Who is a Network Engineer and How to Become NW Engineer

A career in network engineering as a network engineer offers exciting opportunities to design and manage complex network infrastructures essential for seamless communication.

This article will guide you through the steps to becoming a network engineer. You'll understand who is a network engineer, how to become one, and also provide the complete network engineer roadmap for freshers.

Reading the complete article will provide you with all the necessary information about network engineers and their career paths. Learning about the educational requirements, courses, salaries and future of network engineering will help you decide whether to choose this career.

Who is a Network Engineer?

A network engineer is a vital IT professional responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's computer networks to ensure optimal performance and security.

Their primary responsibilities include configuring network hardware like routers and firewalls, monitoring network performance, troubleshooting issues, and applying security measures to protect sensitive data. 

They use several tools and techniques like firewalls, routers, load balancers, and switches to elevate network performance in an IT Infrastructure. To excel in this role, a network engineer must possess a diverse set of skills, including in-depth knowledge of networking protocols (such as TCP/IP), proficiency in configuring network devices, and strong problem-solving abilities.

Regarding salaries, network engineers can expect competitive compensation, with average salaries in the U.S. ranging from $70,000 to over $120,000 annually,   and in India ₹4,90,000 per year.

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Network Engineer Job Roles and Responsibilities

Network engineers play a critical role in designing, implementing, and maintaining an organization's network infrastructure. Here are the key responsibilities typically associated with this position:

1. Network Design: Create and configure network architecture based on organizational needs, ensuring scalability and efficiency.

2. Installation and Configuration: Install and configure network hardware such as routers, switches, and firewalls to establish a robust network.

3. Monitoring Performance: Continuously monitor network performance to ensure system availability and reliability, using diagnostic tools to track performance metrics.

4. Troubleshooting Issues: Identify and resolve network issues promptly to minimize downtime, employing analytical skills to diagnose hardware and software problems.

5. Network Security: Collaborate with IT teams to develop and implement security measures that protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.

6. Regular Maintenance: Conduct routine maintenance tasks, including software updates, hardware upgrades, and security patches to keep the network current.

7. Documentation: Maintain detailed documentation of network configurations, processes, and procedures for future reference and compliance purposes.

8. User Support and Training: Provide technical support to users experiencing network-related issues and offer training on new systems or protocols as needed.

Network Engineer Skills

As a network engineer, a professional must possess certain network engineering skills to complete the tasks proficiently. In this section, we have mentioned some skills that every network engineer should have as a fresher.

1. Networking Fundamentals: Understand the basic principles of networking, including the OSI model, TCP/IP protocols, subnetting, and routing.

2. Routing and Switching: Gain proficiency in configuring and managing routers and switches, and familiarize yourself with routing protocols like OSPF and BGP.

3. Network Security: Learn about securing networks through firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems and about cybersecurity threats.

4. Network Design: Develop skills in designing scalable and efficient network architectures that meet business requirements.

5. Wireless Networking: Acquire knowledge of wireless technologies, including Wi-Fi standards and security protocols for wireless networks.

6. Troubleshooting: Hone your ability to diagnose and resolve network issues using monitoring tools and analytical skills.

7. Cloud Networking: Cloud networking is becoming increasingly important, so familiarize yourself with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.

8. Scripting and Automation: Learn basic scripting languages like Python to automate network tasks and improve efficiency.

9. Communication Skills: Develop strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

10. Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices through certifications and ongoing education.

How to become a Network Engineer

Becoming a network engineer is a very easy task once you set your heart on it. There are no prescribed educational criteria for it except a bachelor's degree or master's in a relevant field. You can choose network engineer certifications like CCNA, and CCNP for better understanding and opportunities of network engineering.

If you are looking for a career shift, then it is always good to follow the right network engineer career path which goes as follows. 

Network Engineer Roadmap for 2025

Follow these simple steps to become a network engineer. The steps cover all aspects to make you a good network engineer. From education qualification to preparation material, this roadmap will cover every aspect of a network engineer job.

1. Education

Getting the right education is the first and foremost step in becoming successful in any career. Your future depends on your deep understanding of modern IT environments.  

This can be done in two small steps getting an entry-level certification and then stepping to the advanced ones. 

✓ Learn Network Engineer Skills 

We can't build something without a strong foundation. So you have to grab a general understanding of the elements in networking theory such as TCP/IP, OSI model, routing protocols( OSPF, BGP), switching, VLAN, VPN, firewalls, Network safety measures, etc.

The major basic-level certifications in Networking are:

● CompTIA Network+: This is a nice starting level certification to enter the field of networking since it is a vendor-impartial certification that covers foundational rudiments and prowess of networking. 

● Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician(CCENT):  CCENT covers all the concepts and Principles of networking aiding an individual to get an entry-level job.  

● Cisco Certified Network Associate(CCNA): CCNA is a more holistic study of networking technologies than CCENT.

● Cisco Certified Devnet Associate: The qualified individual will be able to develop and maintain applications built on the Cisco platform.  

●  Juniper Network Certified Associate - Junos: The Certified person can work on Juniper Networks Junos OS. 

You can also opt for advanced networking certifications to show your expertise in networking technologies. These certifications will help you advance in your career as a network engineer.

Some Advanced Networking certifications are: 

● CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional is a course that indicates your in-depth knowledge in designing, executing, and handling issues relating to complex networks.  

● CompTIA security+: Networking areas like security, cryptography, access control, and others are covered under this valuable course.  

● Juniper Networks Certified Internet Specialist: JNCIS is a moderate-level certification of Juniper Networking Technologies. 

● Cisco Certified Internet Work Expert: CCIE is a highly advanced course relating to networking infrastructure.  

For more information on building a career in networking contact our learning advisors now.

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2. Learn Automation and Programming languages

The monotonous tasks can be easily handled by automation technology. This had been tapped into by Cisco through the introduction of their Devnet mode. This certification ranges from Associate, professional, and expert. 

Even though you don't know how to code you can work in networking. However, gaining knowledge of programming language can give you an edge in your professional career. Python, Perl, Golang, and Bash are some of the coding languages. Python is the most preferred language among them because of its simplicity and absorption.  

3. Stay Updated with Networking Trends

If you want to be relevant in your profession it is better to be constantly aware of the market and how it changes. The following are some of the latest trends in the network technology area.

● Cisco SD-WAN: It provides sufficient bandwidth and efficient working of applications in wide Area Networks (WAN) with data protection and safety 

● ACI: Application Centric Infrastructure ensures a simple, optimized, and efficient application deployment in Data Centers. Cisco is providing this training for Agile and multicolor frameworks.  

4. Find a Training Course

Identification of a good trainer is also very crucial in your career. Most networking certifications are very costly so you should be prepared well before applying for certification. It is advised to find some training program to increase your chances of clearing the exam on the first attempt.

Uninets offers a variety of courses tailored to enhance your skills in networking. Choose from live classes with expert instructors or self-paced video and textbook courses. Our community forum provides instant support from instructors and peers to help you with any questions.

Besides this, we have practice tests and a virtual lab that is open for you 24/7 so that you can experiment with your skills and be ready to meet the job challenges. 

5. Getting hands-on experience 

What better way to learn networking than actually doing it? You can start applying for internships or get an entry-level job to gain experience. You will be able to learn to set up and manage a network easily under a proficient network engineer. Apply for an analyst, technician network Associate, or support staff.

Network Engineer Salary (Indian INR)

A network engineer starting salary in India is around 250000 per annum. Here is the further breakdown of network engineering salary based on experience and position.

Is Network Engineering a Good Career?

Yes, Network engineering is a great career choice. Here are some benefits of becoming a network engineer:

1. Highly Demand for Network Engineers: Since most of the company relies heavily on network infrastructure for communication, data interchange, and Cloud computing there is a steady demand for network engineers.

2. Stability in jobs: As more and more companies invest in long-period expensive infrastructure technologies there is a continuous need for setting up, controlling, and troubleshooting them. This will ensure long-term employment for a network engineer.

3. Constant Learning: Network technology is an evolving technology one must be constantly updated to work in this field.

4. High salary: Network engineers are one of the high-salaried employees of an organization. The entry-level network engineer earns between $70000 to $100000 annually.

5. Career progression: Career growth in network engineering is greater than in any other job role. Senior-level employees earn more than a six-figure salary

6 Unique technologies: This is a highly specialized field where the demand far exceeds the supply of network engineers 

7. Global opportunities: Certifications from Cisco are recognized globally and securing them will give you job opportunities from any part of the world. 

8. Problem-solving: A network engineer solves complex problems relating to the infrastructure of an organization. 

How to Become a Network Engineer - Summing Up!

Becoming a network engineer involves a combination of education, certifications, and hands-on experience. Start with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, then pursue industry-recognized certifications like CCNA to build a strong foundation in networking fundamentals.

Gain practical experience through internships or entry-level IT roles, and continue learning by pursuing advanced certifications and specializations. Networking is a dynamic field, so staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and best practices is crucial for success as a network engineer.

This article has covered all aspects of a career in networking as a network engineer, We have covered the requirements, skills, and roadmap to become a successful network engineer.