What will I actually learn in this networking and cloud computing course?

You'll learn how networks connect devices, how cloud platforms support modern systems, and how security controls help protect both. It starts with network basics and data transmission, then moves into protocols, monitoring, client-server networking, and cloud services in Azure. You'll apply the ideas through guided exercises like finding a device's IP address and sketching a simple network plan for a small business.

Do I need any IT background before starting this course?

No, you don't need prior networking or cloud experience to start. The course begins with basics like network types and IP addresses before moving into topics such as monitoring, firewalls, and cloud environments. Some comfort using a computer will help in exercises like checking your IP address or active network connections, but you don't need a degree or prior IT role.

Is this course beginner-friendly for networking and cloud computing?

Yes, it's beginner-friendly if you want a broad introduction rather than deep specialization. The lessons explain core ideas step by step and mix in readings, quizzes, and short practice tasks instead of assuming you've already worked with networks. It may feel fuller than a very short intro because it also brings in security concepts and Microsoft Azure.

How long does it take to complete this course?

Plan on about 26 hours in total. At around 10 hours a week, that's roughly 3 weeks of study, with time spread across lessons, readings, guided exercises, quizzes, and a final project. The workload is manageable if you move through it steadily and let the practice activities reinforce each section.

Are there hands-on exercises or projects in this course?

Yes, there is hands-on work, but it's guided rather than lab-heavy. You'll do exercises like finding your device's IP address, checking open network sessions, expanding a small-business network layout, and creating a virtual network diagram in Figma. There's also a final project built around a digital transformation plan, so you apply each concept in a concrete scenario instead of only reading about it.

What topics are covered in this course?

You'll cover how networks are organized and communicate, how cloud environments and virtual machines fit into business systems, and how common security controls protect access and traffic. The course uses ideas like IP addressing and firewalls to explain how infrastructure works, then connects them to Azure and cloud service models. By the end, you should have a broad view of networking, cloud computing, and security as one connected topic rather than separate pieces.

What can I actually do after finishing this course?

After finishing, you should be able to explain core networking and cloud concepts, recognize common security measures, and make sense of basic infrastructure choices. For example, you could outline a simple business network, show where a firewall or VPN fits, and suggest cloud services that support growth. It's a practical level of skill for discussing and evaluating systems, even though the course doesn't try to turn you into a specialist.

Is this course more theory or hands-on?

It's more concept-first than project-heavy. Most of the course focuses on understanding how networks, cloud services, and security controls work, with guided exercises and a final project to reinforce the ideas. It's a good fit if you want practical context without needing a deeply technical lab course.

Why choose this course over other networking and cloud courses?

Choose this course if you want networking, cloud computing, and security explained together instead of as separate subjects. It connects network basics, monitoring, firewalls, Azure, virtualization, and cloud service choices through scenario-based practice and a final digital transformation plan for a small business. If you want a beginner-level course with a clear Microsoft angle and practical business context, this is a strong fit.

Introduction to Networking and Cloud Computing

This course is part of Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

Instructor: Microsoft

49,557 already enrolled

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5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

564 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

5 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

564 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

3 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

How to set up a cloud computing environment, virtual machines and cloud services.
How to set up common network infrastructure and monitoring.
How to use network security components, approaches and mitigation.
How to produce a coherent expansion plan for a business enterprise to take advantage of cloud infrastructure.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

25 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your Security expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

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 Microsoft

There are 5 modules in this course

This course forms part of a series of courses that offers a good starting point for a career in cybersecurity. It will help you gain knowledge and skills related to networking and cloud computing and get you one step closer to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which requires no degree or prior experience.

After completing this course you’ll be able to: • Identify the main concepts of networking • Explain common network infrastructure and monitoring • Describe network security components, approaches, and mitigation • Define and explain key concepts of the cloud computing environment, virtual machines, and cloud services. This is also a great way to prepare for the Microsoft SC-900 exam. By passing the SC-900 exam, you’ll earn the Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Certification.

Module details

Discover the basics of computers, including hardware and operating systems. Learn where threats to cybersecurity can originate in the computing landscape, and gain a broad overview of how these threats can result in a security breach.

What's included

6 videos13 readings5 assignments

6 videosTotal 35 minutes

Introduction to the course: Introduction to Networking and Cloud computing5 minutes
Network types5 minutes
Topologies6 minutes
What is IP, and what’s an IP address?7 minutes
Using IP addresses on a network6 minutes
Module summary: Computer networking6 minutes

13 readingsTotal 155 minutes

Course syllabus10 minutes
Additional resources: Computer networking5 minutes
Area networks10 minutes
Physical and logical topology10 minutes
Data transmission10 minutes
Exercise: Network construction30 minutes
Exemplar: Network construction10 minutes
Additional resources: Understanding types and topologies5 minutes
What’s the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?10 minutes
Exercise: Find your IP30 minutes
Exemplar: Find your IP10 minutes
How does a device get its IP address?10 minutes
Additional resources: IP addressing5 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 80 minutes

Module quiz: Computer networking30 minutes
Self-review: Network construction10 minutes
Knowledge check: Understanding types and topologies15 minutes
Self-review: Find your IP10 minutes
Knowledge check: IP addressing15 minutes

Gain insights into devices found on their networks and the underlying architecture that allows these devices to communicate. Learn about various protocols as well as the ports to which they connect.

