Good Question and I appreciate it.
As a Desktop Administrator, it is mainly focused on a broad range of issues on the client OS, various desktop applications, configuring and connecting mobile devices, wi-fi knowledges and of-course a fair knowledge of networking (specially on peer to peer lan).
As a Network Administrator, it focuses on
1. Setting up and configuring network devices (switch, router etc) and drivers
2. Connecting user nodes and peripherals of all kinds to the network
3. Adding users to / remove users from the network
4. Managing user accounts such as passwords storage space and file-access privileges
5. Maintaining system and look after back up process
6. Make a tight security of network including emails
7. Grant / revoke users’ access on Internet
and last but not least trained users to proper use of network resources.
It is surely a valuable when u will do the job for 2 yrs and get a certs on CCNA.
One of my opinion (if possible) u may proceed for Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification, which provides the ideal way to demonstrate ability to use Windows 7 (which is now top choice over all desktop versions of Microsoft) to excel in a specific, market-relevant job role. It helps to a Desktop Administrator 7 builds on MCTS prerequisites and is relevant to professional roles in today’s IT marketplace. And CCNA gives u the value for long lasting times.
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Having both user-end and internal networing knowledge, skills and experience is going to be extremely helpful for you.
Having traveled a similar route, it’s important to understand the inner workings of the LAN/WAN you’re connecting to, but most of your support will be at the end-user level. You’ll need to know how to get their PC’s and Printers and Phones and Mobile devices ONTO the network
ANY experience is a huge benefit – just keep learning EVERYTHING you can and you’ll make yourself a very indispensable engineer..
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