Network Architect

Summary

A network architect has responsibility for network designs and specifications to support business strategies using common tools.

At this role level, you will:

  • research new technologies and solutions, and ensure appropriate levels of assurance

  • plan, direct and co-ordinate activities, engaging with other stakeholders to manage and implement a programme

  • agree SLAs (service level agreements) and engage with third party vendors

  • have an understanding of most of the following network technologies: LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), wifi, data-centre LAN, SD (software- defined) networks, telephony, mobile solutions infrastructure, unified comms, network management solutions, network-specific security and remote access technologies and approaches

  • coach and mentor associate network architects where appropriate

  • collaborate with engineers to ensure systems are practically designed

Background

Background Components

Description Background

Has a good knowledge, both theoretical and practical of a wide range of communications systems, networks, software, hardware and supplier services, networking media, services, and facilities. Understands the technical and economic needs of the business, is budget conscious and possesses strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of project management.

Prior Knowledge and Skills

Work Activity Components

Title Details

Evaluation and selection

Identifies and evaluates alternative architectures and the trade-offs in cost, performance and scalability.

Documentation

Documents all work using required standards, methods and tools, including prototyping tools where appropriate.

Architecture and policies

Assists in producing the overall architectures, topologies, configuration databases and design documentation of networks and networking technology.

Option evaluation

Obtains and evaluates proposals from suppliers of equipment and software, and other network service providers.

Assessment/selection

Assists in the assessment and selection of suitable networking solutions to meet all or parts of specified requirements.

Network architecture development

Contributes to the development of network architectures in specific business, infrastructure or functional areas, using appropriate tools and methods.

Technical assurance

Participates in quality reviews (e.g. fitness for purpose, quality attributes, non-functional requirements, risk) of network architecture components.

Knowledge/Skills

Knowledge/Skills Components

Title Depth Details Type

Analytical Thinking

Acquiring a proper understanding of a problem or situation by breaking it down systematically into its component parts and identifying the relationships between these parts. Selecting the appropriate method/tool to resolve the problem and reflecting critically on the result, so that what is learnt is identified and assimilated.

Behavioural Skills

Attention to Detail

Applying specific quality standards to all tasks undertaken to ensure that deliverables are accurate and complete.

Behavioural Skills

Interacting with People

Establishing relationships, contributing to an open culture and maintaining contacts with people from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Effective, approachable and sensitive communicator in different communities and cultures. Ability to adapt style and approach to meet the needs of different audiences.

Behavioural Skills

Teamwork

Working collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.

Behavioural

Infrastructure Architecture

Familiar with

The frameworks and principles on which networks, systems, equipment and resources are based both on premises and cloud based.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Networking and Communications

Familiar with

The planning and management of the interaction between two or more networking systems, computers or other intelligent devices.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Corporate, Industry and Professional Standards

Aware of

Applying standards, practices, codes, and assessment and certification programmes relevant to the IT industry, and the specific organisation or business domain.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Operational/Service Architecture

Familiar with

Knowledge of the IT/IS infrastructure and the IT applications and service processes used within own organisation, including those associated with sustainability and efficiency.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Business Continuity Planning

Aware of

Methods and techniques for risk assessment, business impact analysis, establishment of countermeasures and contingency arrangements relating to the serious disruption of IT services.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Third Party IT Products and Services

Familiar with

The IT products and/or services supplied to own organisation by external suppliers.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Network Traffic Analysis

Familiar with

Methods and techniques for the capture of traffic information (packet level) and the forensic analysis of this information into its constituent elements.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Big Data

Aware of

The discipline associated with data sets so large and/or complex that traditional data processing applications are inadequate. The data files may include structured, unstructured and/or semi-structured data, such as unstructured text, audio, video, etc. Challenges include analysis, capture, curation, search, sharing, storage, transfer, manipulation, analysis, visualization and information privacy.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Cloud/Virtualisation

Aware of

The principles and application of cloud/ virtualisation (including ownership, responsibilities and security implications). Use of tools and systems to manage virtualised environments.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Wi-Fi

Familiar with

The principles, functions and operation of WiFi components, routers, hubs and repeaters and the installation of Wi-Fi hot spots with appropriate use of security and encryption techniques.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Communications Modelling Tools

Familiar with

Tools and techniques (manual or automated) that can be used to plan or document an understanding of the design, structure, relationships and usage of networks.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Network Data Security

Familiar with

Network security and threat mitigation, including physical, electronic, firewalling, encryption, access, and authorisation; protecting data at rest and in transit; defending against viruses and malware; the impact of Big Data; and the integration of robust security controls into enterprise services and policies.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Infrastructure/System Security

Familiar with

The security threats and vulnerabilities that impact and/or emanate from system hardware, software and other infrastructure components, and relevant strategies, controls and activities to prevent, mitigate, detect and resolve security incidents affecting system hardware, software and other infrastructure components.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

Risk Management

Aware of

Methods and techniques for the assessment and management of business risk including safety-related risk.

