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IntermediateInfrastructure & Tools

Network Engineer Roadmap

Design, implement, and manage network infrastructure

Duration
10-12 months
Job Demand
high
Phases
6
Views
1365

About This Roadmap

Network Engineering is the foundation of modern IT infrastructure, focusing on designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks that enable communication and data transfer. As a network engineer, you will configure routers and switches, implement network security, troubleshoot connectivity issues, design network topologies, and ensure optimal network performance. This comprehensive roadmap covers networking fundamentals (OSI model, TCP/IP), routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP), switching technologies (VLANs, STP), network security (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS), wireless networking, and cloud networking. Network engineers are essential in all organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises and ISPs. The role requires strong problem-solving skills, understanding of protocols and standards, hands-on experience with networking equipment, and the ability to work under pressure during outages.

Prerequisites

  • Basic IT knowledge
  • Understanding of computers
  • Logical thinking
  • Interest in how networks work

What You'll Learn

Master networking protocols
Configure routers and switches
Implement network security
Design network topologies
Troubleshoot network issues
Work with cloud networks
Automate network tasks

Complete Learning Path

8-10 weeks

1
OSI Model

7 layers, encapsulation, protocols at each layer

2
TCP/IP

IP addressing, subnetting, CIDR, IPv4/IPv6

3
Network Devices

Hubs, switches, routers, firewalls

4
Protocols

HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, DHCP, FTP, SSH

6-8 weeks

1
VLANs

Virtual LANs, trunking, inter-VLAN routing

2
STP

Spanning Tree Protocol, RSTP, loop prevention

3
EtherChannel

Link aggregation, LACP

4
Switch Security

Port security, DHCP snooping, DAI

10-12 weeks

1
Static Routing

Route configuration, default routes

2
OSPF

Link-state routing, areas, DR/BDR

3
EIGRP

Hybrid routing protocol, metrics

4
BGP

Border Gateway Protocol, AS, peering

8-10 weeks

1
Firewalls

ACLs, stateful inspection, next-gen firewalls

2
VPN

Site-to-site, remote access, IPsec, SSL VPN

3
IDS/IPS

Intrusion detection and prevention

4
Network Access Control

802.1X, NAC, authentication

6-8 weeks

1
Wireless

Wi-Fi standards, access points, controllers

2
QoS

Quality of Service, traffic shaping, prioritization

3
Network Monitoring

SNMP, NetFlow, Syslog, monitoring tools

4
SD-WAN

Software-defined WAN, overlay networks

6-8 weeks

1
Cloud Networking

VPC, subnets, security groups, load balancers

2
Network Automation

Python, Ansible, Netmiko, NAPALM

3
SDN

Software-defined networking, OpenFlow

4
Troubleshooting

Packet analysis, Wireshark, debugging

Tools & Technologies

Cisco IOSJuniper JunosWiresharkGNS3Packet TracerPythonAnsiblePalo AltoFortinetAruba

Career Opportunities

  • Network Engineer
  • Network Administrator
  • Network Architect
  • Security Engineer
  • Cloud Network Engineer
  • Network Consultant

Expected Salary (India)

₹3-7 LPA (Entry)
₹7-15 LPA (Mid)
₹15-30 LPA (Senior)
₹30L+ (Lead)

Companies Hiring

CiscoJuniperPalo Alto NetworksTCSInfosysWiproHCLTech MahindraISPsTelecom companies

Ready to Start?

Follow this roadmap step-by-step and track your progress.

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