Difference Between Network Engineering and Software Engineering
Network engineering and software engineering are two unique disciplines available to aspiring engineers. While these roles share similarities, network and software engineering deal primarily in distinct areas. That’s why if you’re looking to join one of these growing IT fields, you should familiarize yourself with each before deciding on a career path.
A network engineer plans, builds, and maintains computer networks and network infrastructures while monitoring network data and troubleshooting connectivity problems. Network engineers are skilled in cybersecurity, network operations, automation, and unified communications (UC).
A software engineer creates, tests, and maintains software systems. Software engineers typically lead teams of developers on software-related projects. The overarching goal of software engineering is to build efficiency into the software development process. The role of a software engineer encompasses a number of areas, including development, maintenance, and management.
Read on to learn more about both and to discover which one is right for you.
What Is Network Engineering?
Network engineering is the work of designing, deploying, monitoring, and maintaining computer networks and networking infrastructures. The information networks that these engineers manage include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), intranets, and extranets. The complexity of the network varies depending on the number of users.
An organization may employ one engineering specialist or an entire team of engineers working under the leadership of a chief technology officer. Network engineers may hold different titles and have access to different levels of security based on their skill set and level of experience.
Common network engineering job titles include the following:
Network Specialist
Network Technician
Network Manager
Network Solutions Architect
Cisco Engineer
Network engineering focuses on a combination of IT, business operations, cybersecurity, automation, and programming. While there are a variety of work responsibilities for network engineers, professionals in this field are generally tasked with:
Developing infrastructure strategies and budgets.
Building computer networks based on user requirements.
Integrating new technology into existing networks.
Deploying new computer networks.
Updating or replacing out-of-date networks.
Implementing network security measures.
Monitoring, testing, and enhancing network performance.
Overseeing network capacity planning and scaling.
Troubleshooting network issues and outages.
Network engineers typically work for organizations that require the use of multiple network services to operate effectively. Most network engineers spend time in server rooms, office settings, or both. They may visit different teams lending technical support or manage a group of network specialists. It is not uncommon for network engineers to work remotely as long as they have the right monitoring and communication software programs at their disposal.
What Is Software Engineering?
Software engineering applies engineering principles to software and application development. Software engineers are highly skilled at programming and building platforms and architectures to develop everything from computer games to network control systems. Some of the most common programming languages they use include JavaScript, Structured Query Language (SQL), C++, C#, and Python. Many software engineers also assess and maintain software systems that have been designed or deployed by other engineers.
Software engineering professionals specialize in a variety of areas. Their job titles commonly include the following:
Quality Assurance Engineer
Software Integration Manager
While there are many different tasks that software engineers perform, some of their usual day-to-day duties include:
Writing and editing code for programs and applications.
Identifying problems or bugs in software and improving overall software systems.
Leading teams of software developers.
Implementing stable operating procedures and policies.
Inspecting old codebases for accuracy and effectiveness.
Coordinating with other IT specialists and leaders.
Planning for new software technologies.
While software engineers are employed in all kinds of industries, many of them work for IT firms and other tech companies. Most software engineers carry out their responsibilities in offices or studios staffed by developers, programmers, and other IT professionals. Like network engineers, software engineers may also work remotely or via a hybrid work model.
Network Engineering vs. Software Engineering
How do these types of engineering differ? Network engineers deal with the nodes—or endpoints—involved in moving digital data between devices while software engineers handle the layers of abstract instructions that tell digital devices what to do.
The role of a software engineer tends to be broader than that of a network engineer since software programmers can develop everything from user interfaces and operating systems to applications and databases. Network engineers, on the other hand, know enough about information management to create, maintain, and scale the complex computer systems that enable both technologists and laypeople to do their jobs.
Though the specific educational requirements for network and software engineers differ, both roles can benefit from graduate degrees and IT certifications. Most network engineers earn a degree in network engineering and security or cloud computing, while software engineers typically graduate with a degree in software engineering, computer science, or a similar subject.
How to Choose Between a Career in Network Engineering or Software Engineering
If network or software engineering interests you, the following information can further help you decide which role suits you better. At the most basic level, network engineers focus on managing computer networks and communication systems. Software engineers, on the other hand, focus on creating software programs and applications.
The slight differences in salary should also be considered, especially if you’re more financially driven. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary of network engineers in May 2023 was $129,840. During the same period, software engineers earned an average annual salary of $132,270. Exact earnings vary based on your level of education, amount of work experience, skill set, and certifications.
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