When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from Google
There are 6 modules in this course
This course is designed to provide a full overview of computer networking. We’ll cover everything from the fundamentals of modern networking technologies and protocols to an overview of the cloud to practical applications and network troubleshooting.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
● describe computer networks in terms of a five-layer model
● understand all of the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications
● grasp powerful network troubleshooting tools and techniques
● learn network services like DNS and DHCP that help make computer networks run
● understand cloud computing, everything as a service, and cloud storage
Welcome to the Networking course of the IT Support Professional Certificate! In the first module of this course, we will cover the basics of computer networking. We will learn about the TCP/IP and OSI networking models and how the network layers work together. We'll also cover the basics of networking devices such as cables, hubs and switches, routers, servers and clients. We'll also explore the physical layer and data link layer of our networking model in more detail. By the end of this module, you will know how all the different layers of the network model fit together to create a network.
What's included
15 videos7 readings6 assignments1 plugin
Show info about module content
15 videos•Total 44 minutes
Course Introduction•6 minutes
The TCP/IP Five-Layer Network Model•5 minutes
Alex: Why networking is important•1 minute
Cables•4 minutes
Hubs and Switches•2 minutes
Routers•2 minutes
Servers and Clients•2 minutes
Sergio: Being a network engineer•1 minute
Moving Bits Across the Wire•2 minutes
Twisted Pair Cabling and Duplexing•2 minutes
Network Ports and Patch Panels•2 minutes
Ethernet and MAC Addresses•6 minutes
Unicast, Multicast, and Broadcast•2 minutes
Dissecting an Ethernet Frame•5 minutes
Victor: Practical experience in IT•1 minute
7 readings•Total 23 minutes
Helpful resources and tips•4 minutes
Earn a dual Google/CompTIA A+ credential•2 minutes
Learn About the OSI Networking Model•1 minute
Supplemental Reading for Ethernet Over Twisted Pair Technologies•4 minutes
Supplemental Reading for Twisted Pair Ethernet: Crossover Cables•4 minutes
Cabling Tools•4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 1•4 minutes
6 assignments•Total 132 minutes
Module 1 challenge: Networking Basics•80 minutes
Test your knowledge: TCP/IP•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Networking Devices•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: The Physical Layer•4 minutes
Test your knowledge: The Data Link Layer•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Layers in Networking Models•30 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
Cabling Tools•15 minutes
The Network Layer
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
In the second module of this course, we'll explore the network layer in more depth. We'll learn about the IP addressing scheme and how subnetting works. We'll explore how encapsulation works and how protocols such as ARP allow different layers of the network to communicate. We'll also cover the basics of routing, routing protocols, and how the Internet works. By the end of this module, you'll be able to describe the IP addressing scheme, understand how subnetting works, perform binary math to describe subnets, and understand how the Internet works.
What's included
18 videos3 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
18 videos•Total 63 minutes
Introduction to The Network Layer•1 minute
The Network Layer•1 minute
IPv4 Addresses•3 minutes
IPv4 Datagram and Encapsulation•6 minutes
IPv4 Address Classes•4 minutes
Address Resolution Protocol•2 minutes
Sergio: My career path•2 minutes
Subnetting•2 minutes
Subnet Masks•7 minutes
Basic Binary Math•7 minutes
CIDR•4 minutes
Stay motivated in the program•1 minute
Basic Routing Concepts•8 minutes
Routing Tables•3 minutes
Interior Gateway Protocols•5 minutes
Exterior Gateways, Autonomous Systems, and the IANA•3 minutes
Non-Routable Address Space•3 minutes
Alex: My success story•1 minute
3 readings•Total 12 minutes
Supplemental Reading for Routing Protocol Examples•4 minutes
Supplemental Reading for RFCs and Standards•4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 2•4 minutes
4 assignments•Total 91 minutes
Module 2 challenge: The Network Layer•75 minutes
Test your knowledge: The Network Layer•4 minutes
Test your knowledge: Subnetting•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Routing•6 minutes
The Transport and Application Layers
Module 3•5 hours to complete
Module details
In the third module of this course, we'll explore the transport and application layers. By the end of this module, you'll be able to describe TCP ports and sockets, identify the different components of a TCP header, show the difference between connection-oriented and connectionless protocols, and explain how TCP is used to ensure data integrity.
What's included
11 videos2 readings4 assignments1 plugin
Show info about module content
11 videos•Total 42 minutes
Introduction to the Transport and Application Layers•1 minute
The Transport Layer•3 minutes
Dissection of a TCP Segment•5 minutes
TCP Control Flags and the Three-way Handshake•6 minutes
TCP Socket States•3 minutes
Connection-oriented and Connectionless Protocols•4 minutes
Firewalls•2 minutes
The Application Layer•3 minutes
The Application Layer and the OSI Model•2 minutes
All the Layers Working in Unison•11 minutes
Learner Story: Daniel•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
Supplemental Reading for System Ports versus Ephemeral Ports•4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 3•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 204 minutes
Module 3 challenge: The Transport and Application Layer•70 minutes
Module 3 challenge: The Five-Layer Network Model•120 minutes
Test your knowledge: The Transport Layer•8 minutes
Test your knowledge: The Application Layer•6 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
TCP and UDP Packets•15 minutes
Networking Services
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
In the fourth module of this course, we'll explore networking services. We'll learn about why we need DNS and how it works. We'll also show you why DHCP makes network administration a simpler task. By the end of this module, you'll be able to do describe how DNS and DHCP work, how NAT technologies help keep networks secure, and how VPNs and proxies help users connect and stay secured.
