So what does a Network Engineer do anyway?

[uCsDNerd]

I've been working with a Network Engineer this past summer, and from what I've seen, all that's involved is analyzing bandwidth usage in existing networks.... is that it?!? Where's the engineering in that??

 

[Maverick]

I believe the real engineering work is when they build new networks. Ask him how much time he spent doing that

 

[FSUpaintball]

I'm sure it depends on who you ask, but to me, it involves actually putting together/configuring a large number of computers into a LAN.

It's the type of stuff I want to do

 

[Kadarin]

To me it involves troubleshooting design, configuration, and performance issues with vendor equipment, network design, and various protocols. Can also cover Layer 4-7 stuff like server and firewall load balancing, and transparent cache switching.

 

[CrazyDe1]

my dad was a network engineer/architect at quest...if thats your job then u do nothing....you sit and do high level specification crap...and if u get laid off you can't get another job becuase you were too high level and have no skills...

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

down in the states, MCSE where E = engineer.
up in Canada, MCSE where E = professional

I forgot why, but Canadians were not allowed to use the term engineer in MCSE. Anybody remember why?

 

[brisco]

It has something to do with the word Engineer and some law they have if you are called an Engineer you have to have some certain degree from a University and I guess they don't think passing MS's 8 or 12 or whatever number of tests is good enough.

 

[axelfox]

they engineer networks

 

[uCsDNerd]

Nice replies.

Here are a few more question for you: what types of things are considered when you build new networks? Additionally, for those of you what are network engineers... how many times do you build new networks? it sounds like a contracting type of job where you move from place to place and even then-- if the sites where you build networks are similar, can't you just use the same 'blue print' for a previous network that has been built before? Are there any innovations/new discoveries made in network engineering?

On a side note i don't think my boss has even assembled any networks by himself... he always has other people do it.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
To me it involves troubleshooting design, configuration, and performance issues with vendor equipment, network design, and various protocols. Can also cover Layer 4-7 stuff like server and firewall load balancing, and transparent cache switching.

Yeap, and at my job the have full responsibility for and authority over most of the IT department as a whole

 

[Ime]

I'm currently a SysAdmin working on becoming a Network Engineer.

Being a SysAdmin is cool. I have full admin rights to every computer at my company (except for the AS/400's, those guys hold REAL power). However, I am learning to become a Network Engineer. I'm learning Cisco Switches and Routers, Frame Relay. CSU's & DSU's, etc. I've set up a couple of small (less than 25 users) sites at my company already, and I was allowed to set up one of our newer Internet T-1's by myself. It's a blast! I'm not great at it, but I'm learning!

I think I was more cut out for hardware than software!