Top 12 Network Architect Skills to Put on Your Resume
In the rapidly evolving field of network architecture, standing out to potential employers requires a well-crafted resume that highlights your most valuable skills. This article outlines the top 12 network architect skills you should showcase to demonstrate your expertise and adaptability in designing and managing modern network infrastructures.
Network Architect Skills
1. Cisco
Cisco is a global technology leader that designs, manufactures, and sells networking equipment, software, and services used to connect and secure computer networks. For a Network Architect, Cisco provides essential tools and technologies for designing, implementing, and managing scalable, secure, and efficient network infrastructures.
Why It's Important
Cisco is crucial for a Network Architect because it provides leading-edge networking hardware, software, and telecommunication equipment, enabling the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and efficient network infrastructures.
How to Improve Cisco Skills
Improving Cisco network performance and design involves several key strategies that a Network Architect can implement. Below are concise recommendations with resources for deeper exploration:
Optimize Network Design: Start with a robust design based on Cisco’s recommended practices. Utilize the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (Cisco DNA) for guidance on creating an intent-based network that is agile, secure, and scalable. Cisco DNA Overview
Regular Updates and Maintenance: Keep your Cisco devices' firmware and software up to date to ensure security, stability, and access to the latest features. Use Cisco Smart Net Total Care for support and maintenance. Cisco Smart Net Total Care
Network Segmentation and Security: Implement segmentation (using VLANs, VRFs) to enhance security and reduce congestion. Apply Cisco’s best practices for network security to safeguard against threats. Cisco Network Segmentation
Performance Monitoring and Management: Use Cisco DNA Center for network management and health monitoring. This provides insights into network performance, identifies issues, and suggests optimizations. Cisco DNA Center
Automation and Orchestration: Leverage automation tools such as Cisco DNA Center and Ansible for network configuration and operations, reducing manual errors and improving efficiency. Cisco Network Automation
Professional Development: Continuously improve your skills and knowledge. Cisco offers certification paths (e.g., CCNA, CCNP, CCIE) and specialized training materials for Network Architects. Cisco Learning Network
By focusing on these areas, a Network Architect can significantly improve the performance, security, and manageability of Cisco networks.
How to Display Cisco Skills on Your Resume
2. Juniper
Juniper Networks is a multinational corporation that develops and markets networking products, including routers, switches, network management software, network security products, and software-defined networking technology. For a Network Architect, Juniper offers a comprehensive suite of hardware and software solutions designed to build and manage scalable, high-performance network infrastructures.
Why It's Important
Juniper Networks is important for a Network Architect because it offers high-performance networking solutions that enable reliable and scalable network architectures, essential for supporting the complex data, voice, and video demands in modern enterprise and service provider environments.
How to Improve Juniper Skills
Improving Juniper network performance and reliability involves several key strategies tailored for a Network Architect. Here’s a concise guide:
Firmware Updates: Regularly update Juniper device firmware to ensure devices are running on the latest versions for enhanced features and security.
Network Design Optimization: Optimize your network design by implementing Juniper’s best practices for network architecture, ensuring efficient data flow and redundancy.
Configuration Management: Use Junos Space Network Director for centralized configuration management, reducing human errors and ensuring consistency across the network.
Performance Monitoring: Employ Junos Telemetry Interface (JTI) for real-time, granular network performance monitoring, enabling quick identification and resolution of issues.
Security Hardening: Follow Juniper’s security hardening guides to protect your network from vulnerabilities and attacks.
Automation and Scripting: Implement automation using Junos PyEZ and Ansible to streamline repetitive tasks, improving efficiency and accuracy.
Professional Training: Continuously enhance your skills and knowledge by attending Juniper Networks Certification Program (JNCP) courses and workshops.
Community Engagement: Engage with the Juniper Networks Community to share experiences, challenges, and solutions with peers and experts.
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve the performance, security, and manageability of your Juniper network infrastructure.
How to Display Juniper Skills on Your Resume
3. VMware
VMware is a leading provider of virtualization and cloud computing software and services, enabling network architects to create and manage virtual networks and machines, optimize data center operations, and ensure scalable, secure, and efficient infrastructure management.
Why It's Important
VMware is important for a Network Architect because it provides a robust platform for virtualization, allowing for efficient resource management, scalability, and flexibility in network infrastructure design and operation.
How to Improve VMware Skills
To improve VMware performance and efficiency from a Network Architect perspective, consider the following steps:
Optimize Networking Configuration: Ensure the VMware virtual network is configured for optimal performance by adjusting the network adapter settings and using VMXNET3 over E1000 when possible. VMware Documentation provides guidelines for network configurations.