What's included
14 videos2 readings7 assignments
Show info about module content
14 videos•Total 62 minutes
Introduction to Network Services•2 minutes
Why do we need DNS?•3 minutes
The Many Steps of Name Resolution•8 minutes
DNS and UDP•6 minutes
Sergio: A journey to the IT field•2 minutes
Resource Record Types•7 minutes
Anatomy of a Domain Name•3 minutes
DNS Zones•4 minutes
Overview of DHCP•5 minutes
DHCP in Action•5 minutes
Basics of NAT•4 minutes
NAT and the Transport Layer•4 minutes
Virtual Private Networks•4 minutes
Proxy Services•4 minutes
2 readings•Total 14 minutes
Supplemental Reading for IPv4 Address Exhaustion•4 minutes
Test your knowledge: Name Resolution in Practice•30 minutes
Test your knowledge: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Network Address Translation•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: VPNs & Proxies•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Networking Services Simulation•30 minutes
Connecting to the Internet
Module 5•4 hours to complete
Module details
In the fifth module of this course, we'll explore the history of the Internet, how it evolved, and how it works today. We'll understand the different ways to connect to the Internet through cables, wireless and cellar connections, and even fiber connections. By the end of this module, you'll be able to define the components of WANs and outline the basics of wireless and cellular networking.
What's included
15 videos8 readings6 assignments
Show info about module content
15 videos•Total 45 minutes
Introduction to Connecting to the Internet•1 minute
Dial-up and Modems•4 minutes
What is broadband?•3 minutes
T-Carrier Technologies•2 minutes
Digital Subscriber Lines•4 minutes
Cable Broadband•4 minutes
Fiber Connections•3 minutes
Wide Area Network Technologies•3 minutes
Point-to-Point VPNs•2 minutes
Introduction to Wireless Networking Technologies•5 minutes
Wireless Network Configurations•3 minutes
Wireless Channels•5 minutes
Wireless Security•3 minutes
Cellular Networking•1 minute
Mobile Device Networks•4 minutes
8 readings•Total 62 minutes
Supplemental Reading for Broadband Protocols•8 minutes
Supplemental Reading for WAN Protocols•8 minutes
Wi-Fi 6•4 minutes
Supplemental Reading for Alphabet Soup•8 minutes
Supplemental Reading for IoT Data Transfer Protocols•8 minutes
Protocols & Encryption•8 minutes
Supplemental Reading for Mobile Device Networks•8 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 5•10 minutes
6 assignments•Total 132 minutes
Module 5 challenge: Limitations of the Internet•80 minutes
Test your knowledge: POTS and Dial-up•4 minutes
Test your knowledge: Broadband Internet•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: WANs•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Wireless Networking•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Wireless Channels•30 minutes
Troubleshooting and the Future of Networking
Module 6•3 hours to complete
Module details
Congratulations, you've made it to the final module in the course! In the last module of this course, we'll explore the future of computer networking. We'll also cover the practical aspects of troubleshooting a network using popular operating systems. By the end of this module, you'll be able to detect and fix a lot of common network connectivity problems using tools available in Microsoft Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems.
What's included
18 videos6 readings4 assignments
Show info about module content
18 videos•Total 55 minutes
Introduction to Troubleshooting and the Future of Networking•2 minutes
Ping: Internet Control Message Protocol•5 minutes
Traceroute•3 minutes
Testing Port Connectivity•2 minutes
Name Resolution Tools•2 minutes
Public DNS Servers•4 minutes
DNS Registration and Expiration•2 minutes
Hosts Files•3 minutes
What is The Cloud?•6 minutes
Everything as a Service•3 minutes
Cloud Storage•2 minutes
IPv6 Addressing and Subnetting•7 minutes
IPv6 Headers•3 minutes
IPv6 and IPv4 Harmony•3 minutes
Interview Role Play: Networking•4 minutes
Course Wrap Up•2 minutes
Alex: My career path•1 minute
Congratulations!•0 minutes
6 readings•Total 24 minutes
Command Line Troubleshooting Tools•2 minutes
Supplemental Reading for Testing Port Connectivity•4 minutes
Supplemental Reading for IPv6 and IPv4 Harmony•8 minutes
Reflect and connect with your peers•4 minutes
Glossary terms from course 2, module 6•4 minutes
Course 2 Glossary•2 minutes
4 assignments•Total 98 minutes
Module 6 challenge: Troubleshooting and the Future of Networking•80 minutes
Test your knowledge: Verifying Connectivity•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: Digging into DNS•6 minutes
Test your knowledge: The Cloud•6 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Instructor ratings
Instructor ratings
We asked all learners to give feedback on our instructors based on the quality of their teaching style.
Grow with Google is an initiative that draws on Google's decades-long history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. We aim to help everyone – those who make up the workforce of today and the students who will drive the workforce of tomorrow – access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Learner reviews
4.7
52,560 reviews
5 stars
79.17%
4 stars
16.02%
3 stars
3.10%
2 stars
0.87%
1 star
0.81%
Showing 3 of 52560
J
JP
5·
Reviewed on Jan 25, 2018
A lot of information, but i feel like i fully understand core networking concepts. A lot of this info has helped me comprehend what will be required for me when I take my Network + certification exam.
A
AH
4·
Reviewed on Nov 26, 2020
The course gives a good overview over the computer networking, not going very deep. Quizzes are very useful for learning process. Graphical materials that given during video lessons could be improved.
A
AG
5·
Reviewed on Dec 30, 2020
The course had some ups and downs, but it was a good challenge and I did it! I learned so much and I never knew I could do this kind of course. I have gained so much knowledge now from when I started.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.