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Career Details

15-1231.00 - Computer Network Support Specialists


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.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
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Forecasted Employment
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Change in Employment
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Change in Employment %
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Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Analyze network data to determine network usage, disk space availability, or server function.
  • 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.
  • Configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals.
  • Configure wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN) routers or related equipment.
  • Document network support activities.
  • 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.
  • Identify the causes of networking problems, using diagnostic testing software and equipment.
  • Install and configure wireless networking equipment.
  • Install network software, including security or firewall software.
  • Install new hardware or software systems or components, ensuring integration with existing network systems.
  • Install or repair network cables, including fiber optic cables.
  • Perform routine maintenance or standard repairs to networking components or equipment.
  • Test computer software or hardware, using standard diagnostic testing equipment and procedures.
  • Troubleshoot network or connectivity problems for users or user groups.
  • Analyze and report computer network security breaches or attempted breaches.
  • Back up network data.
  • Create or revise user instructions, procedures, or manuals.
  • Create or update technical documentation for network installations or changes to existing installations.
  • Document help desk requests and resolutions.
  • Maintain logs of network activity.
  • Monitor industry websites or publications for information about patches, releases, viruses, or potential problem identification.
  • Provide telephone support related to networking or connectivity issues.
  • Research hardware or software products to meet technical networking or security needs.
  • Run monthly network reports.
  • Test repaired items to ensure proper operation.
  • Train users in procedures related to network applications software or related systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 99%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Telecommunications
  • 76%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 69%
    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.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 68%
    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.
 English Language
  • 66%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Administration and Management
  • 62%
    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.
 Communications and Media
  • 60%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Education and Training
  • 59%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Clerical
  • 58%
    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.
 Design
  • 53%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Production and Processing
  • 52%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 50%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Electronic and communication measuring and testing instruments
  • Asynchronous transfer mode ATM analyzers
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Application Visibility and Management AVM Traffic Collector
  • Communications analyzers
  • Fabric analyzers
  • Fibre channel protocol analyzers
  • Port analyzer adapters
  • Powerline monitors
  • Synchronous optical network SONET analyzers
  • T-Birds
  • Throughput testers
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Cable testers
  • Continuity testers
  • Test lights
 Computers
  • Caching engines
  • Laptop computers
  • Mainframe computers
  • Network address translation NAT appliances
  • Personal computers
 Duplicating machines
  • Copy machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
 Network service equipment
  • Load balancers
  • Remote access servers
 Media storage devices
  • Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
 Security and protection software
  • Anti-spyware software
  • Antivirus software
  • Encryption software
  • Firewall software
  • IBM Security Network Intrusion Prevention System
  • Intrusion prevention system IPS
  • McAfee
  • Network and system vulnerability assessment software
  • Network intrusion detection software
  • NIKSUN NetDetector
  • Packet filter software
  • Ping Identity
  • Root kit detection software
  • Security incident management software
  • Sonicwall SonicOS Enhanced
  • SymantecHOT
  • Symantec Norton Antivirus
  • Virtual private networking VPN softwareHOT
 Development software
  • Apache TomcatHOT
  • Application management software
  • Automated installation software
  • BMC Software Control-M
  • EMC Ionix Network Configuration Manager
  • IBM WebsphereHOT
  • LAMP Stack
  • Load testing software
  • Microsoft AzureHOT
  • Microsoft PowerShellHOT
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptHOT
  • Microsoft Windows Sysprep
  • Oracle JavaHOT
  • Patch and update management software
  • Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
  • PythonHOT
  • RubyHOT
  • VMWareHOT
 Operating environment software
  • Apple macOSHOT
  • BashHOT
  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server
  • File server software
  • Hewlett Packard HP-UX
  • IBM AIX
  • IBM Tivoli NetView Distribution Manager
  • Job control language JCL
  • KornShell
  • LinuxHOT
  • Microsoft Hyper-V Server
  • Microsoft WindowsHOT
  • Microsoft Windows PowerShell
  • Microsoft Windows ServerHOT
  • Oracle SolarisHOT
  • Red Hat Enterprise LinuxHOT
  • Shell scriptHOT
  • Ubuntu
  • UNIXHOT
  • UNIX ShellHOT
 Network management software
  • Arping
  • B&W Port Scanner
  • BitWizard B.V. mtr
  • Cisco Systems Cisco NetFlow Collection Engine
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Traffic Analyzer
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution
  • Clarified Networks Clarified Analyzer
  • Colasoft Capsa Enterprise
  • Colasoft Capsa Free
  • Compuware ClientVantage Agentless Monitoring
  • Congruity Technologies Inspector
  • Dartware InterMapper
  • Dig
  • Ethereal
  • Ettercap NG
  • Fluke Networks Enterprise LANMeter
  • Hewlett-Packard HP Network Node Manager
  • ifconfig
  • ipconfig
  • LogMatrix NerveCenter
  • Microsoft Network Monitor
  • NagiosHOT
  • nbtstat
  • NetScout Sniffer Global Analyzer
  • NetScout Sniffer Portable Professional Analyzer
  • netstat
  • Network Instruments Observer Standard
  • Network monitoring software
  • ngrep
  • Nslookup
  • OPNET SP Sentinel
  • Oracle Solaris Snoop
  • Packet analyzers
  • Port scanners
  • Route
  • SolarWinds
  • Tcpdump
  • Traceroute
  • Traffic shapers
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system softwareHOT
  • WildPackets OmniPeek Network Analyzer
  • WiresharkHOT
  • Zabbix
 Business function specific software
  • Bentley ProjectWise
  • BMC Software Remedy IT Service Management Suite
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • Project planning software
 Networking software
  • CitrixHOT
  • Connectivity software
  • EMC Symmetrix DMX
  • IBM Domino
  • Storage area network SAN software
 Data management and query software
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Database management software
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services IIS
  • Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
  • MySQLHOT
  • Teradata DatabaseHOT
 Utility and device driver software
  • EMC NetWorker
  • NovaStor NovaBACKUP
  • Roxio Retrospect
  • Symantec Veritas NetBackup
  • Tape backup system software
  • Veritas NetBackup
 Information exchange software
  • IBM NotesHOT
  • Microsoft ExchangeHOT
 System management software
  • IBM Power Systems software
  • Splunk EnterpriseHOT
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Novell eDirectory
  • Remote control software
  • Symantec pcAnywhere
 Industry specific software
  • Network design softwareHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Brightpoint Community College
Central Virginia Community College
Germanna Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Laurel Ridge Community College
Mountain Gateway Community College
New River Community College
Northern Virginia Community College
Paul D. Camp Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Southside Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College
Virginia Peninsula Community College
Virginia Western Community College
Wytheville Community College