Hire the Best Network Administrators

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Francesco L.

Malaga, Spain

$18/hr
5.0
1 jobs

I specialize in network operations center (NOC) support, leveraging five years of experience to ensure seamless connectivity and system reliability for diverse IT environments. My role as a NOC Operator Specialist has honed my skills in monitoring and troubleshooting complex systems, ensuring minimal downtime and efficient service delivery. I excel in identifying and resolving issues swiftly, implementing preventative measures, and maintaining robust communication with technical teams. I thrive in fast-paced environments where proactive problem-solving is crucial. If you are seeking a dedicated NOC specialist who can enhance your operational efficiency and safeguard your network infrastructure, I am ready to contribute my expertise to your project. Let's connect and discuss how I can help achieve your goals.

  • Network Engineering
  • Computer Network
  • Computing & Networking
  • Information Security
Anthony L D.

Portage, Indiana

$67/hr
5.0
29 jobs

Level III IT Consultant that works for other MSPs and IT Consultants. Self-taught IT professional with over 30 years of network administration experience, including almost 30 years specializing in both Windows Server based LAN/WAN and Red Hat Enterprise Linux derivative LAN/WAN networks. I have over 25 years experience with website hosting, cPanel/WHM, and LTS Linux distribution server management. I bring decades of expertise in delivering IT services for a wide range of clients. I have relevant experience in network design, cybersecurity, web development, server management, cloud solutions, and more. I have worked with startups, nonprofits, corporations, government, enterprise, and numerous small businesses in a wide variety of sectors. I am based in the Chicago area and offer remote and on-site support nationwide. I skillfully coordinate projects with daily client commitments, ensuring high standards, timely delivery, and clear communication, delivering results that boost efficiency and profitability. I primarily stick to Level III IT consulting work and I am very selective when accepting contracts. Specializations: - Networking & Security: Expertise in SonicWall, Cisco, Meraki, Fortinet, UniFi/Ubiquiti, Netgear, TP-Link/Omada, etc. I configure firewalls, switches, bridges, Wi-Fi, VPNs, 2FA/MFA, etc. for secure, scalable networks that protect and empower businesses. - Almost 30 years managing cPanel/WHM servers, handling DNS, POP3/IMAP mail, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Apache/PHP/MySQL on RHEL, CentOS, and AlmaLinux for reliable hosting and maximum uptime. - Microsoft: Skilled from DOS/Windows 3 to modern Windows 11 & Server 2025, with Microsoft 365 administration and migration expertise for seamless operations. Relevant experience with Entra, Intune, and Active Directory Group Policy implementation and integration. - Long time user of the Apple ecosystem. From Mac OS 8 to macOS Tahoe, iOS, iPadOS, etc. - Server Management: Physical/virtual server virtualization, automated backups, scripting to streamline deployments, reduce costs. Amazon, Microsoft, Google, etc. - Cloud & Emerging Tech: Azure/Hyper-V migrations, IoT integration for scalable, innovative solutions that drive growth. Industry Experience: - Medical/Dental: Delivered HIPAA-compliant IT for secure data management, compliance. - Automotive: Support for Dealer Management Systems, optimizing sales/service operations. - Corporate Offices: Secure networks, cybersecurity for productivity, reliability. - Warehouses: Access control, structured wiring for connectivity, safety. - Small Businesses/Remote: Tailored IT for scalability, cost-efficiency, growth. What I Offer: - Design/secure networks for reliability, scalability, growth. - Manage cPanel/WHM for seamless hosting (DNS, mail, Apache/PHP/MySQL). - Virtualize servers to optimize resources, cut costs. - Strengthen cybersecurity with modern tools, best practices. - Automate server tasks to save time, streamline operations. - Consult and train individual IT professionals for enhanced productivity and performance. Business & Leadership: As a freelancer, I optimize IT systems, streamline processes, and deliver measurable outcomes. My self-taught expertise enables rapid learning and system redesign for efficiency, with a client-focused approach. I adapt to each projectโ€™s needs, ensuring solutions align with business goals through clear communication and reliable execution, building trust with every deliverable. Military Experience: Decorated U.S. Navy veteran (Operation Desert Shield/Storm), served 5 years with Patrol Squadron 26 (P-3C Orion), earning a Navy Achievement Medal for technical expertise. This discipline drives my precision, reliability, and commitment to excellence in every project. Rates & Availability: - UpWork: I primarily use Microsoft Teams, but also have GoTo Meeting. I can support Zoom and have a ConnectWise ScreenConnect account via my company, Ateki LLC. My office, which is a small podcasting studio, uses several Windows 11 workstations connected with Mouse without Borders for seamless workflow. My hourly rate on UpWork varies by my current client workload. - On-Site Services: I travel regularly for clients and client projects. I charge a flat rate of $225 per hour (or $1,800 per day) plus expenses. Initial payments for small jobs are fifty percent of the labor and one hundred percent of expected expenses in advance.