Other Knowledge and Skills

Techniques for Effective Meetings

Aware of

Methods and techniques for running effective meetings and for understanding and influencing the roles played by participants.

Other Knowledge and Skills

Coaching Techniques

Aware of

Methods and techniques for coaching individuals or groups by a balanced combination of support and direction, including use of virtual learning environments plus add-ons to augment feedback specific to work items, workflow or career plans.

Other Knowledge and Skills

Standards Writing Techniques

Aware of

Principles, methods and techniques for establishing, documenting, and maintaining standards.

Other Knowledge and Skills

Project Planning and Control Techniques

Aware of

Methods and techniques associated with planning and monitoring progress of projects.

Other Knowledge and Skills

Training Activities

Training Components

Title Details

Program Design Methods and

Programming or system development methods (e.g. structured program design).

Software Configuration

Installation, configuration and tuning of applications or systems software.

Wide Area Networks

Features and characteristics of networks configured over a wide area i.e. beyond the geographical boundaries of a single site.

Local Area Networks

Features and characteristics of local area networks relevant to installation and support of hardware and software components.

Telecommunications/Network Industry Standards

National and international telecommunication/network standards, legislative instruments, codes of practice etc.

Supplier/Service Provider Training

The installation, testing and commissioning of supplier specific-products and services in a variety of situations and locations.

Security Awareness

Tools and techniques to help users and employees understand the role they play in helping to combat information security breaches and for IT and security professionals to prevent and mitigate risk.

Solution Architecture

Methods, tools and techniques for architecture design and development to provide an understanding of the critical architecture terms and concepts and how to apply them across typical architecture domains — business, applications, data and infrastructure.

PDAs

PDA Components

Title Details

Deputising

Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence.

Job Shadowing and Special Assignments

Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, inside or outside IT, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures.

Research Assignments

Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management

Gaining Knowledge of Activities of Employing Organisation

Developing an understanding of the potentially diverse range of activities (service, governance, administrative, regulatory, commercial, charitable, industrial, etc.) undertaken by the employing organisation.

Gaining Knowledge of IT Concepts and Techniques

Undertaking study, learning and, where possible, practice in IT concepts and techniques external to own function.

Participation in Professional Body Affairs

Taking an active part in professional body affairs at branch, specialist group, committee or board level.

Negotiating and Influencing

Undertaking learning and practice of negotiating with and influencing others.

Qualifications

Qualification Components

Title Awarding Body

Registered IT Technician (RITTech)

BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT

FEDIP Practitioner

FEDIP

Organisation Skills

Framework » Organisation
Category » Subcategory
Skill Name and Description Level

DDaT » Network Architect

Network Architect – Governance and assurance

You can understand technical governance. You can participate in or deliver the assurance of a service

3 – Practitioner

You can evolve and define governance. You can take responsibility for working with and supporting other staff in wider governance. You can assure services across sets of services. You can use tools such as standards, guardrails and principles to effectively govern delivery.

DDaT » Network Architect

Network Architect – IT infrastructure (network architect)

You can support, design and implement infrastructure technologies and solutions. These can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open-source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

3 – Practitioner

You can create, design and implement infrastructure technologies, solutions and services. These can include computing, storage, networking, physical infrastructure, software, commercial-off-the-shelf software (COTS), and open source packages and solutions. They can also include virtual and cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).

DDaT » Network Architect

Network Architect – Systems design

You can create the specification and design of systems to meet defined business needs. You can work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs. You can visualise the ideal user service and come up with design ideas and possible design approaches. You can effectively explore different approaches to solving problems.

3 – Practitioner

You can design systems characterised by medium levels of risk, impact, and business or technical complexity. You can select appropriate design standards, methods and tools, and ensure they are applied effectively. You can review the systems designs of others to ensure the selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and

DDaT » Network Architect

Network Architect – Systems integration (network architect)

You can understand and design network services that integrate with existing or new services, including cloud services and infrastructure.

3 – Practitioner

You can create the design of network services within a team requiring moderate to complex service integration.

DDaT » Network Architect

Network Architect – Technical understanding

You can demonstrate knowledge of the specific technologies necessary to fulfil the responsibilities and tasks of the role. You can apply the required breadth and depth of technical knowledge. You can actively keep informed of industry developments to make cost-effective use of new and emerging tools and technologies.

3 – Practitioner

You can show a thorough understanding of the technical concepts required for the role and can explain how these fit into the wider technical landscape.

DDaT » Network Architect

Network Architect – Troubleshooting and problem resolution

You can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities

3 – Working

You can troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities.

This job role profile was created in collaboration with BCS, using Role Model Plus. BCS is the professional body that has the responsibility of updating this job family.

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