Networking diehards may look at this section and ask why certain paths or fields are not included. Some paths into the networking industry are easier than others, and some areas are easier to learn than others. The technology areas presented are those that can be learned (in theory at least) by individuals with access to a reasonable amount of computer hardware, the Internet, and a local bookstore. Surely, there are some who want to become network security specialists or networking gurus. The problem is that unless you have the means to obtain literally tens of thousands of dollars worth of equipment to study with, you will find the going very hard. Besides, it might be beneficial to consider that old phrase about learning to walk before you run.
Pick a Card, Any Card
To make things a little more complicated (as if they weren't already), you should be aware of the fact that a great number of companies use more than one network operating system within their organization. By doing this, they often capitalize on the strengths of each operating system and expect their network administrators to have an understanding of each. The depth of understanding required will vary depending on the environment and the organization.You should not feel obliged to learn more than one area to start with, although it may well help in your job search. After you have learned and mastered one area of networking, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to learn another.
Competition is fierce between the manufacturers, particularly Microsoft and Novell. Both companies release products that can help the migration from one platform to another. Manufacturers of Unix and Linux operating systems tend to distance themselves from such arguments, safe in the knowledge that their products and the roles that they fulfill are not only key to many organizations, but also that their products and the ideals on which they are founded have a strong and very dedicated following.
From your personal perspective, remain objective. Keep in mind that computers do a job.They perform a task.The best network operating system for a certain task is the one that does it best- plain and simple. The best network administrators are those that remember this and do not get involved in debates over the general merits of one operating system over another. If you can remain objective on this issue, you will be able to make decisions based upon business needs rather than personal preference-a skill that eludes many of even the most seasoned network administrators.
Qualifications and Requirements
Some argue that networking cannot be learned from a book or in a classroom and must be learned through real-world, on-the-job experience. The problem is, as with almost every other field, getting the experience before you can get a job invokes the old chicken and egg situation.This section deals with the qualifications and requirements that will hopefully open some doors and get you that invaluable experience.
From an academic perspective, any college or university degree in a computer related field is likely to be a valuable tool. For many graduates, the path to a given company will be via a graduate intake program, where the company recruits graduates, and then grooms them for certain positions. Without a graduate intake program, many graduates will find it necessary to display some specific knowledge in their chosen area of technology.
So how do employers choose the people for the positions they have? Increasingly, it is by the use of vendor certification programs, of which there are many. Currently, the most popular certification program is the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) program, closely followed by Novell's Certified Novell Engineer (CNE) offering. Aside from these, there are also other programs that are gaining increasing popularity including those from Cisco and CompTIA.The relative popularity of these programs against each other is no mystery-they closely reflect demand (and reward) in the marketplace.
From a personal perspective, those in the networking field must possess a wide range of skills, not limited to: an ability to deal with stress, excellent communication skills, and a the ability to remember (and at the appropriate moment retrieve) a wide range of facts on an even wider range of products.