  • Network Engineering
  • Computer Network
  • Computing & Networking
  • IT Support
  • Information Technology
  • Server Virtualization
  • Firewall
  • FortiGate Firewall
  • Network Security
  • Cybersecurity Monitoring
Kevin B.

Chicago, Illinois

$150/hr
5.0
115 jobs

๐Ÿ†๐Ÿฅ‡โœจProven track record of delivering top-notch IT solutions โœจ๐Ÿฅ‡๐Ÿ† - I specialize in networking, cybersecurity and virtualization including Citrix, VMware, and Microsoft technologies. My expertise spans Unifi, Meraki and Cisco in networking, SonicWall, Palo Alto and FortiNet in security as well as VMware, XenServer and Hyper-V virtualization. I've consistently achieved high client satisfaction through my dedication to excellence and attention to detail. **Key Skills:** ๐Ÿ‘‰ Virtual Machine Management: Proficient in template automation, Citrix MCS, PVS, and Citrix AppLayering for efficient virtual machine deployment and management. ๐Ÿ‘‰ User Experience Optimization: Skilled in enhancing user experience with Citrix WEM, Citrix UPM, Profile Unity, and AppSense solutions. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Wireless Deployments: Experienced in deploying wireless solutions from Meraki, Ubiquiti, and Cisco for seamless connectivity. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Network Security: Expertise in implementing and managing network security firewalls from Meraki, Ubiquiti, SonicWall, Cisco, and Palo Alto to ensure robust protection. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Storage Area Network (SAN) Deployment: Knowledgeable in SAN deployment utilizing Pure Storage and Dell/EMC solutions for reliable data storage. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Exchange Connectivity: Proficient in troubleshooting Exchange connectivity issues and optimizing mail flow for uninterrupted communication. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Windows Patch Management: Skilled in deploying Windows patches using WSUS and Ivanti Patch for enhanced system security and performance. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Microsoft Distributed File Services (DFSr) Deployments: Experienced in deploying DFSr solutions for efficient file replication and management. **Why Choose Me:** โœ… Proven Track Record: With a long history of successful client engagements, I have built a reputation for delivering exceptional IT solutions. โœ… Client Satisfaction: My focus on client satisfaction drives me to go above and beyond to meet project requirements and exceed expectations. โœ… Technical Expertise: I stay updated with the latest advancements in Citrix, VMware, and Microsoft technologies to provide cutting-edge solutions. โœ… Attention to Detail: I pay meticulous attention to detail in every project, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in implementation. โœ… Collaborative Approach: I believe in transparent communication and collaboration, working closely with clients to understand their needs and deliver tailored solutions. **Let's Connect:** ๐Ÿฅ‡ Ready to elevate your IT infrastructure? Reach out to discuss how I can help you achieve your goals efficiently and effectively.

  • Network Administration
  • Firewall
  • Network Security
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Citrix
  • Cisco Meraki
  • VMWare
  • Server Virtualization
  • Storage Area Network
  • Ubiquiti
  • Hosting Setup
  • Cloud Migration
  • Email Security
  • Office 365
  • Fortinet
  • GoDaddy
  • Microsoft Hyper-V Server
  • Palo Alto Firewalls
  • WiFi
  • Microsoft Azure
Segun O.

