Network Technician → Network Administrator

A realistic transition from Network Technician to Network Administrator: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 42%. Difficulty: Easy.

Difficulty: Easy7 stepsDuration: 4 to 8 monthsOverlap: 42%

Transition from Network Technician to Network Administrator.

Transferable skills

  • Routing basics
  • Wi-Fi
  • Scripting basics

Skills to learn

  • TCP/IP & subnetting
  • Switching & VLAN
  • Firewall & VPN
  • Packet analysis

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Network Technician experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Routing basics
    • Wi-Fi
    • Scripting basics

    Map transferable skills — Routing basics, Wi-Fi, Scripting basics — against what a Network Administrator needs.

  2. 2. Close the partial gaps toward Network Administrator

    3–6 weeks

    Improve

    • Network monitoring

    Raise Network monitoring to the level a Network Administrator relies on.

  3. 3. Learn the core of the Network Administrator role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • TCP/IP & subnetting
    • Switching & VLAN

    Technologies

    FortinetpfSenseBGP

    Cover the biggest gaps first: TCP/IP & subnetting, Switching & VLAN.

  4. 4. Master advanced Network Administrator skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Firewall & VPN
    • Packet analysis

    Technologies

    OSPFIPsec VPNLinux

    Handle the advanced topics: Firewall & VPN, Packet analysis.

  5. 5. Get productive with the Network Administrator toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    FortinetpfSenseBGPOSPFIPsec VPNLinuxPython

    Be hands-on with Fortinet, pfSense, BGP and the rest of the target stack.

  6. 6. Practise Network Administrator work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on Network Administrator tasks at work.

  7. 7. Get certified and position yourself as a Network Administrator

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    CompTIA Network+Cisco CCNAFortinet NSE 4

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around Network Administrator, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes