WLAN Toolmakers Are Going All In on the Cloud

It’s been many years since Meraki and Aerohive swaggered onto the WLAN scene and showed the wireless world that the cloud was a viable option for managing networks. Both companies have been bought by bigger fish (Cisco and Extreme, respectively) and cloud-managed network skeptics have been proven wrong as “legacy” WLAN vendors have slowly built their own cloud-based offerings. But we’re talking about the infrastructure vendors here… The WLAN support tool space has been much slower to follow with viable cloud options, but it’s safe to say that this side of the industry has caught up nicely.

I spent a bit of time in the San Jose earlier this year, and got an eyeful of cloud capabilities from both MetaGeek and NetAlly. The setting was Mobility Field Day 4, and both vendors advanced the message that the cloud certainly brings added value to their offerings. This dovetails with other recent product developments from competing vendors, and it all adds up to a bigger story worth considering.

MetaGeek is one of those long-running wireless tool companies that has as much as any to do with the overall early success of the professional WLAN space. Not only did they provide affordable, easy to use spectrum and packet analysis utilities, they also did a great job educating their customer base on what separates good Wi-Fi from bad through the lens of spectrum analysis. But even they would admit they had a few stagnant years, and many of us as customers wondered if they were “done”. Judging by their latest hardware tool options that embrace mobile devices, updated software, and the Rampart cloud-hosted dashboard (below), I’d say the company is back with a vengeance.

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Top 5 Networking Challenges and How Network Testing Can Help

New advancements in dedicated network test technologies can help alleviate some of the growing pressures network engineers face.

Network engineers have an increasingly important — and challenging — role to play in keeping a company’s network operating smoothly. In addition to the basic duties of designing, deploying and troubleshooting today’s complex networks, they’re also tasked with configuring security systems, monitoring performance, and understanding and implementing a broad new set of technologies like software-defined networking, IoT, Cloud and more.

With more responsibility than ever before, it’s no wonder that network engineers — and the technicians on their teams — feel overwhelmed.

In fact, in a recent Spiceworks survey of more than 250 IT pros and MSPs/IT service providers, 40% of respondents cited that they face challenges in network and device deployment, 35% in network management and maintenance, and 28% in network related organization and staffing issues. Across these categories, respondents noted five key challenges impacting their networking operations and testing, including: constant upgrades, security issues, time constraints, monitoring and analysis and finding qualified hires.

Organizations are relying more on solutions that centralize network management and configuration. Engineers are using software tools, such as protocol analyzers, and purchased or home-grown scripts and programs to address their problems. But these tools are often so highly specialized that field technicians cannot be easily be trained or trusted to use them effectively.

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2 POPULAR CAREER PATHS AFTER COMPUTER NETWORK SUPPORT TRAINING

What are your job options in Montreal as a computer support specialist? And which career paths are most likely to provide stable employment and competitive salaries after graduation?

In this post, we look at two of the most popular employment options for graduates of computer support programs. Compare salaries, required skills, duties, and the latest job forecast for both roles, in the city of Montreal.

COMPUTER NETWORK TECHNICIAN

Computer network technicians (also known as IT technicians) work in-house for companies and organizations large enough to require on-going computer support.

Potential employers include telecommunications companies, large businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions. If you pursue this career path, you'll be responsible for maintaining your employer's network—ensuring all systems are up-to-date, secure, and functioning optimally.

Tasks you'll perform on a regular basis include:

• setting up and optimizing new workstations
• taking charge of user accounts in the Active Directory (including creating/disabling accounts, setting attributes, assigning group and policies, etc.)
• installing, configuring, and updating new hardware and software as needed
• researching and recommending new hardware/software to meet the specific needs of users
• responding to requests for technical support from users, and troubleshooting problems
• providing technical training to company employees
• maintaining filing systems, training manuals, and logs
• organizing the use/booking of technical equipment for company employees

Computer network technicians usually report to a director of IT, and are expected to work fairly autonomously. Employers are looking for candidates who can quickly diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and communications issues, without a lot of supervision or "hand-holding".

Since you'll probably be dealing with users in this role (helping with training and troubleshooting), communication skills will also be key. Montreal employers will prioritize candidates who are fluent in both English and French, and have demonstrated a talent for patient, professional customer service.

Working in-house as a network support technician is an excellent way to develop expertise in a particular field or industry. Permanent/full-time positions offer a great opportunity to hone your skills, and work your up to more advanced network administrator and supervisor roles.

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