Osun, Nigeria

$5/hr
4.3
18 jobs

๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜† ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ฒ๐˜€, ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜€, ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐˜ƒ๐—ฎ๐—น๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ธ๐—ป๐—ผ๐˜„๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐—ด๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ, ๐—ฏ๐˜‚๐˜ ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—ฒ๐˜…๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—ถ๐—ป๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฎ ๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฝ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—น๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฒ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—บ ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐—พ๐˜‚๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ธ๐—น๐˜† ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜„๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—น๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด. ๐—™๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ณ๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—Ÿ๐— ๐—ฆ ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฝ๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—น๐—ผ๐˜„-๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—ป๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ณ๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—น๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜„๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐—ธ ๐˜€๐˜๐˜‚๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ฎ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜, ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—น๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ฒ ๐˜€๐—ฐ๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—น๐˜€ ๐˜€๐˜๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ด๐—ด๐—น๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฒ๐˜…๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ป๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐˜„ ๐˜€๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ณ๐˜‚๐—น๐—น๐˜†. That is where I come in. I help businesses, educators, and digital brands build structured, conversion-focused online course platforms using Kajabi, LearnWorlds, Thinkific, and Teachable. My focus is not just on setting up a course, but on creating a complete LMS system that is professional, scalable, user-friendly, and designed to improve student experience and increase conversions. Whether you are launching a new course, building a membership site, migrating platforms, or optimizing an existing online school, I deliver solutions tailored to your goals and audience. ๐— ๐˜† ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—œ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—น๐˜‚๐—ฑ๐—ฒ: โœ… Kajabi, LearnWorlds, Thinkific & Teachable setup โœ… Online course creation & LMS customization โœ… Course structuring, quizzes & downloadable resources โœ… Membership site & coaching program setup โœ… Sales funnel & landing page development โœ… Email marketing automation & workflow integration โœ… AI video integration for eLearning content โœ… Platform migration & LMS optimization โœ… Mobile-responsive website and course design I combine LMS development, eLearning strategy, and conversion-focused design to create platforms that not only look professional but also support long-term business growth. ๐—ช๐—ต๐˜† ๐—–๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜๐˜€ ๐—–๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ผ๐˜€๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ฒ: โœ… Expertise in Kajabi, LearnWorlds, Thinkific & Teachable โœ… Strong understanding of online course business strategy โœ… Clean, organized & user-friendly LMS design โœ… Conversion-focused funnels and automation systems โœ… Reliable communication and attention to detail โœ… Scalable systems built for growth and recurring revenue If you are looking for an LMS Expert and eLearning Developer who can help you build a professional online course platform that is structured, engaging, and optimized for results, I would be glad to work with you. ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฆ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—น๐—น๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ž๐—ฒ๐˜†๐˜„๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐˜€: Kajabi Expert, LearnWorlds Expert, Thinkific Expert, Teachable Expert, Online Course Creator, Course Developer, Sales Funnel Builder, Membership Site Setup, Email Marketing Automation, Landing Page Design, LMS Setup, Digital Product Launch, AI Video Creation, Online School Development, Kajabi Expert, LearnWorlds Expert, Thinkific Expert, Teachable Expert, LMS Expert, LMS Developer, eLearning Developer, Online Course Creator, Online Course Developer, Online Course Expert Kajabi Expert, Kajabi Specialist, Kajabi Developer, Kajabi Designer, Kajabi Virtual Assistant, Kajabi Course Creator, Kajabi Funnel Builder, Kajabi Landing Page Expert, Kajabi Website Design, Kajabi Membership Site, Kajabi Automation Expert, Kajabi Email Marketing, Kajabi Integration Expert, Kajabi Sales Funnel, Kajabi Setup, Kajabi Customization, Kajabi Migration, Kajabi Support, Kajabi Consultant, LearnWorlds Expert, LearnWorlds Specialist, LearnWorlds Developer LearnWorlds Course Creator, LearnWorlds Setup, LearnWorlds Customization, LearnWorlds Designer, LearnWorlds Consultant, LearnWorlds LMS Expert, LearnWorlds Website Design, LearnWorlds Funnel Builder, LearnWorlds Membership Site, Thinkific Expert, Thinkific Specialist, Thinkific Developer, Thinkific Course Creator, Thinkific Setup, Thinkific Customization, Thinkific Website Design, Thinkific Funnel Builder, Thinkific Membership Site, Thinkific Consultant, Teachable Expert, Teachable Specialist, Teachable Developer, Teachable Course Creator, Teachable Setup, Teachable Customization, Teachable Website Design, Teachable Funnel Builder Teachable Membership Site, Teachable Consultant, Online Course Creator, Online Course Developer, Online Course Designer, Course Creation Expert, Course Developer, Course Designer, Course Content Creator, E-learning Developer, E-learning Expert, E-learning Specialist, LMS Expert, LMS Developer, LMS Setup, LMS Customization, Online School Setup, Online School Developer, Digital Course Creator High Performance LMS, Scalable LMS Platform, Knowledge Management System, Digital Education System, Online Learning System Design, Training Program Development, Professional Training Platform, Certification Training Platform, Course Delivery System, Content Management System, CMS Development, Website Optimization, Platform Optimization, User Engagement Strategy, Customer Journey Optimization, Learning Path Development, Course Navigation Optimization

  • Kajabi
  • Teachable
  • Elearning Design
  • Elearning
  • Course Creation
  • Course
  • LearnWorlds
  • Moodle
  • Learning Management System
  • Instructional Design
  • Landing Page Design
  • Thinkific
  • Podia
  • Sales Funnel
  • Elearning Video
  • Content Writing
  • Content Development
  • Elearning LMS Consulting
  • Sales Funnel Builder
  • Website Migration
Inderjit S.

