Foundations of Networking

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Master Computer Networking: A Comprehensive Guide for IT Professionals & Career Changers

Unlock the fundamentals of computer networking and build a strong foundation for a successful career in IT or cybersecurity. This course provides a clear, practical, and engaging introduction to the world of networking, covering everything from basic concepts to advanced troubleshooting. Whether you're new to IT or aiming for industry certifications like CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA, this course equips you with the essential knowledge and skills employers are seeking.

Why Choose This Course?

• Expert Instruction: Learn from an experienced instructor with over 20 years in the IT industry, a Master's degree in Computer Science, and extensive teaching experience.
• Proven Teaching Methodology: Benefit from microstep lectures, staged-based learning, and real-world examples to maximize knowledge retention.
• Practical Application: Hands-on labs and troubleshooting exercises ensure you can apply concepts immediately.
• Employer-Focused Content: Gain insights into the skills employers are actively seeking in today's IT landscape.

Who Should Take This Course?

• Aspiring IT Professionals: Individuals starting their journey in the IT field.
• Certification Seekers: Those preparing for CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA certifications.
• Career Changers: Professionals looking to transition into IT or cybersecurity roles.
• Anyone Seeking Foundational Networking Knowledge: Individuals wanting a solid understanding of how networks work.

Course Modules:

• Welcome & Getting Started: Course overview and expectations.
• Networking Basics: Data flow, key components, addressing, and media types.
• Introduction to Wireshark: Learn to capture and analyze network traffic for troubleshooting.
• Protocols and Standards: Explore circuit vs. packet switching, OSI and TCP/IP models, and essential protocol functions.
• Basic Networking Equipment: Understand NICs, hubs, routers, gateways, and firewalls.
• Topologies and Concepts: Physical and logical network structures, LANs, WANs, MANs, PANs, and cloud service models (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS).
• Project: Building a Network: Hands-on experience configuring a test network.
• Layer 1 - Physical: Data transmission fundamentals, hardware components, media types, bandwidth, and latency.
• Layer 2 - Data Link: MAC addressing, ARP, switches, frame management, and collision control.
• IP Addressing: IPv4 and IPv6 addressing, subnet masks, and network boundaries.
• Layer 3 - Network: Routing, static vs. dynamic routing, and data forwarding.
• Layer 4 - Transport: TCP vs. UDP, ports, sockets, segmentation, sequencing, and flow control.
• Application Layer: Client-server and peer-to-peer models, DNS, DHCP, HTTP/HTTPS, and email protocols.
• Troubleshooting and ICMP: Network troubleshooting techniques, ping, tracert, ICMP, and monitoring tools.
• Security: Network vulnerabilities, threat agents, social engineering, and security hardening techniques.
• Wrap Up: Course summary and final thoughts.

Instructor Bio: Andrew Grimes

Andrew Grimes brings over 20 years of experience in the IT industry, including extensive teaching experience as a former USAF instructor and a seasoned college educator. He has held leadership roles in IT departments, managed multi-million dollar budgets, and is passionate about sharing his knowledge to empower students.

What Students Are Saying:

"Andrew is absolutely the best instructor I’ve had throughout the course of my education. He is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to all things network and IT-related. Because of the education he provided, I am now working in the network engineering field, and I could not have done it without his expert guidance." - Michael B.

"Andrew was hands down my favorite instructor since enrolling “ - Jeff S.

Enroll today and take control of your IT career!