Computer Network Architects
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Develop disaster recovery plans.
- Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
- Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
- Maintain networks by performing activities such as file addition, deletion, or backup.
- Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
- Coordinate installation of new equipment.
- Monitor and analyze network performance and reports on data input or output to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
- Develop network-related documentation.
- Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
- Develop and write procedures for installation, use, or troubleshooting of communications hardware or software.
- Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
- Communicate with system users to ensure accounts are set up properly or to diagnose and solve operational problems.
- Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
- Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
- Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
- Communicate with vendors to gather information about products, alert them to future needs, resolve problems, or address system maintenance issues.
- Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
- Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
- Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, or recommended technologies.
- Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
- Supervise engineers or other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
- Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
- Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
- Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, or product education sessions for staff or suppliers.
- Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
- Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
- Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
- Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
- Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
- Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
- Visit vendors, attend conferences or training sessions, or study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.
- Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
- Maintain or coordinate the maintenance of network peripherals, such as printers.
Skills
Knowledge
Build a Resume for Computer Network Architects
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.
Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
100%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
93%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
86%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
85%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
83%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
80%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
79%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
78%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
74%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
73%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
70%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
69%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
65%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
65%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
61%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
60%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
59%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
58%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
56%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
53%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
50%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
48%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
44%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
41%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
41%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
41%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
39%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
38%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
38%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
36%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
35%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
30%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
24%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
23%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
20%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
19%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
18%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
18%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
16%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
15%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
15%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
14%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
14%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
13%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
11%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
11%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
10%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
10%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
10%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
9%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
9%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
6%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
5%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
4%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
4%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
3%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
0%
Education
Bachelor's degree
Post-secondary certificate
Associate's degree
Interests
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Work Styles
Work Values
Ready to pursue a career as Computer Network Architects?
Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.
Build Your Resume Now