Unlocking the Power of Multicloud Networks: Essential Skills and Certifications for Network Professionals

Introduction

The Shift to Multicloud

The move to multicloud is driven by several factors: 

• Avoiding Vendor Lock-in: Companies prefer the freedom to pick and choose the optimum cloud services to meet their unique needs, without relying on one particular vendor.
  
  

• Optimizing Performance and Cost: Varying cloud providers are best for different things. Multicloud enables organizations to optimize cost and performance by choosing the best platform for every workload. 
  
  

• Enhancing Resilience and Redundancy: Load balancing across multiple cloud vendors builds resilience and redundancy, reducing the effect of outages. 
  
  

• Supporting Diverse Applications and Workloads: Modern applications often require a combination of cloud services, such as AI/ML, data analytics, and serverless computing. 
  
  

This shift has created a complex and dynamic networking environment, demanding a new breed of network professionals. 

What is Multicloud Networking?

Multi cloud network is the architecture and management of network connectivity across multiple clouds. It is the process of designing, implementing, and managing secure and reliable connections between on-premises data centers, public cloud providers, and edge locations. 

Key aspects of multicloud networking include: 

• Connectivity: Creating secure and high-performance connections among various cloud environments.
  
  

• Security: Enforcing strong security policies and controls in all cloud environments. 
  
  

• Visibility and Monitoring: Obtaining end-to-end visibility into network performance and security throughout the entire multicloud environment. 
  
  

• Automation: Automating network provisioning, configuration, and management tasks. 
  
  

• Governance: Maintaining compliance with security policies and regulatory requirements.

Key Skills for Multicloud Network Management

In order to effectively administer a multi cloud network, network engineers must gain a diverse sets of skills: 

• Cloud Networking Fundamentals: A deep understanding of cloud networking concepts, such as virtual private clouds (VPCs), subnets, routing, and security groups. 
  
  

• Cloud Provider-Specific Skills: Proficiency in the networking services offered by major cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. 
  
  

• Network Automation and Orchestration: Proficiency with network automation platforms and technologies like Ansible, Terraform, and Kubernetes. 
  
  

• Security Expertise: Profound understanding of network security concepts and practices, firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems. 
  
  

• SD-WAN: Understanding and implementing Software Defined Wide Area Networking solutions. 
  
  

• API Proficiency: Knowledge of Application Programming Interfaces to allow integration among different cloud services and network devices. 
  
  

• Troubleshooting and Monitoring: Advanced level of troubleshooting and knowledge to use network monitoring tools in order to identify and troubleshoot problems. 
  
  

• Intercloud Connectivity: Understanding the complexities of connecting various cloud providers together. 
  
  

• Hybrid Cloud Knowledge: Knowledge of how to interconnect local data centers with cloud-based resources. 

The Growing Demand for Network Professionals

The rapid adoption of multicloud has created a surge in demand for network professionals with the necessary skills and expertise. Organizations are struggling to find qualified individuals who can design, implement, and manage complex multicloud networks. 

The skills gap in the networking industry is a major concern. Companies are seeking professionals who can not only manage existing networks but also adapt to the ever-changing landscape of cloud technologies. This is where certifications and continuous learning become crucial. 

This growing demand makes it essential to consider the list of essential skills and certifications for network professionals that pertain to multicloud.

The Future of Multicloud Networking

The future of multicloud networking is bright. As businesses continue to embrace multicloud, we can expect to see further advancements in network automation, security, and visibility. 

Key trends shaping the future of multicloud networking include: 

• AI-Powered Networking: AI and machine learning will play a growing role in automating network management and optimizing performance. 
  
  

• Zero Trust Security: The adoption of zero trust security models will become more prevalent in multicloud environments.
   

• Edge Computing: Combining edge computing with multicloud will allow companies to host applications and services near users.
   

• Intent-Based Networking: Intent-based networking will make the network easier to manage and increase agility.

Certifications You Should Consider

To validate your skills and enhance career prospects as a network professional, you should pursue relevant certifications. Here's a breakdown: 

• Cloud Provider Certifications: AWS Certified Networking – Specialty, Azure Network Engineer Associate, and Google Cloud Professional Cloud Network Engineer.
   

• Vendor-Neutral Certifications: CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Cloud+, and Certified Kubernetes Network Associate (CKNA).

Cisco Certifications for Network Professionals

• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate): Offers a basic knowledge of networking fundamentals, routing, switching, and security that are basic requirements of multicloud networking.
   

• CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional): This certification concentrates on advanced networking technology, like enterprise networking, security, and automation, which are most applicable to multicloud environments. It also highlights network programmability and automation, which are imperative to handle multicloud networks. 
  
  

• Cisco Specialist Certifications: Offers specialized knowledge in specific areas of networking, such as security, automation, and cloud. The cisco specialist certification path offers many options. 
  
  

• Cisco Certified Specialist - Enterprise Advanced Infrastructure Implementation: This certification validates the ability to implement advanced enterprise infrastructure solutions, which often involve multicloud deployments. This cisco certified specialist - enterprise advanced infrastructure implementation is a great way to show expertise. 
  
  

• The complete cisco certifications list is extensive, allowing for focus on many different networking paths. 
  
  

Cisco certifications, such as CCNP and DevNet, are of great value and can greatly accelerate a network expert's career prospects in the age of multicloud.

Conclusion

The shift to multicloud has opened up a new age of networking, requiring a unique skillset and ongoing learning. With the acquisition of the necessary skills and relevant certifications, network professionals can tap into the potential of multicloud and set themselves up for future success. The need is great, and the professionals who make the transition will be the most successful.