Top 12 Network Technician Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's fast-paced digital world, network technicians play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless operation of communication and data transfer infrastructures. A well-crafted resume highlighting a robust set of skills can significantly enhance your chances of securing a position in this competitive field, demonstrating your capability to meet the dynamic demands of network maintenance and problem-solving.

Network Technician Skills

1. Cisco IOS
2. Juniper Junos
3. TCP/IP
4. VLAN Configuration
5. OSPF
6. BGP
7. MPLS
8. Wireshark
9. IPv6
10. SNMP
11. Firewall Management
12. VPN Configuration

1. Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is a proprietary operating system that runs on most Cisco routers and switches, providing the network infrastructure's control, routing, and switching functions.

Why It's Important

Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is crucial for a Network Technician as it provides the core functionality and command-line interface needed to configure, manage, and troubleshoot Cisco network devices, ensuring network reliability, security, and efficiency.

How to Improve Cisco IOS Skills

Improving Cisco IOS performance and security involves a few key steps focused on configuration optimization, software updates, and security best practices. Here's a concise guide:

1. Update IOS Software: Ensure your Cisco IOS is up-to-date to benefit from the latest features and security patches. Use the Cisco Software Checker (Cisco Software Checker) to identify and download the latest version.

2. Optimize Configuration: Streamline your configuration for performance by using features like ip cef for efficient packet forwarding and tuning routing protocol timers. Cisco's configuration guides (Cisco Configuration Guides) provide detailed instructions.

3. Enable Security Features: Implement security measures such as AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) for network access control, and use ACLs (Access Control Lists) to filter traffic. The Cisco Security Portal (Cisco Security) offers insights on securing your network.

4. Monitor and Maintain: Utilize Cisco’s SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) for monitoring and maintaining network health. Tools like Cisco Network Assistant (Cisco Network Assistant) can simplify network management.

5. Implement QoS: Quality of Service (QoS) settings can be adjusted to prioritize critical network traffic, ensuring optimal performance for important data. Cisco's QoS guide (Cisco QoS Guide) provides implementation details.

6. Secure Remote Access: Use secure protocols like SSH instead of Telnet for remote access to devices. Cisco's guide on securing remote access (Cisco Remote Access Security) offers configuration tips.

7. Regular Backups: Regularly backup your Cisco IOS configuration to recover quickly from failures. The Cisco support community (Cisco Community) can offer advice on best practices for backup and recovery.

By following these steps, network technicians can improve the performance, security, and reliability of their Cisco IOS devices.

How to Display Cisco IOS Skills on Your Resume

2. Juniper Junos

Juniper Junos, short for Junos OS, is the network operating system used on devices manufactured by Juniper Networks, including routers, switches, and security appliances. It provides features for network routing, switching, and security, supporting a range of protocols and services essential for managing and securing a network infrastructure.

Why It's Important

Juniper Junos is crucial for Network Technicians as it provides a stable, scalable, and secure network operating system for managing Juniper Networks devices efficiently, enabling seamless configuration, automation, and monitoring of network infrastructure.

How to Improve Juniper Junos Skills

Improving your skills with Juniper Junos as a Network Technician involves a combination of understanding foundational concepts, hands-on practice, and continuous learning. Here are concise steps to enhance your proficiency:

1. Understand Basic Concepts: Start with Juniper's official documentation to grasp the basics of Junos OS.

2. Online Training and Certifications: Enroll in Juniper's free learning portal for courses on Junos essentials. Consider pursuing Juniper Networks Certification Program (JNCP) for structured learning paths.

3. Hands-On Practice: Utilize Juniper vLabs for access to virtual labs for practical experience without needing physical hardware.

4. Use Junos Automation Tools: Explore Junos automation capabilities with PyEZ, a Python library designed to simplify automation tasks in Junos.

5. Join the Community: Participate in the Juniper Networks Community to exchange knowledge, get answers to complex questions, and stay updated with the latest trends and solutions.

6. Read Books and Resources: For in-depth knowledge, books like "Junos Enterprise Routing" and "Junos Enterprise Switching" can be invaluable. Always check for the latest editions or relevant books based on your focus area.

7. Stay Updated: Regularly visit the Juniper Networks Technical Documentation site to stay informed on new features, best practices, and software release notes.

By following these steps and dedicating time to both learning and practical application, you can significantly improve your proficiency in Juniper Junos.

How to Display Juniper Junos Skills on Your Resume

3. TCP/IP

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the fundamental suite of protocols defining the rules for data exchange over the internet, encompassing both the TCP, which handles reliable communication and data transfer, and the IP, which routes packets of data to their destination across networks.

