Computer network technicians build and maintain computer networks used by business, education, government, and health-care institutions. Networks linking desktop computers allow users to send electronic mail (e-mail) and to share data, computer applications, and Internet connections. As more institutions establish computer networks, the demand for skilled computer network technicians will grow.

Computer network technicians, which are also known as computer network engineers or network specialists, must know current standards and terminology used for local area networks (LANs) and larger wide area networks (WANs). They often help plan their employers' computer networks and then implement the planned networks. Most commonly, network technicians administer existing computer networks and troubleshoot problems as they arise.

Planning a computer network entails analyzing costs and needs of a company and then selecting the appropriate media (e.g., twisted-pair copper wire, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, wireless) for a given situation. Computer network technicians may also recommend appropriate network addressing systems, appropriate layouts for various network configurations, and appropriate connection devices.

Implementing a computer network entails designing and following administrative plans to meet specific needs such as account management and security. Much of the work involved in implementing a network consists of installing, configuring, and resolving conflicts among different hardware used in the network, such as network adapters. Administering and troubleshooting a network entails identifying and resolving network performance problems.