Top 12 Network Administrator Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, a network administrator's role is more crucial than ever, necessitating a robust set of skills to ensure seamless connectivity and network security. A well-crafted resume highlighting these essential network administrator skills can significantly enhance your job prospects, setting you apart in the competitive IT job market.

Network Administrator Skills

1. Cisco IOS
2. Juniper Junos
3. BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)
4. OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)
5. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)
6. IPv6
7. VMware NSX
8. Microsoft Active Directory
9. DNS (Domain Name System)
10. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
11. Wireshark
12. PowerShell

1. Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is a proprietary operating system that runs on most Cisco Systems routers and switches, providing the network infrastructure's core functionality and enabling the configuration and operation of networking protocols, interfaces, and services for data, voice, and video traffic.

Why It's Important

Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is crucial for Network Administrators as it provides the core functionality and security necessary to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco network devices, ensuring efficient and reliable network operations.

How to Improve Cisco IOS Skills

To improve Cisco IOS performance and security as a Network Administrator, follow these concise steps:

1. Update IOS Regularly: Ensure you're running the latest Cisco IOS version for security patches and performance improvements. Cisco Software Central

2. Configure Logging and Monitoring: Use Syslog and SNMP for real-time monitoring and logging. This helps in identifying and troubleshooting issues promptly. Syslog Configuration Guide

3. Secure Access: Implement strong authentication and authorization methods like AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) to control access to the router. AAA Configuration Guide

4. Network Optimization: Use Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize critical traffic and ensure bandwidth efficiency. QoS Configuration Guide

5. Encryption: Encrypt sensitive data traffic using IPsec or SSL to enhance data privacy and security. IPsec Configuration Guide

6. Regular Backups: Regularly backup your Cisco IOS configuration to prevent data loss in case of a failure. Backup and Restore Guide

7. Use Access Control Lists (ACLs): Define and implement ACLs to filter traffic and protect your network from unauthorized access. ACL Configuration Guide

8. Disable Unused Services: Turn off any unnecessary services or interfaces to minimize vulnerabilities. Hardening Cisco Routers

By following these steps and regularly consulting Cisco's documentation and support forums, you can significantly improve the performance and security of your Cisco IOS devices.

How to Display Cisco IOS Skills on Your Resume

2. Juniper Junos

Juniper Junos, or Junos OS, is a network operating system used on Juniper Networks' networking equipment. It provides routing, switching, and security features and is designed to improve network reliability, performance, and security for network administrators.

Why It's Important

Juniper Junos is important for a Network Administrator because it provides a unified, robust operating system that enhances network reliability, performance, and security across Juniper devices, simplifying network management and operations.

How to Improve Juniper Junos Skills

To improve your Juniper Junos skills and network performance as a Network Administrator, follow these concise steps:

1. Understand Junos OS Basics: Start with the fundamentals of Junos OS. Juniper's Getting Started page is an excellent resource.

2. Junos Documentation: Regularly consult Juniper's Documentation for in-depth understanding and troubleshooting.

3. Junos Genius Program: Join the Junos Genius Program for interactive learning and certification preparation materials.

4. Automation and Scripting: Learn about Junos automation and scripting to streamline tasks. Start with Junos Automation Scripting.

5. Network Security Best Practices: Familiarize yourself with Junos security features and best practices. The Security Guide is a vital resource.

6. Performance Tuning: Optimize network performance by understanding routing policies, firewall filters, and quality of service (QoS) features. The Routing Policies, Firewall Filters, and Traffic Policers User Guide can be helpful.

7. Participate in Juniper Forums: Engage with the Juniper community in the Juniper Networks Community Forums to share knowledge and solve problems.

8. Regular Updates: Keep your Junos systems updated. Check the Junos Upgrade Instructions for guidance.

9. Hands-on Practice: Use vLabs for virtual lab practice to experiment without risking your production environment.

10. Network Monitoring and Management: Implement Junos Space or other network management tools. Visit Junos Space Network Management for more.

