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Practical Networking

Get a practical, hands-on understanding of networking. You'll learn about network connectivity, how data gets from end to end, how to read a topology diagram, and troubleshooting commands including ping, tracert, netsh, ipconfig, and netstat.

You know the theory behind networking, but how do you put it into practice? In this course, Practical Networking, you'll learn how to apply the networking theory you already know to real-life situations you might encounter on the job. First, you'll see common networking protocols in action and learn how they interact with each other. Next, you'll explore specific commands and techniques to diagnose and troubleshoot network-related issues. Finally, you'll learn how to read and understand network topology diagrams. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of networking needed to diagnose and troubleshoot common network problems.

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Syllabus

Course Overview

Introduction to Internetworking

Understanding Internet Connectivity

Network Troubleshooting Methodology

Troubleshooting Physical and Layer 2 Connectivity

Troubleshooting IP Connectivity

Troubleshooting Applications and the Transport Layer

Isolating Problem Scopes and Causes

Web Browsers and HTTP/HTTPS

Troubleshooting Network Latency

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Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

If you are a network engineer, a systems administrator, or a developer, this course is perfect for you

Taught by Ben Piper, a recognized expert in networking, this course is sure to help you learn the practical skills you need to troubleshoot and diagnose common network problems

This course covers a wide range of topics, including network connectivity, IP connectivity, and troubleshooting applications and the transport layer

With hands-on labs and interactive materials, this course is a great way to learn about networking in a practical way

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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 Practical Networking with these activities:

Organize Course Materials for Efficient Study

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Streamline your learning process by structuring your course materials for easy access.

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Create a dedicated folder for course materials
Organize files into subfolders based on topics or modules
Rename files using a consistent naming convention
Use tools or apps for note-taking and annotation

Review Layer 2 and Layer 3 Network Protocols

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Ensure a solid foundation by revisiting Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols before delving into the course materials.

Browse courses on Networking

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Recall the OSI model and the functions of each layer
Review common Layer 2 protocols, such as Ethernet and Wi-Fi
Understand the operation of Layer 3 protocols, focusing on IP and routing

Explore Cisco's Networking Academy Tutorials

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Access free, interactive tutorials from Cisco to supplement your understanding of networking concepts.

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Create a Cisco Networking Academy account
Browse the available tutorials and select those relevant to your learning goals
Follow the step-by-step instructions provided in the tutorials
Complete the interactive quizzes and simulations to reinforce your learning

Three other activities

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Practice Troubleshooting Network Connectivity Issues Using Packet Tracer

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Develop hands-on troubleshooting skills by simulating real-world network scenarios in a controlled environment.

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Set up Packet Tracer on your computer
Design and build a basic network topology
Introduce common network issues, such as connectivity loss or IP conflicts
Use troubleshooting tools like ping and traceroute to identify and resolve network problems
Share your troubleshooting experiences with peers or online communities

Build a Small Network for Home or Office Use

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Apply your networking knowledge to design, implement, and manage a functional network in a real-world setting.

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Determine the network requirements based on device count and usage
Select appropriate networking equipment, such as routers, switches, and cables
Configure and connect the network devices
Implement security measures to protect the network
Monitor and troubleshoot the network to ensure optimal performance

Volunteer at a Local Tech Event or Workshop

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Connect with the tech community and gain practical experience by volunteering at events related to networking.

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Identify local tech events or workshops
Reach out to the organizers and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Attend the event and assist attendees with networking-related questions or demonstrations
Engage with industry professionals and learn from their experiences

Career center

Learners who complete Practical Networking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Administrator

Practical Networking can be an excellent resource for you if your career goal is to become a Network Administrator. Your responsibilities in this role will include supporting and managing the devices that make up a network, so having the knowledge to troubleshoot network issues will be crucial. This course covers the troubleshooting commands that will be indispensable tools for you.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Network Engineer

Practical Networking can help you develop the skills to interact with end-to-end network connectivity as a Network Engineer. You will learn the specifics of troubleshooting commands like ping and tracert, which can help you diagnose and troubleshoot real-world network problems. By the end of the course, you will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to diagnose and troubleshoot common network problems faced by those in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

IT Manager

Training in Practical Networking would be an asset if you wish to become an IT Manager. This course will provide you with a better understanding of network connectivity, troubleshooting commands, and network topology diagrams. These are all useful tools that many IT Managers use to keep the technology assets of a company running smoothly.

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Network Security Engineer

This course may be useful in helping you build a career as a Network Security Engineer. You will gain an understanding of network troubleshooting, IP connectivity, and network latency. These fundamentals are highly relevant to the development of your skills as a Network Security Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Engineer

Cloud Architect

Practical Networking can help you develop the networking foundation to be successful as a Cloud Architect. Understanding network troubleshooting will be especially important in your role, as you will be responsible for designing and managing cloud computing systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Technical Support Engineer

If you wish to become a Technical Support Engineer, then having a foundation in computer networking would be highly valuable. This course will help you understand network connectivity, and you will become familiar with networking protocols and the troubleshooting procedures for IP connectivity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Support Engineer

Systems Engineer

This course may be useful to you if you are interested in a career as a Systems Engineer. In this role, your work may involve the design, implementation, and support of a variety of operating systems. You will also have to network with different systems, which will require a working knowledge of IP connectivity, which this course covers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Software Engineer

Practical Networking may be useful to you if your goal is a career as a Software Engineer. This course covers an array of networking topics that would be useful to a Software Engineer, such as understanding network connectivity and diagnosing network issues.

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Computer Scientist

This course may be useful to you if you are interested in a career as a Computer Scientist. This course covers a wide range of topics relevant to Computer Scientists, such as network connectivity, IP connectivity, troubleshooting issues, and reading topology diagrams. These are all in your scope of practice as you will be responsible for studying and solving computational problems.

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Database Administrator

Practical Networking may be a useful tool for you if you are interested in a career as a Database Administrator. As a Database Administrator, you will be expected to maintain and support databases, and some of those databases will be stored on servers located across a network. This course covers network connectivity, which could be helpful in your role.

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Systems Analyst

If you are interested in a career as a Systems Analyst, then Practical Networking may provide some useful knowledge. This course covers a range of networking topics, including network connectivity, troubleshooting commands, and IP connectivity, which a Systems Analyst may find useful as they are responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Cybersecurity Analyst

Taking Practical Networking may be useful for you if you wish to become a Cybersecurity Analyst. A Cybersecurity Analyst is responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from cyberattacks. This course covers network connectivity and troubleshooting, which are highly relevant to this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Analyst

Web Developer

Practical Networking can be a useful resource for you if you would like to become a Web Developer. As a Web Developer, you will be expected to work with the Internet and various protocols. This course covers network connectivity, and it will help you better understand IP connectivity, which will be helpful to you in your daily tasks.

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Information Technology (IT) Specialist

This course may be useful if you wish to become an Information Technology (IT) Specialist. Your responsibilities in this role can vary broadly depending on your organization's needs, but you will likely need to have a working knowledge of network connectivity and network troubleshooting. This course covers both.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Technology (IT) Specialist

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts must protect computer systems and networks and, at times, must design security measures for an organization's network infrastructure. Taking a Practical Networking course may help you build out your fundamentals. You will learn about network connectivity and troubleshooting, which will be helpful to you as an Information Security Analyst.

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Reading list

We've selected 22 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Practical Networking.

TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 3

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the TCP/IP protocol suite, which is essential for understanding how networks operate. It valuable reference for anyone working with networks.

Practical Networking

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What's inside

Syllabus

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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