Dear IT professionals:

I have been in application development in .NET  and SQL Server for many years. I want to switch to System Administrator/Network Administrator. Is it possible? What effort will it require to switch? Your information/help is appreciated.

Why do you want to make the switch?.., if you don't mind answering. Just curious.

I don't see much prospect in development profession, especially when you get older. Hence, I want to switch to Network Admin which is relatively better in terms of job security even in old age like 40 or 50. Other option may be in Project Management. However, PM requires more management and communication skill. What do you think?

"I don't see much prospect in development profession, especially when you get older". -- I partially agree with your statement. It will definitely not look good when you are 50 and you are doing coding that a college grad can do. But again you can always be an architect or an app development manager. My senior apps development manager is 56 and he rocks. He can guide you on everything you are ever confused about. I just wonder where did he get all that knowledge from, obviously by experience.

I don't see much in App Development Manager position as such in the market. There are more senior developers and architect as well but not App Dev Managers. Not many companies have this kind of position. Have you seen anyone switching from developer to network admin responsibilities? Give me your advice how one can change. Do network certifications help in changing the line of profession?

This is difficult advice to give my friend. I have seen a number of people switching from a network professional to a developer but not the other way round. I would say, be specific on what you want to do on network management and get the related knowledge and certifications and start looking for a new role. Best of luck for you. 

deeeep bro - Thanks for your comment despite very uninteresting thread topic. And I apologize for typo on the thread heading - Please read "easy" NOT "eassy".

I don't think Network Admin as a solution to what you would like to progress into as you grow in your career. There are a lot of options for a developer to grow into Tech Architect, Project Manager, etc. If you are thinking Network Admin as being a stress free job for an old man, you would be sadly mistaken...

I have seen mostly the opposite. Having system / network knowledge will in fact help one  a lot in software development. They have a broader concept and knowledge when designing and coding the application. Every applications are to be designed with significant consideration of network and system infrastructure. You may not have noticed it if you just have worked on a part of the development project.
I think, working few years in network and system and then moving back to development and then system and software architecture would be better.

if you have worked in .NET or SQL, why not switch to Oracle DBA instead??? DBA jobs are at same level to Network admin in many respects..