By following these steps and utilizing the provided resources, you can significantly improve your understanding and management of Junos-based networks.

How to Display Juniper Junos Skills on Your Resume

3. BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the protocol underlying the global routing system of the internet. It enables ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and large networks to exchange routing information, determining the best paths for data to travel across the internet. For a Network Administrator, BGP is critical for managing route advertisement and ensuring network reachability and performance.

Why It's Important

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is crucial for Network Administrators because it enables the routing of data across the internet, managing paths between different networks (autonomous systems) to ensure efficient and reliable data delivery. This control over path selection helps in optimizing network performance and maintaining internet connectivity.

How to Improve BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) Skills

Improving Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) performance and security involves several strategies, focused on enhancing routing efficiency, stability, and security. Here are key actions a Network Administrator can take:

1. Implement Routing Policies: Develop clear routing policies to manage traffic flow efficiently. Utilize prefix-lists, route-maps, and AS-path filters to control route advertisement and acceptance. Cisco's guide provides a comprehensive overview.

2. Enable Route Flap Damping: Reduce the propagation of unstable routes by configuring route flap damping, which penalizes routes that flap frequently. However, use cautiously to avoid adverse effects. RIPE's best current practice outlines considerations.

3. Secure BGP Sessions with Authentication: Use MD5 authentication for BGP sessions to prevent unauthorized route announcements. Juniper's configuration guide offers practical steps.

4. Implement BGP Route Filtering: Prevent accidental or malicious route hijacking by implementing strict filtering based on known prefixes and AS paths. APNIC's tutorial is an excellent resource.

5. Leverage BGP Communities: Use BGP communities to apply policies on a group of prefixes, enhancing routing control and simplification. NANOG's presentation provides deeper insights.

6. Deploy RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure): Strengthen BGP security by deploying RPKI to validate route origination, reducing the risk of route hijacking and misdirection. Cloudflare's RPKI guide explains the setup process.

7. Monitor BGP Sessions Actively: Use monitoring tools and platforms like BGPmon to track the health and stability of your BGP sessions. Early detection of anomalies can prevent major disruptions. BGPmon's website has more details.

8. Participate in Peering Forums: Engage with peering forums and communities to share experiences, improve peering arrangements, and stay updated on best practices. PeeringDB is a valuable resource.

Improving BGP involves a mix of technical configurations, community engagement, and continuous monitoring. Adapting to evolving best practices and leveraging community resources are crucial for maintaining a robust, efficient, and secure BGP environment.

How to Display BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) Skills on Your Resume

4. OSPF (Open Shortest Path First)

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a dynamic routing protocol used in IP networks to find the shortest path for data packets to travel across a network. It enables routers to exchange topology information with other routers in the same Autonomous System, allowing for efficient route calculation and network traffic management.

Why It's Important

OSPF is crucial for a Network Administrator because it enables efficient and dynamic routing within large, heterogeneous networks, ensuring optimal data paths, load balancing, and rapid convergence in case of network changes or failures, thus maintaining consistent network uptime and performance.

How to Improve OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) Skills

Improving OSPF performance involves several strategies focused on enhancing efficiency, stability, and scalability within your network. Here are concise tips for Network Administrators:

1. Optimize SPF Calculations: Reduce the frequency of SPF calculations by adjusting the OSPF timers (hello, dead, retransmit) appropriately. Cisco OSPF Design Guide

2. Utilize OSPF Areas: Implement OSPF areas to minimize the size of the routing table and reduce SPF calculation times. Designate areas as stub or totally stubby where possible to further reduce routing update overhead. Understanding OSPF Areas

3. Configure Route Summarization: Implement inter-area and external route summarization to reduce the number of routes exchanged and stored in the OSPF database. Route Summarization in OSPF

4. Tune OSPF Costs: Adjust OSPF cost metrics to influence path selection, ensuring optimal traffic flow and load balancing. Adjusting OSPF Costs

