Introduction

The introduction of cloud and Software Defined technologies have boosted many young tech aspirants to pursue the Computer Network career. But they are confused mostly with the odd terms that resemble one another. Today in this article, you will get a clear understanding of them.

Here is one of the most commonly confused terms or positions – Network Architect and Network Engineer. Though the roles and responsibilities of both overlap each other, there is a vast difference between them.

Who is Network Architect?

Network Architect is a computer network expert with a deep understanding of the organizational needs who design; model the communication and other networking operations of the organizations.

People often mistake Network Administrator for Network Architect. Though Network Administrator is not Network Engineer, he is also not a Network Architect. The network Administrator manages and oversees the Network Operations whereas the Network Architect design and remodels them.

Networking can cover both the internal and external environment. It can be Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and cloud networks. Irrespective of the type and size of the network his sole aim is to design and safe secure Network Infrastructure that meets the organization’s final goal.

Other than that he often communicates with higher authorities like Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and helps them to make decisions based on the new trends and technologies in the market.

Roles and Responsibilities of Network Architect

• Planning, designing, installing, and upgrading network projects.
• Troubleshooting the issues and enhancing network performance.
• Making recommendations to move the network to the advanced level and reducing operating costs.
• Documenting the network process for future uses.
• Preparing the workflow, roadmap, requirements for a network infrastructure.
• He should estimate the cost and time of the project and allot the work to the respected persons.

Who is Network Engineer?

Network Engineer is the tech expert who is responsible to build the infrastructure of the network as per the design presented by the organizations. He should be specialized in data, voice calls, and other network services technology. Network Engineer is Accountable for formulating, implementing, and maintaining the internal and external network of the organizations.

He is often confused with the Network or Tech consultant. A Tech consultant is the person who repairs or involves in the replacement of gadgets or software in the Network. But network engineer builds the whole network channel with the design demanded by the network architect.

In short, a network engineer is a person who works on-site and responsible for building, formatting the Network infrastructure of the organization.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Network Engineer:

As a low and active level worker Network Engineer has various duties. Here are the key responsibilities of the Network engineer in the organization.

• Installing any software or hardware in the network.
• Preparing regular back-up of data and continuous monitoring of system performance.
• He should continuous solutions based on the issues and their nature. Some of the well-known issues are traffic configuration, infrastructure response, and troubleshooting, etc…
• Preparation performance report and other reports about the estimated life, risks, and defects in the Network.

The Comparison : Network Architect vs Network Engineer

From the above discussion, you can see, that both the positions overlap each other area. And in many Startups and Small and midsized businesses there will be only Network Architect or Network Engineer. And this takes the confusion to the next level. Here is a table differentiation that will help you to understand it.

PARAMETERS	NETWORK ARCHITECT	NETWORK ENGINEER
Organizational position	Leader, decision-maker, and organizer of the Networking	Executor – He takes actions and makes the plans and designs come into existence.
Focus	Focus on the organizational goals and ensure all the needs and requirements are fulfilled in the design.	Focus on whether the specifications mentioned in the design are implemented in right place in the right way.
Area of Work	Planning and Designing – look for new upgrades and involve in innovation.	Executing and evaluating- ensures the safety and quality of the network.
Qualifications	Bachelor or master degree in computer engineering, networking certifications, or in any related field	Bachelor’s degree or basic knowledge in Networking and deep practical skills.
Duties	He communicates with high authorities like the CEO, CTO, business vendors, and suggests to them about new network installation.	He communicates and trains the internal team of experts, and other workers involved to build an effective network channel.
Ranking	He Ranks above all the Network Personals	He is a subordinate of Network Architect and superior of Tech-consultants.
Alternative	He replaces the place of Network Administrator	In short firms, he replaces tech consultant

In short, a Network Architect is like a Building or house architect, he plans and designs, whereas a Network Engineer is like Civil Engineer who works on the site and implements the plan.

Download the comparison table here.

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