Why It's Important

TCP/IP is crucial for a Network Technician because it standardizes communication across diverse networks, ensuring reliable data transmission and facilitating internet and intranet connectivity.

How to Improve TCP/IP Skills

Improving TCP/IP performance involves optimizing both hardware and software settings. Here are concise steps tailored for a Network Technician:

1. Increase Bandwidth: Ensure you have enough bandwidth for your needs. Higher bandwidth can improve TCP/IP performance by allowing more data to be transmitted at once.

2. Enable Jumbo Frames: Increase the MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) to enable Jumbo Frames, reducing the number of packets that need to be sent. MTU and Jumbo Frame Guide.

3. Optimize TCP Window Size: Adjust the TCP window size to match your network's latency and bandwidth, which can significantly enhance throughput. TCP Window Size Adjustment.

4. Use TCP Offload Engines (TOE): Offload TCP processing from the CPU to a network card specifically designed for this purpose, reducing CPU load and improving performance. Understanding TCP Offload.

5. Enable Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize important or time-sensitive traffic to ensure that critical applications have the necessary bandwidth. Quality of Service Explained.

6. Reduce Latency: Use techniques like Shortest Path Bridging (SPB) or similar to reduce latency in the network by choosing the fastest paths for data. Reducing Network Latency.

7. Implement TCP Fast Open (TFO): Reduce the time required to establish a TCP connection by sending data in the initial SYN packet. TCP Fast Open.

8. Keep Software and Firmware Updated: Ensure all network devices run the latest firmware and software for optimal performance and security. Importance of Software Updates.

9. Monitor and Analyze Network Traffic: Regular monitoring can help identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. Use network analysis tools for in-depth insight. Network Performance Monitoring.

10. Enable TCP/IP Security Features: Secure the data and ensure the integrity of communications by enabling features like IPsec. While not directly related to performance, security measures prevent potential threats that can degrade network performance. Introduction to IPsec.

Implementing these strategies requires a deep understanding of your network's current configuration and needs. Always plan and test changes in a controlled environment before applying them to a production network.

How to Display TCP/IP Skills on Your Resume

4. VLAN Configuration

VLAN configuration involves setting up Virtual Local Area Networks within a switch to segment network traffic, enhance security, and improve performance by logically dividing a physical network into multiple virtual networks, each serving a group of devices as if they were on a separate physical network. This involves assigning switch ports to specific VLANs and configuring VLAN properties and inter-VLAN routing as needed.

Why It's Important

VLAN configuration is important for a Network Technician because it enhances network security, improves network performance by reducing broadcast domains, and allows for efficient management of network resources and segmentation based on organizational needs.

How to Improve VLAN Configuration Skills

Improving VLAN configuration involves several key steps to enhance network segmentation, security, and performance. Here is a concise guide:

1. Plan and Document: Start with a clear plan and documentation for the VLANs, including VLAN IDs, names, and associated networks or devices. VLAN Planning Best Practices.

2. Consistent Configuration: Ensure consistency in VLAN configuration across all switches in the network to avoid mismatches and connectivity issues. Cisco VLAN Configuration Guide.

3. VLAN Pruning: Use VLAN pruning on trunk links to reduce unnecessary traffic. Limit trunk links to carry only the necessary VLANs. Understanding and Configuring VLAN Trunk Protocol (VTP).

4. Security: Implement VLAN access control lists (VACLs) and private VLANs (PVLANs) to enhance security and limit unnecessary traffic between VLANs. Configuring Private VLANs.

5. Voice VLANs: For networks with VoIP, configure Voice VLANs to prioritize voice traffic and ensure quality of service (QoS). Configuring Voice VLANs.

6. Monitor and Review: Regularly monitor VLANs for performance issues and review configurations for optimization opportunities. Use network monitoring tools for insights. Introduction to Network Monitoring.

7. VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP): Use VTP judiciously to manage VLANs across your network but be aware of the risks and implement VTP version 3 for better security. Understanding and Configuring VTP.

8. Dynamic VLAN Assignment: Utilize dynamic VLAN assignment for flexibility and ease of management, especially in environments with high user mobility. Dynamic VLAN Assignment.

By following these guidelines, you can improve your VLAN configuration, making your network more organized, secure, and efficient.

How to Display VLAN Configuration Skills on Your Resume

5. OSPF

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a dynamic routing protocol used in IP networks to find the best path between devices (routers) using a link-state routing algorithm. It enables routers to exchange topology information and route data efficiently within an Autonomous System (AS).

Why It's Important

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is important for a Network Technician because it enables efficient routing within large and complex networks by automatically calculating the shortest path for data packets, ensuring optimal network performance and reliability.

