A data center technician is a member of an organization’s support staff. The technician assists with a variety of data center operations. In many cases, a technician’s primary concern is to keep the equipment running smoothly. Troubleshooting equipment failures, configuring new equipment, and monitoring operations to ensure that proper performance levels are maintained are all part of the technician’s responsibilities in this scenario. His or her job description may include interacting with customers to solve problems in some organizations.
Most technicians who are primarily involved with a center’s operations will work directly with the equipment. Installing new servers or other networking components may be part of the duties of a data center technician in this position. The technician may also be called upon to upgrade existing servers’ operating systems and software. When installing new equipment, the technician may need to run new cable as well.
In some companies, the data center technician is also responsible for identifying equipment needs, in addition to installing new equipment. In these situations, the technician must be familiar with the layout and configuration of the existing equipment. He or she should also be aware of the organization’s plans and potential for expansion.
A data center technician’s additional responsibilities include creating reports and updating records and files. Some companies demand that their technicians evaluate and document critical data about the system’s performance. A technician may also be in charge of keeping track of information in order to identify newly installed equipment. The technician is frequently required to update the network topology diagram when new components are added to an existing center.
A data center technician who works in the customer support and service department typically answers calls for help from end users of a company’s products. These technicians are in charge of diagnosing problems and assisting customers in resolving any issues that may arise. When necessary, the technician should be familiar with standard ticket-handling procedures in order to escalate a ticket upstream. Good communication skills and the ability to deal with upset — and sometimes irate — customers are also required for this job.
Data center technicians, like most professionals, should be able to work well with others and as part of a team. These technicians work with little to no direct supervision in many data centers. These people should be motivated and well-organized, with the ability to prioritize tasks quickly. Technicians should also strive to improve and optimize the operation of the center.