NETWRK-FUND.AE1
Networking Fundamentals
Master networking fundamentals, from core concepts to advanced server, cloud, and security administration, for robust certification exam preparation.
- Practice in 66 Hands-On Labs — nothing to install
- 58 Interactive Lessons and 347 topics mapped to the official exam objectives
- 482 Practice Test Questions
Beginner Self-paced · 1 year access
66 Hands-On LiveLabs
Practice real IT tasks in guided environments.
- Real environments
- Auto-graded
- No installation
58Interactive Lessons
347Topics
66LiveLab
482Practice Test Questions
30Videos
253Flashcards
253Glossary of terms
01 / Skills you'll get
What you will be able to do
Try Free →
No credit card required
This comprehensive Networking Fundamentals certification training course equips you with the practical skills needed to design, implement, and manage modern network infrastructures. You'll delve into essential topics like TCP/IP, routing, switching, and IP addressing, understanding their real-world implications and common failure points. Explore server architecture, virtualization, cloud computing with Azure and AWS, and critical cybersecurity frameworks. Learn to configure Windows and Linux servers, manage network assets, and implement robust disaster recovery plans. With 58 chapters, 15 quizzes, and 58 exercises, this course provides the authoritative knowledge required to confidently tackle the certification exam and excel in network administration.
- Network Infrastructure Design & Implementation: Master the principles of network topology, protocols (OSI, TCP/IP), and hardware selection (switches, routers, cabling) to build resilient and efficient local and wide area networks, understanding trade-offs in scalability versus cost.
- Server, Virtualization & Cloud Management: Gain proficiency in configuring Windows and Linux servers, deploying virtualization solutions (Hyper-V, VMware), and managing cloud resources (Azure, AWS), recognizing the limitations of each platform for specific workloads.
- Cybersecurity & Network Administration: Develop expertise in implementing cybersecurity frameworks, managing firewalls, user accounts, and group policies, and crafting incident response and disaster recovery plans, acknowledging that perfect security is an illusion.
- Network Troubleshooting & Optimization: Learn to diagnose and resolve common network issues using TCP/IP tools, interpret error messages, and apply best practices for network asset management and performance optimization, understanding that some problems require deep, iterative investigation.
Course Highlights
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58 Structured Lessons Comprehensive coverage of core course objectives
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66 Hands-On LiveLabs Interactive guided scenarios with instant evaluation
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482 Practice Questions Assessment tests with detailed answer rationales
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1 Year Full Access Self-paced learning accessible anytime on all devices
02 / Lessons & labs
See exactly what you will learn and practice
Lessons
58 Interactive Lessons · 347 topics01 Introduction 4 topics +
- About This Course
- Assumptions
- Icons Used in This Course
- Where to Go from Here
02 Welcome to Networking 10 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Defining a Network
- Delving into Network Lingo
- Seeing What You Can Do with a Network
- Getting Acquainted with Servers and Clients
- Weighing Your Options: Dedicated Servers versus Peer-to-Peer Networks
- Understanding What Makes a Network Tick
- Putting the Pieces Together
- Considering Network Size
- Recognizing That Your Personal Computer Isn’t Personal When It’s on a Network
- Assigning a Network Administrator
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
03 Network Infrastructure 9 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Introducing Infrastructure
- Understanding Network Protocols and Standards
- Recognizing Network Topology
- Considering Cable
- Perusing Ports, Interfaces, and MAC Addresses
- Pondering Packets
- Contemplating Collisions
- Dealing with Broadcast Packets
- Examining Wireless Networks
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
04 Switches, Routers, and VLANs 14 topics · 4 LiveLab +
- Understanding Switches
- Learning
- Forwarding
- Flooding
- Looking Deeper into Switches
- Collision domains
- Bridging
- SFP ports and uplinks
- Broadcast domains
- Managed and unmanaged switches
- Understanding Routers
- Network address translation
- Virtual private networks
- Understanding VLANs
4 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
05 Cybersecurity 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- But We’re a Small Business — Do We Need Security?
