Network administrators are increasingly in demand as more companies become computer-savvy. Local and wide-area networks require constant supervision and updates to both hardware and software.

The NATS program at Interface College covers both the hardware and the software issues required to set up and maintain a Microsoft Windows networking environment.

NATS program certification goals are completion of the Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA) certification.  Tests include:

• Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
• Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
• CompTIA A+ (Core and Operating Systems)
• CompTIA Network+

Graduates of this program will have a variety of business/technical career paths open to them, such as: Network Administrator, Network Support Specialist, Help Desk Analyst, and Information Technology Specialist.

Students will build a computer and configure it with various OS software in preparation for the A+ exams in core hardware and operating systems.

Technical Support

• Tear Down and Rebuild Computers
• Troubleshooting and Repair
• Hardware Settings
• Maintenance

• Server Installation
• Software Configuration
• Client/Server Relationships
• Peer-to-Peer Relationships
• Network Protocols
• Network Security
• Network Topologies
• Troubleshooting

Operating Systems

• DOS
• Windows 95/98
• Windows NT
• Windows 2000

• Networking Skills
• Job-hunting Techniques
• Business presentations

Students in this semester will learn to install and configure server and client machines for networks using Windows 2003 Server in preparation for the MCSA 2003 exams.

Windows Server / Client OS

• Windows XP Client
• Network Security
• Install/Configure a Windows 2003 Server
  for use in a small LAN as both
  a File Server and Proxy
• Managing a Windows 2003 Server in a small to medium sized LAN.

General

• Customer Service skills
• Presentation Development
• Job-Hunting and Networking Techniques
• Resume Package Preparation
• Interviewing Skills