Computer Networks And Servers Often Require Maintenance. Companies Store Sensitive And Important Information On These Systems That Must Be Protected.

Data center technicians are skilled professionals who ensure that devices perform at their best and that the network is stable. They install and update systems and fix problems that may arise over time.

Their main job is to provide the necessary technical support with the system or network installation and troubleshooting to ensure optimal operations in the data center.

This article explains exactly what data center technicians are responsible for and how you can become a skilled data center technician in 7 steps.

Who is a data center technician?

A physical location where organizations store critical applications and data is a data center. The design of a data center is based on a computing and storage resources network. The essential components of a data center include routers, switches, firewalls, storage systems, and servers.
A data center technician is a computer systems specialist responsible for installing and maintaining servers and network equipment. They often have extensive knowledge of data center infrastructure and the ability to troubleshoot technical problems that may arise over time and after data center design and implementation. Datacenter technicians often monitor a company’s servers and networks. They can watch these systems to ensure that the equipment works correctly with optimal security.
A data center technician is someone who provides all necessary support for the data center of an organization or company. Data centers typically have personnel to perform these operations within the organization. Usually, data center technicians work in the server rooms of data centers. Datacenter technicians must have an up-to-date skill set. A data center technician must answer questions and use various sources to provide accurate information to others. Datacenter technicians must be proficient in operating systems, network infrastructure, and network hardware.

Data center technician duties

• The data center technician must install, repair and maintain equipment or programs as needed, including servers or some special software necessary for the organization.
• Must have a good understanding of all technical points. This helps professionals identify errors to fix any mistakes as soon as possible.
• The data center technician documents his work and keeps a log of events for later reference. (such as documenting network or server failures)
• The data center technician provides practical solutions for troubleshooting and provides necessary training to employees on this issue.
• It is essential to carry out assessments and inspections at regular intervals. This helps them control everything and allows them to take immediate action whenever something goes wrong. That is, they protect the sensitive and vital data of the organization by preventing some problems or quickly fixing them, such as overheating parts.
• Must come up with new and creative ideas to improve the business. Also, have high communication skills to convey your message.
• The Data Center Technician provides online support services to the Information Technology (IT) team, staff, and customers as needed.
• May work with cybersecurity teams to help prevent or mitigate threats such as ransomware.
• Must be able to upgrade data center infrastructure as needed.

Data center technician skills

Depending on the job position, a data center technician can require different skills. Generally, they should have information technology (IT) skills. A data center technician must have a good knowledge of switches, routers, monitors, and various specialized equipment. They are also expected to have troubleshooting skills and should be able to perform tests to identify and fix defects. These skills help data center technicians to be professionals in the field.

In general, data center technicians often need the following skills:

• Communication Ability: You may need strong customer service skills to work as a data center technician.
• Hardware Repair: The essential ability to repair damaged or faulty network equipment and devices is a core skill you may need to work as a data center technician.
• Troubleshooting: The ability to identify and fix errors in computer networks, including an organization’s local area network or LAN, is often a vital task of a data center technician.
• Knowledge of computer networks: Data center technicians often know how to install and maintain data center infrastructure, including network maintenance.
• Physical ability: Data center technicians may be required to lift heavy items and work long hours as needed. Consider these things before choosing this job.
• Inventory Management: The data center technician job requires that you keep an accurate inventory of tools, equipment, and network devices. So you should be able to manage these things.
• Writing skills: As a data center technician, you may need to develop SOPs, and creating any SOP often requires technical writing skills.

Training and documents required by the data center technician

Applicants for this job must have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology engineering, as many employers prefer a degree in information technology, computer science, or related fields. Also, proper training in hardware and software management can be beneficial. Along with these, certification courses can also develop your skills. These courses allow you to get a valid certificate to enter the job market. Getting certified can be a great way to validate your skills to potential recruiters and employers and set you apart from others.

Some of the certificates you can apply for are:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate Data Center (CCNA Data Center)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center (CCNP Data Center)
• Juniper Networks Certified Professional Data Center (JNCIP-DC)
• VCE Converged Infrastructure Administration Engineer (VCE-CIAE)
• VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV)

 3 Less Talked About Data Center Technicians

Here are three things you may not know about data center technicians and what they do.

1. Because technicians deal with equipment, they often have to lift heavy equipment, so they need to be confident and able to do so.
2. At some point, most technicians have to work long hours. This may be due to an impending crisis or an unexpected system disruption. Therefore, it is pretty standard for technicians to work long hours at times until such issues are resolved.
3. Some think that data center technicians don’t need professional training or certifications and only an internship experience will be enough for them. Still, the reality is that most data center technicians need certificates. If you are interested in working for a large company, you must complete specific training courses before applying.

7 Steps to Becoming a Skilled Data Center Technician

Here are seven steps to becoming a data center technician:

1. Fuel your passion for data center technician work.

An interest in data center infrastructure and maintaining servers and network equipment may increase your productivity in this field and help you be a more robust choice as a data center technician than others. You can learn more by taking courses, reading books, or listening to podcasts.

2. Pursue formal training in data center infrastructure.

Formal training in data center infrastructure can help prepare you for an entry-level position as a data center technician. Many employers prefer technicians with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Also, you can consider higher education in systems design, computer programming, and networking.

3. Look for training opportunities for hands-on experience.

Data center technician jobs can be competitive, and employers often prefer applicants who have direct experience installing and testing data center infrastructure and systems. It is better to consider an internship before professional expertise, which can provide you with practical experience in performing network and server maintenance operations. Gaining this technical experience can help you secure a full-time job as a data center technician.

4. Get data center maintenance certifications.

Take the data center certification course and exam seriously. Many employers may prefer data center technicians with relevant and active certifications. A data center certification can enhance your knowledge of networking technologies and validate your expertise in understanding and maintaining data center infrastructure. Obtaining a valid certificate in this field indicates that you have the necessary skills to implement routing and switching protocols, security features, and more.

5. Update your resume.

Don’t forget to update your resume to showcase your skills, knowledge, and experience. An outline allows you to highlight your technical abilities. Overviews also will enable you to emphasize soft skills, such as communication skills, a willingness to learn, teamwork, and dependability. Therefore, reflecting on your skills in a good resume can help get the hiring manager’s attention.

6. Identify references.

A reference can be anyone who knows your talent, skills, and personality. Hiring managers may ask you for references, so it’s best to ask some trusted friends to act as your references.

7. Apply for data center technician jobs.

Consider searching for data center technician job openings and applying for positions that appeal to you the most. Applying for a job is an action that shows employers that you are interested in working for them.

Career future of data center technician

Statistics show that the growing data center infrastructure is increasing the need for technology professionals, indicating that the job outlook for data center technicians is auspicious.