The Job of a Network Engineer

The availability of jobs for network engineers and* educating end users
systems administrators is expected to grow byThe 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 ofbackgrounds; a systematic understanding of
Labor Statistics. A network engineer may also becomputer hardware, applications, and operating
referred to as a network administrator, systemssystems; and technical knowledge of networking
administrator, network analyst, network designer,hardware and software. A networking engineer
network architect, WAN administrator, LANgenerally must possess:
administrator, IT systems administrator, network* an understanding of networking principles and
operations analyst, or network technician. Theinfluencing factors
principal job of a network engineer is to run and* thorough knowledge of routing protocols and
oversee computer communication systems andswitching technologies
data transfer within an organization or between* an understanding of network security systems,
companies. Computer networks are used bystrategies, 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 directingtechnologies
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 andsubnetting
maintenance of both hardware and software* experience with troubleshooting router, switch,
components of computer networks. Networkand 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, backupWorking Hours and Environment
servers, application servers, custom-designedIt is standard for network engineers to work
workstations, and more, come within the purviewaround 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 engineersoften extends beyond normal working hours.
commonly perform:Network engineering jobs are usually in metro
* selection of hardware and software solutionsenvironments.
for organizational needsHow Does One Become a Network Engineer?
* implementation of hardware and softwareNetwork engineers typically have IT backgrounds
solutions and utilitiesas well as bachelor's degrees or higher-level
* testing and resolution of system issues, includingeducational qualifications. Certifications from
compatibility issuesinstitutes and organizations like Microsoft and Cisco
* analysis of organizational needsalso carry weight with employers. Engineers with
* building IT networks to support organizationaldifferent IT-related backgrounds or specializations
needsin network design, operations, and related fields
* troubleshooting and ensuring smooth networkcan become network engineers. Many universities
operationsand colleges offer degrees in network engineering.
* upgrading equipment and systemsThere are also network management and
* maintaining network and data securitynetwork engineering programs at various higher
* establishing user accounts and passwordseducation institutions. Working network engineers
* providing compatibility trainingoften upgrade themselves by acquiring specialty
* documentation of problems and solutionscertifications from industry organizations like
* analysis and design of networksMicrosoft.
* researching objectives of new or currentProspects for Network Engineers
networksAs mentioned earlier, job prospects for network
* apprising existing networks and IT solutionsengineers are expected to grow at a rate greater
* designing networks to maximize productivitythan 27% per year. The average salary of a
* monitoring networks to find and establish regularnetwork engineer ranges from $50,000 to
behavioral patterns$70,000 per year.
* protecting and extending equipment life