Implement Network I/O Control (NIOC): Use NIOC to prioritize traffic and ensure critical network resources are allocated efficiently. This helps in managing bandwidth allocation for different types of traffic. NIOC Overview.
Leverage Distributed Switches: Migrate to VMware vSphere Distributed Switches (vDS) for centralized management and advanced features like Private VLANs, Network Resource Pools, and improved monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. Distributed Switch Documentation.
Enable Jumbo Frames: For environments requiring high throughput and lower CPU usage, enabling Jumbo Frames can improve performance. Ensure compatibility and proper configuration end-to-end. Jumbo Frames Configuration.
Regularly Update and Patch: Keep VMware and all network-related software up to date with the latest patches and versions to ensure optimal performance and security. VMware Security Advisories.
Monitor Performance and Adjust: Utilize VMware vRealize Network Insight for comprehensive network performance monitoring, analysis, and troubleshooting. Adjust configurations based on insights gathered. vRealize Network Insight.
Implementing these strategies can significantly enhance the performance, security, and manageability of your VMware environment.
How to Display VMware Skills on Your Resume
4. AWS
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a comprehensive, evolving cloud computing platform provided by Amazon that offers a mix of infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and packaged software as a service (SaaS) offerings. For a Network Architect, AWS provides a vast array of network services and tools to design, deploy, and manage secure, scalable, and highly available network infrastructures in the cloud.
Why It's Important
AWS is crucial for a Network Architect as it provides a scalable, flexible, and globally distributed cloud computing platform, enabling the design and deployment of network infrastructures that meet diverse organizational needs, ensure high availability, and offer advanced security features.
How to Improve AWS Skills
Improving AWS infrastructure, particularly from a Network Architect's perspective, involves optimizing performance, security, and cost-efficiency. Here are concise strategies:
Leverage AWS Well-Architected Framework: Follow the Five Pillars for operational excellence, security, reliability, performance efficiency, and cost optimization.
Implement AWS Direct Connect: Establish a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS for lower latency and more consistent network experience. Direct Connect
Use Amazon CloudFront for Content Delivery: Leverage CloudFront to distribute content globally with lower latency and high transfer speeds, improving user experience.
Optimize with Amazon Route 53: Utilize Route 53 for scalable DNS and traffic management, improving accessibility and performance.
Deploy AWS Transit Gateway: Simplify network architecture by connecting multiple VPCs and on-premises networks through a central hub using Transit Gateway.
Adopt Elastic Load Balancing (ELB): Improve application scalability and fault tolerance by distributing incoming traffic across multiple targets using ELB.
Enhance Security with AWS Shield: Protect your network against DDoS attacks with AWS Shield, particularly the more comprehensive protection offered by Shield Advanced.
Monitor with Amazon CloudWatch: Gain insights into network and application performance for optimization using CloudWatch.
Utilize AWS Cost Explorer: Identify cost-saving opportunities and manage spending efficiently with AWS Cost Explorer.
Stay Informed and Educated: Regularly visit the AWS Architecture Center and participate in AWS Training and Certification programs to stay updated on best practices and new services.
By strategically employing these tools and services, a Network Architect can significantly improve the efficiency, reliability, and security of their AWS infrastructure.
How to Display AWS Skills on Your Resume
5. Azure
Azure is Microsoft's cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services including computing, analytics, storage, and networking, enabling Network Architects to design, deploy, and manage scalable and secure network infrastructures in the cloud.
Why It's Important
Azure is important for a Network Architect because it offers a scalable, reliable, and globally distributed cloud infrastructure, enabling the design and management of complex network architectures, while also providing access to a wide range of integrated services and tools for optimization, security, and performance monitoring.
How to Improve Azure Skills
Improving Azure infrastructure for a Network Architect involves optimizing connectivity, security, performance, and cost. Here are concise tips:
Design for Scalability: Use Azure Virtual WAN for a unified network operational model. Virtual WAN simplifies large-scale network architecture.
Enhance Security: Implement Azure Firewall and Network Security Groups (NSGs) for granular control. Azure Firewall offers high availability and built-in scalability.
Optimize Performance: Leverage Azure ExpressRoute for private connections between Azure and your on-premises environment. ExpressRoute provides more reliability, faster speeds, and lower latencies.
Monitor and Analyze: Use Azure Network Watcher for monitoring and diagnosing conditions at a network scenario level. Network Watcher provides tools to monitor, diagnose, view metrics, and enable or disable logs for resources in an Azure virtual network.