5. Enable OSPF Authentication: Secure OSPF communication by configuring authentication (simple or MD5) to prevent unauthorized route advertisements. OSPF Authentication Configuration

6. Leverage Passive Interfaces: Designate interfaces that do not require OSPF adjacencies as passive to minimize unnecessary traffic and potential security exposures. Passive Interface in OSPF

7. Utilize OSPF Fast Convergence Features: Implement features like BFD (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection) for rapid failure detection and LFA (Loop-Free Alternate) for fast reroute capabilities. Fast Convergence Techniques

8. Monitor and Troubleshoot OSPF: Regularly monitor OSPF network performance and quickly troubleshoot issues using tools and commands like show ip ospf neighbor and debug ip ospf events. Troubleshooting OSPF

Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the performance and reliability of your OSPF deployments.

How to Display OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) Skills on Your Resume

5. MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching)

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a high-performance telecommunication network protocol that directs data from one node to the next based on short path labels rather than long network addresses, avoiding complex lookups in a routing table and speeding up traffic flow for high-performance telecommunications networks.

Why It's Important

MPLS is important for Network Administrators because it enhances data flow efficiency across wide area networks (WANs) by enabling fast, flexible routing and prioritization of traffic, improving network performance and reliability.

How to Improve MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) Skills

Improving MPLS networks involves enhancing performance, reliability, and scalability. Here are concise strategies for a Network Administrator:

1. Optimize Route Paths: Utilize traffic engineering to optimize data paths, reducing latency and congestion. Cisco's MPLS Traffic Engineering provides guidelines on implementing these optimizations.

2. Implement Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize critical data packets to ensure high-priority services are not affected by congestion. Juniper's QoS on MPLS Networks offers insights on setting up QoS.

3. Monitor and Analyze Network Performance: Regularly monitor network performance and troubleshoot issues promptly. Tools like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor can help in real-time monitoring and alerting.

4. Secure MPLS Networks: Enhance security by implementing VPNs, encrypting data, and ensuring proper authentication mechanisms. MPLS Security Best Practices by Cisco offers detailed security measures.

5. Upgrade Hardware and Software Regularly: Keep network devices and software up to date to benefit from the latest performance and security improvements.

By following these strategies and leveraging the resources provided, Network Administrators can significantly improve the performance and reliability of their MPLS networks.

How to Display MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) Skills on Your Resume

6. IPv6

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP), designed to address the limitations of IPv4, primarily its limited address space. It uses 128-bit addresses, vastly increasing the number of available IP addresses and improving internet scalability, security, and routing efficiency.

Why It's Important

IPv6 is important because it provides a vastly larger address space to accommodate the exponential growth of internet devices, ensures better security features for network communication, and improves routing efficiency and performance across the global internet infrastructure.

How to Improve IPv6 Skills

Improving IPv6 deployment and management for a Network Administrator involves focusing on several key areas: planning, security, and monitoring. Here are concise strategies with resources for further exploration:

1. Planning and Training:

   • Develop a comprehensive IPv6 deployment plan that includes address allocation, subnetting strategy, and device compatibility.
   • Invest in training for your team on IPv6 fundamentals and management practices. IPv6 Training Resources

2. Security:

   • Implement IPv6-specific security policies and firewall rules. Ensure all security devices are IPv6 capable.
   • Regularly update your knowledge on IPv6 security best practices. IPv6 Security Guide

3. Device and Application Compatibility:

   • Verify that all network devices and applications are IPv6 compatible or have the necessary updates to support IPv6.
   • Use tools to audit your network for IPv6 readiness. IPv6 Compatibility Check Tools

4. Monitoring and Management:

   • Utilize IPv6-compatible network monitoring tools to ensure visibility and control over your IPv6 traffic.
   • Adopt IPv6 address management (IPAM) solutions for efficient address allocation and tracking. IPv6 IPAM Solutions

5. Quality of Service (QoS):

   • Implement QoS policies for IPv6 traffic to ensure prioritization and bandwidth management align with organizational needs.
   • Review and adjust QoS settings as IPv6 usage grows within your network.

