Basic Networking Fundamental
Build networks yourself across 17 exercises, in a free simulator from Cisco. No background needed, no equipment to buy, and one ordinary computer is enough.
7 parts·17 exercises·about 30 hours·taught to 15 cohorts so far
- How data finds its way between machines, and what an IP address actually is
- The two devices everything is built from — switches and routers — and setting one up
- Splitting one network into several that stay apart, then letting them talk (VLANs)
- Running a spare cable so the network survives a break, and bundling cables for speed
- Letting data find its own way to a destination several hops away (routing)
- Deciding who can reach what, and getting a whole office online (ACLs, NAT)
- Handing out addresses automatically, and the newer kind replacing them (DHCP, IPv6)
- No background needed
- Nothing to buy
- The software is free
Open to anyone, not only enrolled students. A place has to be requested first, and every request is decided by the instructor.