Cost Management: Utilize Azure Cost Management + Billing to analyze and manage cloud costs. Azure Cost Management + Billing helps optimize spending by identifying underutilized resources.
Automate Deployments: Apply Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates for repeatable and consistent network setups. ARM Templates enable infrastructure as code, speeding up deployment and ensuring compliance.
Implement Hybrid Connectivity: Strategically use Azure VPN Gateway for secure site-to-site (S2S) connections. VPN Gateway supports connecting on-premises networks to Azure through IPsec VPN tunnels.
By focusing on these areas, a Network Architect can significantly improve the efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness of an Azure environment.
How to Display Azure Skills on Your Resume
6. OSPF
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a link-state routing protocol used for distributing routing information within a single autonomous system in IP networks. It efficiently routes packets based on the shortest path using Dijkstra's algorithm, ensuring optimal and dynamic path selection in a scalable and hierarchical manner.
Why It's Important
OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is important for Network Architects because it provides efficient, dynamic routing within large and complex networks, enabling optimal data paths, scalability, and fast convergence, while supporting diverse topologies and robust network design.
How to Improve OSPF Skills
To improve OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) in your network architecture, consider the following concise strategies:
Network Design Optimization: Properly segment your network into OSPF areas to enhance scalability and manageability. Focus on creating a hierarchical network design with a backbone area (Area 0) and multiple non-backbone areas connected to it. Cisco OSPF Design Guide
Efficient Use of OSPF Areas: Implement OSPF areas efficiently by using Stub, Totally Stubby, Not-So-Stubby-Area (NSSA), and Totally NSSA areas where appropriate to reduce the amount of routing information exchanged and to limit the size of the routing table. OSPF Area Types
Route Summarization: Implement route summarization at area border routers (ABRs) and autonomous system boundary routers (ASBRs) to decrease the size of the routing table, which in turn reduces memory usage and CPU load. OSPF Route Summarization
OSPF Timers Tuning: Adjust OSPF timers (Hello and Dead intervals) judiciously, especially on high-speed interfaces, to improve OSPF convergence times without causing excessive traffic or instability. Tuning OSPF Performance
Authentication Configuration: Enhance network security by configuring OSPF authentication (either simple password or MD5) to prevent unauthorized OSPF updates. OSPF Authentication Configuration
Load Balancing: Utilize OSPF's equal-cost multi-path (ECMP) capability to distribute traffic evenly across multiple paths to the same destination, improving bandwidth utilization and redundancy. OSPF Load Balancing
Use of Passive Interfaces: Configure OSPF passive interfaces on routers to prevent OSPF messages from being sent through interfaces that don't connect to other OSPF routers, enhancing security and reducing unnecessary traffic. Configuring OSPF Passive Interface
By adopting these strategies, you can significantly improve the performance, scalability, and security of OSPF in your network architecture.
How to Display OSPF Skills on Your Resume
7. BGP
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the core routing protocol used to exchange routing information across the internet and between different autonomous systems (ASes), enabling efficient and scalable inter-network routing.
Why It's Important
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is crucial for Network Architects as it enables efficient and scalable inter-domain routing on the internet, allowing for optimized path selection and redundancy, ensuring global connectivity and network resilience.
How to Improve BGP Skills
Improving Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) involves enhancing security, stability, and efficiency within your network architecture. Here are concise strategies:
Implement Route Filtering: Ensure that only legitimate routes are advertised and accepted. Utilize prefix lists and route maps to filter routes effectively. Cisco - BGP Route Filtering
Use BGP Route Reflectors: Reduce the number of iBGP peering sessions in large networks to minimize complexity and improve scalability. Juniper - BGP Route Reflectors
Secure BGP Sessions: Leverage MD5 authentication and implement BGP session protection features like GTSM (Generic TTL Security Mechanism) to mitigate session hijacking and other attacks. RFC 7454 - BGP Operations and Security
Deploy RPKI: Utilize Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI) to validate BGP announcements against authorized route origins, significantly reducing the risk of route hijacking. RIPE NCC - RPKI
Optimize BGP Convergence Time: Adjust BGP timers and implement BFD (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection) for faster failure detection and recovery. Cisco - BFD for BGP
Participate in Internet Routing Registries (IRR): Register your routes in IRRs to provide a public record of your routing policies, enhancing transparency and trust among peers. ARIN - Internet Routing Registry
Adopt Best Current Practices (BCPs): Follow industry-standard BCPs for BGP configuration to enhance network performance and security. BCP 38 & BCP 84
By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the performance, security, and resilience of BGP operations within your network.
