Careers - #438 - NETWORK ENGINEER

Network Engineers design, develop, install, test, and maintain networks that link computers, peripherals (fax machines, printers, & modems), communication equipment (telephones, cellular phones, PDA's) and video equipment (cameras, VCR's) using cabling methods or wireless transmissions and software.

Sharing is the basic reason that networks exist. Through networks, applications, hardware and information can be accessed by the greatest number of users and thereby, attain cost savings, efficiency and widen communication.

A Glossary of Terms is contained in the section that follows and should be referred to for clarity.

Consult with key users/customers concerning the design and maintenance of their networks (such as LAN's and WAN's)

Design network configurations and operating systems with an awareness of cost, technological constraints and protocols and standards

Evaluate new technologies for integration into existing infrastructure for increased network performance

Monitor the daily performance of the network infrastructure including cable lines, hubs, routers, switches, servers and satellites/towers

Conduct in-service training following the installation or upgrading of network equipment

Manage network security initiatives and implementation strategies, providing utilities for scanning and cleaning viruses on network components and maintaining security servers

Test, evaluate and identify deficiencies related to reliability, interoperability and maintainability of new network hardware and software prior to deployment

Maintain and update as-built network documentation including on-line documentation database following standard document creation and submission procedures

Resolve hardware and software problems, bugs and deficiencies, and customer router and circuit outages

As a manager, provide planning recommendations on emerging products or technologies and recommend new product concepts to meet evolving network and service requirements

In order to understand how Network Engineers do their jobs, you must understand the basic operation of various networks. The following section provides a summary of the major types of network systems.

Western Union's network was the first communication network that connected the two coasts of the United States, just prior to the Civil War. The next advance in network communication came in the late 1890's when Bell Telephone began their service. Today's telecommunication, computer, wireless, TV and cable networks are the evolution of these early communication systems.

Some common networks include Local Area Networks (LAN's), the Internet, Optical Networks and Wireless Networks. These major networks link computers, telephones, video equipment and other peripherals, such as printers, modems and fax machines, so that information and equipment can be shared efficiently. Changes to networks through software, equipment upgrades and evolving technology assure that speed and clarity of data transfer will continually improve.

LOCAL AREA NETWORKS, connect computers that are close to each other, usually in the same building, linked by cable. Typically, the computers are connected by no more than 1,000 feet of cable. Networks operate under a set of rules of design called standards and set of rules for transmission of data called protocols. Standards are a mutually agreed-upon set of specifications for hardware or software. Standards make it possible for different manufacturers to create products that are compatible with each other. Standards may be set by official standards organizations or they may be unofficial standards that are established by common use. Protocols handle the details of addressing, routing, verifying delivery and ensuring accuracy of data sent along the network. Common protocols used on computer networks include: Microsoft's NetBIOS Extended User Interface (NetBEUI), Novell's Sequential Packet Exchange and Internetwork Packet Exchange (SPX and IPX) and Apple's Apple File Protocol (AFP). Adherence to these rules allows a variety of computer equipment and peripherals to communicate and share resources effectively.

The network operating system (NOS) is a group of programs that make it possible for computers to be on a network and manages the different aspects of the network. Some major network operating systems include: Novell NetWare, VINES, Windows for Workgroups, AppleTalk and DECnet.

The network interface card (NIC), also known as a LAN adapter, is an adapter board that is contained in or plugged into a computer so that the computer can be connected to a network. Since low-powered digital signals from computers cannot travel the long distances required within network cabling, the NIC convert these signals to more powerful ones that can be carried on the network cable. Further, the NIC packages the data for transmission and controls access and prioritizes routing to the network cable. In effect, it is the traffic light to control entry of data onto the network highway (cable). NICs also assist data movement in and out of random-access memory (RAM), within the computer.

The wiring used to connect equipment on networks may be various types of copper or fiber optic cable. In addition to cables, some networks may communicate using wireless means, such as light or radio waves. Depending on the requirement of the network, some or all of these linkages may be used. Central to network cabling is a wiring hub, a device that connects several computers or networks together. A passive hub may simply forward messages; an active hub or repeater, amplifies the stream of data, that otherwise would deteriorate over a long cable distance. It is critical to match the correct NIC, protocols and cabling to the particular network architecture chosen, such as Ethernet or Token Ring.

