NetworkTigers examines how adopting the mindset of a network automation engineer can transform networks into scalable, efficient, and resilient systems.
In modern IT environments, networks are expected to be fast, resilient, and scalable. Meeting those demands is stretching the limits of traditional engineering. As cloud adoption accelerates and security threats multiply, manual configuration and device-by-device management are no longer sustainable.
Thinking like a network automation engineer means adopting a different mindset. It is not just about writing scripts — it is about approaching networks as dynamic systems that can be modeled, tested, and improved at scale. This shift emphasizes strategy over routine and adaptability over repetition.
1. Shift focus from devices to outcomes
The network automation engineer is a hybrid professional who blends deep networking knowledge with software development skills to automate, orchestrate, and streamline complex network systems. While traditional network administrators often think in terms of individual device configurations, the automation engineer might approach problems from a higher level. They might be tasked with answering questions like:
- How should the network ideally operate?
- What cybersecurity policies can be enforced?
- How can we define business outcomes?
- How can the system implement IT commands automatically?
This shift requires thinking about software, hardware, and code in terms of abstraction and repeatability. Instead of asking, “How do I configure this router?” the network automation engineer asks, “How can I define a reusable template or model that configures all routers according to policy?”
2. Treat code as infrastructure
Whether using tools like Ansible, Python, Terraform, or vendor-specific APIs, automation engineers treat network configurations like software. They might write code to define network behavior, use Git or similar tools to track changes, or implement CI/CD pipelines to test and deploy changes safely and securely.
Network automation engineers might be innovators, but they follow similar protocols and safeguards of standard network engineers: testing, debugging, documentation, and peer review.
3. Think in systems, not silos
The traditional network mindset can be very device-centric: routers, switches, and firewalls all have their own commands and quirks that engineers must master. Automation engineers, on the other hand, zoom out and look at the entire system. They understand how networks connect with applications, security controls, cloud platforms, and end-user experiences.
Because of this, thinking like an automation engineer means understanding devices as part of the networking ecosystem. You might be asked to understand:
- How APIs connect disparate systems.
- How to model topology, state, and workflow.
- Anticipating the impact of changes across environments.
4. Design for scale and repeatability
Network automation engineers are often tasked not only with saving time but also with enabling sustainable growth for their companies. Whether you’re managing 50 switches or 5,000, the network automation engineer designs solutions that can grow.
When automation is done right, it reduces technical debt and delays rather than adding to them. Designing for scale requires careful planning and operational know-how. However, the payoff can lead to faster deployments, fewer mistakes, and a more agile threat response system.
5. Adopt an Agile Mindset
Network automation engineers often work at the intersection of networking and DevOps. As such, they embrace agile principles, including:
- Iterative development: Delivering incremental improvements instead of big-bang rollouts.
- Feedback loops: Gathering data from monitoring tools, logs, and users to refine automation.
- Collaboration: Working closely with application teams, security, and operations.
This mindset values continuous improvement and cross-functional teamwork. For network automation, this means building pipelines, validating changes before deployment, and responding rapidly to changes.
6. Prioritize Data and Observability
Automation without follow-up observation and data collection can be risky. To truly think like a network automation engineer, one must adopt an observability mindset. That includes:
- Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Tracking configuration drift.
- Using logs and telemetry for root-cause analysis.
- Employing state validation to ensure changes had the desired effect.
Automation engineers build systems that must observe, report, and adapt to changing network conditions and cybersecurity threats. They must understand that data collection and storage are key enablers for informed decision-making.
7. Commit to lifelong learning
Finally, network automation engineering is a rapidly evolving field. New tools, frameworks, and protocols emerge constantly. To succeed, network automation engineers must be ready to grow and learn alongside their industry.
To think like a network automation engineer is to see the network as an evolving system that responds to both business needs and technical demands. It requires blending networking expertise with software discipline, while staying open to constant change. The real challenge is not learning a single tool or framework, but building a mindset that treats automation as an ongoing practice. The sooner engineers adopt that perspective, the more resilient, efficient, and future-ready their networks will be.
About NetworkTigers
NetworkTigers is the leader in the secondary market for Grade A, seller-refurbished networking equipment. Founded in January 1996 as Andover Consulting Group, which built and re-architected data centers for Fortune 500 firms, NetworkTigers provides consulting and network equipment to global governmental agencies, Fortune 2000, and healthcare companies. www.networktigers.com.
