What Exactly is a Network Administrator?

What does a network administrator do? A look behind the scenes

He has always had a solid understanding of how computers work and is his family's favorite place to deal with technological problems, including imaginary ones ("Have you ever tried to connect the printer before, mom?"). But now that it's time to start thinking about your professional future, it seems natural to consider a career in computer science. Under the aegis of IT roles, a particular role stands out: network administrator.

But what does a network administrator do? Despite his general technical knowledge, there are many things in this role that he may not be familiar with. In this article, we will provide you with a summary of this important behind-the-scenes technology position that allows companies and organizations to run smoothly.

what does a network engineer do on a daily basis? A network administrator is responsible for keeping an organization's computer network up to date and operating as expected. Any company or organization that uses multiple computers or software platforms needs a network administrator to coordinate and connect the different systems. It sounds pretty simple, but there is another common IT job title that can stumble: the system administrator.

So, is a network administrator the same as a system administrator?

In short, not really. But the lines can blur based on the working environment. Careers in IT can sometimes take a page from the rules of who the line is, anyway? Although this is clearly an exaggeration, in many smaller organizations, the terms "network administrator" and "system administrator" are often interchangeable as they cover the same activities. That being said, the differences between network and system administrators become much clearer in large organizations. The best way to distinguish between the two is to examine the type of work they do, so let's dive in.