<p>If there was one area of CS that always came back to bite me, it was a deeper knowledge of computer networks. Most of my 20+ years of software engineering have been dedicated to databases but as far as networks, all I had was one undergraduate course. There have been far too many times where it would have helped if I knew more about computer networks.</p>
<p>Even when it comes to databases or data mining, one needs to know a great deal about the core information or metadata about computer network information. Then there is the whole thing with policies, procedures and information assurance that also ties into to reporting about the the functionality of an accessed computer network.</p>
<p>I would say that for any non-network designer or administrator...find the time to learn more about computer networks. No, you don't have to be at a designer/administrator level...but definitely more than one undergraduate course...either through more advanced courses and/or professional training.</p>
<p>Just throwing my $0.05 out there.</p>