You’re looking to advance your career in computer networking. What hard skills do you need to learn?

2 Network security

The second skill you need to learn is how to protect your network from various threats and attacks. You should know how to implement network security policies and procedures, such as authentication, authorization, encryption, and access control. You should also know how to use network security tools and techniques, such as firewalls, VPNs, IDS, IPS, and antivirus software, and how to monitor and audit network activity and performance. You should be aware of the common network vulnerabilities and risks, such as malware, phishing, DDoS, and man-in-the-middle attacks, and how to prevent and mitigate them.

3 Network troubleshooting

The third skill you need to learn is how to diagnose and resolve network problems and issues. You should know how to use network troubleshooting tools and methods, such as ping, traceroute, ipconfig, netstat, and Wireshark, and how to interpret their output and results. You should also know how to apply network troubleshooting models and processes, such as the OSI model, the TCP/IP model, and the PDCA cycle, and how to identify and isolate the root cause and the affected components of network failures and errors.

4 Network design

The fourth skill you need to learn is how to design and plan network solutions and projects. You should know how to analyze the network requirements and objectives of your clients or stakeholders, such as performance, scalability, availability, and security. You should also know how to select and design the appropriate network topology, architecture, and protocols for your network solution, and how to document and present your network design using diagrams, charts, and reports. You should be able to evaluate and compare different network design options and alternatives, and how to justify your decisions and recommendations.

5 Network automation

The fifth skill you need to learn is how to automate and optimize network tasks and operations. You should know how to use network automation tools and platforms, such as Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and Cisco DNA Center, and how to integrate them with your network devices and systems. You should also know how to use scripting languages and frameworks, such as Python, PowerShell, and Bash, and how to write and execute network automation scripts and commands. You should be able to automate and streamline common network functions and processes, such as configuration, backup, deployment, and testing.