The most popular type of LAN is called Ethernet. This type of network architecture sends its data through radio frequency signals carried along coaxial cable. The NIC in each computer on the network listens for silence (inactivity) on the cable before sending data. If two computers accidentally transmit at the same time the NIC on each computer detects the potential collision, stops and waits for an opening on the cable before re-sending the data. Some more advanced Ethernet networks may used twisted pair or fiber optic cable instead of coaxial cable, in order to increase network performance.

Token-Ring network architecture has a more complex way to access network cabling. This type of LAN configures computers around a ring that is a complete electrical loop. Token-ring networks typically use shielded or unshielded twisted pair cabling, but again some fiber optic cable may be used, particularly between wiring hubs. In a token-ring network the NIC must have permission to transmit data onto network cabling. That permission is a free token that is systematically passed between stations on the network until it reaches a computer on the network with data to transfer. The NIC on that computer changes the free token into the data to be transferred and sends it to the next station on the loop. Once that data finally reaches it destination on the network, the data is then returned back to the originating computer and the NIC releases the free token to the next station on the network, where the process can be repeated. The token is used to avoid conflicts in transmission, since a machine can only transmit data while it holds the free token.

Multiple networks that are connected via routers are known as INTERNETS. The Internet (note capitalization) is the world's largest internet. This worldwide information highway is comprised of thousands of interconnected computer networks, and reaches millions of people in many different countries. The Internet was originally developed for the United States military, and later became used for government, academic and commercial research and communications. The Internet is made up of a large backbone of networks (such as MILNET, NSFNET and CREN), and smaller networks that link them. The U.S. National Science Foundation maintains a major part of the backbone (NSFNET). The Internet functions as a gateway for electronic mail between various networks and online services. The World Wide Web facility on the Internet makes possible almost instantaneous exchange of information by linking documents around the world.

Internet computers use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). There are over six million hosts on the Internet: mainframes, minicomputers or workstations that support the Internet Protocol. The Internet is connected to computer networks worldwide that use various message formats and protocols. Gateways convert these formats between networks so that the Internet functions as one big network.

The Internet appears to be amorphous and unregulated, but there are several administrative bodies: The Internet Architecture Board that oversees technology and standards; the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority that assigns numbers for ports and sockets, etc; InterNIC that assigns Internet addresses; the Internet Engineering and Planning Group, the Internet Engineering Steering Group, and the Internet Society.

OPTICAL NETWORKS carry very high volumes of digitized data, voice and video services on multiple wavelengths of light. Because the signals it carries are pulses of light conducted over threads of glass, fiber-optic cables aren't bothered by outside electric current (interference), as traditional copper wire cabling can be. Since they are free of interference and the light pulses travel for miles without losing appreciable strength, fiber-optic cables can carry data at high speeds over long distances. However, because of the cost of laying new fiber-optic cable, as opposed to using existing copper wiring, optical networks are initially more expensive to establish.

Optical networks attain high data transfer speeds by converting signals to an optical format as early as possible on the communications path and keeping it in that format as long as possible, as it passes through switches and routers, and then converting it back to an electronic format as close to the receiving equipment (fax machine, computer or telephone), as possible. The elimination of converting the signal between optical and electronic formats multiple times, increases the transmission speed. Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) use fiber optic cable to transmit voice and digital network service at speeds much higher than the highest speed modems. Many telephone companies offer ISDN lines.

The ever-increasing demand for high-speed optical networking used for teleconferencing, data and video transmission, and by modems, faxes machines and multiple telephone lines has pushed existing capacity near the limit. The obvious solution is to lay more fiber-optic cable. This is a feasible solution only where it is easy and inexpensive to lay additional cable. However, in many cases it is a too costly solution.

The other way to increase transmission speed is to increase bandwidth efficiency, otherwise known as bandwidth management. One existing technology is called time division multiplexing (TDM). TDM increases the capacity of a fiber by slicing time into smaller intervals so that more bits (data) can be transmitted per second. TDM allows multiple users to share bandwidth by assigning each user a time slot a fraction of a millisecond long. Another more advanced method of increasing bandwidth efficiency is dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM). DWDM increases the capacity of the embedded fiber by assigning incoming optical signals to specific frequencies (channels) within a designated frequency band and then multiplexing the resulting signals out onto one fiber. DWDM combines multiple optical signals so that they can be amplified as a group and transported over a single fiber to increase capacity.

