Introduction

How to Become a Network Engineer In 2024 

 

With the modernization of each generation, data agility and network design are booming. Employers are anticipating candidates with skills based on their technical and networking terminologies.

The demand for network engineers or network administrator has surged in less than a decade. Experts predict that the workplace can continue to soak shortly as well. The industry is quite competitive as the demand for network engineers is increasing per day.

You have to make your move fast to earn a reputed and respectful position as a job candidate. It is one of the best and most stable occupations one would wish to have. Companies are looking for highly trained network engineers to boost their systems.

The recent case of the Pegasus virus has ruled out the effects of all existing crises. In such a case, the job of a network engineer becomes unmatched. They must deliver outstanding points and strategies to recover and restore all the vital data plus information. Thus, the job nature yet again becomes impeccable and abiding.

 

What Is A Network Engineer?

You must be curious about what is a network engineer or rather who is a network engineer. A network engineer or a network administrator is an IT professional whose job is to design, build and maintain the flawless performance of networks.

They are mainly required for networks such as an intranet, extranet, LAN (Local Area Network), and WAN (Wide area network). If you secure your job as a network engineer in this flourishing industry, you will be accountable for the association of industry IT operations.

An IT network engineer undertakes the task of finding issues and resolving them with their resources. The network administrators will also benefit from enhancing network systems, hardware, software, and other relevant systems and performing disaster recovery plans.

What Does A Network Engineer Do?

Every business and company has fed their computers with information. Depending on the company, a network engineer or network administrators must create, implement and administer networks, firewalls, routers, controllers, troubleshooting issues, etc. These are some of the key responsibilities a network engineer is supposed to do:

1) Maintaining and administering the computer's networks and associated computing devices such as hardware, software, configuration, etc.

2) To monitor and troubleshoot serious problems with separate strategies to deal with separate hurdles.

3) One of the primary jobs of a network engineer is to install firewalls, routers, proxy servers, and load balancers. Monitor and configure virus protection software and applications to detect fatalities and determine if any adjustments are required.

4) Protection of data, software, and network systems by implementing coordinated and well-planned security measures. Also, their work involves them replacing faulty hardware components when required. Network administrators have to schedule and keep up with the network updates and upgrades.

5) They have to work with external services and confer with the users and discuss the existing problems that need to be solved to ensure optimal network traffic.

6) Network engineers are required to coordinate network access and use for safe and secure network trafficking. They are also required to operate master consoles to monitor network systems and computer performance.

7) As Network administrators, their main job is to maintain strict security and to perform disaster recovery plans and backups whenever data backups are required.

They need to update their virus protection software and applications and implement new and improved network systems.

These are the works of network engineers. The employers desire them. Becoming a networking engineer needs much dedication and effort to refine yourself.

What Are The Requirements To Become A Network Engineer?

Getting a bachelor's degree in information technology with a networking engineering focus for entry-level network engineers is wise. It is essential to have the necessary educational qualifications to pursue network engineering.

In addition, you must also possess a proficient understanding of all aspects of network engineering, such as designing, maintenance and implementation, network protocols, and bandwidth development. A more extraordinary company expects and demands stiff qualifications and skills.

Earning an additional certification can be helpful to one. Some of the popular network engineer certifications out there would give off an excellent impression on your resume. One can receive a vendor-neutral certificate.

This certification provides basic knowledge to candidates in the IT field who is pursuing Network engineer or Network administrators. The course has a proper schedule outlined, and the candidate needs to devote 5-6 hours to completion.

If you secure your job as a network engineer in this flourishing industry, you will be accountable for the association of industry IT operations.

Below are some best certifications for network engineers provided by CompTIA listed below:

1) CompTIA A+

It is for beginners or entry-level candidates who would help their candidates to acquire basic knowledge and information regarding the IT field. After this certification, you can earn a more advanced certification that is CompTIA Network+.

2) CompTIA Network+

It is a follow-up certification to CompTIA A+. Most professionals deliver their advice not to take up A+ to attend Network+. CompTIA Network+ validates its candidates in troubleshooting, implementing, and developing various devices. Apart from network engineering training, there is only one exam you need to excel in.

3) CompTIA Security+

This certification validates its candidates in networking security and IT security domain. This certification is highly sought and appreciated if one wants to be a networking security or cybersecurity network engineer.

These are the basic certifications you need to opt for. To pursue network engineering, you need to opt and pursue additional credentials about a particular company and specific devices. This phase is where you have to decide which network engineer certification path you want to go for in the future.

Explore CompTIA Certifications:

CompTIA A+ Certification Training from Industry Experts

Get CompTIA Security+ Training and Earn the Certification

CompTIA CASP+ Certification Training – online, live online and classroom

There are top network engineer certifications through which you can obtain your vendor-specific certification. Some of the best credentials are:

1) CISCO

Cisco products include routers, security, and software storage which Cisco network engineers need to know about. This certification provides two separate courses for both beginners and mid-level candidates.

