What are some of the current trends and innovations in network engineering?

1 Cloud Networking

Cloud networking is the practice of designing, deploying, and managing networks that span across multiple cloud platforms, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Cloud networking enables network engineers to create scalable, flexible, and cost-effective networks that can support various applications and services in the cloud. Cloud networking also requires network engineers to master new skills and tools, such as cloud-native technologies, automation, orchestration, security, and monitoring.

2 Software-Defined Networking

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a paradigm that separates the control plane and the data plane of a network, allowing network engineers to program and manage the network using software applications. SDN enables network engineers to create dynamic, adaptable, and intelligent networks that can respond to changing traffic patterns, user demands, and security threats. SDN also requires network engineers to develop new skills and knowledge, such as programming languages, APIs, protocols, and frameworks.

4 Network Security

Network security is the practice of protecting the network and its resources from unauthorized access, attacks, or breaches. Network security is becoming more challenging and complex as networks expand to the cloud, the edge, and the internet of things (IoT). Network security also requires network engineers to keep up with the latest threats, vulnerabilities, and best practices. Network security requires network engineers to acquire new skills and tools, such as encryption, authentication, firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), VPNs, or Zero Trust.

5 Network Virtualization

Network virtualization is the technique of creating virtual networks that run on top of physical networks, using software and hardware components. Network virtualization can help network engineers to create isolated, flexible, and efficient networks that can support different applications and services. Network virtualization can also enable network engineers to consolidate network resources, reduce costs, and improve scalability. Network virtualization requires network engineers to learn new skills and concepts, such as hypervisors, containers, virtual machines, virtual switches, or overlay networks.

6 Network Analytics

Network analytics is the process of collecting, analyzing, and visualizing network data to gain insights into the network performance, behavior, and health. Network analytics can help network engineers to troubleshoot issues, optimize network operations, and enhance network quality of service (QoS). Network analytics can also enable network engineers to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate network tasks, predict network outcomes, and detect anomalies. Network analytics requires network engineers to use new skills and tools, such as data science, statistics, SQL, R, or Tableau.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?