Network to Cloud ?? Engineer, Do you need to make this Transition? ??

Cisco have literally built Networks and current-day Job profiles of "Network Engineers", so starting this discussion with what Cisco have to say about ?? Cloud computing"

"Cloud computing is taking the world by storm. In fact, 94% of workloads and compute instances will be?processed through cloud data centers? 2021, compared to only 6% by traditional data centers, according to research by Cisco."

Cloud computing differs from traditional IT hosting services ?? in that the consumer generally doesn’t own the infrastructure needed to support the programs or applications they use. Instead, those elements are owned and operated by a third party, and the end-user pays only for the services they use. In other words, cloud computing is an on-demand, utility-based model of computing.

which generally makes lots of sense to product-based companies or small enterprises, hence they are adapting very quickly to the new design and platform approach.

But, what about Network Engineers?

It's not up to you, When your customers (Business or Application owners) have already decided to adopt the cloud, Network Team does not have much choice ??..

How does the cloud Impact them (Network Team)...?

shift to cloud will not impact what you already have ( Hardware, devices, fabrics will not vanish).. but all future designs will be cloud-based.

What will cloud change?

cloud makes designs and communications simpler. (environment level segregation for each application), it will work more with central routing , hence traditional need of maintainig huge routing tables and tracking route paths will be less...so need of Multiple Experts in same team will not make sence any more..

Do They need to step up to this new Challenge? or do we need to create a new Team for that?

it will make more sense for Network Team to step up (Business-wise).as they have been incharge of all designes and Architecture, but it will not be that difficult for "Server" and "Systems "to take over...

Is Cloud really Your Cup of Tea?

Yes, Ofcourse .. you are already doing the same thing hard way..its the easier one..!!

Is it just hype?

No, it's not just some other Cisco product or Solution which is launched with hype and will disappear in some time.

How is Network Guy handling this?

To explain it better, I need to divide Network Engineers into 3 categories :

• Category 1: Network guy who already had exposure to other things/ was "Not always" the Domain Expert. ????

Network Engineers from small enterprises had already mixed profiles (Nework+ systems (windows +servers) + IT Infra support. etc.) so they didn't have much difficulty transitioning. Their role was focused to deliver more than building up core expertise in one domain. application deployment, provisioning, and all already make sense to them.

• Category 2: Expert Guy / 2X or 3X CCIE types ????

They already have expertise in their domains for most of them clearing Cloud Arch Certs and testing cloud environments based on interest or business requirement was not the big difficult task, most have already made transitions or businesses have already given them enough opportunities to build competence on same.

• Category 3: Core Network Guy / Domain experts ???

Now comes the Core Network Guy, who worked all his life to build up expertise picking up 1-2 topics to build his CCIE level expertise one. (example : R&S > Routing > WAN > MPLS--- "SP Expert " or R&S > Routing > LAN> DC--- "DC Expert " ) .

5 years back (or even today ) it was quite common to find a guy who is an expert in 1 domain and knows nothing about another. Routing expert, DC expert, security expert, wireless expert, and it was common for an expert in one domain, to not have any knowledge or less knowledge in another. like security expert knowing nothing or very less about routing or within routing only an MPLS expert knowing nothing about Cisco Nexus or catalyst or vice-versa.

Many in these categories are still stuck in dilemma which secondary skills to choose, example: DC switching is my expertise, I will build competence in Security / wireless or I will opt for F5 or other such Products. As nearly all profiles now ask for a combination of 2 or 3 skills from these.

Now when we ask them about the CLOUD. "It's a scary world .. out there for them "

it frustrates them more.. every other day there is something coming up...not sure where to start ACI, SDWAN , SDN, NFV , AWZ, AZURE ...

They just can't figure where to go. ..!!

Where to Start for CLOUD?

Start with Anything, something is better than nothing

AWS, Azure , GCP ... just Anything Bro...???!!

"what doesn't kill you , will only make you stronger "

Which path to take? and how to Ace it like Pro !!!

Especially for Category 3: Core Network Guy.. will discuss the same in the next Article (if required ...???). --->

" Network to Cloud ?? Engineer, How to make this Transition? ?? "