| The availability of jobs for network engineers and | | | | * educating end users |
| systems administrators is expected to grow by | | | | The Skills of a Network Engineer |
| more than 27% per year from 2004 to 2014, | | | | Network engineers must possess technical |
| according to data provided by the Bureau of | | | | backgrounds; a systematic understanding of |
| Labor Statistics. A network engineer may also be | | | | computer hardware, applications, and operating |
| referred to as a network administrator, systems | | | | systems; and technical knowledge of networking |
| administrator, network analyst, network designer, | | | | hardware and software. A networking engineer |
| network architect, WAN administrator, LAN | | | | generally must possess: |
| administrator, IT systems administrator, network | | | | * an understanding of networking principles and |
| operations analyst, or network technician. The | | | | influencing factors |
| principal job of a network engineer is to run and | | | | * thorough knowledge of routing protocols and |
| oversee computer communication systems and | | | | switching technologies |
| data transfer within an organization or between | | | | * an understanding of network security systems, |
| companies. Computer networks are used by | | | | strategies, and procedures (repetition) |
| companies to collect and process data, access the | | | | * specific knowledge of WAN/LAN infrastructure |
| Internet and web-based utilities, and share files | | | | * a mastery of scripting languages |
| and resources. The network engineer serves as | | | | * expertise regarding server products and |
| both a road engineer and a police officer directing | | | | technologies |
| traffic on the information superhighway. | | | | * familiarity with industry protocols |
| The Duties of a Network Engineer Network | | | | * experience with IP addressing, including |
| engineering jobs involve the designing and | | | | subnetting |
| maintenance of both hardware and software | | | | * experience with troubleshooting router, switch, |
| components of computer networks. Network | | | | and fault-tolerant or redundant environments |
| engineers are specialists in constructing and | | | | * hardware maintenance skills |
| maintaining local area networks (LANs) or wide | | | | * strong communication skills |
| area networks (WANs). All of the elements within | | | | * motivation |
| an organization's IT system, including individual | | | | * decision-making ability |
| desktop PCs, file servers, mail servers, backup | | | | Working Hours and Environment |
| servers, application servers, custom-designed | | | | It is standard for network engineers to work |
| workstations, and more, come within the purview | | | | around 40 hours per week. However, time spent |
| of the network engineer's job. | | | | installing new systems or conducting maintenance |
| Here are some of the tasks network engineers | | | | often extends beyond normal working hours. |
| commonly perform: | | | | Network engineering jobs are usually in metro |
| * selection of hardware and software solutions | | | | environments. |
| for organizational needs | | | | How Does One Become a Network Engineer? |
| * implementation of hardware and software | | | | Network engineers typically have IT backgrounds |
| solutions and utilities | | | | as well as bachelor's degrees or higher-level |
| * testing and resolution of system issues, including | | | | educational qualifications. Certifications from |
| compatibility issues | | | | institutes and organizations like Microsoft and Cisco |
| * analysis of organizational needs | | | | also carry weight with employers. Engineers with |
| * building IT networks to support organizational | | | | different IT-related backgrounds or specializations |
| needs | | | | in network design, operations, and related fields |
| * troubleshooting and ensuring smooth network | | | | can become network engineers. Many universities |
| operations | | | | and colleges offer degrees in network engineering. |
| * upgrading equipment and systems | | | | There are also network management and |
| * maintaining network and data security | | | | network engineering programs at various higher |
| * establishing user accounts and passwords | | | | education institutions. Working network engineers |
| * providing compatibility training | | | | often upgrade themselves by acquiring specialty |
| * documentation of problems and solutions | | | | certifications from industry organizations like |
| * analysis and design of networks | | | | Microsoft. |
| * researching objectives of new or current | | | | Prospects for Network Engineers |
| networks | | | | As mentioned earlier, job prospects for network |
| * apprising existing networks and IT solutions | | | | engineers are expected to grow at a rate greater |
| * designing networks to maximize productivity | | | | than 27% per year. The average salary of a |
| * monitoring networks to find and establish regular | | | | network engineer ranges from $50,000 to |
| behavioral patterns | | | | $70,000 per year. |
| * protecting and extending equipment life | | | | |