Network Systems Administration

Please see the Basic Skills Requirement table by clicking here and find your program.

If required, take the Basic Skills Test at our Testing Center. Call 941-255-7500 Ext. 1745 to schedule to take the test.

• Articulated: CompTIA Server+ and
• Articulated: CompTIA Network+

• Information Security Analysts
• Network or Computer Systems Administrator
• Computer Network Support Specialist

To find out more about these opportunities, please visit O*Net OnLine.

Standards

Information Technology Assistant (OTA0040) is the first course in this and other programs within the Information Technology Career Cluster.  Standards 01.0 – 15.0 are associated with this course.

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

1. Demonstrate knowledge, skill, and application of information technology to accomplish job objectives and enhance workplace performance.  
2. Demonstrate an understanding of networks.   
3. Use word processing applications to enhance the effectiveness of various types of documents and communication. 
4. Use presentation applications to enhance communication skills.  
5. Use spreadsheet applications to enhance communication skills. 
6. Use database applications to store and organize data. 
7. Use electronic mail to enhance communication skills. 
8. Investigate individual assessment and job/career exploration and individual career planning that reflect the transition from school to work, lifelong learning, and personal and professional goals.  
9. Incorporate appropriate leadership and supervision techniques, customer service strategies, and standards of personal ethics to accomplish job objectives and enhance workplace performance.  
10. Demonstrate competence using computer networks, Internet and online databases to facilitate collaborative or individual learning and communication.  
11. Develop awareness of computer languages, web-based and software applications, and emerging technologies.  
12. Demonstrate comprehension and communication skills.  
13. Use social media to enhance online communication and develop an awareness of a digital footprint. 
14. Develop an awareness of the fundamentals of cybersecurity.
15. Investigate emerging technologies and their impact on the world. 
16. Incorporate appropriate leadership, customer-service strategies and professional ethics to enhance workplace performance.  
17. Install, configure, and upgrade desktop and mobile computer systems following industry-standard procedures.  
18. Diagnose and troubleshoot hardware, software, and connectivity problems.  
19. Apply safety, maintenance, and environmental sustainability practices.
20. Demonstrate understanding of processors, memory and storage technologies.
21. Demonstrate knowledge of printing and imaging systems.
22. Demonstrate basic networking concepts and connectivity skills.
23. Provide effective end-user assistance.
24. Demonstrate proficiency using modern graphical user interfaces and productivity tools.
25. Incorporate leadership, supervision, customer-service strategies, and ethical standards to enhance workplace performance. 
26. Participate in work-based learning experiences. 
27. Perform end-user support through multiple communication channels.
28. Install and configure operating systems and network services.
29. Demonstrate proficiency using network standards and protocols.   
30. Configure and troubleshoot hardware devices and drivers.
31. Monitor and optimize system performance and reliability.  
32. Manage and troubleshoot storage and user data.
33. Configure and troubleshoot network connections.
34. Implement and troubleshoot system and network security.
35. Demonstrate effective communication in technical environments.
36. Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
37. Use information technology tools to enhance productivity and collaboration.
38. Describe organizational roles and team dynamics in IT environments.
39. Demonstrate professional ethics and legal responsibilities in IT support.
40. Incorporate leadership, customer-service strategies, and ethical standards to enhance workplace performance.
41. Participate in work-based learning experiences.
42. Administer accounts and resources on computers running server operating systems.
43. Modify and manage directory objects. 
44. Perform administrative functions using groups. 
45. Manage access to resources and permissions. 
46. Implement printing and device management in a network environment.
47. Delegate administrative control and manage organizational units.
48. Implement Group Policy and centralized configuration management. 
49. Manage computer and server security. 
50. Administer servers remotely.
51. Monitor and analyze server performance.
52. Collect performance data and identify system bottlenecks.
53. Maintain device drivers and hardware compatibility.
54. Configure and manage disks and volumes.
55. Secure data through encryption and quotas.
56. Plan for and perform disaster recovery and business continuity.
57. Manage software updates and patch management.
58. Configure IP addressing and troubleshoot address issues.
59. Configure an Internet protocol (IP) address for client computers.
60. Implement name resolution and DNS services.
61. Configure routing, remote access, and VPN connectivity.
62. Install and configure client operating systems.
63. Configure and support remote and mobile users.
64. Monitor resources and system performance.
65. Demonstrate the importance of health, safety, and environmental management systems.
66. Demonstrate leadership and teamwork skills.
67. Explain employability and entrepreneurship skills.
68. Apply communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing) in a courteous, concise, and correct manner on personal and professional levels. 
69. Participate in work-based learning experiences.
70. Plan a network infrastructure.
71. Plan and optimize a TCP/IP physical and logical network.
72. Plan and troubleshoot routing.
73. Plan a DHCP strategy.
74. Plan a DNS strategy.
75. Optimize and troubleshoot DNS.
76. Plan and troubleshoot IPsec and network security.
77. Plan network access.
78. Troubleshoot network access.
79. Analyze global director infrastructure.
80. Implement directory and domain structure.
81. Implement organizational unit (O.U.) structures.
82. Implement user, group, and computer accounts.
83. Implement Group Policy and access management.
84. Deploy and manage software and updates through policy.
85. Implement sites and replication strategies.
86. Implement domain-controller placement and resilience.
87. Design and apply a security framework.
88. Recognize and predict common threats by using a threat model.
89. Apply risk management principles.
90. Design security for physical resources.
91. Design security for computers and endpoints.
92. Design security for accounts and identities.
93. Design security for authentication and access control.
94. Design security for data and storage.
95. Design security for data transmission.
96. Design security for network perimeters and edge devices.
97. Design an audit policy and an incident response procedure.
98. Linux Foundation.
99. Linux Fundamentals.
100. Linux installation and configuration.
101. Linux Systems Operation.
102. Linux users, groups, and permissions.
103. Linux Basic Security and System Monitoring.
104. Participate in simulated work-based learning experiences.
105. Demonstrate proficiency in applying radio frequency (RF) technologies.
106. Develop an awareness of wireless LAN technologies.
107. Perform implementation and management activities.
108. Develop an awareness of wireless security systems.
109. Demonstrate knowledge of wireless industry standards.
110. Participate in simulated work-based learning experiences.
111. Demonstrate knowledge of general security concepts.
112. Develop an awareness of communication security concepts.
113. Develop an awareness of network infrastructure security.
114. Develop an awareness of cryptography and its relation to security.
115. Incorporate organizational and operational security in an appropriate and effective manner.

Students enrolling in Network Services Administration must be prepared for independent learning and must meet the following program prerequisites.

• Students enrolling in the NSA program must hold 

1. a current, non-expired CompTIA A+ or higher industry certification; OR

2. any current, non-expired Cisco certification.