What does a lan administrator do?

LAN administrators are responsible for maintaining the local area network of an organization. These administrators manage the server that connects an organization's network to computers and equipment that need them. They install, configure, and troubleshoot the local area network or LAN in a corporate office. It is part of their job to ensure that the internet is available for everyone who uses computers to perform their roles. They also evaluate and recommend the computers, hardware and software, and the equipment needed to create a hack-proof server.
Lan administrator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lan administrator resumes:
- Work with VMware servers with respect to managing user's home directories, share directories, and print queues.
- Manage the storage infrastructure for virtualization, high availability systems and data consolidation.
- Work within a DHCP and DNS environment, setting up DNS clients and configuring PC's for DHCP.
- Configure TCP/IP manually and automatically using DHCP.
- Configure and test client workstations to utilize VPN access using secure token identification.
- Increase productivity and minimize downtime by supporting all company software, operating systems, workstations, charting/drawing, and network connectivity.
- Install image systems with appropriate OS for client needs.
- Install and configure core applications once base OS image has been deploy.
- Establish Internet accessibility, TCP/IP addresses, and internal and external e-mail accounts.
- Purchase server and components to build, setup, and configure Novell servers.
- Maintain a PC/Mac lab with state of the art workstations, scanners and printers.
- Support various connectivity requirements including, but not limit to, Ethernet and TCP/IP.
- Arrange and supervise the daily, weekly and monthly system backup of the AS/400 and servers.
- Configure each server to direct name resolution requests for internet-base hosts to ISP's authoritative DNS servers.
- Configure networking servers with DHCP services and share network printers, and install equipment including POS equipment.
Lan administrator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of LAN Administrators are proficient in Windows Server, Network Hardware, and Desktop Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Leadership skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of LAN Administrators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Windows Server, 10%
Performed Windows server administration including maintaining local group membership, file system and share permissions.
- Network Hardware, 7%
Assist in procurement, installation and configuration of network hardware and peripherals.
- Desktop Support, 6%
Provided network and desktop support to 777 engineering and executive management distributed over two buildings.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Performed general maintenance troubleshoot, backups, and repair computer systems and peripheral equipment located throughout the organization.
- Lan, 4%
Developed potential for success among employees by delivering sound instruction concerning all aspects of LAN administration.
- Switches, 4%
Supported all LAN connections including monitoring of Cisco routers/switches.
Most lan administrators use their skills in "windows server," "network hardware," and "desktop support" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lan administrator responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. A big part of what lan administrators do relies on "analytical skills." You can see how essential it is to lan administrator responsibilities because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lan administrator tasks: "ensured data was properly backup up and regularly ran test restore jobs using backup exec. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for lan administrator responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of lan administrators all the time, as "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." An excerpt from a real lan administrator resume shows how this skill is central to what a lan administrator does: "establish and maintain effective lines of communication with end-user community to ensure continuity of company's computer systems. "
Problem-solving skills. Lastly, "problem-solving skills" is an important element of what a lan administrator does. Lan administrator responsibilities require this skill because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This resume example highlights how lan administrator duties rely on this skill: "evaluated and implemented backup exec as the standard backup solution for all locations. "
The three companies that hire the most lan administrators are:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine9 lan administrators jobs
- Johns Hopkins University7 lan administrators jobs
- Peraton6 lan administrators jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable lan administrator resume templates
Build a professional lan administrator resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your lan administrator resume.Compare different lan administrators
Lan administrator vs. Information technology administrator
An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, lan administrator responsibilities require skills like "network hardware," "desktop support," "emerging technologies," and "network administration." Meanwhile a typical information technology administrator has skills in areas such as "customer service," "database," "pc," and "os." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Information technology administrators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $93,678. In contrast, lan administrators make the biggest average salary, $74,033, in the technology industry.On average, information technology administrators reach similar levels of education than lan administrators. Information technology administrators are 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lan administrator vs. Administrative technical support
Administrative technical support maintains every technical set-up used in a company. Their primary responsibility is to inspect a company's systems, evaluate for issues, and repair any problems immediately. Administrative technical support is typically on call at the start of the day and, when they are not responding to calls, they conduct regular check-ups on all company systems. They are also responsible for creating technical reports and offering recommendations for improvements.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, lan administrator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "network hardware," "lan wan," "desktop support," and "switches." Meanwhile, an administrative technical support has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "phone calls," "data entry," and "desk support." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, administrative technical supports achieve similar levels of education than lan administrators. They're 0.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for lan administrators in the next 3-5 years?
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Lan administrator vs. Windows system administrator
A Windows System Administrator maintains the systems and servers of a Windows operating system. They evaluate and modify the system's performance.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a lan administrator is likely to be skilled in "network hardware," "desktop support," "network administration," and "network support," while a typical windows system administrator is skilled in "infrastructure," "powershell," "sccm," and "os."
Windows system administrators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $93,089. On the other hand, lan administrators are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $74,033.Most windows system administrators achieve a similar degree level compared to lan administrators. For example, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lan administrator vs. Junior systems administrator
A junior systems administrator is primarily responsible for handling and maintaining systems for users while under the supervision of a more experienced systems administrator. Their responsibilities often revolve around assisting senior administrators, troubleshooting support, providing installations and configurations, and handling inquiries and concerns, providing them with corrective measures. Aside from support tasks, one may also have administrative duties such as producing reports and presentations, managing schedules, and maintaining accurate data of all transactions. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all the policies and regulations of the company.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between lan administrators and junior systems administrators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lan administrator might have more use for skills like "network hardware," "emerging technologies," "network administration," and "network support." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of junior systems administrators require skills like "system administration," "os," "nas," and "powershell. "
Junior systems administrators enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $65,174. For comparison, lan administrators earn the highest salary in the technology industry.junior systems administrators reach similar levels of education compared to lan administrators, in general. The difference is that they're 1.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of lan administrator
Updated January 8, 2025











