Your Guide to Becoming a Network Designer

From healthcare to information technology, a secure, resilient, and easy to troubleshoot network design proves vital for all business functions, producing high demand for network designers.

The basics of network design

Network design is an iterative process encompassing an organization’s network infrastructure’s logical, diagrammatical, and physical representation. The network implementation is done mainly by a team of network designers and IT administrators. Network design is the key to consistent and better performance of the organizational network. A good design ensures resilience, scalability, and a secure system.

Network design includes:

• IP addressing structure

• Network security

• Logical network map 

• Network and site mapping

• Router, switch, and servers

• Network topography

• Cable structures

• Network monitoring and enhancement

Who is a network designer?

A network designer assesses an organization's IT needs to plan, design, construct, and manage networks to fulfill those needs. A network designer is an advanced technical role, forming the foundation of an effective mainframe network system. Network designers are also responsible for maintaining network security.

Is a network architect different from a network designer?

Although they both work in the same environment, network designers primarily develop the blueprint for the network, whereas network architects implement it.

Network Designer	Network Architect
Designs communication systems and databases	Builds communication structures and databases with cloud systems and intranet
Tests network prototypes	Deploys and upgrades hardware components
Keeps track of the latest technology to implement design	Onboards new users and creates training packages

What does a network designer do?

Network designers are at the core of an organization's network. Take a look at some of the day-to-day responsibilities of a network designer:

• Visualizing and implementing unique and complex network designs for businesses

• Evaluating the performance of local and wide area networks

• Building and managing firewall systems to protect the network infrastructure

• Performing audits and regularly monitoring the network's performance and security

• Enhancing network performance by implementing new and better technologies in already existing networks

• Maintaining the system by identifying and troubleshooting problems within a network

• Establishing relations and identifying the organization's and end customer's requirements

• Supervising a team of network engineers and IT professionals

• Installing network components to enhance performance 

How to become a network designer?

To become a network designer, you need to have diversified skills, the right educational qualifications, extensive training, and certifications. As a beginner, you should focus on developing the following networking skills:

• Understanding of networking basics

• Operating system fundamentals

• Knowledge of programming languages

• WAN networking 

• Troubleshooting

• Cloud computing

• Switching and routing 

• Troubleshooting, firewall, and security

Education and experience

1. Get your bachelor's degree: A bachelor's degree is required to become a network designer. Some organizations might ask for a master's degree or an MBA. You can also opt for additional courses in different programming languages, operating systems, electronic digital security, or computer algorithms. 

2. Gain relevant IT experience: Experience in the field resonates with your practical knowledge and lets you solve critical and analytical problems effectively. Industry experience will make you stand out to recruiters. You can gain experience by doing internships, taking up freelance projects, and operating closely with start-ups.

3. Identify and specialize in specific networking roles: After building fundamental knowledge, move on to specialized networking roles such as cloud networking architect, LAN engineer, network security specialist, engineer for VoIP, telecom, data centers, etc.

Training, courses, and certifications

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) is an associate-level certification that builds your career in networking roles. Although it does not have any prerequisites, you should have at least one year of hands-on experience in implementing Cisco solutions, basic knowledge of IP addressing, and an understanding of network fundamentals.

If you are a networking professional, you can validate your skills by taking the Cisco Certified Network Personnel (CCNP) or Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certifications.

It is possible to obtain Cisco certifications with self-study, but it can be challenging. Training courses and certifications in the Cisco enterprise track prepare you for a career in network design.

Technical competence isn't enough for a successful engineering career. You will need crucial soft skills such as:

• Communication

• Teamwork

• Critical thinking

• Analytical skills

• Time management

• Multitasking

• Reliable documenting

• Leadership

Those with weaker communication skills can opt for a few soft skill courses to get through and build good connections in their relevant fields.

What is the average salary for network designers in the United States?

The salary of a network designer ranges between US$ 55,000 to US$ 112,500 per year. The highest salaries can go over US$ 151,000.

Is network design a promising career?

Network design and management are two of the most crucial parts of any technology. With the increasing number of devices, organizations will need to make their network more efficient. Research by Burning Glass in 2020 states that the need for network professionals is very high and has an estimated growth rate of 6.5% over the next ten years. Also, the emergence of technologies like blockchain and artificial intelligence is making network design a promising career path.

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