The world today has become inter-connected more than we could have imagined a decade ago. Computer networks are the crux of every major intranets all across the world.
With so much data passing through different computers, it is important that it be set up well, and that proper security measures are put in place. This is where the job of a computer networking expert comes to play.
Below is our list of the 8 best computer networking courses and certifications available online. This list includes courses for beginners as well as advanced learners who want to acquire a good foundation of networking concepts and become an expert.
Best Computer Networking Courses And Certifications
1. Introduction to Computer Networks for Non-Techies
This course is designed by Alton Hardin, considered by many to be one of the top instructors on Udemy. He is an MBA graduate and has a master’s in IT Network Management. He is an excellent tutor and has created a couple of online courses and books for students and IT professionals. Around 15000+ students have enrolled for this course which is also one of the best-selling courses on Udemy.
In the course, students learn about the fundamentals of computer networks. Alton explains concepts quite clearly and gives you a clear understanding of the inner workings of a computer network. He also teaches how to effectively plan and design a computer network.
In this high-level course, you will get strong foundational knowledge of computer networks. You will also learn about Networking Devices and Cabling, OSI & TCP IP Models as well as IP Addressing & Subnetting. You will also learn about switches & routers, wireless networking, network security, network planning & the designing process. This course consists of 181 lectures and span over a period of 5 hours.
Who Should Take This Course?
If you are looking for the right course to learn computer networks, this course on Introduction to Computer Networks is a perfect fit in order to get started learning the fundamentals and landing yourself a job in network management.
Course Highlights
- Certification of completion
- Challenging assignments
2. Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
Coursera is one of the best online educational platforms offering great courses at very affordable prices. This course on computer networking is offered by Google and has around 75,788 students already enrolled. The course also has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5.
In this beginner friendly course, you will learn about computer networking from scratch. The instructor begins with the fundamentals of computer networking terms and explains the cloud, practical application and network troubleshooting. You will learn about cables, switches, routers and servers, as well as about the network layer.
By the end of this course, you will know about the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications. You will also have a clear understanding of network services like DNS and DHCP. Apart from that, you will also learn about cloud computing. This course includes 6 modules which take approximately 23 hours to complete.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is perfect for beginners and intermediates who want to learn about computer networking from the basics. An informative course to kick start your career or enhance your skills for career development.
Course Highlights
- You will learn the basics of networking and cloud computing
- Well planned and detailed explanations
3. IT Support: Networking Essentials
edX is an online course provider for students and working professionals. It offers online courses and MOOCs from leading universities and industries. This course is offered by experts from Microsoft.
In this introductory course, you will learn about the essentials of networking from the basics, as well as learn all about how the internet connects.
The instructor begins by explaining the purpose of networks and shows how a network is configured on the internet. You will learn about networking topologies and on how to understand LANs and WANs. Apart from those you will also learn about wireless and wired networks.
Furthermore, you will understand TCP/IP and will be able to troubleshoot networks using built-in networking tools. By the end of this course, you will understand the essentials of networking and learn to troubleshoot common networking issues.
Who Should Take This Course?
This is a beginner level course that is perfect for a novice who wants to learn the essentials of networking. Before enrolling in this course, it is required that you complete this course “The Windows Client Training As Part Of The Microsoft Professional Program – IT Support”.
Course Highlights
- Content taught by experts
- Verified certificate for $99
- Self-paced course
4. MTA: Networking Fundamentals – Exam: Microsoft 98-366
This is one of the best courses on Udemy by Marious Kuriata. The instructor Marious has over 20+ years of experience in IT. His areas of interest are web designing, networking, security, tutoring and management. He has a master’s in networking and security.
In this course, you will understand the network topologies and VPN concepts. You will also learn to configure basic wireless settings and apply security concepts. The instructor also shows how firewalls work and explains the OSI model. Here, you will also learn to perform simple troubleshooting tasks.
By the end of this course, you would have gained a clear understanding of networking concepts and will be ready for the MTA exam. The course consists of 49 lectures which span over a time period of 5 hours and 21 minutes worth of video content.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is highly recommended for anyone who wants to get a strong foundation on networking concepts. It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or an expert. If you are looking to strengthen your networking skills this is the right choice to get started.
Course Highlights
- Assignments and quizzes
- Downloadable resources
- Certificate on completion
- Easily understandable
5. Cisco Networking Basics Specialization
This specialization on Coursera is one of the best courses offered by Cisco. There are five sections in this specialization. Around 15,100+ students have already enrolled and completed this specialization.
