Tips and Tools Network Administrators Need

Network administrators have a tough job that can be made a little easier by having the right tools and following a couple of tips. Administrators are responsible for configuring hardware, upgrading and repairing networks even updating software. The skills and tools can help you increase your company’s productivity and security by streamlining systems and monitoring networks for potential hacks and other problems.

Monitoring Tools

Network monitoring is one of the most important tasks that an administrator handles on a daily basis and the right tools can help streamline and automate much of this work. So, what is network monitoring? Simply put, monitoring tools look for failing or slow network components and alerts the administrator when it finds one. This can help reduce the amount of time your system is down because many issues can be fixed before they become major problems. When the failing components do cause downtime, the longer you are down, the more revenue you are losing.

Time Management Tips

Because of the challenge of the job and the many tasks that an administrator has to do, having good time management skills is a key component of the work. Before you leave work for the day, make a to-do list for each project and task that you must do the next day. This can help you dive into the work from the start and not have to scramble to remember everything. If you tackle the task that you dread the most at the beginning of your day, then everything else will seem like smooth sailing and you will be less prone to procrastination. It is a good idea to also leave time gaps between tasks or appointments in case something takes longer than expected or a time-sensitive issue pops up.

Scanning Tools

Monitoring tools scan networks for potential problems, but dedicated scanning tools can give you a better idea of what those problems entail and how to fix them. These tools can help keep your monitoring software looking at the whole network while you scan the components flagged as problems. Some software solutions companies can bundle scanning and monitoring tools for you and may even have a program which does both.

Interpersonal Communication Tips

As a network administrator you will be in contact with many people throughout your day and having good conversation and communication skills will help you keep the interactions pleasant and productive. This means practicing active listening when communicating, in other words, make eye contact, repeat back key points and remember not to take it personal. Chances are that the person you are talking to is frustrated with a problem and a friendly tone on your part can help root out and fix the issue instead of escalating the situation.

Password Management Tools

Passwords are one of the tools you use to keep your network and data secure, and they are usually the weakest link in the chain. This is because the system only works if personnel can remember the codes, they are changed on a regular basis, and if no unauthorized people get ahold of them. Since it is more secure to require passwords to change on a regular basis, every couple of months, it is tempting to either write down your code or cycle through a small set that can be remembered. With management tools you can store your passwords on encrypted thumb drives or cloud platforms and even have an autofill option for long, online forms. In some cases, you could pair these management tools with chipped identification cards, so your hardware only unlocks with the right card and password combination.

The job of network administrator is a complex one with many daily tasks as well as routine upgrades, updates and repairs. With the right tools and tips, you can streamline your monitoring and scanning, manage your time and conversations better, and even keep the system more secure. This means fewer hacks, less downtime and more revenue.