How to Improve OSPF Skills

Improving OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) in a network primarily involves optimization of its configuration and operation. Here are concise steps tailored for a Network Technician:

1. Network Design: Ensure a hierarchical OSPF design with multiple areas to reduce the size of the routing table and limit the scope of link-state updates. Cisco OSPF Design Guide

2. OSPF Timers: Adjust OSPF timers (Hello and Dead intervals) for faster convergence without causing unnecessary traffic. OSPF Timers

3. Cost Metric: Configure OSPF cost metrics to influence path selection, ensuring traffic is balanced and utilizes the best paths. Understanding OSPF Cost

4. Stub Areas: Utilize OSPF stub areas to reduce link-state advertisement overhead in areas that do not require full routing information. Configuring OSPF Stub Areas

5. Passive Interfaces: Mark interfaces that do not connect to OSPF neighbors as passive to enhance security and reduce unnecessary OSPF traffic. OSPF Passive Interface

6. Authentication: Implement OSPF authentication to secure OSPF updates and prevent unauthorized routing updates. OSPF Authentication Configuration

7. Version Upgrade: Ensure you are using OSPFv3 if IPv6 is deployed in your network, as it includes enhancements over OSPFv2. Introduction to OSPFv3

By following these steps, a Network Technician can refine OSPF performance, enhance network reliability, and ensure efficient operation.

How to Display OSPF Skills on Your Resume

6. BGP

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is a standardized exterior gateway protocol designed to exchange routing and reachability information among autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet, ensuring data packets are routed efficiently across complex, large-scale networks.

Why It's Important

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is crucial for a Network Technician because it enables the routing of data across the internet, connecting different autonomous systems (networks) together, ensuring global connectivity and efficient data paths.

How to Improve BGP Skills

Improving BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) involves enhancing security, reliability, and efficiency of routing information exchange among autonomous systems (AS) on the Internet. Here are key aspects to focus on:

1. Implement BGP Security Best Practices: Use mechanisms like Route Filtering, Prefix Lists, and AS Path Filters to prevent the propagation of incorrect routing information. BGP Best Practices by Cisco offers detailed guidance.

2. Adopt RPKI (Resource Public Key Infrastructure): RPKI helps to secure Internet routing by validating route originations, effectively mitigating prefix hijacking. The RIPE NCC RPKI Documentation provides a comprehensive introduction and setup guide.

3. Utilize BGP Route Reflectors: To scale your network efficiently and reduce iBGP mesh complexity, implementing Route Reflectors is crucial. Read Juniper's Route Reflectors guide for an overview and configuration tips.

4. Leverage BGP Communities: BGP Communities allow more granular control over route advertisement and policies. Understanding and using them can significantly enhance your routing strategies. Understanding BGP Communities by Juniper Networks offers a good starting point.

5. Engage in Peering Agreements: Strategically peering with other ASes can improve path selection, reduce latency, and sometimes costs. The PeeringDB is a valuable resource for finding potential peering partners.

6. Monitor BGP Sessions Actively: Use tools like BGPmon or Grafana with Prometheus to monitor BGP sessions for anomalies, latency, and packet loss. This proactive approach can help in quickly identifying and resolving issues. BGP Monitoring and Troubleshooting (PDF) by NANOG provides insights into monitoring strategies.

By focusing on these areas, a Network Technician can contribute to a more secure, efficient, and reliable BGP implementation in their network.

How to Display BGP Skills on Your Resume

7. MPLS

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a network routing technique that speeds up and manages traffic flows across enterprise and service provider networks by tagging data packets with fixed-length labels to make forwarding decisions, enabling efficient, scalable, and flexible data transmission paths.

Why It's Important

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is important because it enhances network efficiency and performance by enabling faster and more reliable data packet routing through assigning labels to packets, facilitating prioritization of traffic types, and supporting scalable VPNs, thus improving overall network management and user experience.

How to Improve MPLS Skills

To improve MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) in your network, focus on the following key areas:

1. Capacity Planning: Regularly evaluate your network's capacity requirements to ensure that the MPLS network can handle current and future data volumes. Tools like SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor can assist in capacity planning.

2. Quality of Service (QoS): Implement or enhance QoS policies to prioritize critical applications, ensuring they receive the bandwidth they need. Cisco provides a comprehensive guide on MPLS QoS that is useful.

3. Network Redundancy: Design your network with redundancy in mind to increase resilience. Utilize techniques like creating multiple paths for data to ensure reliability. Juniper Networks offers insights on MPLS Network Redundancy.

