What network engineers do
A network engineer’s job can be broken down into four primary phases:
Requirements gathering: The first step is to understand exactly what the client needs. This involves having in-depth conversations with the client to determine their specific network requirements. From these discussions, a detailed document is created outlining the project scope, budget, and timeline. This document, known as a requirements document, is crucial for ensuring that both the client and the engineer are on the same page. Before diving into design, it's essential to assess the current network infrastructure to identify any potential issues or areas for improvement.
Network design: Once the requirements are clear, the network engineer can begin the design phase. This phase is typically divided into two parts: basic design and detailed design. In the basic design phase, the overall structure of the network is determined, including IP addressing, routing, and other fundamental components. The detailed design phase delves deeper into the specifics, such as configuring individual devices and assigning IP addresses. This detailed design document serves as a blueprint for the network, providing step-by-step instructions for building it.
Implementation: With a detailed design in hand, the engineer can start building the network. This involves configuring network devices, connecting them together, and testing the network to ensure it functions as expected. The engineer will also verify that the network can handle failures by testing alternative paths for data transmission. If any issues arise, the engineer will make the necessary adjustments until the network is fully operational and ready for handover to the client.
Maintenance and support: Once the network is up and running, the engineer's responsibilities shift to ongoing maintenance and support. This includes making configuration changes to accommodate the client's evolving needs, removing obsolete settings, and replacing faulty equipment. The goal is to ensure that the network remains stable and reliable over time.
3 traits of a successful network engineer
The following three traits are characteristic of people who are well-suited to be network engineers:
Ability to calmly handle challenges
If you can calmly handle challenges, you might be a good fit for network engineering. Whether it's proposing the best solution to a client's complex request or calmly addressing a troubleshooting issue, the ability to work rationally without panicking is essential.
Patience and accuracy in work
Network engineers need to follow established procedures and work without errors, making patience and accuracy crucial traits. If you enjoy meticulous work and are good at it, this profession might be a good fit for you.
High level of cooperation
Network engineers interact with many people, so being cooperative is also important. Smooth communication with clients and team members is essential for successful project outcomes.
Career paths for network engineers
There are two main career paths for network engineers:
Handling upstream processes
In network engineering, requirements definition, design, and construction are referred to as "upstream processes," while maintenance, operation, and monitoring are called "downstream processes."
Upstream processes require specialized knowledge and skills. Those new to the field often start with downstream processes and gradually move to upstream processes as they gain experience.
Becoming a technical specialist
Another path is to become a specialist by mastering other IT technologies beyond networking.
You could advance to roles like server engineer or cloud engineer, or aim to become a generalist capable of handling various areas.