What is a network engineer? Job contents and future prospects of network engineers

A network engineer is an engineer who performs computer network system construction and maintenance management . Even if you say it to a network engineer, the work contents are various. This time, we will introduce a wide range of work contents and future prospects of network engineers for those who want to become network engineers.

Network engineer's job

What are the skills required for network engineers?

The work contents of network engineers can be broadly divided into three categories: network design, network construction, and network monitoring / operation . Depending on the size of the project or network, it is not uncommon for a single person to be in charge of everything from design to construction and operation.

1. Network design

In the detailed design of network systems, a wide range of knowledge about security, various operating systems, servers, etc. is required. When designing a network at the request of a customer, not only the ability to design and propose, but also hearing and project promotion skills are required.

2. Network construction

The network engineer also builds a network, such as installing a circuit, based on the design document . To avoid unnecessary costs and troubles, knowledge of the latest product and technology trends, cabling and equipment installation is essential.

3.Network monitoring / operation

In network monitoring and operation, maintenance after network system construction is performed. Once a network has been built, network engineers will not be particularly busy unless a failure occurs, so they may also work as a call center for troubleshooting network users. However, dealing with failures requires a view of the entire network and extensive knowledge, so it is not a difficult task.

What are the skills required for network engineers?

As a network engineer, you basically have a lot of contact with others. In network system design / proposal, work is carried out while exchanging opinions with clients who have the decision right, in construction / maintenance, designers and managers of each department in charge, and in operation, with network users. Therefore, a certain level of communication ability is essential. One of the network engineer's tasks is to handle user problems in the network operation and maintenance processes. Many troubled users do not have knowledge of the network. Therefore, explanations using a lot of technical terms will not be communicated. Network engineers need to have explanatory skills that can be understood by people of various knowledge levels .

The future of network engineers

Since the number of new network design / construction projects has been decreasing recently, the network engineer's job is mainly for maintenance, monitoring and operation. From this point of view, some people are worried about the future of network engineers. However, network infrastructure has always been a lifeline for companies, so work as a network engineer will not disappear . Rather, the work should continue to increase as the network expands.

In fact, new jobs are constantly being born, such as preventing unauthorized access and eliminating network traffic due to increased traffic . In order to respond to new problems, network engineers are required to acquire the latest knowledge and skills.