Network Administration: Course Details, Key Concepts and Job Opportunities

Network administration or network management is the process of administering and managing computer networks. This discipline involves a variety of services including fault analysis, performance management, provisioning of networks, and maintaining quality of service. Network administrators utilize network management software to perform these services. 

In 2022, the worldwide market for network management systems was valued at more than $9 billion. It is predicted that this figure will surpass $11 billion by 2024. 

Network Administration Highlights

Particulars	Details
Course Types	Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Online Programmes
Duration	Online Courses - 1 month to 6 months UG- 3-4 years PG-2 years
Eligibility	For Online Courses - 10+2 in any stream; For advanced courses - Degree in Networking Courses For Undergraduate Courses -10+2 in any stream For Postgraduate Courses- Bachelor's degree in Networking
Fees	Up to INR 4 lakh
Top Institutions	Gujarat University KCC Linux Training and Certification  NIELIT Lucknow NIELIT Kolkata Mahendra Institute of Technology Netcom SLR Infotech Pvt. Ltd Way 2 Excel IT Academy Srinivas University Tuljaram Chaturchand College
Average Salary	INR 5.5 lakhs
Top Recruiters	Fidelix, Huawei Technologies, Trane, SUPCON, ST Electronics, Azbil, ASI, Dell, Beckhoff, TCS, Wipro, Accenture, Infosys, IBM, HCLTech, Microland, Wipro Infotech, Capgemini, Tech Mahindra, Coforge, Cognizant, Reliance Industries, etc.
Job Positions	Network Admin, Executive Administrator-Technology SVP, System Administrator, IT Specialist, Network Management Administration Specialist, Testing Analyst I Associate, FCH - IT - Business Administration, Cyber Security Administrator, Cyber Security Administrator

Current Trends in Network Administration 

Last year saw several advancements in the field of network administration from proliferation of cloud-based solutions to the adoption of sophisticated analytics. Let us take a look at the expected trends in the year 2024.

• The network administration market is expected to double in size, reaching approximately $21 billion by 2032. (Source: Statista)

• By the year 2026, at least 60% of the I&O leaders will be using DEM to measure applications and endpoint performance from the user's perspective. (Source: Gartner)
• By 2026, generative AI technology will be used for 20% of initial network configuration, which is almost an increase from 0% in 2023. (Source: Gartner)
• Cloud-based network management systems are expected to grow at 9.7% CAGR, during the forecasted period 2022-2027. (Source: IndustryARC)
• By the year 2027, DEM deployment will increase from 60% to 90% as enterprises will use real user and synthetic monitoring to improve user journey and understand user interactions of SaaS applications. (Source: Gartner)
• The global Network Management System market size was valued at $ 6154.39 million in the year 2021. It is expected to grow at 12.56% CAGR thus, reaching $ 12513.93 million by 2027. (Source: Digital Journal)

Why Learn Network Administration in 2024?

The following reasons highlight the need to learn network administration in 2024:

• As per AmbitionBox, the average salary of network administrator is 5.5 lakhs. With experience, it can be as high as rupees 9.7 lakhs for an experienced network administrator. (shown below).
• The shift towards hybrid networks, which is a mix of on-premises, remote IT environments and cloud architectures, requires network administrators to manage a more complex network landscape.
• Organizations will use predictive analytics and proactive security tools to resolve network issues. This calls for a need to employ skilled and experienced network administration professionals.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) forecasted a 2% increase in network administrator roles from 2022 to 2032. It is also expected that there will be an addition of 8,300 network administrator positions by the year 2032. As per Zippia, the projected growth rate for network administrator jobs is 5% between 2018-2028. With an increased implementation of security controls, these professionals will see a growth in their demand in different industries. Multiple industries including Transportation and Logistics, Healthcare, Banking, IT, public sector, energy and utilities all employ network administrators. Due to this, the need for network administration professionals has increased over the years. 

How to Learn Network Administration Strategically?

Network administrators focus on the daily management, maintenance, and security of computer networks. They monitor network performance, manage user access, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and ensure network security. By following the below-mentioned steps, you can become a skilled network administration professional:

1. You can become familiar with technical concepts such as servers, telecommunications systems, LANs, WANs, programming languages, computer systems, operating systems, and diagnostic software.
2. Learn about routing protocol setup, cybersecurity enforcement, server maintenance, configuration management, cloud computing, and more.
3. Obtain a degree or certification in network administration, information systems, systems engineering, or any related field. 
4. Obtain certifications such as CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA Linux+ to validate your skills and knowledge. These certifications cover networking fundamentals, network security, and more. Other vendor-specific certifications, like Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), can also be beneficial.
5. Start gaining professional experience through internships or junior network administrator roles. You can advance to roles such as network engineer, network architect, IT manager, or even CISO.

