How to be a Network Manager

[Wosborn7]

Hi All,

 

Sorry if this has been touched on before, new to edugeek and trying to get more involved.

 

I'm a new(ish) technician for some primary schools in the local area, and my line manager has decided she wants me to take on more of a network manager role in the future. Although I was quite excited for this, quickly I realised that I'm not 100% sure what it entails.

 

I was wondering if some of you would be able to give me some insight, as to what you do as a network manager. What you do on a daily basis, what would you say your job role is and I guess what could I do in the meantime in order to prepare myself.

 

Thanks.

[noelmm]

I would start off with speaking to your manager and asking them what they have in mind. Are they willing to train you up for this role? For what network managers do that would all depend upon what your network consists of and the requirements placed on you by the schools you're working with.

[Jcx500]

It Depends On what you are doing at the moment, Do you do budgets/Finances for IT, Or is that something what you take on as part of becoming NM

[hardtailstar]

Every Network Managers role is different. some may be full on with repairs and upgrades, some may just do the planning and paperwork

 

Ask your line manager what they think the role is.

 

If you are new to the role of technician, learn as much as you can about servers and networking.

[Wosborn7]

It Depends On what you are doing at the moment, Do you do budgets/Finances for IT, Or is that something what you take on as part of becoming NM

I'm the like 'day to day' technician I deal with issues in the classroom to managing the phone system, also dabling with bits on server (mainly using RMMC as this is what we've been set up to use by our support). I'd be taking on the budgets and ordering as part of the role.

[Jcx500]

Ahh, Im Guessing Suppport does most network/server things then

[Reboot_IT]

Have you checked recruitment sites and read a Job/person spec? They can be vague but it may help summarise the role in general!

[Sonic007]

As a Network Manager I would say you will be more inclined to:

 

- Have a say or be in charge of how the ICT Budget is spent.

- Be responsible for renewing contracts eg. Update software licenses, renew Antivirus and offsite backup plans, etc

- Be brought into any SLT meetings to discuss any ICT related things.

- Be in charge of ICT policies and how your network operates.

- If you have any technicians then you will assign jobs to them or instruct them what to do.

[BFCIT]

As others have stated the post does vary depending on the schools/institutions requirements. Broadly I would say the duties of a Network Manager include:

 

- Responsible for managing and maintaining an effective and safe school network

- Management of technicians, performance reviews, training etc.

- Input at senior management level and be the onsite expert for ICT.

- Creation and enforcement of ICT policies (security, remote working, password policies, acceptable use) etc.

- Development of network and ICT (ICT Strategy) 1,3,5 year plans

- Budget control / procurement decision making

- License management

- 1st to 3rd line - Hardware/Software Support

- Accountability for data and network security, ensuring compliance with appropriate UK/EU legislation.

- Build effective relationships with suppliers ensuring value for money purchasing.

[FishCustard]

I've often wondered whether there'd be interest in a "preparation for being a school IT manager" course, a little like the ones for SBMs.

 

There are things like ITIL, obviously, but virtually nothing specific to schools. I've thought about starting to devise one...

[Wosborn7]

I've often wondered whether there'd be interest in a "preparation for being a school IT manager" course, a little like the ones for SBMs.

 

There are things like ITIL, obviously, but virtually nothing specific to schools. I've thought about starting to devise one...

 

I'd definitely be interested, Just something to put me on the right track!

[clareq]

I was, briefly, a network manager - hated the politics, and went back to being a Senior Technician as quickly as I could. I missed the problem solving. Some people however love and thrive on the people side of the job, but not for me.

[GrumbleDook]

I've often wondered whether there'd be interest in a "preparation for being a school IT manager" course, a little like the ones for SBMs.

 

There are things like ITIL, obviously, but virtually nothing specific to schools. I've thought about starting to devise one...

 

There was/is FITS ... still extremely relevant.

[FishCustard]

There was/is FITS ... still extremely relevant.

 

I did wonder about that, but wasn't sure if it was still running - the website (assuming I've got the right one) seems to have been last updated for 2016.

[Koldov]

I'm a new(ish) technician for some primary schools in the local area, and my line manager has decided she wants me to take on more of a network manager role in the future. Although I was quite excited for this, quickly I realised that I'm not 100% sure what it entails.

 

I'm the like 'day to day' technician I deal with issues in the classroom to managing the phone system, also dabling with bits on server (mainly using RMMC as this is what we've been set up to use by our support). I'd be taking on the budgets and ordering as part of the role.

 

I have stopped myself from replying to this post a couple of times now as I'm not answering your question, but....

 

Can I presume your Line Manager is 'preparing' you to be promoted to a Network Manager position (and the pay grade that comes with it)?

 

I don't know your level of experience obviously, but it rings alarm bells for me that a new(ish) technician is suddenly being asked to take on Network Manager responsibilities.

 

Sorry to sound jaded, but it just sounds like someone is trying to get something for nothing...

[GrumbleDook]

I did wonder about that, but wasn't sure if it was still running - the website (assuming I've got the right one) seems to have been last updated for 2016.

 

Courses still run, and even if you go back and use the FITS 1.5 materials (available on the National Archives site under OGL) it is a good starting point.

[FishCustard]

Courses still run, and even if you go back and use the FITS 1.5 materials (available on the National Archives site under OGL) it is a good starting point.

 

Don't suppose you have a link? I couldn't find them with a brief search on the National Archives website.

[GrumbleDook]

Don't suppose you have a link? I couldn't find them with a brief search on the National Archives website.

 

Sorry ... it's taken me a while to pin point too.

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091002201703/http://becta.org.uk/fits/index.cfm is a good starting point ... as you move forward in the timeline of National Archive snapshots it does move about a bit, especially as it moves towards v2 and the FITS Foundation.

[psydii]

On technical note in a Windows environment, these series of posts is well worth a read. This practice they describe, in my view, really sits at the junction point between "senior technician" and "network manager".

 

If you are a Network Manager, you really should be doing theses things, or be making sure these things are done:

 

https://michaelfirsov.wordpress.com/automating-system-administration-tasks-part1/

[MS2011]

On technical note in a Windows environment, these series of posts is well worth a read. This practice they describe, in my view, really sits at the junction point between "senior technician" and "network manager".

 

If you are a Network Manager, you really should be doing theses things, or be making sure these things are done:

 

https://michaelfirsov.wordpress.com/automating-system-administration-tasks-part1/

 

Agreed and above note explain properly as well.