In this course, the instructor begins with how data networks work and explains the basics of networking. You will learn to set up a basic home network and configure devices for connectivity. Apart from that, you will also learn about standard protocols. The instructor also explains about ipv4 addressing.
This specialization also covers a course in home networking basics. Here the instructor introduces you to Cisco networking. By the end of this course you will know how to set up and configure switches and routers which are connected to a small network. Furthermore, you will learn best practices and use a structured strategy to identify and fix networking issues.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is for absolute beginners who want to learn computer networking from the basics and become experts at the end of the course.
Course Highlights
- Hands-on project
- Course completion certificate
- No prior knowledge in networking is required
6. Networking Foundations: Networking Basics
Timothy Pintello is a well-known instructor on LinkedIn Learning platform. He is a professor at Daytona State College. He specializes in computer networks and has written a book on Introduction to Networking with Network+. Around 127,720 students have viewed this course and have honed their networking basics.
Instructor Tim introduces the basics of networking with clear examples to follow. In this course, you will learn about OSI and TCP/IP models. Tim also shows the workings of commonly used network devices like NICs, hubs, switches and routers. You will also learn to differentiate mesh, bus and ring topologies.
Upon course completion, you will understand the differences between the internet, intranets and extranets. You will also recognize the difference between LANs, WLANs and PANs. This course includes 5 modules with over 1 hour 48 minutes worth of course content.
Who Should Take This Course?
Are you looking for networking courses to strengthen your foundational concepts? This course is the right choice if you are a beginner who wants to learn the basics of networking and get ready to dive into more complex concepts.
Course Highlights
- Challenging 5-chapter quizzes and 2 project files
- Certificate of completion
- Contents are easy to understand
7. Networking Concepts and Protocols
Pluralsight is another educational platform that offers interactive online courses to students and professionals. Ross Bogurdes is one of the best instructors on Pluralsight and has over 20+ years of experience and specializes in data networks. This course is one of the highly rated courses and consists of 12 modules spanning over a period of 5 hours and 26 minutes.
The course begins with the fundamentals of computer networking. You will learn about the OSI model and the standard protocols used. You will also learn about TCP and UDP. Furthermore, you will learn about subnetting networks and IP addresses.
This course also covers ethernet, switching and network services. By the end of this course, you will have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of computer networks.
Who Should Take This Course?
If you are a beginner wanting to learn networking from the basics, this course is an ideal choice for you to start with. It doesn’t matter if you have no experience in networking, all you need is the zeal to improve your networking skills.
Course Highlights
- Content taught by expert
- No previous experience is required
8. Understanding Computer Networking
Another popular course by a well-known instructor Jungwoo Ryoo on Linkedin. He is a professor of Information sciences and technology at Penn State University. This course by Jungwoo is part of the Network Forensics courses.
In this course, the instructor begins with the basics of network forensics and the right tools for analysis. He also shows how to prepare for an investigation by acquiring network logs and investigating network events. You will also learn to collect investigate network traffic.
Tools like Wireshark, Splunk, and tcpdump are explained clearly. You will learn to use syslog and the Microsoft Log Parser. You will also learn about the workings of protocol analysis. Students will learn about ARP and DNS poisoning.
By the end of this course, you will have a clear objective on the goals of network forensics and a deep understanding of computer networking. This course includes 5 modules with over 2 hours and 15-minutes’ worth of video content.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is for intermediates who want to hone their networking skills and gain a clearer understanding of the workings of computer networks. This is a perfect choice if you are familiar with the basics of networking and want to become an expert in networking.
Course Highlights
- Challenging quizzes at the end of each module
- Certificate on course completion
Why Learn Computer Networking?
Computer networking is one of the hottest fields in the IT industry, with most of the IT support roles requiring familiarity in this skill. Learning computer networking enhances those skills and increases your ability to be hired.
Computer networks being the foundation of every organization, connects all systems together in any enterprise. It is essential to learn all you can about computer networking and to do so from the right sources. Pick the right course from these 8 best courses presented below and strengthen your computer networking skills.
Conclusion
These are our pick for the 8 best online computer networking learning courses. Being one of the attractive career fields, there are lots of positions available in computer networking. Train yourself by choosing the right course and land yourself a relatively good job to kickstart your career in computer networking.