Key Concepts in Network Administration

Key Concept	Description
DNS Lookup	The process of mapping IP addresses to domain names are essential for accessing websites by name.
Ethernet & ARP	Ethernet is the protocol for LANs, using cables and switches to connect devices. Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) maps Ethernet MAC addresses to IP addresses.
IP Addressing and Subnetting	Every device on network needs a unique IP address. Subnetting divides larger IP address blocks into smaller segments for organized allocation.
Default Gateway	The router sends data from a local network to devices on a different network. It's essential for accessing the internet or other external networks.
NAT and Private IP Addressing	NAT (Network Address Translation) enables multiple devices on local network to share same public IP address. Private IP addresses are used within a local network.
Firewalls	Security systems to monitor as well as control incoming and outgoing network traffic on the basis of predetermined security rules.
LAN and WAN	LAN (Local Area Network) is a network within a small geographic area. WAN (Wide Area Network) covers larger areas and connects multiple LANs.
Routers	Devices that route data between different networks, working at network layer of OSI model.
Switches	Devices that connect all the devices on a LAN, working at the data link layer of the OSI model.
OSI Model	It's a framework that describes the functions of a networking system at seven different layers, from physical connections to application-level interactions.

Top Online Network Administration Courses

Several organizations and universities offer online courses in network administration. Here is a list of the popular online courses for network administration:

Course	Course Provider	Duration
Certificate in Network Administration	St Petersburg College	12 months
Network Administrator Certificate	San Francisco State University	810 hours
Certified Enterprise Network Administrator (CENA)	TCS(iON)	586 hours
Certificate Course in Network Administration	CDAC	24 weeks
Computer Hardware and Network Management	TCS(iON)	6 months
AWS: Network Management and Operations	Coursera	9 hours
Becoming a Network Management and Security Specialist	EC Council	41 hours

Minimum Eligibility for Enrolling in Online Network Administration Courses

• Many organizations like TCS that offer network administration courses accept applicants who are 16 years or older.
• For advanced courses in network administration, an applicant must have a degree in engineering, networking or computer applications. 

Explore networking courses

Who Should Go For Online Network Administration Courses?

• Individuals looking to start their careers in IT and networking can gain foundational knowledge and skills through these courses.
• Professionals who are already working in IT who wish to advance their careers or pivot to network administration roles.
• System admins seeking to expand their skill set into network management to enhance their capabilities and job prospects.
• Cybersecurity professionals can benefit from understanding network administration, as securing a network is a critical part of protecting data.
• Technicians can enrol in these courses to gain the necessary knowledge for higher-level positions.

Tools Used in Network Administration

Network administration professionals leverage the following tools to improve their processes and to increase network security:

Tool	Description
Network Simulation Software	Software like Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3 allows students to simulate network environments for practice without needing physical hardware.
Wireshark	A network protocol analyzer that helps in monitoring network traffic, troubleshooting network problems, and analyzing packets.
PuTTY	A terminal emulator, serial console, and network file transfer application, that is useful for managing devices over SSH, Telnet, and other protocols.
Nmap	A network scanner that discovers devices and services on a network, providing insights into the network's structure.
SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor	A network performance monitoring tool to track the health and performance of network devices.
Microsoft Visio	A diagramming tool that helps in creating network diagrams, mapping out network infrastructure visually.
PDQ Deploy & PDQ Inventory	Tools for software deployment and inventory management across networked computers, simplifying the management of software and hardware assets.
Syslog Server	Collects and stores log messages from network devices, aiding in troubleshooting and maintaining network security.
SNMP Monitoring Tools	Tools like PRTG Network Monitor use Simple Network Management Protocol to monitor network devices and alert administrators to issues.
NetFlow Analyzer	Analyzes NetFlow data to provide insights into network traffic patterns and bandwidth usage, helping optimize network performance.

Top Job Titles in Network Administration

After getting certified as a network administration professional, one can choose a career as one of the following job profiles

Job Title	Description	Estimated Salary Range
System Administrator	Manages server and network systems for reliability, performance, and security.	₹ 5.1 Lakhs
Testing Analyst I Associate, FCH - IT - Business Administration	Evaluates network systems and applications to ensure organizational standards are met, within IT business administration.	₹ 5.6 Lakhs
Network Security Administrator	Protects network and information systems against cyber threats, ensuring data integrity and availability.	₹ 6.9 Lakhs
Network Management Administration Specialist	Administers and optimizes network management tools and processes to maintain network health.	₹ 10.5 Lakhs
IT Specialist	Provides technical support in managing, troubleshooting, and optimizing network and system performance.	₹ 11.5 Lakhs
Executive Administrator-Technology SVP	Supports the SVP of Technology with administrative tasks, focusing on strategic technology management.	₹ 70.0 Lakhs

Network administration professionals are in charge of an organization's servers, desktop computers, and mobile devices. They ensure the proper operation of email and data storage networks. They also ensure that employees' workstations are running smoothly and that they are connected to the central computer network. Administrators may assist network architects in the design and analysis of network models in some cases. They also have a say in the purchase of future hardware or software to upgrade their organization's network. Administrators provide technical support to computer users and may supervise computer support specialists who assist users in resolving problems.

Following are the most popular Network Administration Colleges in India. Learn more about these Network Administration colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Network Administration UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Network Administration PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Network Administration. Students interested in pursuing a career on Network Administration, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.