networks, multimedia systems, information security and artificial intelligence. Students will learn about computing technologies used by today’s professionals and how to use these technologies to solve real-world problems. Students will learn to analyze problems, design solutions, implement solutions using multiple computing technologies, test and install those solutions, and communicate those solutions to others in written and verbal presentations.
This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of Cybersecurity (information assurance), for those who are presently in IT or a security field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in information security. The curriculum is mapped to the NSA/DHS Knowledge Units necessary for NOVA's designation as a Center of Academic Excellence.
This program is designed as an enhanced competency module to provide expertise in security to networking specialists. This curriculum will prepare networking specialists for employment as network security specialists or Internet security specialists. This program also helps prepare students for the Security+ and the CISSP certification exams.
This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of information technology, for those who are presently in that field and who wish to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in information technology.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This program prepares the student to design and implement traditional/legacy stand-alone and client-server applications using procedural and object-oriented development techniques. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for one of the following industry certifications: MCP-Programming or the Sun Certified Programming for Java 2.
Purpose: This program is designed to provide students with skills that support the newest capabilities and advances in digital data analytics. These new features in digital data analytics technology enable the data analyst to collect, analyze and make data accessible for making business decisions. This program focuses on training data analytics specialists who can provide these advantages to their employers and stay on the leading edge of technology. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for data analytics exams such as CompTIA Data+, Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate and Google Data Analytics Certificate. Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning:Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This program prepares students for entry-level employment in data centers and related industries that require technicians/technologists trained in engineering technology, information technology, fiber optics, electronics, and data processing. Coursework will prepare students to earn the A+ Hardware, A+ Software, Network Troubleshooting, ETA FOI (Fiber Optic), and OSHA 10 industry credentials. Recommended prerequisites: There are no required prerequisites for this certificate. It is recommended that the student possess proficiency in high school English, high school algebra, and geometry and possess the ability to utilize hand tools and instrumentation.
Purpose:This program is designed for individuals seeking employment in either a mobile application software development firm or large organization with a mobile application development team as well as for those persons already employed who wish to update their skills in mobile application development and testing. This curriculum will prepare students for employment as junior mobile application developers as well as quality assurance test engineers for native mobile applications. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for the Google Associate Android Developer certification.
This program provides the student with a broad background in networking technologies, administration, and support. The material presented in the certificate provides the basic knowledge covered in the Windows Server, Security+, Linux+ and Network+ Certification. It is recommended that students complete the A+ Certification before the Network+ Certification.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This program is designed to provide the student with the training necessary to obtain several different CISCO certifications as outlined below. These certifications prepare the student to install and/or configure networks, including wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs). They prepare students to optimize WANs through internet access solutions that reduce bandwidth and lower WAN costs, and provide remote access by integrating remote dial-up access with remote LAN to LAN access, as well as supporting higher levels of performance required for new applications such as internet commerce and multimedia. This career studies certificate also prepares the student to sit for the CISCO Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) certification exam.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
This curriculum is designed for persons who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree program in information technology.
The computer science curriculum integrates theory and practice by including foundational topics that underpin the discipline and by emphasizing the value of abstraction and good engineering design in project development. Elective courses provide an opportunity for deeper study in areas of interest. An important part of the curriculum is the inclusion of professional practice activities such as research experience, teamwork, oral communication and technical writing, and project development. While being sensitive to changes in technology, the curriculum also seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges.
A student expecting to major or minor in computer science should enroll in CSCI 111-CSCI 112 in the first year. If credit is given for one or both of these courses, then a student should enroll in CSCI 211 or CSCI 210. A student interested in future graduate studies should complete the two calculus sequences, MATH 131-MATH 132. A student interested in computer hardware is encouraged to select PHYS 210 to meet one of the collegiate science requirements.
Cybersecurity is a computing-based discipline that involves the creation, operation, analysis, and testing of secure systems, networks, and applications to protect against a variety of digital threats. The cybersecurity curriculum is based on national standards and builds on a computer science foundation. The curriculum emphasizes four main areas of cybersecurity: information security, software security, network security, and system security. Mindful of the rapid changes in technology, the curriculum seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges. A student expecting to major in cybersecurity should complete CSCI 111 and CSCI 112 in the first year.
Capstone experiences offered by the Department of Computer Science include CSCI 401, CSCI 403, and CSCI 485, all of which are available to majors in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is a computing-based discipline that involves the creation, operation, analysis, and testing of secure systems, networks, and applications to protect against a variety of digital threats. The cybersecurity curriculum is based on national standards and builds on a computer science foundation. The curriculum emphasizes four main areas of cybersecurity: information security, software security, network security, and system security. Mindful of the rapid changes in technology, the curriculum seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges. A student expecting to major in cybersecurity should complete CSCI 111 and CSCI 112 in the first year.
Capstone experiences offered by the Department of Computer Science include CSCI 401, CSCI 403, and CSCI 485, all of which are available to majors in cybersecurity.
The computer science curriculum integrates theory and practice by including foundational topics that underpin the discipline and by emphasizing the value of abstraction and good engineering design in project development. Elective courses provide an opportunity for deeper study in areas of interest. An important part of the curriculum is the inclusion of professional practice activities such as research experience, teamwork, oral communication and technical writing, and project development. While being sensitive to changes in technology, the curriculum also seeks to prepare students for lifelong learning to enable them to meet future challenges.
A student expecting to major or minor in computer science should enroll in CSCI 111-CSCI 112 in the first year. If credit is given for one or both of these courses, then a student should enroll in CSCI 211 or CSCI 210. A student interested in future graduate studies should complete the two calculus sequences, MATH 131-MATH 132. A student interested in computer hardware is encouraged to select PHYS 210 to meet one of the collegiate science requirements.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.