What does a network designer do?
Network designers are the people in an organization who assess a company's network requirements and design a network that meets the needs. The responsibilities of this position are designing and submitting plans for the network to management, making updates and upgrading the software and hardware where needed, incorporating security features into the design, configuring multiple types of connections, e.g., printers, servers and supporting specialized services like specific point virtualization through cloud computing.
Network designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network designer resumes:
- Design, manage and troubleshoot EIGRP and OSPF routing environment comprise of multiple areas.
- Achieve proficiency in all major network transport protocols, SNA/SDLC, Bisync, TCP/IP, Cisco and Motorola IP routing equipment.
- Utilize advanced encryption devices to secure communications between all locations manage by the department.
- Support to other engineers with Linux and cfengine administration.
- Design and implement an NT 4.0 LAN environment to support 60+ users.
- Configure and install network routers, switches, wireless controllers and access points.
- Participate in the research and implementation of the company's own ATM network.
- Contribute to calculating link budgets, range studies for infrastructure RF communication links.
- Analyze, design, test, document, implement, configure and support LAN technologies.
- Employ OSPF and HSRP for multicasting the routing table and configuring standby router in place respectively.
- Design the configurations for Cisco routers and switches that are being deploy at renewable resource generation plants.
- Use of DHCP and FTP servers as well as grep utility on a daily basis to analyze information.
- Provide training to end-users on the use of VMWare virtual machines as well as troubleshooting tips to other engineers.
- Create, design and provision permanent virtual circuit (PVC) for digital subscriber line (DSL) over ATM backbones.
- Create and work with VOIP product development in creation of specification documentation and maintaining updates.
Network designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Network Designers are proficient in Network Design, PC, and OSPF. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Network Design, 9%
Performed network design and implementation planning by developing the design and developed documentation in accordance with established methodology and standards.
- PC, 7%
Supported 600 plus users on PC and MAC systems on daily operations in call center, dispatch and advertisement creative lab.
- OSPF, 6%
Design, manage and troubleshoot EIGRP and OSPF routing environment comprised of multiple areas.
- Network Operations, 5%
Operated 24/7 GMD Communications Network (GCN) Network Operations Center (NOC).
- EIGRP, 5%
Worked on IGRP and EIGRP implementations for client on global locations and interacting with them about the circuit status.
- BGP, 5%
Control internet traffic by configuring and modifying BGP attributes and resolve routing instabilities.
Common skills that a network designer uses to do their job include "network design," "pc," and "ospf." You can find details on the most important network designer responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a network designer to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a network designer resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "order, maintain, cancel all data lines with major carriers and work with carrier engineering on provisioning details. "
Communication skills. Many network designer duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a network designer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways network designer responsibilities rely on communication skills: "designed end-to-end connectivity of various telephony and telecommunication services that helped retain existing and brand new customers"
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for network designers to perform their duties. For an example of how network designer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a network designer: "implemented and supported a bgp environment designed and implemented load balancing solutions based on cisco ace solutions. ".
The three companies that hire the most network designers are:
- Boeing6 network designers jobs
- Burns & McDonnell4 network designers jobs
- Pierson Wireless4 network designers jobs
Compare different network designers
Network designer vs. Administrator
Administrators are administrative professionals who oversee the whole office or department. They manage office activities and supervise administrative functions in the office. They work the office calendar and oversee the appointment-setting process. They coordinate office events and ensure that all preparations are made and that there are no conflicting schedules. They also maintain a database of external providers of various office needs. Administrators also oversee office supplies and prepare purchase requisitions. They also manage janitorial services and other functions that are related to the maintenance of the physical office space. Administrators ensure that all fixtures and equipment in the office are functioning well and have no problems.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a network designer are more likely to require skills like "network design," "pc," "ospf," and "tcp ip." On the other hand, a job as an administrator requires skills like "customer service," "data entry," "troubleshoot," and "payroll." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Administrators tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $78,798. In contrast, network designers make the biggest average salary, $79,914, in the telecommunication industry.On average, administrators reach lower levels of education than network designers. Administrators are 8.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Network designer vs. Systems administrator
Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures. They are responsible for installing, configuring, or updating network systems, software, and hardware. They also monitor the different systems and troubleshoot any issues that users may encounter. Systems administrators manage the access of users, ensure the security of the network, and address any challenges that users may have. They conduct repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the systems in place are in the best shape.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real network designer resumes. While network designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "network design," "ospf," "network operations," and "eigrp," systems administrators use skills like "troubleshoot," "windows server," "database," and "powershell."
Systems administrators earn a lower average salary than network designers. But systems administrators earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $86,962. Additionally, network designers earn the highest salaries in the telecommunication with average pay of $79,914 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Systems administrators tend to reach lower levels of education than network designers. In fact, they're 11.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network designer vs. Information technology administrator
An Information Technology (IT) administrator is an individual responsible for managing the day-to-day operation of an organization's IT systems and ensuring that the systems are running effectively. IT administrators must conduct consistent analyses of the computer system and install updates when needed. They are required to assess the organization's security programs and run the system for viruses and spyware. IT administrators also extend support to the organization's end-users and train them on desktop applications.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from network designer resumes include skills like "network design," "ospf," "network operations," and "eigrp," whereas an information technology administrator is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "troubleshoot," "database," and "vmware. "
Information technology administrators earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $93,678. Comparatively, network designers have the highest earning potential in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $79,914.Most information technology administrators achieve a lower degree level compared to network designers. For example, they're 13.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network designer vs. System technician
A system technician is an individual responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members. They should carry out tests on the system so that they can generate error reports to identify and fix any computer system problems. System technicians also can write and maintain computer programs and work with computers and electronics, including circuit boards, computer hardware and software, and computer processors.
Types of network designer
Updated January 8, 2025