Toronto, Canada

$60/hr
4.8
241 jobs

I am a Cloud Solutions Architect & DevOps Engineer with over 16 years of IT experience, certified in AWS, Azure, GCP, CompTIA Security+, and Kubernetes (CKA). I specialize in designing, automating, and managing scalable, secure, and cost-optimized infrastructures for startups, enterprises, and MSPs. My approach combines Cloud Architecture, DevOps automation, and AI-driven workflows, leveraging tools like ChatGPT , Claude and OpenHands to design modern applications, automate processes, and accelerate development cycles. This enables businesses to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and scale confidently. Core Competencies Cloud Architecture & Migration AWS, Azure (AKS, App Services, AI/ML), GCP, Rackspace, DigitalOcean Hybrid and multi-cloud solutions VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, Proxmox, VSAN migrations DevOps & Automation CI/CD: Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM templates Containers: Docker, Kubernetes (CKA-certified) Workflow automation using N8N and Cursor AI AI-assisted development using ChatGPT and Claude for pipeline optimization, scripting, and application design AI/ML & AIOps AWS SageMaker, Lambda, Rekognition, Azure Cognitive Services Monitoring: Datadog, Dynatrace, Splunk, ELK AI-driven automation and incident remediation LLM-based automation using ChatGPT and Claude Security & Compliance IAM: Okta, Keycloak, Auth0, Azure AD, JumpCloud Compliance: SOC 2, PCI DSS Security: VPNs, SSL/TLS hardening, firewalls Systems & Tools Windows Server (2012โ€“2022), Linux (Ubuntu, CentOS, RHEL) Web servers: IIS, Nginx, Apache, Tomcat, Node.js Databases: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL What I Deliver Cloud migration and architecture design across AWS, Azure, GCP End-to-end DevOps implementation with CI/CD, IaC, and automation AI-powered workflows using ChatGPT, Claude, N8N, and Cursor AI Monitoring, observability, and auto-remediation solutions Secure and compliant infrastructure design 24/7 infrastructure support, incident management, and disaster recovery Cost optimization through right-sizing and scaling strategies Why Clients Work With Me 16+ years of hands-on experience in cloud and infrastructure Certified across AWS, Azure, and GCP Strong expertise in integrating AI tools (ChatGPT & Claude) into real-world DevOps and automation workflows Proven track record with startups, SMEs, and enterprise clients Flexible availability across US, Canada, Europe, and APAC time zones Strong communication and collaboration skills Letโ€™s Build Smarter, Faster, and More Secure If youโ€™re looking for a Cloud Architect & DevOps Engineer who can combine cloud expertise with AI-driven automation (ChatGPT + Claude+OpenHands) to design scalable systems and modern applications, letโ€™s connect. I can help you streamline operations, optimize costs, and accelerate innovation while ensuring reliability and security.

  • Microsoft Azure
  • Linux System Administration
  • Firewall
  • Amazon EC2
  • DevOps
  • Windows Administration
  • Kubernetes
  • Web Hosting
  • VMware Administration
  • CI/CD
  • Single Sign-On
  • Managed Services
  • Infrastructure as Code
  • Cloud Computing
  • Docker
Ahmed M.

