Networking Essentials

Learn basic networking concepts and skills you can put to use right away, no previous networking knowledge needed.

  •  
  •  
 
Find an academy
If you are already a student, contact your academy.

Enhance Your Skillset, Whatever Path You Take

Networking is at the heart of the digital transformation. The network is essential to many business functions today, including business critical data and operations, cybersecurity, and so much more. A wide variety of career paths rely on the network -- so it's important to understand what the network can do, how it operates, and how to protect it.

This is a great course for developers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, and other professionals looking to broaden their networking domain knowledge. It’s also an excellent launching point for students pursuing a wide range of career pathways – from cybersecurity to software development to business and more. A Networking Academy digital badge is available for the instructor-led version of this course. No prerequisites required.

You'll Learn These Core Skills:

  • Plan and install a home or small business network using wireless technology, then connect it to the Internet.
  • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills using Cisco Packet Tracer.
  • Practice verifying and troubleshooting network and Internet connectivity.
  • Recognize and mitigate security threats to a home network.

For English: This self-paced course has been refreshed and is now called the Network Technician Career Path. You will be redirected to the updated version on the Skills for All platform from Cisco Networking Academy.

Length Icon
Length: 
70 hours
Cost Icon
Cost: 
Free*
Level Icon
Level: Intermediate
Learning type icon
Learning Type: Instructor-led, Online self-paced
Achievements type icon
Achievements: Badge
*Self-paced classes at NetAcad.com are free. Cost for Instructor-led classes is determined by the institution.

Coursework icon

Coursework

Engaging learning experiences with interactive content such as practice labs, interactive activities, videos, and assessments along the way. Bring it all together and test what you learned with a final exam.

Community icon

Community

Once enrolled, you have access to student forums where you can ask questions and interact with instructors and peers. Connect & network with classmates and alumni through our Facebook or LinkedIn communities.

Proof of Completion icon

Proof of Completion

Verification may come as a certificate of completion, statement of attendance, or a digital learning badge depending on the course. Share on social media or your resume to tell the world of your achievement.

 

Accelerate your career with Networking Academy

Cisco Networking Academy is an IT skills and career building program for learning institutions and individuals worldwide. Self-paced courses are designed to take at your own pace, at any point in your career journey. More than 9 million people have joined Networking Academy and become a force for change in the global economy since 1997.
IBM logo
verizon logo
ingram micro logo
Red River logo
CDW logo
"Don't be intimidated if you lack networking experience. Academy courses teach from the ground up. It's not easy, but when you come out, you have real-life skills that you can take directly to employers."
Kyle Thoms, NetAcad Alum
Coursework icon

Coursework

Coursework may take place in our online learning environment, in the classroom—or both. Once you enroll, you'll be asked to create an account, then taken to your learning dashboard. Course materials and tests may be accessed from there.

Help from peers icon

Help from your peers

Once enrolled, you have access to student forums where you can ask questions and interact with instructors and peers. Also use our Facebook community, which has more than a million members available for support.

Certificate of completion icon

Certificate of completion

Get a certificate of completion when you complete the course. Then add your coursework to LinkedIn so that hiring recruiters can find you for potential job opportunities.