CISCO (beginners): This credential validates candidates for multiple transverse positions and can earn a high-paying salary. This course has no prior needs or essentials as it provides basic knowledge in the IT field. It must be kept in mind that the examinees must qualify for two exams to complete the certification.

CISCO (mid-level): This certification is a follow-up to CCIE (mostly an abbreviation for Cisco Certified Internetwork expert). The advanced credential opens the path to several achievable tasks like DevNet professional career, delivering network optimized data, and server standby issues.

Aspirants must note that there are two examinations for them to complete to get this certificate. (Cisco Certified Network Associate)CCNA network engineers are versatile in their working schedules and deliver a perfect blend of mixed knowledge.

2) AWS Certification

The AWS certification holds a high reputation within its name itself. The Amazon certificate proves to be the best credential in the networking sector. AWS Network engineers can validate cloud expertise as well as this certification would help you excel in cloud expertise.

Cloud computing has become a vital aspect of resources, including servers, storage, and databases. Cloud network engineer manages and implements network architecture.

3) Solarwinds

It is a certified professional certification that allows aspiring professionals to choose from any other career or within its company. It validates its professionals to ensure and maintain networks.

These are just a few entry-level and mid-level certifications for any aspirants to choose from by following any of these vendor-specific credential paths. You have all these options yourself to choose from within those. There are also the best network engineer courses to choose from to enhance their knowledge in the IT sector.

After acquiring all these necessary certifications, training, and requirements, you need to apply for potential companies and corporations hiring network engineers or network administrator. Note that you must add each qualification and experience to your identity to secure a spot in the IT sector.

Network Engineer Skills

Specific hard skills are required to excel as a network engineer, such as:

1) You need to know how to integrate networks like LAN, WAN, MAN, etc., network systems, and architect them.

2) As a network administrator, you need to maintain and monitor network systems infrastructure. You would be responsible for deciding what hardware or software is in use to maintain and improve. One must possess the basic idea of how to design, build and implement network systems.

3) As a network engineer and for any IT sector, one must know modern and advanced linguistics for performance upgrade interfaces like Ruby, Python, and Perl.

Several languages like Java and R can help in the betterment of the optimized network and data protocols.

4) You must install firewalls, security applications, and functions, and specific protocols to optimize network systems and infrastructure.

As a network engineer or network administrator, you must acquire adequate knowledge in all technical skills like data research and data entry. Network systems administrators need hard skills and soft skills to tackle complex problems in the IT domain.

The candidates must withhold the firm's needs and produce vital strategies to overcome challenges. The manager holds all the concerned candidates responsible for a minor mistake.

Thus, the network engineering class propels itself to the top in the list of "most formidable" tasks. You must be diligent in every change and needs to be very observant. As such, you should be aware of any changes in codes and policies.

As a network administrator, one needs to be good at researching. As new trends and techniques are being invented every day, you need to be updated and search for your needs accordingly. Most firms are still searching for versatile handlers who can cope with the changing positions in the network systems organization.

You can get across your ideas, challenges, and solutions to other members with good communication skills. A network engineer has a tight schedule on their shoulders to deal with the tasks. Proper schedule planning and implementation of the tasks become vital in all spheres. You need to visualize your problems and create a recovery plan.

As a network engineer, you need to think outside of the box and have a practical approach to tackle your schedules.

Network Engineer Salary

The demand for network engineers is increasing considerably. The median income of a network engineer is estimated to be above $72,000. A junior network engineer makes around $64,000 while a senior network engineer gets more, around $132,000.

There is no doubt that the salary of a network engineer ranges from 10k to 100k. With the growth in the IT industry, network engineers are expected to earn more. Several years of experience can lead you to bring in a six-figure salary.

Career Prospects of Network Engineering

The IT industry is vast and full of potential spots and positions. A list of possible jobs is listed below for aspirants who have the skillset of network engineering:

1) Network Manager: Their prominent role is to maintain and monitor an organization's systems and upgrade and update software and hardware.

2) Network Analyst: Network analysts must design, build, implement, and configure servers and systems.

3) Network Solutions Architect: They are mainly responsible for managing networks like LAN, WAN, MAN, etc.

4) Network Technician: These IT technicians are responsible for maintaining and implementing troubleshooting and repairing systems and servers.

5) Network Administrator: Network administrators are responsible for maintaining servers and systems from LAN to WAN for optimal performance.

The critical difference between these professionals is that they all focus on specific niches and aspects even though it comes under the umbrella of networking security. You can become a network engineer and then move to such particular positions that offer a high salary.

If you want to switch to a DevOps network engineer, you must train and upskill your levels in various DevOps tools. There are specific procedures, requirements, and qualifications to become a DevOps network engineer.

Conclusion