Alexandria, Egypt

$25/hr
5.0
27 jobs

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ’ป Experienced IT Lead | Cloud & DevOps | Infrastructure & Security Specialist With over 8 years of hands-on experience in cloud solutions, DevOps automation, and network infrastructure, I design and maintain reliable IT environments for multi-branch organizations. Skilled in Azure, AWS, DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Contabo, Vultr, Bluehost, and Hostinger, managing migration, integration, and automation between on-premises and cloud systems. Proficient with Docker, GitHub, CI/CD pipelines, API integration, and scripting in Python, PowerShell, and Bash to streamline deployments and automate operations. Experienced with VMware ESXi, Proxmox, and Windows Server (2012โ€“2025) administration, including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, and DHCP. ๐Ÿ“œ Certifications: โœ” ๐Ÿ“˜ ITILยฎ 4 Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management โœ” ๐ŸŽ“ CCNA Routing & Switching (Cisco Certified Network Associate) โœ” ๐Ÿ† MCSA Windows Server 2012 (Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate) โœ” ๐Ÿ… MCSE Core Infrastructure (Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert) โœ” ๐Ÿ“ก Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Core โœ” ๐Ÿ” Cyber Security Foundation (CSFPC) โœ” ๐Ÿ–ฅ Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) ๐Ÿ›ก Network & Security Expert in firewalls (Sophos, pfSense, OPNsense, Mikrotik, DrayTek), VPNs (IPSec, WireGuard, SSL), and Cloudflare DNS/SSL security. Skilled in routing, VLANs, QoS, load balancing, and network monitoring for high-availability connectivity. ๐Ÿ— Systems & Virtualization Managing both Windows and Linux servers (Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian) with RAID, NAS/SAN, and backup solutions like Veeam. Experience in Proxmox VE, VMware, and Hyper-V environments. ๐Ÿ“ž VoIP & Communication Administering Avaya, Asterisk, FreePBX, and Issabel systems, configuring SIP trunks, IVR, queues, and call recording for enterprise call centers. ๐Ÿข ERP, CRM & Business Systems Managing Odoo, custom ERP deployments, and CRM integration to improve business workflow and data consistency. โ˜ Remote & IT Management Using AnyDesk, Zoom, TeamViewer, and ManageEngine for remote support, monitoring, and ticketing. Experienced in IT procurement, inventory tracking, and documentation. ๐ŸŽฅ CCTV & Access Control Installing and maintaining IP/Analog CCTV, access control, and UPS power systems for secure and reliable infrastructure. ๐Ÿš€ Passionate about cloud infrastructure, automation, and cybersecurity, with a proven record of optimizing enterprise networks and ensuring system uptime, stability, and security.

  • Network Administration
  • DHCP
  • Linux
  • Server
  • VPN
  • Cloud Services
  • Ecommerce Website
  • VoIP
  • Firewall
  • Proxmox VE
  • Server Virtualization
  • Systems Engineering
  • DNS

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Don't just take our word for it

Write a Job Description to Hire Network Administrators

Maintaining all the technology behind the scenes that makes an organization run is no small feat. IT needs fluctuate, change, and need constant monitoring and tweaking to stay at peak performance, which means itโ€™s crucial to have a seasoned network administrator. This professional can ensure all these componentsโ€”servers, data storage, Internet connections, user accounts, security protocols, email providers, firewalls, and moreโ€”are working in harmony like a well-oiled machine.

A network is your businessโ€™s lifeblood; when it goes down, so does your ability to be productive and provide a service to your customers. Ideally, you want a network thatโ€™s optimized to do what you need when you need it, with minimal downtimeโ€”and a network administrator is the professional trained to maintain that architecture for you.

โ€œA system administrator is an essential member of a well-functioning company. System administrators ensure that all IT assets of a business work effectively, serving company employees best and streamlining company operations.โ€ โ€“ System Administrator, A Secret Weapon to Keep a Software Company Organized

Businesses of all sizes need the help of a network admin at one point or another to maintain or expand their networks. And as businesses grow and change, so do requirements from their networks. While there are day-to-day tasks and incident response needs associated with network administration, you may need a dedicated network administrator for specific scenarios, whether thatโ€™s to help you scale up, overhaul, or switch services.

No matter what level of help you need, hiring a freelance network administrator is a cost-effective way to generate stability within your organization and help you develop confidence that the core of your business communication and data sharing will be reliable in times of high use and stress. Hereโ€™s a quick overview of what a network admin does and some tips for writing a job description that helps you find the best one for your needs.

Related:

What does a network administrator do?

Network administration specialists are highly trained computer information technologists with plenty of experience in maintaining, securing and diagnosing business networks.

A network administrator can provide your organization or business with a variety of services, whether theyโ€™re day-to-day, incident-based, or general improvements. What you need from a network admin will depend on the current phase of your networkโ€™s life cycle, whether itโ€™s scaling up to meet new bandwidth requirements or in response to a recent security breach. They can include:

  • Network maintenance, and expansion
  • On-site server management and/or servers deployed in the cloud
  • Regular updates and maintenance to software, security systems, and software licenses
  • Securityโ€”which can include firewalls, email filters, vulnerability and penetration testing, installing and updating security systems, training users on best practices, etc.
  • System monitoring (for performance, security breaches, and data management practices)
  • Setting up users, email accounts, security protocols, endpoint security, etc.
  • Specific server operating systems (e.g., Windows, Cisco, etc.)
  • Wireless network implementation and communication protocols
  • Router management
  • Hardware updates and implementation, if required

Many organizations use an incident tracking system to flag, prioritize, and delegate network issues that need resolving. Depending on the size of the organization, network administration can be a sole personโ€™s responsibility or can be divided up between people and teams.

