The Skills Of Network Engineering Should Include Mastery Of The Software

 According to Zeus Kerravala, research director at ZK, after the first years of resistance, network engineers increasingly understand the need to improve their software-based network engineering skills rather than sticking to traditional network processes.

Kerravala, who recently hosted a Cisco webinar on network engineer development, said it raises awareness that digital transformation needs to be changed. This means that engineers must be familiar with software-based network technologies and network automation.

"We're moving into a much more web-centric world," said Kerabara, and as a result, the role of networks is increasing. "If you look at a lot of digital building blocks like the Internet of Things, mobility and the cloud, they're all network-oriented," he said.

Developing networks means that companies (and the engineers they hire) must learn how to use software to run networks and connect to other platforms through orchestration. This change brings together the previously separate worlds of applications, networks and infrastructure. According to Kerabara, the network needs to be modified so that it doesn't affect the business.

Kerravala and a group of experts advise network engineers on how to improve their software skills and gain experience in network automation, from learning programming languages ​​to accreditation and running small automation projects to gain experience. Provided.

In the digital age, network engineers and architects said, "You have to speak a software language. You are not a developer, but you can mainly talk to software developers," said the panelist Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE). Addel Rezk, member of the advisory board, said. Senior solution and network architect for Worldwide Technology, a systems integrator based in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

Another skills that network engineering engineers should learn, Kerravala said, “Companies could be as agile as the least agile components, and that was the network,” he added.

·         Provision of information and services as an API

• ·         Integration of the cloud management tool
• ·         DevOps alignment
• ·         Activate automation
• ·         Play well with DevOps
• ·         Businesses could be as agile as the least agile components, and that was the network.
• ·         Zeus Kerravala
• ·         Director and founder of ZK Research

In the past, most network performance problems resulted from interruptions between the network and the applications running on it. DevOps plays a bigger role in the age of networks. In short, modern application environments have advanced network integration from the start.

"DevOps is based on the principles of rapid development and continuous innovation, which makes our network more agile and upgradeable almost when needed," says Kerravala. However, it cannot require app developers to be connected to the network through a command line interface for it to work. As a result, more work is being done on APIs and programmable networks.

Network professionals must think of networks as an extension of the cloud. In short, the network must work properly with DevOps to ensure application continuity and enable network automation.

"I think a lot of engineers were concerned that automation might take their jobs away, but honestly we can't do it today without them," said Kerabara.

Need for software-based network engineering knowledge

As a result, fluent software is required. According to Kerravala, you don't have to be a software developer, but you do need to be familiar with software to work with today's network infrastructure. "You need to learn basic programming skills."

Kerravala recommended that network engineers use orchestration tools such as Chef and Python, which are commonly used by enterprise application developers. Rather than learning more network protocols, engineers should focus on improving software fluidity.

To do this, Kerravala says network technicians no longer need to perform tasks that are not considered strategic to their business or resumes. In short, networking professionals need to find ways to automate common tasks. This gives you the time it needs to acquire network engineering skills and innovate.

Joe Clark, a well-known Cisco engineer who also attended the panel, said he hesitated to work with other Cisco network engineers who initially had a passion for networking but little interest in developing. Over the years that attitude changed when Cisco started opening up its interfaces.

"We started developing an architecture that would allow technical engineers to write chained Python scripts. Those huge, long files can provide insights," he said. Ultimately, Cisco has built a culture of development, automation, and software fluidity within the company. "That's what we want to tell our customers," said Clark. "Doing that opens up more exciting things for you."

According to Jose Bogarin Solano, Chief Innovation Officer at Altus Consulting in Costa Rica, engineers have started learning Python because it is easy to learn and it is used in many network-related technologies. He also suggested that engineers consider investigating Cisco's developer programs. This initiative is designed to help developers and IT professionals who want to build applications and develop integrations with Cisco products, platforms, and APIs learn about software development from a network perspective.

After network professionals learned some software skills and understood the API, Cisco recommended that Clark look around the company to see what automation is common. He said he would start small and then expand from there.  

Other resources include learning at Cisco, which offers courses designed to help engineers learn to use automation technology with a network-centric focus, as well as software know-how that wants to integrate that know-how into the network. Includes developer courses for private households.