Free online courseNetworking Fundamentals

Course Description

Networking Fundamentals is a comprehensive course tailored for those eager to delve into the world of network devices, protocols, and principles. With a runtime of 3 hours and 25 minutes, this course is designed to offer a thorough introduction to key aspects of networking, which are essential in the Information Technology sector, particularly within the realms of web servers and cloud computing.

The journey begins with an insightful exploration of network devices. You'll start by understanding the basic entities within a network, such as hosts and IP addresses. The course methodically dissects the intricate details of fundamental network devices including hubs, bridges, switches, and routers, providing a solid groundwork for understanding how these components enable communication within a network.

As you progress, the course delves into the OSI Model, presenting a practical perspective that highlights its relevance in contemporary networking environments. This segment is divided into two parts to ensure a clear and detailed comprehension of each layer, demonstrating their distinct roles and interactions.

Further, you'll uncover the processes that enable hosts to communicate over the internet. The course covers the mechanisms and protocols hosts use to ensure successful data transmission, offering a granular look into their operations.

The curriculum proceeds to examine the vital functions performed by switches and routers, essential devices that manage and direct traffic within a network. You will gain insights into their internal workings, the methods they employ to forward packets, and the hierarchical structures routers use to optimize routing.

An essential part of this course is its detailed analysis of key network protocols including ARP, FTP, SMTP, HTTP, SSL, TLS, HTTPS, DNS, and DHCP. Understanding these protocols is fundamental to building a robust knowledge base in network communications.

To provide a holistic view, the course illustrates how data traverses the internet, offering a big-picture perspective of networking concepts previously covered. Furthermore, it differentiates between HTTP and HTML through practical exercises using Telnet, enhancing your comprehension of these critical network protocols.

The final segments of the course focus on OSI Model layers 5, 6, and 7, delving into the functionalities of the session, presentation, and application layers. By the end, you’ll have a nuanced understanding of these higher layers and their significance in real-world networking scenarios.

As Networking Fundamentals is a relatively new addition to the learning landscape, it hasn't garnered reviews yet. However, its structured approach and in-depth content make it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to excel in the field of web servers and cloud computing.