6. Transition Mechanisms:

   • Employ IPv6 transition mechanisms (like Dual Stack, Tunneling, and Translation) judiciously to ensure smooth interoperability during the transition period.
   • Continuously evaluate the need for these mechanisms as your network moves closer to full IPv6 adoption.

For a more detailed exploration and resources, it's crucial to stay updated with the latest practices and recommendations from authoritative sources such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Internet Society.

How to Display IPv6 Skills on Your Resume

7. VMware NSX

VMware NSX is a network virtualization and security platform that enables the creation, deployment, and management of virtual networks and services, such as switching, routing, firewalling, and load balancing, within a software-defined data center, simplifying network operations and enhancing security for network administrators.

Why It's Important

VMware NSX is important because it provides network virtualization, allowing a Network Administrator to create, manage, and secure virtual networks and services efficiently, reducing the complexity of managing physical network hardware and enhancing network flexibility and security.

How to Improve VMware NSX Skills

To improve VMware NSX for a Network Administrator, consider the following concise steps:

1. Stay Updated: Always ensure your VMware NSX environment is running the latest version for enhanced performance and security. VMware NSX Downloads

2. Optimize Configuration: Review and optimize your NSX configuration settings for your specific network needs. Focus on optimizing transport zones, logical switches, and edge services gateways. NSX Configuration Maximums

3. Implement Micro-Segmentation: Enhance security by implementing micro-segmentation to control east-west traffic within your data center. Micro-Segmentation Guide

4. Monitor and Analyze: Regularly monitor and analyze network performance and security posture using NSX Intelligence or third-party tools. NSX Intelligence

5. Automate Tasks: Utilize automation tools like Ansible or Terraform to streamline repetitive tasks, ensuring consistency and reducing human error. VMware NSX Automation

6. Educate Yourself: Continuously educate yourself on NSX features and best practices through VMware Learning Paths and the NSX Community. VMware Learning | NSX Community

7. Engage with Support: For complex issues, don't hesitate to engage with VMware Support or the vibrant VMware community forums for advice and troubleshooting tips. VMware Support

By following these steps, a Network Administrator can significantly improve their VMware NSX deployment, enhancing both performance and security.

How to Display VMware NSX Skills on Your Resume

8. Microsoft Active Directory

Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is a directory service that facilitates network administration by providing centralized authentication, authorization, and management of users, computers, and resources within a Windows domain environment.

Why It's Important

Microsoft Active Directory (AD) is crucial for Network Administrators because it provides a centralized system for managing network resources, user accounts, and security policies efficiently, ensuring secure and streamlined access control and authentication across the network.

How to Improve Microsoft Active Directory Skills

To improve Microsoft Active Directory as a Network Administrator, focus on the following key areas:

1. Update Regularly: Ensure that your Active Directory (AD) environment is always updated to the latest version to benefit from security patches and new features. Microsoft's Update Guide provides detailed instructions.

2. Implement Strong Password Policies: Enforce complex passwords and regular changes. Use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to configure password policies.

3. Monitor and Audit Regularly: Use tools like AD Audit Plus to monitor AD for any suspicious activities or changes.

4. Backup and Disaster Recovery Plan: Regularly backup AD data. Microsoft's guide on AD DS Backup and Recovery provides strategies for recovery.

5. Implement Least Privilege Principle: Limit user permissions as much as possible to minimize risks. Refer to Microsoft's documentation on implementing least privilege.

6. Secure Network Communications: Implement IPsec or VPN to secure communication between AD servers and clients. Check out the IPsec overview for guidance.

7. Educate Users: Provide training on phishing, password security, and other best practices. Microsoft offers security training recommendations.

Remember, maintaining an efficient and secure Active Directory environment is an ongoing process that requires regular attention and updates.

