Computer Network Technologist

Computer network technicians establish, operate, maintain and co-ordinate the use of local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs), mainframe networks, hardware, software and related computer equipment. They set up and maintain Internet and intranet Web sites and Web-server hardware and software, and monitor and optimize network connectivity and performance. They are employed in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors. Supervisors of computer network technicians are included in this unit group.

Typical Duties:

• Determines customer computing needs by conferring with those customers and all related stakeholders and potential system users;
• Researches and recommends specific network hardware and software requirements including various platforms and interfaces;
• Communicates with system users to diagnose and resolve system problems;
• Adjusts network sizes to respond to changing capacity needs;
• Directs the installation of new equipment;
• Coordinates network operations, maintenance, repairs and upgrades;
• Designs and tests equipment configuration prototypes including network hardware, software, servers and server operation systems;
• Trains operators;

Educational Requirements:

Three-year college program in computer engineering technology