A NetDevOps Engineer?
Tags: devops, netdevops, softskills, automation
Published: 2023-08-08 08:36:27

## **Introduction**
In the rapidly evolving landscape of networking and development, a new breed of professionals has emerged - NetDevOps engineers. These individuals bridge the gap between traditional network administration and modern development practices, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of IT operations. In this article, we'll delve into the essence of a NetDevOps engineer, exploring their responsibilities, skillset, and the exciting technologies driving this field forward.

## **Understanding the Role**
NetDevOps engineers combine the principles of network engineering and DevOps methodologies to create a seamless integration between network infrastructure and software development pipelines. Their primary focus is to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and agility in managing complex networks.

## **Key Responsibilities**
Network Automation: NetDevOps engineers design and implement automated processes for network configuration, provisioning, and management. This reduces manual errors and speeds up deployment cycles.

**Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)**: They integrate network changes into the software development lifecycle, enabling rapid and consistent updates to network infrastructure.

**Infrastructure as Code (IaC)**: Leveraging tools like Ansible, Terraform, or Puppet, NetDevOps engineers define network configurations as code, ensuring version control and reproducibility.

**Monitoring and Troubleshooting**: They set up monitoring solutions to detect and address network issues proactively, minimizing downtime and enhancing reliability.

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## Skillset
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**Hard Skills**

**_Network Fundamentals:_** A deep understanding of networking protocols, routing, switching, and network security forms the foundation of a NetDevOps engineer's skillset.

**_Scripting and Programming_**: Proficiency in scripting languages (Python, Bash) and knowledge of programming languages (like Go, Ruby) to automate network tasks and build custom tools.

_**Version Control**_: Familiarity with version control systems (Git) for tracking changes to network configurations and collaborating effectively with development teams.

**_Containerization and Orchestration_**: Knowledge of container technologies (Docker) and orchestration platforms (Kubernetes) for managing network services.

_**Keywords:**_
Ansible,Puppet,Terraform,Docker,Kubernetes, Git,AWS CloudFormation,Jenkins,Cisco Devnet,SDN,NVF,VxLAN,ServiceNow,APIs,Controllers,Nagios,Prometheus,Grafana


**Soft Skills**
**_Communication_**: Effective communication is crucial for collaborating with cross-functional teams and conveying complex technical concepts.

_**Problem-Solving**_: The ability to analyze and troubleshoot intricate network issues and devise innovative solutions.

_**Adaptability:**_ Given the ever-evolving nature of technology, NetDevOps engineers need to stay adaptable and learn new tools and techniques.

**Emerging Technologies**
The world of NetDevOps is dynamic, with technologies continually advancing. Some emerging trends include:

_**Intent-Based Networking (IBN)**_: Using high-level descriptions to automate network configurations based on desired outcomes.

_**5G and Edge Computing**_: Adapting NetDevOps practices to support the demands of edge computing and the rollout of 5G networks.

_**AI-Driven Automation**_: Utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict and automate network adjustments.

**Conclusion**
The role of a NetDevOps engineer exemplifies the fusion of networking and development, with a focus on automation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As the IT landscape continues to transform, the importance of these professionals in driving innovation and efficiency cannot be overstated.