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Learning > Fundamentals of Designing and Deploying Computer Networks

Fundamentals of Designing and Deploying Computer Networks

What is this course?

This course is for students with a basic understanding of computer hardware and software, and who are already familiar with personal computers. It begins with teaching the fundamentals of networking, Ethernet, as well as Wi-Fi technologies. From the fundamentals, the course moves into the planning, design, and deployment of simple LANs and covers the most common ways to connect a LAN to the Internet (Mobile Internet, ADSL, Fiber) and how to set up the connections. In addition, the course will present the most common maintenance issues as well as how to solve those issues. The course will have theoretical and practical components.

The course will not include the planning, design and deploying of LANs that require other advanced equipment or concepts.

What are the course objectives?

Understand what a network is and how it works
Have basic knowledge of OSI model, Network Standard organizations and TCP/IP Protocol suites
Understand Types of Network Media
Have basic knowledge of the components that make up a network and differentiate between a LAN, MAN and WAN
Know the most common components and technologies of LAN (Network devices, Cable, and Wireless)
Design and install small LAN infrastructure
Connect the LAN to the Internet using the most common Internet services through mobile, ADSL, and Fiber
Troubleshoot small LANs and Internet connections and resolve the problems
Have a basic understanding of how the Internet works (routing, DNS)

What are the expected outcomes of this course?

Explain what a Community Network is, its functions and benefits
Describe how a community network can impact the community
Describe the challenges and requirements (technical, legal, social and financial) for developing a community network in a given community
Understand the different roles of NC stakeholders and, more particularly, the role that the community plays in establishing a community network
Evaluate and analyze whether a proposed community network is ready for implementation
Identify and engage potential partners/stakeholders to support the Community Network
Design and lead the implementation plan to deploy a Community Network

Who should attend this course?

You are interested in planning, designing and deploying an Ethernet wired network using switches and/or UTP cables
You want to be able to design and deploy a Wi-Fi network using a Wi-Fi router
You would like to be able to configure routers to Connect LANs to an ISP
You want to gain knowledge in troubleshooting LANs

Prerequisites:

Basic understanding of the computer hardware and software
Familiarity with personal computers and at least one operating system and basic office software

How do I enroll in a course?

How do I access the learning platform as an Internet Society member?

As an Internet Society member, you can log into learning.internetsociety.org with your member login credentials. There is no need to create a new account. If you do not remember your login information, select Forgot Login? to be emailed your username and receive a link to reset your password. Once logged in, you will be able to view the course catalog and select the course you’d like to enroll in.

How do I access the learning platform as a non-member?

Both guests and Internet Society members can access the learning platform. To register as either, click Register on the login box at learning.internetsociety.org. Next, either register as a member or click on the guest registration form to register as a guest. Once you create an account, you can use the credentials you created (username and password) to log into learning.internetsociety.org. Once logged in, you will be able to view the course catalog and enroll in courses.

How do I enroll in a course?

Browse available courses in the course catalog or use the search bar to find the course you would like to enroll in. On each course page, click the “Enroll” button in the top right corner of the page to immediately be added to a course. Once you have successfully been enrolled, you will be able to see the course under “My Courses and Learning Plans”. You will also be able to see information about the course instructor, view the course’s forums, and access any modules that are available. If the course has not yet started, you will not see any modules until the day the course begins.

How do I join the waitlist for a course?

If you are on a course page and the button in the top right corner of the page reads “Enroll (Waiting List)”, this means the course has reached the maximum number of participants able to enroll. You can click the button to join the waitlist for the course and you will be notified if a spot becomes available.

How do I select the right course format?

When browsing the course catalog, you will see multiple versions of the same course available. All courses are available in English, French, and Spanish so first select the right language for you. You can do this by selecting the language of your choice in the left-hand filter in the course catalog or choosing the course that denotes the correct language (EN=English, FR=French, ES=Spanish).

You also have the option to choose the format that will work best for your connection type. All courses have 3 format options: high bandwidth, low bandwidth, and text-based for all connections. You can filter by bandwidth option in the left-hand filter on the course catalog or select the “Additional Information” tab when viewing a course to see which bandwidth connection you have selected.

If you have any questions about which version is best for you, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] to get assistance.

Enroll for the January Course

When do I start?

This course lasts six weeks. Registration period opens three weeks prior to the course start date.

Enroll Now

20 January–02 March 2025

Course duration

14 July–24 August 2025

Course duration

06 October–16 November 2025

Course duration

Moderated course

Duration:
6 weeks

Available in
English, French, Spanish and Arabic

Enroll Now