Connecting to Devices and Networks from Coursera

Practice managing devices and networks without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners with no technical experience, providing a solid foundation of connecting to devices and networks. Learners will gain hands-on practice on an Ubuntu system that can be easily transferred to other Unix-based operating systems. The modules in this course cover managing devices and partitions, basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks to create backups.

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable examples with suggested edits to explore examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You'll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to small, approachable exercises that take minutes instead of hours.

What's inside

Syllabus

Managing Devices

Learn about some different types of devices, how to connect or mount devices to the system, how to partition storage disks, and configure disks into a RAID configuration.

Networking Basics

Learn basic identifiers of systems such as MAC addresses, IP addresses, and hostnames, how to look up the IP address of a given hostname, and test your network connection.

Networked Devices: SSH, Backups, and Firewalls

Learn how to establish an SSH connection, create a network-hosted backup, and how to configure a firewall.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the fundamental skills for connecting to devices and networks

Provides a solid foundation for those with no technical experience

Focuses on hands-on practice through interactive assignments with instant feedback

Covers essential networking concepts for beginners

Emphasizes network security through topics like SSH and firewalls

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Connecting to Devices and Networks with these activities:

Practice using a text editor

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Review skills by practicing with a text editor for note taking and assignment completion.

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Choose a text editor and become familiar with its interface.
Practice creating and editing text files.

Review the Linux command line

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Sharpen skills by reviewing Linux command line operations before entering the course.

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Review basic Linux commands
Practice using the Linux command line

Practice managing devices in real time

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Practice hands-on to solidify managing devices and partitions.

Browse courses on Networking

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Connect a device to your computer and follow the mount command
Partition a storage disk.
Configure disks into a RAID configuration.

Three other activities

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Look up SSH, backups, and firewalls in more detail

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Follow tutorials to reinforce understanding of SSH, backups, and firewalls within Linux.

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Watch a tutorial on SSH - how to connect, how to use different SSH commands
Watch a tutorial on creating a network-hosted backup
Watch a tutorial on how to configure a firewall

Create a cheat sheet of connecting to devices and networks

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Synthesize your knowledge by creating a cheat sheet.

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Gather the most important commands for connecting to devices and networks
Create a cheat sheet using the commands you've gathered

Set up a home network

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Solidify and expand on understanding by configuring a home network.

Browse courses on Networking

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Research different network configurations
Purchase the necessary hardware
Set up the hardware and configure the network.

Career center

Learners who complete Connecting to Devices and Networks will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Administrator

Network Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They ensure that networks are running smoothly and securely, and they troubleshoot any problems that arise. This course can help you build a foundation in networking basics, such as MAC addresses, IP addresses, and hostnames. You'll also learn how to establish an SSH connection and configure a firewall, which are essential skills for Network Administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. They ensure that systems are running smoothly and securely, and they troubleshoot any problems that arise. This course can help you build a foundation in managing devices and partitions, basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Systems Administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users. They help users troubleshoot problems with hardware, software, and networks. They also provide training and support on new computer systems. This course can help you build a foundation in managing devices and partitions, basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Computer Support Specialists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. They ensure that databases are running smoothly and securely, and they troubleshoot any problems that arise. This course can help you build a foundation in managing devices and partitions, basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Database Administrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Security Analyst

Security Analysts are responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from security threats. They identify and assess security risks, and they develop and implement security measures to mitigate these risks. This course can help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Security Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

IT Auditor

IT Auditors are responsible for auditing computer systems and networks to ensure that they are compliant with security and regulatory requirements. They also provide guidance to organizations on how to improve their security posture. This course can help you build a foundation in managing devices and partitions, basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for IT Auditors.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Auditor

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They ensure that networks are running smoothly and securely, and they troubleshoot any problems that arise. This course can help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Network Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies, and they must have a strong understanding of computer science fundamentals. This course can help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Software Engineers.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications. They work with a variety of programming languages and technologies, and they must have a strong understanding of web development principles. This course can help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, and securely transferring data over networks. These are all essential skills for Web Developers.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use statistical and analytical methods to extract insights from data. They work with a variety of data sources and technologies, and they must have a strong understanding of data science principles. This course may help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, which are essential skills for Data Scientists.

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Machine Learning Engineer

Machine Learning Engineers design, develop, and maintain machine learning models. They work with a variety of machine learning algorithms and technologies, and they must have a strong understanding of machine learning principles. This course may help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, which are essential skills for Machine Learning Engineers.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts use statistical and analytical methods to extract insights from data. They work with a variety of data sources and technologies, and they must have a strong understanding of data analysis principles. This course may help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, which are essential skills for Data Analysts.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations understand their business needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. They work with a variety of stakeholders, and they must have a strong understanding of business analysis principles. This course may help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, which are essential skills for Business Analysts.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close out projects. They work with a variety of stakeholders, and they must have a strong understanding of project management principles. This course may help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, which are essential skills for Project Managers.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for computer systems and software applications. They work with a variety of stakeholders, and they must have a strong understanding of technical writing principles. This course may help you build a foundation in basic networking tools and name resolution, which are essential skills for Technical Writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer