The Networking Essentials course is designed for people who want to learn the knowledge and skills they need to work in Information Technology (IT) and networking. This module will assist you in developing the skills necessary to do the following:

• Explain important concepts in network communication network types, components, and connections.
• Configure mobile devices for wireless access, configure an integrated wireless router and wireless client to connect securely to the internet.
• Explain the importance of standards and protocols in network communications and how communication occurs on Ethernet networks.
• Describe common network media.
• Explain the features of an IP address, how IPv4 addresses are used in network communication and segmentation, features of IPv6 addressing.
• Configure a DHCP server.
• Explain how routers connect networks together, how ARP enables communication on a network.
• Create a fully connected LAN.
• Explain how clients access internet services and the function of common application layer services.
• Use various tools to test and troubleshoot network connectivity.
• Explain components of hierarchical network design and the characteristics of virtualization and cloud services.
• Calculate numbers between decimal, binary, and hexadecimal systems.
• Explain how Ethernet operates in a switched network, how routers use network layer protocols and services to enable end-to-end connectivity, how ARP enables communication on a local area network, and how DNS and DHCP services operate.
• Compare the operations of transport layer protocols in supporting end-to-end communication.
• Use the Cisco IOS.
• Build a simple computer network using Cisco devices.
• Use various tools to test network connectivity.
• Explain how physical layer protocols, services, and network media support communications across data networks, how media access control in the data link layer supports communication across physical and logical networks, and how routers use network layer protocols and services to enable end-to-end connectivity.
• Calculate an IPv4 subnetting scheme to efficiently segment a network.
• Implement an IPv6 addressing scheme.
• Explain how ND enables communication on a network and describe Cisco routers and switches.
• Troubleshoot basic network connectivity issues.
• Demonstrate effective troubleshooting methodologies and help desk best practices.
• Explain common threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks on end points and configure secure user access on a network.

This course teaches the fundamentals of networking. It covers the foundation of networking and network devices. Learners will explore how to use different network applications and protocols to accomplish networking tasks. It explains how to assign Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to devices, both manually and automatically. Participants will understand how IP addresses are calculated and assigned. The course shows how the physical, data link, and network layers work together to provide end-to-end connectivity. It introduces basic network diagnostics and troubleshooting for endpoints and networks, in both local and remote scenarios. Learners will also gain foundational knowledge of security. It covers network and computer threats and attacks, including application, cyber, wireless, and mobile device attacks. Finally, the course teaches how to perform basic secure wireless configuration.