An analogy may explain the difference between TDM and DWDM. Think of TDM as a single lane highway. The vehicles traveling on that highway can be sedans, trucks or high performance vehicles, but they are limited to one lane and as a result can only go as fast as the slowest vehicle permits. With DWDM, there are multiple lanes on the highway and vehicles are assigned lanes by their performance similarities. Therefore, no trucks would travel in the high-speed lanes. Using DWDM, speed is realized by packaging data efficiently and sending it along the highest speed lane available.

Finally, WIRELESS NETWORKS do not use cables, and therefore can link networks beyond the physical limits of copper and fiber-optic cabled networks. The advantage of wireless networks is their connected equipment becomes portable and mobile.

Local wireless networks connect a wired network (LAN) to mobile equipment such as laptop computers throughout a building. Wall mounted transceivers link the wired network to portable equipment using radio waves on assigned frequencies. Transceivers are likely to be found in conference rooms, classrooms, hospitals and laboratories. Eventually, it will be possible to link any computer to the Internet via satellite, no matter where in the world the computer might be located.

Cellular data communication uses the cellular telephone network to carry data between mobile equipment (pc or terminal) and a host computer.

Cellular telephone networks allow portable telephones (transceivers) to convert a caller's voice to radio signals that are relayed to a radio tower maintained by the cellular service provider. These radio towers, known as sites, receive the radio signals and convert it to a format that is compatible with the telephone network. Each cell site can service dozens of callers simultaneously, and cell sites are located so that their coverage area overlaps with a nearby (within a few miles) cell site. A mobile switching center connects all the cell sites in a predetermined geographic area and routes signals to the Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN).

The overlapping of cell sites ensures that a call is maintained while the phone is moving. As the caller moves from one cell to another, the call is automatically switched or "handed off" to the next cell. Signal strength weakens between the phone and the cell site as the phone moves away from the cell site. Hand-off ensures that the call is handled by the cell having the strongest signal with the mobile phone.

Global wireless networking allows communication around the world using satellites in near-earth orbit. These satellites receive low-powered signals from portable and mobile networked devices (modems, fax machines, video equipment, laptop pc's and telephones). Remote towns and villages which were not able to be served with a wired system and urban systems with insufficient wireline capacity can now have communication service at an economical cost.

Network Engineers may also be known as Computer Engineers, Network Consultant, Network Developers/Designers, Network Management Software Engineer, Network Software Engineer, Network System Development Engineers, Operations Engineers, Service Engineers, or System Integrators.

In addition they may have titles related to equipment they design or work with or specific types or areas of networks they install, design or monitor. Examples of such titles may include: Routing Tools Engineer, Internet Services Engineer, Network Security Engineer, Global Network Engineer or Internet Architect.

In addition to learning about these occupations, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

Network Engineers work closely with other engineers, systems analysts, programmers, technicians, scientists and top-level managers. They often function as part of a team, but occasionally some of their work is done independently. Network Engineers usually work in offices that are comfortable, well lighted and air conditioned. They may also spend time in well-equipped laboratories, manufacturing facilities, classrooms or customer worksites.

Network Engineers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Evening and weekend work may be necessary to complete projects. Additional time may also be spent studying technical journals, attending seminars or taking training in order to keep up with changing technology affecting the field. Out-of-town travel may be necessary for Network Engineers who work as consultants.

Network Engineers may join professional organizations such as the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and/or the Institute for Network Professionals. Members pay annual dues.

Engineers who provide professional services affecting public health, life, or property must be licensed by the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services, Board of Professional Engineers. The State of Michigan may require a license for this occupation. Click here for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Engineer, Licensed Professional for specific licensing information.

Prepare a written analysis, proposal and definition of all network hardware and budget requirements.

Should be able to demonstrate excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented to plan system concept for theoretical models and other network requirements.

Although a 4-year degree in Engineering is the routine educational preparation for Network Engineers, it is becoming increasingly necessary to obtain certification of network related competency. A number of network hardware and software vendors offer certification programs that attest to an individual's basic network knowledge or to specialty knowledge of that company's products.