How to Display BGP Skills on Your Resume
8. MPLS
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a flexible, high-performance method for directing and managing network traffic flows, enabling efficient use of network resources, improved scalability, and enhanced performance and reliability for data transmission across wide area networks (WANs).
Why It's Important
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is crucial for Network Architects because it enables efficient, scalable, and flexible network traffic management, allowing for optimized data flow, improved performance, and enhanced Quality of Service (QoS) across complex networks.
How to Improve MPLS Skills
To improve MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) in your network, consider the following steps:
Optimize the Routing Design: Ensure that the MPLS network utilizes efficient routing protocols like OSPF or IS-IS for optimal path selection and traffic engineering. Cisco's MPLS Design Guide provides insights on routing optimization.
Implement Traffic Engineering: Utilize MPLS Traffic Engineering (TE) to manage bandwidth allocation efficiently and enhance network reliability. Juniper's Traffic Engineering Guide can help you start with MPLS TE.
Quality of Service (QoS): Apply QoS policies to prioritize critical business applications and ensure they receive the required bandwidth and minimal latency. MPLS QoS Design Guide by Cisco details QoS implementation.
Layer 3 VPNs: For secure and scalable connectivity, implement MPLS Layer 3 VPNs. This allows for segregation of different customer traffic over a shared infrastructure. Check out MPLS Fundamentals: Layer 3 VPNs by Cisco Press for insights.
Enhance Security: Ensure that MPLS nodes are secure and that data privacy is maintained across the network. Implementing MPLS VPN security best practices is crucial. Refer to MPLS and VPN Architectures, Volume II for security strategies.
Regular Network Audits: Conduct regular performance and security audits to identify and rectify issues promptly. This ensures the MPLS network remains optimized for performance and security.
Advanced Features: Explore advanced MPLS features like Segment Routing for simplified traffic engineering and increased network scalability. The Segment Routing Architecture provides a comprehensive overview.
By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the performance, reliability, and efficiency of your MPLS network.
How to Display MPLS Skills on Your Resume
9. IPv6
IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is the most recent version of the Internet Protocol (IP) designed to address the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, providing an expanded address space, enhanced security features, and improved efficiency for routing and network autoconfiguration, essential for the scalability and growth of global networks.
Why It's Important
IPv6 is critical for a Network Architect because it provides a vastly larger address space to accommodate the explosive growth of internet-connected devices, ensuring scalability, improved network efficiency, and enhanced security features.
How to Improve IPv6 Skills
Improving IPv6 deployment and functionality involves several key strategies tailored for a Network Architect. Here’s a very short and concise guide:
Enhance Security: Implement IPv6-specific security policies and tools, considering the protocol's features and vulnerabilities. IPv6 Security
Optimize Address Planning: Utilize the vast address space efficiently with structured planning, avoiding complexity and facilitating management. IPv6 Address Planning
Quality of Service (QoS): Ensure QoS is adapted for IPv6, focusing on traffic classification, congestion management, and avoidance strategies. IPv6 QoS
Deploy Transition Mechanisms: Use Dual Stack, Tunneling, and Translation mechanisms judiciously to ensure smooth transition and interoperability. IPv6 Transition Mechanisms
Educate and Train Staff: Ensure your team is knowledgeable about IPv6 features, security implications, and best practices. IPv6 Training
Monitor and Manage IPv6 Networks: Implement IPv6-compatible network management tools for monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing performance. IPv6 Network Management
Policy and Regulatory Compliance: Stay informed and compliant with regional and global IPv6 adoption policies and regulations. IPv6 Compliance
Collaborate with ISPs and Vendors: Work closely with service providers and equipment vendors to ensure full support for IPv6 features and services. Collaborating for IPv6 Adoption
Adopting these strategies will help in improving IPv6 deployment and operation within an organizational network architecture.
How to Display IPv6 Skills on Your Resume
10. SD-WAN
SD-WAN, or Software-Defined Wide Area Network, is a virtual WAN architecture that allows enterprises to leverage any combination of transport services—including MPLS, LTE, and broadband internet services—to securely connect users to applications. It uses software-defined networking (SDN) principles to automatically determine the most effective way to route traffic to and from branch offices and data center sites. For a Network Architect, SD-WAN offers a way to design, deploy, and manage network resources efficiently, improving bandwidth efficiency, enhancing performance, and ensuring greater reliability and security across the network.
Why It's Important
SD-WAN is important because it enhances network flexibility, reduces costs, and improves performance by allowing for the dynamic routing of traffic across multiple connections (e.g., broadband, LTE) based on application needs and network conditions, thus optimizing resource utilization and user experience.
