Network Engineer vs. Software Engineer: What's the Difference?

For aspiring IT professionals, the distinction between network engineering and software engineering may not be a clear one. They are separate, distinct roles, and there are several factors that should be considered before pursuing a career in either. Most notably, network engineers plans, designs, and deploys network infrastructure, while software engineers design, test, and deploy software systems.

What are some other differences between the two professions? Which description fits your role best? Share in the comments, and hit that like button too.

#NetworkEngineer #SoftwareEngineer #ITcareers

[georgeoduor]

Such a simple and great explanation. I think Network engineering is where I gravitate more towards to.

[cameronmcnz]

As a software engineer, I can tell you the importance of having a good understanding of networking as well. Now, how does all of this compare to a full stack developer?

[wizardfix]

Before retiring recently, I worked as a Senior Software Engineer supporting a global network of servers both hardware and virtual. I had to understand network levels 1 to 4 in order to troubleshoot server connection issues etc., as well as managing the OSs and software running on those servers. So in my case I had one foot in software engineering and the other in networking. Different aspects of my job involved both categories, they were not distinct.

[swaminathans]

It's very strange that Network engineers are being paid less than software engineers because the amount of time they work is much more than software engineers, software engineers have a fixed time frame to work unlike Network engineers who need to be available 24/7 in case Network is down...and ofcourse both are technical fields

[YoungEli]

As an ethical hacker both is a requirement

[ninjaoftherift]

Im currently working on infonsystems cert then plan to go into software engineer MS i have an option to take a networking class would it be beneficial? I currently have an IT bs and have worker on mostly web applications and desing

[wewjoj]

I'm a Freshman in college for Computer Science and would like to start a career in Software Engineering. I have to take a technical elective and I couldn't take a class about OOP, and have to take a class that prepares for the CompTIA Network+ certification. Will getting certified or just studying for this help at all for Software Engineering or are the two fields too distinct.

[SWIFTzTrigger]

isn't DevOps both of these combined ? plus you need to know things beyond the scope of both too.

[Meleeman]

thats funny because i work with a lot of linux servers, and build software and servers on them as well. id say the lines are beginning to blur but also those people who do devops and design web applications need to have a network architecture in place otherwise things get out of hand quickly. as servers become more automated were doing more jobs that network engineers used to do, and we work with many of the same technologies and protocols as well. perhaps a network engineer gets to mess with bluetooth, microwaves, radiowaves and millimeter waves, and physical servers but as a contractor i'm literally asked to do everything. from front-end design, to backend logic, to devops, and server/webapp architecture, and i end up doing it all lol. perhaps i should start calling myself a solutions archictect.

[imnelfromtechpocket]

I cant stand coding all day in only one area.. so i choose networking

[starboy]

strictly i don't want programming and coding... 😵‍💫 please suggest me which one I have to to choose in this Software Developer or Network Engineer ??

[mertgor]

With Free Software I can be both software engineer and network engineer ...

[noorqawasmeh]

software engineering
computer engineering
networks engineering
which one is better pls?🥺❤️

[sambalryder]

I got selected for Network trainee in Capgemini engineering, is it a good profile for my career?

[Niko-vhpj]

Actually there is no such thing as network engineering. Rather they should call themselves as specialists. Even a high school graduate can learn networking. Engineering is a discipline which heavily relies on advanced math.