Networking Fundamentals Course

What you will learn in 9 lessons

1. 1

   Network Topologies and Devices

   Start here

   Describe network types, topologies and devices such as switches, routers, access points and firewalls, and read a network diagram.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Describe what a network is and the main types of networks
   2. 2.Recognize physical and logical topologies and network architectures
   3. 3.Explain how switches, routers and access points move traffic
   4. 4.Describe firewalls and other appliances and how a business network fits together
   5. 5.Describe data center and cloud networking
   6. 6.Read and maintain network diagrams and documentation
2. 2

   OSI and TCP/IP Models

   Explain the layers of the OSI and TCP/IP models, follow encapsulation as data moves through the stack and place common protocols and devices at the right layer.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Describe the seven layers of the OSI model
   2. 2.Compare the TCP/IP model with the OSI model
   3. 3.Follow data through the layers with encapsulation
   4. 4.Compare TCP and UDP and identify services by port
   5. 5.Place devices at their layers and use the models to troubleshoot
3. 3

   Ethernet and Switching

   Choose copper and fiber media, explain Ethernet frames and MAC addresses and configure switching features such as VLANs, trunking and spanning tree.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Choose the right copper or fiber medium for a link
   2. 2.Install, terminate, document and test structured cabling
   3. 3.Explain Ethernet frames and MAC addresses
   4. 4.Explain and verify how switches forward frames
   5. 5.Segment a switched network with VLANs and trunks
   6. 6.Build redundant, powered switch networks
4. 4

   IP Addressing and Subnetting

   Calculate IPv4 subnets with CIDR and VLSM, distinguish public and private addresses and describe IPv6 address types and notation.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Read IPv4 addresses in binary and dotted-decimal form
   2. 2.Use subnet masks and prefixes to find a subnet's boundaries
   3. 3.Distinguish public, private and special-purpose IPv4 addresses
   4. 4.Subnet an IPv4 address block
   5. 5.Write and read IPv6 addresses and prefixes
   6. 6.Identify IPv6 address types and interface IDs
5. 5

   Network Routing

   Read routing tables, configure static and default routes and explain how dynamic routing with OSPF and network address translation work.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Explain how routers forward packets
   2. 2.Configure routers with static and default routes
   3. 3.Compare dynamic routing protocols
   4. 4.Configure and verify single-area OSPF
   5. 5.Translate addresses with NAT and PAT
   6. 6.Keep the default gateway available with first-hop redundancy
6. 6

   DHCP and DNS

   Configure and troubleshoot core network services including DHCP, DNS, NTP and network management protocols, and explain their roles and ports.

   4 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Hand out and track IP addresses with DHCP and IPAM
   2. 2.Resolve names with DNS
   3. 3.Keep time and monitor devices with NTP, SNMP and syslog
   4. 4.Prioritize and distribute traffic with QoS, proxies and load balancers
7. 7

   Wireless Networking

   Plan and configure Wi-Fi networks by choosing standards, frequency bands and channels, placing access points and securing access with WPA3 and 802.1X.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Explain how a wireless LAN connects devices
   2. 2.Choose frequency bands and plan channels
   3. 3.Plan coverage with RF measurements, antennas and site surveys
   4. 4.Deploy and manage WLAN architectures
   5. 5.Secure wireless access
   6. 6.Troubleshoot wireless problems
8. 8

   Network Security

   Protect networks with segmentation, access control lists, firewalls, VPNs and device hardening, and recognize common network attacks.

   6 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Recognize common network attacks and how they work
   2. 2.Separate the network into segments and secure VLANs
   3. 3.Filter traffic with access control lists and firewalls
   4. 4.Control which devices may connect at the network edge
   5. 5.Harden network devices and control administrative access
   6. 6.Connect remote sites and users securely with VPNs
9. 9

   Network Troubleshooting

   Monitor and document networks, troubleshoot connectivity with a structured method and command-line tools and describe how automation and controllers manage networks.

   5 learning goals

   What you will learn

   1. 1.Document networks and control change
   2. 2.Monitor network health and performance
   3. 3.Troubleshoot connectivity with a structured method
   4. 4.Solve physical and performance problems
   5. 5.Automate and centrally manage networks