How to Display Microsoft Active Directory Skills on Your Resume

9. DNS (Domain Name System)

DNS (Domain Name System) is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It translates human-friendly domain names (like www.example.com) into numerical IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1) that computers use to identify each other on the network.

Why It's Important

DNS translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses, enabling users to access websites using easy-to-remember names instead of numerical IP addresses. This crucial service ensures network users can efficiently find and connect to websites and services, simplifying network administration and enhancing user experience.

How to Improve DNS (Domain Name System) Skills

Improving DNS for a Network Administrator involves enhancing performance, security, and reliability. Here are concise strategies:

1. Use Reliable DNS Providers: Choose providers known for uptime and speed. Consider Cloudflare or Google Public DNS.

2. Enable DNSSEC: DNSSEC adds a layer of security by validating DNS responses. Learn how to enable DNSSEC.

3. Implement DNS Caching: Reduce DNS lookup times by caching responses. Most operating systems and DNS servers have this feature. For configuring caching, refer to the documentation of your DNS server software.

4. Configure Anycast DNS: Anycast DNS allows multiple servers to share the same IP address, directing users to the nearest server, thus reducing latency. Cloudflare’s guide offers more insight.

5. Monitor DNS Performance: Use tools like DNSPerf or Pingdom to monitor your DNS's performance and make data-driven improvements.

6. Implement DNS Failover: To enhance reliability, configure DNS failover strategies to automatically reroute traffic in case of server failure. Services like DNS Made Easy offer simple solutions.

7. Optimize TTL Values: Shorter TTL (Time to Live) values make changes propagate faster but increase DNS lookup requests, while longer TTLs reduce the load on your DNS servers. Balance based on your needs.

8. Use GeoDNS: GeoDNS routes users to the nearest or best-performing server based on their geographic location. This can significantly improve response times. Providers like Neustar offer GeoDNS services.

Each improvement strategy should be aligned with the specific needs and architecture of your network for optimal results.

How to Display DNS (Domain Name System) Skills on Your Resume

10. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network management protocol used by network administrators to automatically assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network, simplifying the process of connecting new devices to the network and managing IP address allocation.

Why It's Important

DHCP is crucial for a Network Administrator because it automates the assignment of IP addresses, ensuring efficient management of network connectivity for all devices, significantly reducing manual configuration errors and saving time.

How to Improve DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Skills

Improving DHCP in a network involves optimizing its configuration and management for efficiency, reliability, and security. Here are concise steps a Network Administrator can take:

1. Network Design and DHCP Scope Planning: Efficiently design your network and plan DHCP scopes to ensure optimal distribution of IP addresses. Avoid overloading a single DHCP server by distributing the load across multiple servers or using DHCP failover. Cisco's DHCP Configuration Guide provides insights into scope planning and configuration.

2. Implement DHCP Failover: Ensure high availability by configuring DHCP failover between two servers. This way, if one server goes down, the other can continue serving client requests without interruption. Microsoft's DHCP Failover Guide offers a step-by-step setup for Windows environments.

3. Secure DHCP: Implement measures to secure your DHCP infrastructure. This includes enabling DHCP snooping on switches to prevent unauthorized DHCP servers, using MAC address filtering to control which clients can obtain IP addresses, and configuring firewalls to protect DHCP servers from external threats. Cisco's Guide on DHCP Snooping provides details on securing your DHCP environment.

4. Regular Audits and Monitoring: Regularly audit your DHCP server configurations and monitor DHCP traffic for anomalies. This can help in early detection of issues such as IP address conflicts, unauthorized DHCP servers, or exhaustion of IP addresses. Tools like SolarWinds IP Address Manager can automate these tasks. Visit SolarWinds IP Address Manager for more information.

5. DHCP Server Performance Tuning: Optimize DHCP server settings for performance. This can involve adjusting the lease duration based on your network’s needs, optimizing server hardware for high throughput, and ensuring the DHCP server software is up to date. TechGenix's DHCP Performance Tuning Techniques offers practical tips.

