How To Become A successful Network Engineer.

With the growing use and deployment of Cloud, it seems network engineering and network designing have become one of the critical functions or roles in any IT infrastructure. I have spent close to two decades in the IT networking industry and yet there are so many new things to learn with every passing day. Like any other industry, this too is ever-evolving with changing parameters and new breakthroughs.

Find below some of the points that helped me become a successful Network Engineer.

1. Get your fundamentals right.

To begin with, I always advise newbies to get the fundamentals right by reading relevant technology books with respect to how a particular protocol works, why it was created and what problem it solves. I would recommend you to read about OSI layers, IP protocols, Subnetting and Basics of Network Architecture.

2. Network Simulators.

When I started my career in Networking, there were not ample of simulation software available for practice and so, not all students get real gear to do practice or have a feel of a real production network. I think this is the biggest obstacle in learning things. A real production network, hands on CLI or how to configure switches and routers, you will learn faster.

Today there are plenty of Simulators in the market that are open source and students can take advantage of the same. Learn by doing is great approach to be skilled.

If possible get real gear for practice. lobbing on real gear will give you a good boost of confidence when you go to work on the production network.

3. Working with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) company

Networking is easy to understand if you work in an ISP company for a brief period at the start of your career. This can give you a hands-on experience as you may get to deploy their equipment like the switches, routers etc on a frequent basis.

You may break things and learn faster too :-) sic.

4. Read read read.

There are plenty of books and articles available on the internet about technology. Today in the area of networking, there are multiple tracks available, one can choose Data center networking, Cloud Networking or Enterprise networking. You can gain some general technical knowledge from the books, you choose your area of specialization and then deep dive into it.

I also advise reading RFC, drafts and internet research papers which are mostly available for free. Reading can give you clarity on questions like how and why a particular protocol was created (purpose, problem-solving, working patterns etc.)

5. Join or attend Network Operator Groups (NOG) events.

It is highly suggested to join these Network operators groups where they teach you about the current trending technologies in the real network. People do share knowledge on these platforms, you get to know many people in the network world and one could just end up getting new opportunities in the area of interest.

6. Certifications.

Certifications are a valuable asset in the networking industry. They demonstrate your expertise and knowledge in specific networking technologies.?(those line’s in bold i completely disagree with but this is the perspective of a lot of hiring companies so certs may benefit newbies landing a good job).?Cisco, Juniper and Arista Networks are some of the most popular certification providers in the networking industry.

7. Case studies.

One cannot work on a production network with just theoretical knowledge. I suggest going through the case study documents that are available on the internet to understand how things work on the real network.

8. Communication and Soft Skills.

Effective communication and soft skills are crucial to every professional. Conflict resolution, team-building, and people management are essential skills for personal growth as well as career advancement.

9. Continuous Learning is Necessary

Networking is a constantly evolving field and new technologies and new techniques are introduced all the time. To be a successful Network Engineer, you must be updated with the latest trends, technologies, and industry news. Attending conferences, reading blogs, and joining online communities are great ways to stay informed.

·?Bonus points

Draw a diagram of the solution. (in enterprise or in the networking industry it is called as HLD LLD).

A diagram adds clarity to the solution that you are proposing to solve the problem statement and that solution will have lasting memories by the use of a diagram.

As a Network Engineer, you should be able to visualize the Network in order to solve problems easily and deploy new networks quickly.

·?Conclusion.

In order to become a successful Network Engineer, you would require a combination of technical skills, experience, and soft skills. By mastering the fundamentals, gaining hands-on experience, getting certified, developing soft skills, and continuously learning, you can become a successful Network Engineer. In this field of innovation and invention, one must always be ready to adapt and learn.