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What does a server technician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.

Server technicians are information technology (IT) professionals who are responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the server systems of an IT organization. These technicians must manage both Unix and Windows-based systems to ensure reliability and stability for the clients. They are required to manage data center hardware by providing total diagnosis and repair on hardware issues. Server technicians must also perform regular backups for the organization's server while providing technical support to follow up inquiries and problems on system servers.

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Server technician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real server technician resumes:

  • Manage and deploy Citrix server farms.
  • Manage DHCP scopes, options for district servers.
  • Configure, install and manage virtual machines on Linux servers.
  • Work extensively installing, configuring and managing VMWare and Microsoft virtual platforms.
  • Manage firewalls, endpoint encryption and other communications and systems security devices for large scale networks across distinct complicate infrastructure.
  • Provide technical support for servers, thin clients, personal computers, printers, routers, switches and other network equipment.
  • Update TCP/IP, DHCP and DNS/WINS settings on all desktops
  • Maintain all user accounts for entire UNIX / Linux environment.
  • Perform troubleshooting services for printers, plotters, copiers, scanners, and all PC relate peripherals.
  • Test, and repair PC s, laptops, servers, switches, and routers according to customer specification.
  • Disconnected/Reconnect computers/laptops/servers and its peripherals, printers, switches, devices in multiple data centers.
  • Resolve major DNS server configuration issues as well as host settings.
  • Experience in Siebel CRM software, Citrix Metaframe, Microsoft OS family.
  • Research and troubleshoot incorrect or mislabele location of blade servers within an enclosure and escalate to appropriate group.
  • Create and configure virtual servers using VMware software to reduce the cost of hardware need by maximizing utilization of existing hardware.

Server technician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 18% of Server Technicians are proficient in Customer Service, Troubleshoot, and Windows Server. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Multitasking skills.

We break down the percentage of Server Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 18%

    Provided telephone and in-person customer service support, ensuring maintenance of Gateway hardware & software for business and residential customers.

  • Troubleshoot, 7%

    Visited customer sites throughout North America to troubleshoot mission-critical problems.

  • Windows Server, 5%

    Configure servers and remotely deploy Windows Server and Linux operating systems.

  • Linux, 5%

    Illustrated proficiency in embedded software protocols on Linux and Windows platforms used to Customize network server environments.

  • PC, 4%

    Performed PC migrations on a small scale for a single office and on a large scale for Humble ISD.

  • Switches, 3%

    Disconnected/Reconnected computers/laptops/servers and its peripherals, printers, switches, devices in multiple data centers.

Common skills that a server technician uses to do their job include "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "windows server." You can find details on the most important server technician responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a server technician to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Server technicians often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "implemented ssis data source and destination data flows, integration service tasks, and send mail task. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling server technician duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers." According to a server technician resume, here's how server technicians can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "support secure network communications (vpn, ssl, csg, ftp, https). "

Multitasking skills. This is an important skill for server technicians to perform their duties. For an example of how server technician responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators may have to work on many problems and tasks at the same time." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a server technician: "exhibit strong communication, critical thinking, multitasking, troubleshooting, and customer service skills".

Problem-solving skills. For certain server technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a server technician rely on this skill, as "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what server technicians do: "implemented a vpn solution via the internet to enable a secure connection between a remote location and main office. "

Most common server technician skills

The three companies that hire the most server technicians are:

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Compare different server technicians

Server technician vs. Information technology/support technician

An information technology (IT) support technician is an individual who is responsible for providing support and troubleshoots software and hardware problems faced by customers. As for larger organizations that have their own IT department, technicians must work together internally with their IT staff members. IT support technicians are involved in inspecting and resolving minor local area network and wireless network issues, which include TCP/IP, DHCP, and VPN. They are also required to obtain an associate's degree in computer science or related field.

We looked at the average server technician salary and compared it with the wages of an information technology/support technician. Generally speaking, information technology/support technicians are paid $10,293 lower than server technicians per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between server technicians and information technology/support technicians are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like customer service, troubleshoot, and windows server.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a server technician are more likely to require skills like "extraction," "pc," "facebook," and "desktop support." On the other hand, a job as an information technology/support technician requires skills like "desk support," "phone calls," "remote desktop," and "os." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

The education levels that information technology/support technicians earn slightly differ from server technicians. In particular, information technology/support technicians are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a server technician. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Server technician vs. Information technology technician

An information technology technician, also known as an IT technician, is responsible for ensuring that all computer systems in a company or organization are running smoothly and efficiently. Their duties primarily revolve around installing and maintaining systems, including software and hardware, and resolving any issues. They also provide technical support such as troubleshooting, navigation, and even system upgrades. Furthermore, an information technology technician can choose whether to work for a company or independently.

Information technology technician positions earn lower pay than server technician roles. They earn a $6,853 lower salary than server technicians per year.A few skills overlap for server technicians and information technology technicians. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "windows server. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, server technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "extraction," "pc," "facebook," and "desktop support." Meanwhile, an information technology technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "desk support," "network printers," "sql," and "os." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Information technology technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than server technicians. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for server technicians in the next 3-5 years?

Babak Beheshti Ph.D.Babak Beheshti Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology

-The enormous growth of IoT and wearables. The number of connected devices is expected to be more than 26 billion in 2020. That includes things like household appliances, controllable lighting, and much more. This trend is likely to continue as it is expected to see the industry grow to 661 billion dollars by 2021.

-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.

Server technician vs. Information systems technician

An information systems technician is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of various network systems' performance. Information systems technicians provide network troubleshooting, upgrading systems for optimization, maintaining the security of databases, managing the interaction of networks, and inspecting and troubleshooting system inconsistencies. Additional duties include creating network designs based on clients' specifications, configuring software and hardware applications, and creating reports on system issues and resolutions. An information systems technician must have excellent knowledge of information systems procedures, programming languages, detecting malfunctions, and making resolutions promptly.

An average information systems technician eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of server technicians. The difference in salaries amounts to information systems technicians earning a $9,538 lower average salary than server technicians.server technicians and information systems technicians both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "customer service," "troubleshoot," and "windows server," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, server technicians are more likely to have skills like "extraction," "pc," "switches," and "facebook." But a information systems technician is more likely to have skills like "phone calls," "desk support," "user support," and "os."

Most information systems technicians achieve a similar degree level compared to server technicians. For example, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Server technician vs. Technical support technician

Technical support technicians are skilled professionals who resolve computer or information technology-related concerns. They may do installations, repairs, or maintenance activities of various applications or computer hardware. They are sometimes assigned specific issues or concerns to resolve so that they will not be bombarded with various issues. This means that they can now specialize in a specific family of concerns. Technical support technicians may provide on-site support, going directly to the person who needs help and doing what needs to be done or troubleshoot the problem in person. They may also be offsite and would usually be manning helpdesk hotlines. Offsite technical support technicians walk the caller through the steps they should do to fix the issues. As such, when a technical support technician is offsite, they are expected to be good communicators and will be able to provide clear instructions.

Technical support technicians tend to earn a lower pay than server technicians by an average of $15,674 per year.While both server technicians and technical support technicians complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, windows server, and linux, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A server technician uses "troubleshoot," "extraction," "pc," and "switches." Technical support technicians are more likely to have duties that require skills in "patients," "customer support," "mac," and "os. "In general, technical support technicians hold similar degree levels compared to server technicians. Technical support technicians are 1.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of server technician

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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