Network administration involves managing computer systems and networks to ensure functionality and security. Key tasks of a network administrator include building hardware configurations, configuring software systems, and maintaining connectivity while addressing challenges such as hardware requirements, software standards, and security threats. Network administrators must balance technical skills with organizational abilities and professional ethics to protect user rights and maximize productivity within their network community.

2. Description of Network Administration & Management
• Network administration is a branch of engineering that concerns the operational management of human–
computer systems
• Unusual as an engineering discipline in that it addresses both the technology of computer systems and the
users of the technology
• It is about putting together a network of computers (workstations, PCs and supercomputers), getting them
running and then keeping them running in spite of the activities of users who tend to cause the systems to fail.
• means the management of network infrastructure devices (routers and switches)

3. Applying Technology in an Network Environment
• Key tasks in network administration and managment is
• to build hardware configurations
• configure software systems
• Each of these tasks presents its own challenges, but neither can be viewed in isolation
• Hardware has to conform to the constraints of the physical world;
• it requires power, a temperate (usually indoor) climate, etc
• and a conformance to basic standards in order to work systematically.
• Software requires hardware, a basic operating system infrastructure and a conformance to certain standards
• Part of the challenge is to knit apparently disparate pieces of this community into a harmonious whole.
• The global view, presented to us by information technology means that we have to think penetratingly about the
systems that are deployed .
• Internetworked systems are exposed to attack, both accidental and malicious

4. The human role in Network Systems
• For humans, the task of system administration is a balancing act
• It requires patience, understanding, knowledge and experience
• Network Administratos need to remain calm and attentive, and learn a dozen new things a year.
• Computing systems require the very best of organizational skills and the most professional of attitudes.

5. Ethical Issues
• Even if certain decisions can be made objectively, there are ethical considerations involved in network
administration
• Decisions made by the network administrator must:
• protect the rights of individuals
• maximizing productivity
• minimizing cost
• One must have a policy for the use and management of computer networks and their users
• A system/network administrator has many responsibilities: but the first must be to the greater network
community, and then to the users of our system.

6. Who is Network Administrator?
• an individual, who is responsible for configuring, commissioning and maintenance of network infrastructure
and services
• Network infrastructure includes the computer hardware and software systems that make up a data network.
• In an organization, Network Administrator generally don’t typically get involved directly with users,
• Instead focus upon configuring, monitoring and maintenance of network components within organization’s
LAN/WAN infrastructure.
• Depending on the organization and its size, the Network/system Administrator may also involve in design and
deployment of computer networks

7. Roles & Responsibility of Network Administrator
• The roles of a Network/System Administrator include activities and tasks to be performed such as
• configuring, commissioning and maintenance of various network devices- routers, switches, VPN
gateways, security devices-Firewall and IDS/IPS
• creation of De Militarized Zones (DMZ)
• IP addresses allocation & management.
• Apart from roles, the Network/System Administrator is also responsible to;
• Ensure data network connectivity.
• Network monitoring and management
• Testing the network for breaches, if any
• Keeping an eye out for needed updates.
• Update Access Control Lists (ACLs) time to time to regulate network traffic.
• Security controls enforcement
• Preparing and implementation of security policy and standards

8. Task Areas of the Network Administrator
• Designing and planning the network
• Setting up the network
• Maintaining the network
• Expanding the network