Do You Need A Wide Area Network (wan) Administrator?

The role of a WAN Administrator varies from one company to another. Some companies may require their employees to be proficient with Microsoft Windows operating system while others may prefer Linux.

In most cases, a WAN Administrator is responsible for configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting wide area network connections. They may also be responsible for ensuring that all data transmitted across the network is secure and free from corruption. In some cases, a WAN Administrator may also be responsible for managing the network's security systems.

A WAN Administrator typically works closely with other IT staff, such as Network Engineers and System Administrators, to ensure that the network runs smoothly and meets the needs of the company. They may also work with vendors to purchase and install new hardware or software when needed.

What does a WAN Administrator do?

A WAN administrator, also known as a network administrator, is responsible for the maintenance, configuration, and reliable operation of client computer systems, servers, and data security systems. 
 Make sure your company's internal information and communication (IT) structure is up to date. Administrators repel potential cyber-attacks to increase productivity according to corporate policies and procedures.

In order to ensure that a company's network is running smoothly, WAN administrators must have a strong understanding of networking concepts and principles. They must be able to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently. In addition, they must be able to work well with other IT staff members and vendors.

A WAN administrator typically has a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. They may also have certification from Cisco or another networking vendor.

What are the responsibilities of a WAN administrator?

The wide area network administrator role falls into the broader category of network and computer system administrators. The scope of the wide-area network (WAN) administrator's job description includes the following areas:

Define user needs and recommend alternatives.

• Troubleshoot and resolve WAN performance, connectivity, and associated network issues.
• To maintain Internet (WAN) service logs and their delivery based on customer requirements.
• Network infrastructure management, maintenance, troubleshooting, and support.
• Maintains and optimizes the health and efficiency of your end-user system.
• Assigned on-call obligations. To facilitate the purchase and tracking of IT equipment, software, and licenses.  

To identify and fix hardware and software issues.

1. Design, analyze and implement WAN equipment to design cost-effective system configurations that meet your needs.
2. Test, evaluate, and recommend the selection of standard WAN components.
3. Oversee project installation and management as needed for each project.
4. Coordinate management of  WAN systems and all client microcomputers with  IT service providers.

What skills should I learn?

A successful degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related disciplines is essential to success as a wide area network administrator. Basic knowledge of network knowledge is required to create backups, monitor network security on enterprise WANs, and effectively resolve issues related to  software and hardware components of network interaction devices. 

WAN administrators need to be able to effectively interact  with entities at all levels of the organization. You need to be  prepared  to manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks at the same time in  difficult environments. Some of the 

Required certifications are:

CompTIA Network+ Certification
Cisco CCNA Certification
Cisco CCNP Certification
Certified WAN professional (CWP)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Tips for WAN Administrator

The SD-WAN Conundrum 

To minimize the expense of running Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), many organizations turn to software-defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WANs), which enable them to add and manage bandwidth and applications more efficiently. Rather than having to send network managers out to troubleshoot problems or run firmware updates, most of the routine setup and maintenance tasks on SD-WAN can be performed remotely over a central console. 

However, SD-WANs are heavily reliant on the internet – and it`s this connectivity requirement that has the potential to expose an enterprise to external threats, or to make internal vulnerabilities available to a global field of cyber-threat actors. So SD-WAN managers must find ways to more effectively encrypt, filter and manage their data traffic. 

The SD-WAN Security Advantage 

There`s a degree of security inherent within the SD-WAN architecture, as network traffic may be encrypted at all sites without requiring the network administrator to perform a series of manual configuration changes to every router, each time a change is made to the network. And an SD-WAN has a security advantage over the majority of private IP services, as data can`t be breached even if the carrier network is compromised. 
 Many of the leading SD-WAN vendors also offer solutions with security tools “baked in”. These may include the ability to deploy services like firewalls, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and virtual WAN optimization through network functions virtualization (NFV). This makes it very straightforward to deploy security services to any location, be it a branch office, data center, or cloud deployment. 

For the highest standards of security performance, on-board protection for SD-WAN should include: 
 · A state-dependent firewall and/or application firewalls 
 · Detection and protection against viruses and DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks 
 · Dynamic IPSec tunneling 
 · Site-to-site pairing 
 · Secure encryption key management 
 · Inline detection and protection against malware 
 · Full end-to-end event correlation for all devices, users, applications, locations, networks, and security events 
 · Tools for event collation, display, reporting, and remediation 
 Such a security tool-kit will typically originate from a single vendor. While this can simplify matters in terms of management and product support, some enterprises may feel the need for more specialized tools and capabilities, to lend greater depth to their security posture. 

A Layered Approach 

Idealized models for network security adopt a “layered” approach, and the splitting up of systems into zones whose unique security characteristics and risk factors may be addressed by specific tools and protocols. 
Network segmentation can be readily accomplished through SD-WAN, which uses virtualization and software to allow coarse and fine-grained segments to be defined and managed through security policies, as dictated by business needs. This software-based segmentation means that security policies aren`t tied to specific hardware, and may be ported across the network to find or follow devices, as required. 

But even with a next-generation Layer 7 firewall in its edge devices, an SD-WAN may not provide the total security coverage that an enterprise desires. Therefore, in a layered approach to security, with additional tools

In conclusion, a WAN Administrator is responsible for maintaining the IT infrastructure of a business. This includes ensuring that the computers, networks, and other equipment used by the company are working properly and efficiently. In addition, they must also be able to troubleshoot any problems that arise and fix them quickly. As such, they need to know how to use various software programs and hardware components. Furthermore, they must be familiar with networking protocols and understand how these work together. Finally, they must be skilled in using different tools and techniques to maintain the integrity of the company's network.