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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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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.
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Screwdrivers
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Cable testers
  • Continuity testers
  • Test lights
 Electronic and communication measuring and testing instruments
  • Powerline monitors
  • 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
  • Synchronous optical network SONET analyzers
  • T-Birds
  • Throughput testers
 Media storage devices
  • Redundant array of independent disks RAID systems
 Computers
  • Caching engines
  • Network address translation NAT appliances
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Mainframe computers
 Network service equipment
  • Load balancers
  • Remote access servers
 Duplicating machines
  • Copy machines
  • Laser facsimile machines
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.
 Business function specific software
  • BMC Software Remedy IT Service Management Suite
  • Bentley ProjectWise
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
  • Project planning software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Database management software
  • MySQLHOT
  • Teradata DatabaseHOT
  • Data entry softwareHOT
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft SQL ServerHOT
  • Customer information control system CICS
  • Microsoft Internet Information Services IIS
 Development software
  • Application management software
  • Automated installation software
  • EMC Ionix Network Configuration Manager
  • Microsoft Windows Sysprep
  • Patch and update management software
  • VMWareHOT
  • Microsoft AzureHOT
  • Microsoft PowerShellHOT
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScriptHOT
  • RubyHOT
  • BMC Software Control-M
  • IBM WebsphereHOT
  • Oracle JavaHOT
  • Practical extraction and reporting language PerlHOT
  • PythonHOT
  • Load testing software
  • Apache TomcatHOT
  • LAMP Stack
 Industry specific software
  • Network design softwareHOT
 Network applications software
  • Remote control software
  • Symantec pcAnywhere
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Novell eDirectory
 Network management software
  • Arping
  • B&W Port Scanner
  • BitWizard B.V. mtr
  • Cisco Systems Cisco NetFlow Collection Engine
  • Cisco Systems Cisco Traffic Analyzer
  • 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
  • LogMatrix NerveCenter
  • Microsoft Network Monitor
  • NagiosHOT
  • NetScout Sniffer Global Analyzer
  • NetScout Sniffer Portable Professional Analyzer
  • Network Instruments Observer Standard
  • Network monitoring software
  • Nslookup
  • OPNET SP Sentinel
  • Oracle Solaris Snoop
  • Packet analyzers
  • Port scanners
  • Route
  • Tcpdump
  • Traceroute
  • WildPackets OmniPeek Network Analyzer
  • WiresharkHOT
  • Zabbix
  • nbtstat
  • netstat
  • ngrep
  • Traffic shapers
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks
  • Cisco Systems CiscoWorks LAN Management Solution
  • Hewlett-Packard HP Network Node Manager
  • SolarWinds
  • ifconfig
  • ipconfig
  • Voice over internet protocol VoiP system softwareHOT
 Networking software
  • CitrixHOT
  • IBM Domino
  • EMC Symmetrix DMX
  • Storage area network SAN software
  • Connectivity software
 Operating environment software
  • File server software
  • IBM Tivoli NetView Distribution Manager
  • Apple macOSHOT
  • BashHOT
  • BlackBerry Enterprise Server
  • Hewlett Packard HP-UX
  • IBM AIX
  • 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
  • UNIXHOT
  • UNIX ShellHOT
  • Ubuntu
 Security and protection software
  • IBM Security Network Intrusion Prevention System
  • Intrusion prevention system IPS
  • NIKSUN NetDetector
  • Network and system vulnerability assessment software
  • Security incident management software
  • Sonicwall SonicOS Enhanced
  • Firewall software
  • Network intrusion detection software
  • Virtual private networking VPN softwareHOT
  • Anti-spyware software
  • Antivirus software
  • Encryption software
  • McAfee
  • Packet filter software
  • Ping Identity
  • Root kit detection software
  • SymantecHOT
  • Symantec Norton Antivirus
 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
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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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
Peirce College
 Programs
Jobs
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