Networking For Dummies, 11th Edition

Chapter 16

Welcome to Network Management

IN THIS CHAPTER

Exploring the many jobs of the network administrator

Documenting the network

Dusting, vacuuming, and mopping

Managing network users

Choosing the right tools

Building your library

Getting certified

Help wanted. Network administrator to help small business get control of a network run amok. Must have sound organizational and management skills. Only moderate computer experience required. Part-time only.

Does this sound like an ad that your company should run? Every network needs a network administrator, whether the network has 2 computers or 2,000. Of course, managing a 2,000-computer network is a full-time job, whereas managing a 2-computer network isn’t. At least, it shouldn’t be.

This chapter introduces you to the boring and tedious job of network administration. Oops — you’re probably reading this chapter because you’ve been elected to be the network manager, so I’d better rephrase that:

This chapter introduces you to the wonderful, exciting world of network management! Oh, boy! This is going to be fun!

What a Network Administrator Does

A network administrator “administers” a network: installing, configuring, expanding, protecting, upgrading, tuning, and repairing the network.

A network administrator takes care of the network hardware (such as cables, hubs, switches, routers, servers, and clients) and the network software (such as network operating systems, email servers, backup software, database servers, and application ...