Circuit analysis programs are standard tools in industry for the design of electric circuits. The automatic modeling process creates differential-algebraic network equations (DAE) which differ from ordinary differential equations (ODE) both in analytical and numerical respects. We introduce the DAE index as a measure for the numerical problems one faces when solving DAEs numerically. Using circuit examples as a motivating starting point, we derive the basics of the index concept by linear circuits. The consequences for numerical integration schemes are discussed in the high index case, with focus on alternatives to the standard BDF approach.