6. Use DHCPv6 for IPv6 Addresses: If you're transitioning to IPv6, configure DHCPv6 to efficiently manage IPv6 address distribution. This involves understanding the differences between DHCP for IPv4 and DHCPv6, and adjusting your configuration accordingly. RIPE NCC's DHCPv6 Configuration guide provides a comprehensive overview.

By following these steps and continuously adapting to the network's evolving needs, a Network Administrator can ensure their DHCP infrastructure is robust, secure, and efficiently managed.

How to Display DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Skills on Your Resume

11. Wireshark

Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer tool that allows a network administrator to capture and inspect individual packets of data flowing across a network, aiding in troubleshooting, analysis, and monitoring of network traffic.

Why It's Important

Wireshark is crucial for Network Administrators as it enables in-depth analysis and troubleshooting of network traffic, helping to identify and resolve issues, optimize performance, and enhance security.

How to Improve Wireshark Skills

To enhance your Wireshark skills as a Network Administrator, focus on these key areas:

1. Master the Basics: Begin with understanding the Wireshark interface, capture filters, and display filters thoroughly. Wireshark User's Guide is an excellent starting point.

2. Customize Wireshark: Tailor Wireshark to your needs by creating profiles for different tasks or networks. This Customizing Wireshark guide shows you how.

3. Learn Advanced Features: Dive deeper into protocol-specific analysis, decryption abilities for encrypted traffic (where legally permissible), and using features like IO Graphs for performance analysis. The Wireshark Wiki is a treasure trove of detailed information.

4. Automate with Tshark: Leverage Tshark, Wireshark’s command-line counterpart, for automation and scripting. Understanding its usage can streamline repetitive tasks. Check out the Tshark documentation.

5. Join the Community: Engage with the Wireshark community through forums, mailing lists, or attending SharkFest, the annual educational conference. Sharing experiences and solutions can vastly expand your knowledge. Visit SharkFest’s website for more information.

By focusing on these areas and continually practicing, you can significantly improve your proficiency in Wireshark, making network troubleshooting and analysis more efficient.

How to Display Wireshark Skills on Your Resume

12. PowerShell

PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and scripting language, designed for system administration, including network management tasks.

Why It's Important

PowerShell is crucial for Network Administrators because it enables automation of complex network management tasks, facilitates bulk configuration changes across multiple devices, and provides a powerful toolset for monitoring and troubleshooting network issues, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy in network operations.

How to Improve PowerShell Skills

Improving your PowerShell skills as a Network Administrator involves several key strategies focused on enhancing efficiency, security, and automation capabilities. Here's a concise guide:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure a solid foundation in PowerShell syntax and cmdlets. Microsoft's PowerShell documentation is an excellent starting point.

2. Script Regularly: Practice by writing scripts for common network administration tasks. This enhances your problem-solving skills and efficiency. GitHub is a great place to find real-world examples.

3. Learn PowerShell Remoting: Essential for managing multiple systems. Understand how to use Invoke-Command for executing commands across systems. PowerShell Remoting Guide.

4. Utilize Advanced Functions: Dive into building advanced functions that act like cmdlets, including error handling and accepting pipeline input. Advanced PowerShell Functions.

5. Explore Modules: Familiarize yourself with PowerShell modules specific to network administration tasks, such as NetAdapter or NetTCPIP. PowerShell Gallery is a repository for finding and sharing modules.

6. Automate with Scripts: Automate repetitive tasks. Focus on scripts for network diagnostics, configuration, and monitoring. Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell.

7. Stay Updated: PowerShell and networking technologies evolve. Follow blogs, forums, and social media groups dedicated to PowerShell. Reddit's PowerShell Community is a good place to start.

8. Security Practices: Learn about execution policies, secure credential storage, and PSSession configurations to enhance security. PowerShell Security Best Practices.

By focusing on these areas, network administrators can significantly improve their PowerShell skills, leading to more efficient and effective network management.

How to Display PowerShell Skills on Your Resume