The demand is huge and growing daily: Network Specialist

Who is hiring computer network specialists?
Networking is the backbone of infotech and telecommunications. Increased usage of computers in all sectors of business, trade and entertainment has simultaneously increased the need for networking.

A study by Evalueserve suggests that the current demand for networking professionals in India stands at over two lakh. However, only 140,000 are available. The BPO/ITES segment will witness the highest growth in demand for professionals. The telecom sector is expected to create an additional demand for over 75,000 network specialists.

What kind of fire-fighting does one have to do on the job?
A networking specialist has to maintain uptime of the network day in and day out. They need to replace/ repair/ reconfigure the networking devices and components as required.
To avoid any malicious attack on the networks, s/he will ensure the updating of anti-virus software.

How to go from a network specialist to network administrator?
An international certification can aid progress. For network administration skills, s/he should learn the network operating systems. S/he should be able to manage authentication, authorisation and access controls. Microsoft MCSA (Microsoft Certified System Administration) or MCITP (Server Administration), RHCE (Red Hat system Engineer), CCNA or CCNP can equip one with the requisite skills.

What should one be good at to go far in this career?
Learn digital electronics. This will introduce you to specialised terms, concepts and principles. You should have concise information on hardware, peripheral and installations.

How big or small is a network?
It can be as small as one computer or as big as all the computers in the world being linked. Connectivity types are: LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), CAN (Campus Area Network) and PAN (Personal Area Network).