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What does a Network Support Engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a Network Support Engineer do

A network support engineer is an information technology expert who designs and develops computer systems, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Among their responsibilities include performing installations and upgrades, configuring networks, troubleshooting issues, gathering and analyzing data to identify areas needing improvement, and recommending strategies to optimize network operations. They must also provide technical support to staff, address issues and concerns, conduct inspections, and perform repairs. Moreover, a network support engineer must regularly monitor networks while implementing the company's security and safety standards.

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Network support engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real network support engineer resumes:

  • Manage, support, upgrade and administer DNS and DHCP for all devices on the network.
  • Manage a remote VOIP trial which include configuring and supporting customer premise equipment as well as carrier side equipment.
  • Manage and administrate security policy and procedures for all VPN network connectivity and accounts.
  • Create strong relationship with customers by resolving TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP relate problems through remote desktop and on site.
  • Use various forms of Linux operating systems to create firewalls, webservers, PBX, and VPN.
  • Set up VLANs and STP guards on core and access layer switches - change configurations when require.
  • Design and implement network configurations on routers and switches, ensuring effective secure connectivity of all network devices.
  • Work with sister divisions enabling connectivity including NAT configuration bridge as well as firewall rule access, and troubleshooting when necessary.
  • Used various and sniffing tools like wireshark.
  • Install and configure routers involving a variety of protocols.
  • Modify NAT translations on the router whenever request by customers.
  • Implement SNMP on Cisco routers for network management and troubleshooting.
  • Analyze network performance by running sniffer tools like wireshark and InfiniStream.
  • Support, configure and troubleshoot routing protocol: EIGRP for lowest latency.
  • Deploy carrier in carrier MPLS base services in a Verizon fund lab environment.

Network support engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Network Support Engineers are proficient in Switches, Network Support, and OSPF. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

We break down the percentage of Network Support Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Switches, 7%

    Designed and implemented network configurations on routers and switches, ensuring effective secure connectivity of all network devices.

  • Network Support, 5%

    Provide network support to operational and engineering teams, including assisting with recovery efforts during unplanned network outages.

  • OSPF, 4%

    Configured routing protocols: single-area OSPF in branch office network connectivity.

  • BGP, 4%

    Ascertained replicated sessions and live Pi/PDN via BGP routers for Inter Chassis Session Recovery (ISCR).

  • Technical Support, 4%

    Provided technical support on troubleshooting of connectivity issue, installation and configuration of network devices through emails and telephonic sessions.

  • TCP/IP, 4%

    Assisted customers with new store installs and troubleshooting the process from circuit issues with carriers to the TCP/IP stack.

"switches," "network support," and "ospf" are among the most common skills that network support engineers use at work. You can find even more network support engineer responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a network support engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what network support engineers do because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a network support engineer resume shows how network support engineers use analytical skills: "monitor and improve the performance of data network in the region preformed ios upgrades and reconfigured devices afterwards. "

Communication skills. Many network support engineer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a network support engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways network support engineer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "provided hardware and software support which included board replacement, cable switching, communications devices and troubleshooting local desktop machines. "

Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of network support engineers is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday network support engineer duties, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "perform 1st level problem analysis and resolution involving desktop equipment and applications. "

See the full list of network support engineer skills

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Compare different network support engineers

Network support engineer vs. Noc technician

A NOC (Network Operations Center) technician is responsible for providing the highest customer service by resolving the customers' technical and network issues that affect the performance and stability of the systems operations. NOC technicians diagnose system failures and create support tickets for immediate troubleshooting. They also assist the system engineers in upgrading the network infrastructure and configuration to prevent system downtimes and operational delays. A NOC technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in identifying technical solutions and achieve the best customer satisfaction for system services.

We looked at the average network support engineer salary and compared it with the wages of a noc technician. Generally speaking, noc technicians are paid $40,522 lower than network support engineers per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both network support engineer and noc technician positions are skilled in switches, tcp ip, and network support.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between network support engineers and noc technician. For instance, network support engineer responsibilities require skills such as "firewall," "series routers," "is-is," and "ios." Whereas a noc technician is skilled in "customer service," "troubleshoot," "network operations," and "routers." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Noc technicians tend to make the most money working in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $56,227. In contrast, network support engineers make the biggest average salary, $91,500, in the technology industry.noc technicians tend to reach lower levels of education than network support engineers. In fact, noc technicians are 7.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Network support engineer vs. Network operation technician

A network operation technician is responsible for providing technical assistance with computer network issues. Network operation technicians repair and troubleshoot networks and routers, identifying the source of defects by listening to the customers and determining step-by-step guidelines for resolution. They also configure servers to optimize the network's performance and recommend strategies to improve the system's infrastructure. A network operation technician must have excellent organizational and technical skills, especially in explaining the network problems to the customers and addressing preventive maintenance.

Network operation technician positions earn lower pay than network support engineer roles. They earn a $22,134 lower salary than network support engineers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Network support engineers and network operation technicians both require similar skills like "switches," "tcp ip," and "network support" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that network support engineer responsibilities requires skills like "firewall," "series routers," "eigrp," and "ios." But a network operation technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "troubleshoot," "network operations," "customer service," and "routers."

On average, network operation technicians earn a lower salary than network support engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, network operation technicians earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $74,614. Whereas network support engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $91,500.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Network operation technicians tend to reach lower levels of education than network support engineers. In fact, they're 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Network support engineer vs. Support

A support employee is responsible for assisting the business operations and responding to customers' inquiries and concerns regarding its goods and services. Support logs all customers' interaction and escalates potential complaints to the appropriate department. They also help with implementing strategic procedures to improve operations and reach maximum productivity. A support employee must have excellent communication and customer service skills, ensuring clients' satisfaction with the services and maintain good feedback to boost the company's brand, attract more clients, and increase revenues.

An average support eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of network support engineers. The difference in salaries amounts to supports earning a $50,179 lower average salary than network support engineers.By looking over several network support engineers and supports resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "linux," "dns," and "vpn." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, network support engineers are more likely to have skills like "switches," "tcp ip," "network support," and "ospf." But a support is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "cash management," "customer satisfaction," and "hr."

Supports earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $50,563. Comparatively, network support engineers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $91,500.Most supports achieve a lower degree level compared to network support engineers. For example, they're 5.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Network support engineer vs. Systems support

A systems support agent is responsible for resolving system applications and network issues, performing technical configuration, and upgrading systems infrastructure. A systems support representative conducts regular maintenance and diagnostic tests on the computer applications to ensure its optimal performance and efficiency to support business operations and avoid delays in deliverables. They also assist the technology team in designing backup systems and improve existing networks according to business requirements and specifications. They write resolution reports for reference to prevent the reoccurrence of system malfunction and inconsistencies.

Systems supports average a lower salary than the annual salary of network support engineers. The difference is about $22,375 per year.According to resumes from network support engineers and systems supports, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "switches," "tcp ip," and "network support. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A network support engineer uses "ospf," "bgp," "network infrastructure," and "firewall." Systems supports are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "troubleshoot," "provides technical support," and "desktop support. "In general, systems supports earn the most working in the professional industry, with an average salary of $72,760. The highest-paying industry for a network support engineer is the technology industry.In general, systems supports hold similar degree levels compared to network support engineers. Systems supports are 3.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of network support engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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