What's included

9 videos19 readings7 assignments

9 videosTotal 50 minutes

Hybrid networking7 minutes
Introduction to cloud computing5 minutes
What is the OSI model?6 minutes
TCP/IP7 minutes
What is a port?5 minutes
Ports and protocols 5 minutes
DNS and networking4 minutes
Health and metric analysis4 minutes
Module summary: Network devices and protocols6 minutes

19 readingsTotal 215 minutes

The internet10 minutes
Infrastructure10 minutes
Virtual Private Network Technology10 minutes
Internet of Things10 minutes
Additional resources: Infrastructure5 minutes
Layered architecture10 minutes
TCP/IP versus OSI10 minutes
Exercise: Expanding the network layout30 minutes
Exemplar: Expanding the network layout10 minutes
Additional resources: Network communication models5 minutes
Protocols10 minutes
Reserved and commonly allocated ports10 minutes
Exercise: Ports in use30 minutes
Exemplar: Ports in use10 minutes
Additional resources: Protocols and ports5 minutes
DNS attacks15 minutes
Introduction to network traffic monitoring10 minutes
Network logs10 minutes
Additional resources: Network traffic monitoring5 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 110 minutes

Module quiz: Network devices and protocols30 minutes
Knowledge check: Infrastructure15 minutes
Self-review: Expanding the network layout10 minutes
Knowledge check: Network communication models15 minutes
Self-review: Ports in use10 minutes
Knowledge check: Protocols and ports15 minutes
Knowledge check: Network traffic monitoring15 minutes

Expand upon your knowledge of networks by studying their operations in greater depth. Learn about the role of the server as the central point of the network. Additionally, investigate the role of the firewall in protecting the users.

What's included

10 videos14 readings4 assignments

10 videosTotal 56 minutes

Client-server network5 minutes
Remote access6 minutes
Introduction to authentication7 minutes
Types of authorization7 minutes
Authentication versus authorization3 minutes
Common network attacks6 minutes
Network security5 minutes
Firewalls6 minutes
Security tools5 minutes
Module summary: Network security7 minutes

14 readingsTotal 125 minutes

Client-server models10 minutes
Different types of servers10 minutes
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)10 minutes
Additional resources: Network client and server5 minutes
Authorization10 minutes
Internet, extranet and intranet10 minutes
Authorization protocols on VPNs10 minutes
Additional resources: Authentication and authorization5 minutes
Network attacks10 minutes
Network security best practices10 minutes
Firewall types10 minutes
Firewall rules10 minutes
Firewall threats and network analysis10 minutes
Additional resources: Firewalls and security tools5 minutes

4 assignmentsTotal 75 minutes

Module quiz: Network security30 minutes
Knowledge check: Network client and server15 minutes
Knowledge check: Authentication and authorization15 minutes
Knowledge check: Firewalls and security tools15 minutes

Learn about Azure's functionalities and supplementary services and how to leverage them within a network. Gain insight into the digital transformation process for business enterprises from a networking perspective. Explore the cloud networking landscape, including virtualization, machine learning, AI, and various cloud services.

What's included

11 videos21 readings7 assignments1 discussion prompt

11 videosTotal 52 minutes

What is Azure?6 minutes
Business enterprise use case3 minutes
What is virtualization?5 minutes
Virtual world3 minutes
Azure Virtual Desktop5 minutes
Cloud capabilities6 minutes
Machine learning services4 minutes
AI business uses4 minutes
Business benefits of XaaS5 minutes
What is Software as a Service?5 minutes
Module Summary: Cloud computing and networking6 minutes

21 readingsTotal 230 minutes

What is cloud computing?10 minutes
What services are available with Azure10 minutes
Azure technologies10 minutes
Exercise: Cloud transformation30 minutes
Exemplar: Cloud transformation10 minutes
Additional resources: Introduction to Azure5 minutes
What are virtual environments or machines10 minutes
Virtual machines and containers10 minutes
Get started with Figma10 minutes
Exercise: Virtual network simulation30 minutes
Exemplar: Virtual network simulation 10 minutes
Additional resources: Virtual environments5 minutes
Cloud capabilities in action10 minutes
Types of AI10 minutes
Cloud and AI10 minutes
Additional resources: Cloud services5 minutes
A general overview of XaaS10 minutes
SaaS in action10 minutes
SaaS and XaaS as a comparison 10 minutes
IaaS and PaaS as a comparison10 minutes
Additional resources: X as a Service5 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 110 minutes

Module quiz: Cloud computing and networking30 minutes
Self-review: Cloud transformation10 minutes
Knowledge check: Introduction to Azure15 minutes
Self-review: Virtual network simulation10 minutes
Knowledge check: Virtual environments15 minutes
Knowledge check: Cloud services15 minutes
Knowledge check: X as a Service15 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

What types of AI have you interacted with?10 minutes

This Module details any Project specified for the course as well as the particulars of the assessment to be completed. This Module also provides a recap of the course learning aims and objectives. You are directed to reflect on this course's content and on the learning achieved and to consider the next steps in your learning journey.