Occupation
Overview
Computing
technology in the Bay Area is among the most
sophisticated in the world. We also have sophisticated
networking capabilities. Most business computers
communicate with one another through networks.
These networked computers can be close to
each other (even in the same office), linked
via a Local Area Network (LAN). They can also
be thousands of miles apart, linked via a
Wide Area Network (WAN). In an office environment
networks are often used to send information
from an individual's computer to another computer
or to a shared printer.
The
number of networks is expected to continue
to grow in the future, as is the required
bandwidth and geographic dispersion of users.
New technologies, such as wireless, Virtual
Private Networks and fiber are beginning to
appear and will be more prevalent in the coming
years. Biometrics will also start to emerge
which provide network security via fingerprint
or retinal scans.
Positions
available in this field are also called: LAN
Technician, Network Control Technician, Network
Operations Technician. The Bay Area is one
of the best places to receive training for
this field in the U.S., and jobs are available
for those with the proper training.
The
2001 economic downturn has had a moderate
negative impact on job availability for Network
Technicians. Jobs still exist, though they
might start at a lower level than a year ago.
The companies that had networks before the
downturn started still have their networks,
and the networks continue to need support.
When the economy rebounds there should be
even more of these jobs available than before
the downturn.
Network
Technicians need to understand the integration
of technologies such as computing hardware
(e.g., clients and servers), local networks
(ethernet), networking protocols (TCP/IP),
and software environments (e.g., Windows NT
or UNIX).
|