While Microsoft ( http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx ) offers a number of certifications, those of interest to Network Engineers are: Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Professional+Internet, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer+Internet, or the Microsoft Solution Developer. Each of these certifications requires subject matter knowledge and passing a written test(s). Knowledge of the subject matter can be obtained through classroom or online coursework or may be gained from working with the specific products. The Microsoft Certified Professional requires passing only a single test while the remaining certifications require a broad depth of knowledge and passing of numerous written tests covering various Microsoft products.

Novell ( http://education.novell.com/certinfo/ ), a major network software developer, also offers Professional Certification Programs. Those of interest to Network Engineers include: Certified Internet Professional, Certified Novell Engineer, and Master Certified Novell Engineer. Again, knowledge of Novell's products is gained through coursework and written test(s) must be passed.

Some of the most highly regarded Professional Certifications for network hardware products are issued by Cisco Systems, Inc.. http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/index.html The lowest level of certification is Cisco Certified Network Associate. This may be followed by Cisco Certified Network Professional and ultimately, Cisco Certified Interwork Expert Certification. The expert certification is awarded in various areas of concentration such as Routing and Switching or WAN (Wide Area Networks) Switching or ISP (Internet Service Provider)-Dial. What makes Cisco's expert level certifications so valuable is the recognized difficulty of the written tests followed by demanding practical (lab) exams.

Since the technology of networks is rapidly changing, certification programs offer a practical means for Network Engineers to stay current in their evolving profession. Recruiters look for Professional Certification as an indication of a valuable candidate.

NOTE: A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

Programs in Electrical and Electronics Engineering provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for professional leadership in applying the principles of Electrical and Electronics Engineering to Network Engineering. Network Engineers function as researchers, developers, designers, and inventors.

Electric & Electronic Circuits	Network Synthesis
Discrete & Continuous Time Systems	Analysis of Control Systems
Electronic Devices	Communication Theory Lab
Microwave Networks	Control System Design
Electromagnetic Fields & Waves	Intro. to Local Area Networks
Intro. to Computer Networks	Distributed Systems
Network Administration	Digital Communication
Data Network Protocols & Architecture
Digital Switching in Telecommunications
Digital Transmission Systems in Telecommunications
Data Communications Concepts, Security and Management

Pre-Engineering Programs provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills required for admission to professional engineering colleges.

Many Michigan colleges and universities offer programs that may satisfy the prerequisites for admission to engineering schools. Students should contact the engineering schools of their choice for admission requirements and consult their school's pre-professional adviser to ensure that admission prerequisites will be met.

Chemistry & Physics	Differential Equations
Analytical Geometry	Statistics & Dynamics
Calculus & Linear Algebra	Digital Computer Techniques
Engineering Graphics	Trigonometry

The most common requirements for entering a community college are a high school diploma, or GED, or being at least 18 years old and completing application forms. In addition, entering a college or university may require graduation from high school in a college preparatory program, a grade point average acceptable to the school to which you apply, and passing entrance examinations.

Programs in Computer Science provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills needed in a wide variety of jobs dealing with the programming, analyzing, and operation of computers and other electronic and mechanical equipment. Individuals who teach Computer Science at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching certificate.

Introduction to Computers	Computer Programming
Mathematics	English Composition
Statistics	Logic
Systems Design & Control	Business
Accounting	Computer Communications
Computer Operation	Data Base Management
Personal Computer Classes

The military services use computers to store and process data on personnel, weather, finances, and many other operations. Before any information can be processed, computer systems must be set up, data entered and computers operated. Computer systems specialists ensure information is entered, stored, processed, and retrieved in a way that meets the military services needs.

Computer systems specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

Helpful school subjects include typing and computer science. Helpful attributes include:

Job training consists of 7 to 13 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

Computer systems specialists work in offices or at computer sites on military bases or aboard ships.

Civilian computer systems specialists work for wide variety of employers, such as banks, hospitals, retail firms, manufacturers, government agencies, and firms that design and test computer systems. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may also be called network support technicians, computer operators, or data processing technicians. Most civilian computer systems specialists require a four-year college degree.

The services have about 24,000 computer systems specialists. They need new computer system specialists each year. After job training, computer systems specialists are assigned to work under the direction of experienced computer systems officers. With experience, they may become managers of computer facilities.