A note about certifications

There are a number of industry-recognized certifications for systems/network administration that make it easier to note the skill level of a potential professional such as CompTIA certifications, Cisco certifications, and Microsoft Certified Solutions certifications. A good network admin wonโ€™t need to have all of these, but having up-to-date ones is a good indicator theyโ€™ve got current skills and will be able to help you set up a future-proof network, not one that will be outdated and prone to failure, requiring you to hire another network admin to make fixes behind them.

Defining your network administrator project

The first thing you should nail down is what you need the network admin to do. As mentioned above, what you need from a network administrator is going to largely depend on the size of your network and where yit is in its life cycle. Do you have an existing network but are experiencing some performance issues? If so, youโ€™ll want a network administrator to run an audit that assesses the health of your system and to then provide a plan for upgrading, augmenting, and expanding your hardware and software to beef up bandwidth. You might just need a network pro to troubleshoot some issues, or update a few systems. Or, do you need a network admin to handle day-to-day support tickets?

Provide a full list of all of the hardware, systems, software and security measures you currently have in place. If possible, generate a report about network traffic, performance, and how many servers, offices, and end users you have. Give as much detail as you can (e.g., is your system LAN?); this will paint a picture of what the network admin will be working with, and provide context around your project description. Finally, briefly explain your goals. What do you need their help accomplishing? What are your end goalsโ€”better performance, better security, more bandwidth?

Finally, youโ€™ll probably want to specify for certifications to make sure theyโ€™re qualified and their skills are up to date. Good ones to look for include Cisco CCIE, Cisco CCNP, and CompTIA Network+. While not mandatory, these help ensure youโ€™re getting a network admin whoโ€™s using the newest best practices. If youโ€™re setting up a new network from scratch, filtering out the โ€œold dogs with old tricksโ€ will ensure your network is future proofedโ€”not merely a functional but outdated network thatโ€™s likely prone to failure.

Writing a network administrator project description

Now that youโ€™ve clearly defined your project deliverables, itโ€™s time to write your network administrator project description. The description will determine the quality of the system administrator youโ€™ll attract, so be sure to include as much context and detail as possible.

Be clear and succinct in your title and include any relevant technology they should know in order to work within your system. If you have enough information to provide a set list of deliverables, include those with any hard and fast deadlines you may have. Also, provide information about how youโ€™ll give the professional access to your systems.

Note: For security reasons, you may choose to be vague or open-ended when describing your project, which is fineโ€”just be sure to provide enough context so the candidate knows if he or she is a good fit up front, and can respond with a detailed enough proposal.

Sample Project Description

Below is a sample of how a project description may look. Keep in mind that many people use the term โ€œjob description,โ€ but a full job description is only needed for employees. When engaging a freelancer as an independent contractor, you typically just need a statement of work, job post, or any other document that describes the work.

Title: [Certified] Network Administrator Needed to Help Expand and Integrate Existing Network & Overhaul/Upgrade Security Protocols for Merger

Description:

We are a medium-sized (~115) advertising and PR agency that recently acquired a small pharmaceutical ad agency to ramp up our existing healthcare expertise and offerings. Our existing network is at capacity for users and data and has experienced some lags in performance lately. With our new acquisition, weโ€™re looking to add more servers, expand our bandwidth, onboard the new users and integrate their data into our system. Most importantly, weโ€™ll need to implement some new, tighter security measures to protect the sensitive data and communications of our new pharma clients.

Project Scope & Deliverables:

We need an assessment of our current system, a detailed plan for an overhaul of our architecture, and detailed suggestions for a new system. The merger will be finalized EOY โ€˜17 so weโ€™d like to have an actionable plan in place and assistance with day-of migration of their systems to ours.

Additional: If phase one goes well, weโ€™d love help with planning and implementing an employee training program on email, internet, device and data security best practices as we onboard new talent.

About Us:

We are Paddock Partners, a medium-sized PR and advertising firm with a growing specialty in healthcare and pharmaceutical advertising. Our recent acquisition of HealthStar Marketing will make us a fully equipped healthcare marketing agency able to take on high-profile drug and pharma clients with education, launch, OPDP approval, and more.