4. Monitoring and Management Tools: Use advanced monitoring tools to gain visibility into your MPLS network and troubleshoot issues proactively. Consider tools such as PRTG Network Monitor for comprehensive network oversight.

5. Security Enhancements: Strengthen your network's security posture by integrating MPLS with security features such as MPLS VPNs for safe data transmission. Check out Fortinet's discussion on MPLS VPNs for more details.

6. Training and Certification: Ensure your team is well-versed with MPLS technologies through continuous training. Certifications from Cisco or Juniper Networks can be invaluable.

By focusing on these areas, a Network Technician can significantly improve the performance, reliability, and security of an MPLS network.

How to Display MPLS Skills on Your Resume

8. Wireshark

Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer tool that allows a network technician to capture and inspect real-time and historical data traffic on a network for troubleshooting, analysis, and security monitoring purposes.

Why It's Important

Wireshark is important for a Network Technician because it allows for comprehensive packet analysis, enabling the identification and troubleshooting of network problems, the monitoring of network traffic in real-time, and ensuring network security through the detection of malicious packets.

How to Improve Wireshark Skills

Improving your Wireshark skills as a Network Technician involves a combination of practice, leveraging community resources, and continuous learning. Here are concise steps to enhance your proficiency:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure you have a solid understanding of Wireshark’s interface, filters, and basic functionalities. The official Wireshark User's Guide is an excellent starting point.

2. Advanced Features and Techniques: Dive into advanced features such as creating custom filters, using command-line utilities, and decrypting traffic. The Wireshark Wiki provides detailed information and tutorials.

3. Practice with Real Scenarios: Applying your skills to real-world scenarios is crucial. Websites like Malware Traffic Analysis offer practice captures to analyze.

4. Join the Community: Engage with the Wireshark community through forums and social media to exchange knowledge and stay updated on new features. The Wireshark Q&A site is a good place to start.

5. Continuous Learning: Technology and network protocols evolve, so staying informed is key. Follow Wireshark’s blog and consider attending webinars or workshops for updates and advanced techniques.

By following these steps and dedicating time to practice, you can significantly improve your Wireshark skills, enhancing your effectiveness as a Network Technician.

How to Display Wireshark Skills on Your Resume

9. IPv6

IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP), designed to replace IPv4. It provides a vastly expanded address space, improved security features, and enhanced efficiency for routing and managing network traffic, addressing the limitations and exhaustion concerns associated with IPv4.

Why It's Important

IPv6 is important because it significantly expands the IP address space to accommodate the vast growth of internet-connected devices, ensuring global reachability and scalability of the internet infrastructure. It also introduces enhanced features for security, efficiency, and routing, crucial for modern network management and performance optimization.

How to Improve IPv6 Skills

Improving IPv6 deployment and performance involves several key strategies tailored for a Network Technician. Here's a concise guide:

1. IPv6 Address Planning: Efficiently plan your IPv6 addressing scheme for scalability and manageability. IPv6 Address Planning: Designing an Address Plan for the Future provides comprehensive guidance.

2. IPv6 Security: Strengthen your network's security by leveraging IPv6's features and understanding its vulnerabilities. The IPv6 Security guide by Cisco outlines key considerations.

3. Enable IPv6 on Network Devices: Ensure all your networking equipment is configured to support IPv6. This IPv6 Configuration Guide by Juniper Networks can help.

4. Dual Stack Operation: Running IPv4 and IPv6 in parallel (dual stack) eases the transition. Deploy360 provides resources for implementing dual-stack networks.

5. IPv6 Performance Tuning: Optimize network performance under IPv6. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) document RFC 4443 offers insights into IPv6 performance considerations.

6. Training and Education: Enhance your team's IPv6 knowledge. The Hurricane Electric Free IPv6 Certification program is an excellent resource for practical learning.

By focusing on these areas, network technicians can ensure a smooth, secure, and efficient IPv6 deployment.

How to Display IPv6 Skills on Your Resume

10. SNMP

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol used for monitoring and managing network devices (such as routers, switches, servers, workstations) remotely, enabling network technicians to collect device metrics, track performance, detect network faults, and configure devices over the network.

Why It's Important

SNMP is crucial for a Network Technician as it enables the monitoring and management of network devices remotely, ensuring the efficient operation and quick troubleshooting of the network infrastructure.

How to Improve SNMP Skills

To improve SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), focus on these key areas:

1. Security Enhancement: Upgrade to SNMPv3 for improved security features like authentication and encryption. SNMPv3 Overview.

2. Network Monitoring Tools: Use advanced SNMP monitoring tools for better management and visualization of network performance. Nagios and Zabbix are popular options.