It is difficult to explore the network engineering field with a summer or part-time job because of the technical expertise required in this occupation. Postsecondary programs in network engineering plus work study and internships offer opportunities to explore this field. Cooperative education programs in engineering are available through various departments and agencies of the federal government. Most employers require a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer science or electrical engineering as the minimum level of education for Network Engineers.

Network Engineers enter their field through direct application to employers, taking civil service exams, consulting want ads in newspapers, contacting college placement offices, or reading job notices in professional journals or magazines such as ComputerWorld. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Salaries of Network Engineers depend on their experience, responsibilities, capabilities, education, and on the type, size, and location of the employer. Engineers working in business services and communications generally receive the highest salaries. The lowest salaries were paid to Engineers in government and education.

Nationally, the average annual earnings of Network Engineers ranged between $64,862 and $78,902, depending on their level of responsibility, in mid 2006. Most licensed Electrical and Electronics (of which Network Engineers are a small portion) Professional Engineers earned between $52,693 and $156,452 (in early 2006). Salaries are highest in the East and Northeast. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $33,852 in 2005.

In the federal government (2006), annual starting salaries for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Computer Engineers that would include some Network Engineers, depending on college records, were $36,029 or $43,068 with a bachelor's degree, $43,068 or $50,773 with a master's degree, and a minimum of $56,812 for a doctorate.

Annual starting salaries offered to most graduates of Electrical and Electronics Engineering programs nationwide were (mid 2006): $ 50,604 to $58,000 with a bachelor's degree, $60,000 to $72,000 with a master's degree, and $75,000 to $90,000 for a doctorate. Graduates in Michigan received similar offers.

Mid-Level Network Engineers working in the Detroit metropolitan area had median annual earnings of $74,700 in early 2006.

Depending on the employer, fringe benefits may include paid vacations, holidays, and sick leave; life, health, accident, and disability insurance; retirement and educational reimbursement plans; and stock purchase or savings plans. Benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by employers.

Most Network Engineers start out as trainees. After obtaining experience, Network Engineers may advance to Senior Network Engineer, Chief Engineer, or Director of Networks. Graduate study can be very helpful. Other factors affecting promotions are: experience, education, professional certification, and personal ability.

Nationally, the total number of Network Engineers is unknown. However, their employment is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014.

The convergence of telecommunications, data transmission, Internet and entertainment options on cable networks will provide employment opportunities for Network Engineers, as well as, the rapid development of the wireless web networks. Exploiting the Internet for E-Commerce (retail and wholesale selling, such as mail order and online purchasing), education, research and business communication will provide many job openings for Network Engineers. Keeping domestic and global networks operational, upgraded and secure will add additional jobs. Furthermore, as the more advanced Internet2 expands beyond its research and education roots to a replacement of the existing Internet, the current strong demand for Network Engineers may increase.

Most Network Engineers worked in urban areas. In the services industry, most worked for computer and data processing services including consulting services. Many worked for manufacturers of communication equipment and electronic and electrical equipment.

Employment opportunities will occur in basic research, device development and application, and system design and development as well as in technical service, customer service, and technical sales.

Engineers who fail to keep up with rapid changes in technology in some specialties risk technological obsolescence, that makes them more susceptible to layoffs or, at minimum, more likely to be passed over for advancement. Professional certification is typically the way Network Engineers obtain the training necessary to keep current with network software and hardware advancements.

EMPLOYMENT AND	NUMBER	PERCENT	PROJECTED YEARLY
OUTLOOK REGIONS	EMPLOYED	GROWTH	JOB OPENINGS
State Total	___	___	___

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from sources below.

The Institute for Network Professionals 281 South Vineyard Road #804 Orem, UT 84058 1-801-223-9444	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 3 Park Avenue, 17^th Floor New York, NY 10016 1-212-419-7900
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth - Board of Professional Engineers P.O. Box 30018 611 W. Ottawa Lansing, MI 48909 1-517-335-1669	National Society of Professional Engineers 1420 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 1-703-684-2800
ACEC/Michigan, Inc. 215 North Walnut Street Lansing, MI 48933 517-332-2066	Michigan Society of Professional Engineers 215 N. Walnut P.O. Box 15276 Lansing, MI 48901 1-517-487-9388
Local Military Recruiters	Federal, State, and Local
Civil Service Offices