How to Improve SD-WAN Skills
Improving SD-WAN involves optimizing its performance, security, and management for enhanced network efficiency and reliability. Here are concise strategies:
Performance Optimization: Use path conditioning, traffic shaping, and dynamic path selection to ensure efficient load balancing and application performance. Consider leveraging cloud-based SD-WAN solutions for scalability and agility.
Security Enhancement: Implement integrated security features such as next-generation firewall (NGFW), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and secure gateways. Encrypt data traffic to protect sensitive information.
Advanced Analytics and AI: Utilize advanced analytics and AI for predictive analysis and to automate network adjustments based on real-time data, improving network reliability and performance.
Hybrid Connectivity: Combine MPLS with broadband and LTE connections to ensure reliability and cost efficiency. This approach allows for flexibility and redundancy.
Policy and Configuration Management: Centralize policy and configuration management to streamline operations and ensure consistency across the network. Automation tools can help in implementing and maintaining policies.
Quality of Service (QoS) and Bandwidth Management: Prioritize critical applications and manage bandwidth allocation to ensure essential services maintain high performance levels.
Professional Partnerships: Work with reputable vendors and service providers that offer comprehensive support and advanced SD-WAN features tailored to your specific business needs.
For further reading and in-depth strategies:
- Cisco SD-WAN
- VMware SD-WAN
- Gartner's Guide to WAN Edge Infrastructure
These resources provide advanced insights and practical advice for network architects looking to optimize their SD-WAN deployments.
How to Display SD-WAN Skills on Your Resume
11. Python
Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its readability and versatility, widely used by network architects for automating network configuration, management, and testing tasks.
Why It's Important
Python is crucial for a Network Architect due to its powerful libraries for network automation, ease of scripting to configure and manage devices, and versatility in integrating with various network protocols and APIs, significantly enhancing network efficiency and scalability.
How to Improve Python Skills
To improve your Python skills as a Network Architect, focus on these concise steps:
Master the Basics: Ensure a solid understanding of Python syntax and basic programming concepts. Python Official Tutorial
Learn Network Automation: Dive into automating network tasks using Python libraries like Netmiko and Paramiko for SSH connections, and Ansible for configuration management. Network to Code
Understand APIs: Get comfortable with using REST APIs for managing network devices and services. Practice with APIs from major network vendors. Cisco DevNet
Explore Python Libraries: Familiarize yourself with libraries specific to networking such as NAPALM, PySNMP, and Scapy for advanced network operations. NAPALM GitHub
Practice Scripting: Regularly write and refine scripts to automate your network tasks. This will improve your coding efficiency and problem-solving skills.
Contribute to Projects: Engage with the open-source community or initiate your own project. This will expose you to diverse network scenarios. GitHub
Continuous Learning: Stay updated with the latest in Python and network technologies through blogs, forums, and official documentation.
By focusing on these areas, you'll enhance your Python skills in a way that's directly applicable to network architecture and automation.
How to Display Python Skills on Your Resume
12. Ansible
Ansible is an open-source automation tool used for IT tasks such as configuration management, application deployment, and task automation. For a Network Architect, Ansible provides a platform to automate the provisioning, configuration, and management of network devices across various vendors, streamlining network operations and ensuring consistency and compliance across the network infrastructure.
Why It's Important
Ansible is important for a Network Architect because it automates complex network configurations, ensuring consistent and repeatable deployments across diverse environments, significantly reducing the potential for human error and increasing efficiency.
How to Improve Ansible Skills
To improve Ansible for a Network Architect, focus on the following concise strategies:
Stay Updated: Regularly update Ansible to leverage new features and enhancements. Official Documentation.
Custom Modules: Develop custom modules for specific network tasks not covered by existing ones. Developing Modules.
Optimize Playbooks: Use roles and include statements for modularity, and
ansible-lintfor best practices. Ansible Best Practices.Dynamic Inventory: Implement dynamic inventories for automatically adapting to changes in the network. Dynamic Inventory.
Parallel Execution: Adjust the
forksparameter in the Ansible configuration file to increase concurrency levels. Configuration.Use Ansible Tower: For scaling and managing Ansible across the organization, consider using Ansible Tower. Ansible Tower.
Continuous Learning: Stay engaged with the community through forums and GitHub for the latest strategies and tools. Ansible Community.
By focusing on these areas, Network Architects can enhance their use of Ansible for more efficient and effective network automation.
How to Display Ansible Skills on Your Resume