3. Configuration Management: Regularly update SNMP configuration for accuracy. Automate configuration backups. RANCID is a useful tool for configuration management.

4. Efficient MIB Management: Keep your MIBs (Management Information Bases) organized and updated to ensure smooth SNMP operations. ManageEngine MIB Browser can help.

5. Traffic Analysis: Implement SNMP-based network traffic analysis tools to identify bottlenecks and unauthorized usage. Wireshark with SNMP monitoring capabilities is a powerful choice.

6. Regular Training: Stay updated with the latest SNMP best practices and tools through regular training and certification. Cisco Training offers courses on network management.

Improving SNMP involves enhancing security, utilizing advanced monitoring tools, maintaining configurations, managing MIBs effectively, analyzing network traffic, and ongoing education.

How to Display SNMP Skills on Your Resume

11. Firewall Management

Firewall management involves configuring, maintaining, and monitoring the firewall(s) in a network to protect against unauthorized access, control traffic, and prevent cyber threats, ensuring the security and integrity of the network infrastructure.

Why It's Important

Firewall management is crucial for a Network Technician as it ensures the integrity, availability, and security of network resources by controlling incoming and outgoing traffic, preventing unauthorized access, and mitigating various cyber threats.

How to Improve Firewall Management Skills

Improving firewall management involves a combination of best practices, regular audits, and leveraging advanced tools. Here's a concise guide for a Network Technician:

1. Regular Updates and Patching: Ensure your firewall's firmware and software are always updated to protect against the latest threats. Cisco's guide offers insights on deployment best practices.

2. Policy Review and Optimization: Regularly review and clean up firewall rules to eliminate any that are outdated or redundant. This optimization can prevent conflicts and security gaps. Check Point's Firewall Optimization provides strategies for effective management.

3. Secure Configuration: Ensure your firewall is configured according to the principle of least privilege, allowing only necessary traffic. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offers a guide on firewall configuration.

4. Network Segmentation: Use your firewall to segment the network, minimizing lateral movement in case of a breach. Palo Alto Networks explains the importance of network segmentation for security.

5. Regular Audits and Logs Monitoring: Conduct regular audits of firewall rules and monitor logs to detect anomalous behavior early. Tools like Splunk can help in analyzing firewall logs effectively.

6. Automation and Integration: Automate routine tasks and integrate the firewall management with other security systems for a cohesive defense strategy. Fortinet's automation solutions highlight the benefits of automation in security.

7. Training and Awareness: Stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and ensure that all relevant personnel are trained on best practices for firewall management. SANS Institute offers courses and resources for cybersecurity training.

By adhering to these strategies, Network Technicians can enhance the effectiveness of their firewall management, contributing to a more secure network infrastructure.

How to Display Firewall Management Skills on Your Resume

12. VPN Configuration

VPN configuration involves setting up a secure, encrypted connection between a device and a network over the internet, allowing for safe data transmission and remote network access, typically involving protocols, authentication, and server addresses.

Why It's Important

VPN configuration is crucial for ensuring secure, encrypted connections between remote users and the network, protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

How to Improve VPN Configuration Skills

Improving VPN configuration involves enhancing security, reliability, and performance. Here’s a very short and concise guide tailored for a Network Technician:

1. Update Regularly: Ensure your VPN software and all related network hardware firmware (routers, firewalls) are up-to-date to patch vulnerabilities. Cisco's Guide

2. Use Strong Encryption: Opt for robust encryption protocols like OpenVPN or IKEv2 to secure data transmission. Avoid using PPTP due to its vulnerabilities. OpenVPN

3. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhance security by requiring more than one method of authentication. Duo Security

4. Secure DNS: Use DNSSEC or encrypted DNS protocols such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH) to prevent DNS hijacking. Cloudflare DNS

5. Limit VPN Access: Use network segmentation and access control lists (ACLs) to restrict VPN access to only necessary resources. Cisco ACL Guide

6. Monitor and Audit: Regularly monitor VPN logs for unusual activity and audit configurations to ensure compliance with security policies. Splunk

7. Reduce Latency: Choose VPN servers geographically closer to your users and consider using split tunneling to reduce unnecessary data routing. ExpressVPN's Speed Test

8. Quality of Service (QoS): Prioritize VPN traffic to ensure critical applications have the bandwidth they need. Netgear QoS

9. VPN Client Configuration: Ensure client configurations are secure and standardized across the organization to avoid security gaps. OpenVPN Client Connect

By following these steps, you can significantly improve the security, performance, and reliability of your VPN configuration.

How to Display VPN Configuration Skills on Your Resume