Occupation

Computer Network Support Specialists

Human Advantage 71%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.3 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

Also Known As: Cloud Engineer, Cloud Support Specialist, Computer Network Analyst, Computer Network Specialist, Computer Network Support Specialist, Computer Networker, Computer Operations Technician, Computer Systems Specialist +57 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Back up network data.
  2. Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
  3. Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
  4. Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
  5. Document network support activities.
  6. Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
  7. Install network software, including security or firewall software.
  8. Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
  9. Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
  10. Evaluate local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) performance data to ensure sufficient availability or speed, to identify network problems, or for disaster recovery purposes.
  11. Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
  12. Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.
  13. Configure and define parameters for installation or testing of local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), hubs, routers, switches, controllers, multiplexers, or related networking equipment.
  14. Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
  15. Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.
  16. Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables.
  17. Monitor industry Web sites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
  18. Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
  19. Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.
  20. Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.
  21. Install and configure wireless networking equipment.
  22. Maintain logs of network activity.
  23. Document help desk requests and resolutions.
  24. Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.
  25. Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
  26. Run monthly network reports.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
47%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
22%
Some College Courses
14%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
10%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
4%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
2%
Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
2%

Relevant College Majors

  • Computer Engineering Technology CIP 11.0801Hardware and software systems design.
  • Computer Science CIP 11.0701Software development, algorithms, and computing theory.

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Apache Tomcat
  • Apple macOS
  • Bash
  • Border Gateway Protocol BGP
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft PowerShell
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Windows Server
  • Microsoft Word
  • MySQL
  • Oracle Java
  • Perl
  • Python
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ruby
  • ServiceNow
  • Shell script
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Teradata Database
  • UNIX
  • UNIX Shell

Software (144)

  • Anti-spyware software
  • Antivirus software
  • Application management software
  • Arping
  • Automated installation software
  • B&W Port Scanner
  • BMC Software Control-M
  • BMC Software Remedy IT Service Management Suite
  • Bentley Systems ProjectWise
  • BitWizard B.V. mtr
  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server
  • Cisco Systems Cisco NetFlow Collection Engine
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Traffic Analyzer
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution
  • Citrix cloud computing software
  • Clarified Networks Clarified Analyzer
  • Colasoft Capsa Enterprise
  • Colasoft Capsa Free
  • Compuware ClientVantage Agentless Monitoring
  • Congruity Technologies Inspector
  • Connectivity software
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Dartware InterMapper
  • Database management software
  • Dig
  • EMC Ionix Network Configuration Manager
  • EMC NetWorker
  • EMC Symmetrix DMX
  • Encryption software
  • Ethereal
  • Ettercap NG
  • File server software
  • Firewall software
  • Fluke Networks Enterprise LANMeter
  • Help desk software
  • Hewlett Packard HP-UX
  • Hewlett-Packard HP Network Node Manager
  • IBM AIX
  • IBM Domino
  • IBM Notes
  • IBM Power Systems software
  • IBM Security Network Intrusion Prevention System
  • IBM Tivoli NetView Distribution Manager
  • IBM WebSphere
  • Intrusion prevention system IPS
  • Job control language JCL
  • KornShell
  • LAMP Stack
  • Load testing software
  • LogMatrix NerveCenter
  • McAfee
  • Microsoft Exchange
  • Microsoft Hyper-V Server
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
  • Microsoft Network Monitor
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
  • Microsoft Windows PowerShell
  • Microsoft Windows Sysprep
  • NIKSUN NetDetector
  • Nagios
  • NetScout Sniffer Global Analyzer
  • NetScout Sniffer Portable Professional Analyzer
  • Network Instruments Observer Standard
  • Network and system vulnerability assessment software
  • Network design software
  • Network intrusion detection software
  • Network monitoring software
  • Norton AntiVirus
  • NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
  • NovaStor NovaBACKUP
  • Novell eDirectory
  • Nslookup
  • OPNET SP Sentinel
  • Operating system software
  • Oracle Solaris
  • Packet analyzers
  • Packet filter software
  • Patch and update management software
  • Ping Identity
  • Port scanners
  • Project planning software
  • Remote control software
  • Root kit detection software
  • Route
  • Roxio Retrospect
  • Security incident management software
  • SolarWinds
  • Sonicwall SonicOS Enhanced
  • Storage area network SAN software
  • Symantec Veritas NetBackup
  • Symantec pcAnywhere
  • Tape backup system software
  • Tcpdump
  • Traceroute
  • Traffic shapers
  • Ubuntu
  • VMware
  • Veritas NetBackup
  • Virtual private networking VPN software
  • Voice over internet protocol VoIP system software
  • WildPackets OmniPeek Network Analyzer
  • Wireshark
  • Zabbix
  • ifconfig
  • ipconfig
  • nbtstat
  • netstat
  • ngrep

Tools & Equipment (24)

  • Asynchronous transfer mode ATM analyzers
  • Cable testers
  • Caching engines
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Application Visibility and Management AVM Traffic Collector
  • Communications analyzers
  • Continuity testers
  • Copy machines
  • Fabric analyzers
  • Fibre channel protocol analyzers
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Load balancers
  • Mainframe computers
  • Network address translation NAT appliances
  • Personal computers
  • Port analyzer adapters
  • Powerline monitors
  • Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
  • Remote access servers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Synchronous optical network SONET analyzers
  • T-Birds
  • Test lights
  • Throughput testers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Network Systems & Cybersecurity Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Computer Network Support Specialists You are here

Web & Cloud Arts, Entertainment, & Design

Zone 4
Computer Network Support Specialists You are here

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