Network Engineering

The hidden degree powering the Internet

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:15:20 +0000

The hidden degree powering the Internet Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/27/2024 - 10:15

Grace Wilson

In an era of increased tech market turbulence, network engineering, the backbone of our Internet, can't fill jobs fast enough

Over the past five years, the two-year network engineering master's program at the University of Colorado Boulder had 139 of their 140 graduates hired before they even graduated, with an average starting salary of $130,000.

With a single minute of network outages costing Amazon almost a million dollars in 2022, network engineers might be one of the most valuable workers in the modern age.

"We have companies coming to us and asking for more graduates than we can provide, because the need is so strong," said José Santos, Associate Teaching Professor and Lab Director for the program.

Network engineers working at companies like Amazon, Arista Networks, Cisco, Meta and Netflix build and maintain the networks that underlie just about everything in the Internet we take for granted.

Watching a video? Network engineers make streaming possible. Saving your data in 'the cloud'? Network engineers manage the servers that store those files. Ordering a lift from a rideshare? Network engineering is at the base of that as well.

Because network engineers have to interface with complex physical equipment, it's often challenging to get trained on industry standards before getting on the job. This is frustrating to companies because it's difficult to outsource these solutions.

CU Boulder's network engineering program, however, has amassed a large-scale physical equipment lab regularly refreshed by industry partners hoping students will work with them after graduating.

"It’s the access to the latest technologies and hands-on nature of the curriculum that makes our students so well-versed and highly sought-after within the workforce," said Kevin Epperson, Netflix's Director of Network Architecture and Infrastructure Strategy, CU Boulder alumnus and faculty lecturer for the network engineering program.

With fifty-three years of interdisciplinary telecommunications expertise, CU Boulder is leading the way to the future of this essential degree.

In an era of increased tech market turbulence, network engineering, the backbone of our Internet, can't fill jobs fast enough

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Network Engineering students featured at NANOG hackathon and meeting [VIDEO]

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 21:42:28 +0000

Network Engineering students featured at NANOG hackathon and meeting [VIDEO] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/14/2023 - 15:42

Levi Perigo, scholar in residence and co-director of the Network Engineering program attended The North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG) with graduate students Fan Shen, Mayuri Mohan, Kanishka Singh and Nisha Murarka. They were featured in NANOG 87's wrap-up video.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3g73DcGFsI]

The North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG) held their 87th community meeting in February 2023. Four graduate students and co-director Levi Perigo travelled to the meeting and participated in the hackathon and were featured in a video for the organization.

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Network Engineering at NANOG 86 in Hollywood, CA

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 00:18:31 +0000

Network Engineering at NANOG 86 in Hollywood, CA Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/09/2022 - 17:18

Levi Perigo

The North American Network Operators’ Group (NANOG) sponsored a team of five graduate students studing network engineering to attend NANOG 86 from October 17th to 19th in Hollywood, CA with instructor José Santos.

The team arrived before the conference and participated in the hackathon, where they were able to compete with industry professionals and many alumni from the program.

"Representing CU Boulder at NANOG 86, the largest event in the networking community, was an extraordinary privilege and honor. The conference provided a remarkable opportunity for exposure and experience.

The hackathon kick-started the event, providing an excellent platform to showcase innovative ideas, followed by tech talks from industry pioneers and subject matter experts. At the hackathon, our team developed a one-click configuration tool to automate the manual network configuration process, achieving the ultimate goal of running infrastructure as code.

The symposiums offered insights into new research and innovations that are changing the networking industry. These sessions instilled a passion for learning, growth, and carving out a niche in this field.

Meeting several alumni who work for some of the largest corporations was an excellent opportunity to network with industry leaders and represent the CU Boulder program. "

- Second year NE student and NANOG 86 participant, Meghana Gowda

This article was written by Levi Perigo, scholar in residence and Co-Director of Professional Master's Program in Network Engineering

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Networking for tomorrow: Juniper Networks supports network engineering lab

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 19:50:28 +0000

Networking for tomorrow: Juniper Networks supports network engineering lab Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 11/08/2022 - 12:50

Grace Wilson

The Department of Computer Science's Network Engineering Lab received a donation of 28 pieces of equipment through Juniper Networks' Cloud & Automation Academy. The equipment, including routers, switches and virtual machine licenses for Juniper's products, will provide valuable hands-on experiences to students in the Network Engineering master's program.

Network engineering underpins features of our modern world, including the internet and cloud computing. Due to its rapid proliferation and growth, systems require continuous expansion and evolution of infrastructure to anticipate and build systems for unfolding communication needs.

José Santos, the Network Engineering Lab's director, said investments by industry partners like Juniper help keep the network engineering professional master's program relevant. "These relationships feed our instructional materials and keep our lab facility up to date with emerging technologies," he said.

Juniper Networks first connected to the program at CU Boulder over nine years ago. Throughout the course of the relationship, Santos estimates over 50 graduates have been recruited by Juniper. This has made the company's continual support through equipment, licenses and certification opportunities even more important.

"Juniper is a strong player in the networking industry, and their products are likely going to be used by our students in their professional future," Santos said.

John Quinn, Juniper Networks' technical training program manager for the Americas, said the quality of leadership and facilities at the CU Boulder network engineering program provided students with an exceptional experience, preparing them to enter the workforce and succeed upon graduation. "In my opinion, the network engineering program at CU Boulder is one of the finest in the country," he said.

With disruptions to in-person learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the network engineering program began re-envisioning what a next generation lab could look like. They reached out to industry and alumni for their support to modernize, and Juniper swiftly responded with a wide variety of support, from equipment and licenses to certification pathways.

Santos said, "It's a win-win for everyone. Students get some top-of-the-line training using equipment from a major vendor. Juniper and corporations using Juniper solutions recruit our students. Our program maintains its leadership by accessing some of the latest features and technologies, and we continue to create the relevant workforce the market needs to operate."

"We're excited to see what is next," Quinn said. "As the partnership builds, and the network engineering program grows, we look forward to more graduates becoming valued Junivators!

The Department of Computer Science's Network Engineering Lab received an equipment donation through Juniper Networks' Cloud & Automation Academy, which will provide valuable hands-on experiences to students in the Network Engineering master's program.

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