Coding Tips for Aspiring Network Engineers

You’d be surprised how much a solid grip on coding can change your life as a network engineer. Chasing down weird bugs, configuring firewalls, or rolling out updates across hundreds of routers—manual work gets out of hand fast. That’s where a little bit of Python or some solid scripting chops can save hours and reduce those hair-pulling mistakes.

Don’t worry—you don’t need to become a hardcore developer. But getting comfortable with code will help you troubleshoot faster and automate the boring stuff. You’ll spot patterns in countless network dumps or config files, making you the go-to person on your team. Plus, you’ll stand out when those job applications land on a hiring manager’s desk.

• Why Coding Matters for Network Engineers
• Pick the Right Language
• Automation and Scripting Tips
• Mistakes to Avoid Early On

Why Coding Matters for Network Engineers

Network engineers aren’t just plugging in cables and racking switches anymore. These days, companies expect them to automate tasks, spot problems before they blow up, and manage sprawling cloud networks. That’s where coding steps in. According to Cisco’s 2024 Networking Survey, 75% of networking jobs now ask for scripting or programming as a bonus skill—sometimes, it’s even a must-have.

Why the shift? Modern networks run on thousands of devices and virtual systems. Manually updating or troubleshooting every box just isn’t possible. A simple script can replace hours of copy-pasting configs or checking device logs. Network automation tools (like Ansible and Python scripts) have taken over the repetitive grunt work, so humans can deal with the real problem-solving.

• With coding, you can write scripts that find misconfigured devices in seconds.
• Need to push a changeset across dozens of routers? Scripting makes it happen with one command.
• Automate network backups, monitor real-time traffic, and even trigger alerts based on weird network activity.

This kind of instant flexibility can make you indispensable—especially if you’re looking to move up or branch out. When you mix solid network basics with just a few months of regular coding, you’ll leapfrog over peers still stuck dragging and dropping in slow old-school GUIs.

Here’s a quick snapshot of how essential coding skills are becoming in network engineering jobs:

Bottom line: blending network know-how with basic programming gets you a real edge. It’s the simplest way to stay marketable and make daily work way less painful.

Pick the Right Language

No one needs a dozen programming languages to start out in network engineering. You just need the right one for your job. In 2025, Python rules the scene—seriously, about 85% of network automation projects use it. The big-name vendors like Cisco and Juniper even roll out tools that expect you to know Python basics. Get comfortable with it and you'll be set for most modern networks.

Here’s why Python works so well for network folks:

• Super clear syntax: You don’t have to guess what the code is doing.
• Thousands of libraries: Stuff like Netmiko, NAPALM, and pyATS handle network tasks without much fuss.
• Used across many devices: Switches, routers, cloud APIs—you name it, Python scripts can talk to it.

If you’re working with older equipment or need to automate some legacy stuff, Bash and simple shell scripts still pull their weight. They’re great for quick fixes, backups, and messing with text logs. But if you’re eyeing the future, all signs point to Python.

How much do job listings care about different languages? Take a look:

If you pick Python first, you’ll cover most job requirements and set yourself up for automation. Don’t stress if you’re still learning—you can automate small tasks as you go and pick up more advanced tricks over time.

Automation and Scripting Tips

If you want to level up as a network engineer, you need to embrace automation. Forget logging into dozens of devices one by one—that’s old school. Tools like Python make it easy to write scripts that do the repetitive stuff in a fraction of the time. Some folks get more than 10 hours back each week just by automating basic tasks like backups or device checks.

One of the best places to start is with Python. It’s practically the Swiss Army knife for network automation. Libraries like Netmiko and NAPALM let you connect to routers, switches, and firewalls from nearly any vendor. Want to pull device inventory? Push config changes? Collect interface stats? Python covers it.

• Write scripts to automate routine jobs, like collecting logs or updating device firmware.
• Use version control—Git is perfect—to avoid losing your scripts and to track changes.
• Start simple: even a script that pings all devices and emails the results can be a lifesaver.
• Test scripts in a lab or sandbox setup before you run them on live devices. Bugs in a script can knock hundreds of users offline fast.
• Document your scripts. Future you (or someone else) will thank you when troubleshooting time comes.

Let’s compare common scripting tools used in network engineering:

Automation doesn’t have to be fancy. Small wins add up. Even a script that alerts you when a device goes offline can prevent big headaches. Stick with it, keep scripts tidy, and you’ll see how coding can pretty much be your superpower in networking.

Mistakes to Avoid Early On

Jumping into network engineering without watching for common pitfalls can turn into a headache real quick. One classic blunder is trying to learn too many programming languages at once—thinking you need Python, Java, Perl, and Bash before you even finish your first script. Stick with Python until you're comfortable. It's built for network automation, and most tools support it right out of the box.

Another rookie error: ignoring version control. It's tempting to just save scripts anywhere, but without something like Git, you’ll lose track of changes and break stuff you fixed yesterday. Spend 30 minutes watching a GitHub tutorial—future you will thank you.

Overlooking automation testing is also a biggie. Plenty of engineers write a script, then skip testing on a lab environment. Change one line, and suddenly half your switches go offline in production. Build a habit of testing everything on dummy gear, even tiny scripts.

Security slips happen fast. Accidentally hardcoding usernames, passwords, or SNMP community strings in scripts is a trap. Always use environment variables or encrypted vaults like Ansible Vault. Here’s how often network incidents are linked to basic oversights, including scripts gone wrong:

If you want to skip these headaches, stick to some basics:

• Pick one language and get comfortable with it before adding new tools.
• Track every script change. Git makes this painless.
• Never run untested scripts in a live environment—use a sandbox or outdated switch first.
• Use secure ways to handle passwords and config data.

Getting these right won’t just save you time—it’ll save your reputation. Even the best engineers have war stories about one missed detail knocking out a campus network. Learn from others’ scars.