- The Two Pillars of Cybersecurity
- Cybersecurity Frameworks
- The NIST Cybersecurity Framework
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
06 Servers and Virtualization 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding Network Operating Systems
- Knowing What’s Important in a Server
- Identifying the Components of a Server Computer
- Considering Server Form Factors
- Understanding Virtualization
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
07 Cloud Computing 7 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Introducing Cloud Computing
- Looking at the Benefits of Cloud Computing
- Detailing the Drawbacks of Cloud Computing
- Examining Three Basic Kinds of Cloud Services
- Public Clouds versus Private Clouds
- Introducing Some of the Major Cloud Providers
- Getting into the Cloud
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
08 Network Protocols and Standards 7 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Understanding Protocols
- Understanding Standards
- Seeing the Seven Layers of the OSI Reference Model
- Following a Packet through the Layers
- The Ethernet Protocol
- The TCP/IP Protocol Suite
- Other Protocols Worth Knowing About
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
09 TCP/IP and the Internet 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- What Is the Internet?
- A Little Internet History
- TCP/IP Standards and RFCs
- The TCP/IP Protocol Framework
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
10 IP Addresses 6 topics · 3 LiveLab +
- Understanding Binary
- Introducing IP Addresses
- Classifying IP Addresses
- Subnetting
- Pondering Ports
- Understanding Network Address Translation
3 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
11 Routing 2 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Considering the Usefulness of Routers
- Understanding Routing Tables
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
12 DHCP 4 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Understanding DHCP
- Understanding Scopes
- Working with a DHCP Server
- How to Configure a Windows DHCP Client
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
13 DNS 9 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Understanding DNS Names
- Top-Level Domains
- The Hosts File
- Understanding DNS Servers and Zones
- Understanding DNS Queries
- Zone Files and Resource Records
- Reverse Lookup Zones
- Working with the Windows DNS Server
- How to Configure a Windows DNS Client
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
14 TCP/IP Tools and Commands 10 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Using the arp Command
- Using the hostname Command
- Using the ipconfig Command
- Using the nbtstat Command
- Using the netstat Command
- Using the nslookup Command
- Using the pathping Command
- Using the ping Command
- Using the route Command
- Using the tracert Command
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
15 Local Area Networks 9 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Making a Network Plan
- Being Purposeful
- Taking Stock
- Considering Cable
- Surmising Switches
- Planning the Network Topology
- Planning the TCP/IP Implementation
- Drawing Diagrams
- More Questions Your Network Plan Should Address
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
16 Wide Area Networks 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Connecting to the Internet
- Choosing a Router
- Securing Your Connection with a Firewall
- Providing Redundancy for Your Internet Connection
- Securing Connections to Remote Locations and Remote Users
- Connecting Remote Offices with an Ethernet Private Line
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
17 Server Architecture 3 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Deciding How Many Servers You Need
- Deciding Which Servers You Need
- Connecting Your Servers
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
18 Virtualization Architecture 7 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding Virtualization
- Understanding Hypervisors
- Understanding Virtual Disks
- Understanding Network Virtualization
- Considering the Benefits of Virtualization
- Choosing Virtualization Hosts
- Understanding Windows Server 2025 Licensing
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
19 Storage Architecture 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Planning Disk Capacity
- Considering Disk Drive Types
- Considering Drive Interfaces
- Considering RAID
- Considering Attachment Types
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
20 Backup Architecture 9 topics · 2 LiveLab +
- Backup Basics
- Considering Three Basic Types of Backup
- Where to Back Up Your Data
- Backing Up to Tape
- Backing Up to NAS
- Using a Backup Appliance
- Understanding File-Based Backup
- Understanding Image-Based Backups and Virtualization
- Backup Security
2 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
21 Hyperconverged Infrastructure 7 topics +
- Considering the Headaches of Traditional IT Architecture
- Defining Hyperconverged Infrastructure
- Discerning Deduplication
- Understanding How Deduplication Works
- Considering Backup
- Digging into HCI Clusters
- Incorporating HCI Into Your Plan
22 Network Hardware 2 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Working with Cable
- Installing Switches
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
23 Wireless Networks 4 topics · 3 LiveLab +
- Installing a Wireless Access Point
- Configuring a Wireless Access Point
- Connecting to a Wireless Network
- Paying Attention to Wireless Network Security
3 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
24 Windows Clients 2 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Configuring Network Connections
- Joining a Domain
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
25 Mac Networking 3 topics +
- Basic Mac Network Settings
- Joining a Domain
- Connecting to a Share
26 Network Printers 1 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Configuring Network Printers
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
27 Virtual Private Networks 3 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding VPN
- Looking at VPN Security
- Understanding VPN Servers and Clients
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
28 Hyper-V 8 topics +
- Understanding the Hyper-V Hypervisor
- Understanding Hyper-V Virtual Disks
- Enabling Hyper-V
- Getting Familiar with Hyper-V
- Creating a Virtual Switch
- Creating a Virtual Disk
- Creating a Virtual Machine
- Installing an Operating System
29 VMware 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Looking at vSphere
- Getting Started with VMware Workstation Pro
- Creating a Virtual Machine
- Installing VMware Tools
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
30 Azure 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Looking at Azure Services
- Creating an Azure Account
- Examining the Azure Portal
- Creating a Windows Virtual Machine
- Managing an Azure Virtual Machine
- Connecting to an Azure Virtual Machine
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
31 Amazon Web Services 6 topics +
- Looking at What Amazon Web Services Can Do
- Creating an Amazon Web Services Account
- Examining the Amazon Web Services Console
- Creating a Windows Virtual Machine
- Managing an Amazon Web Services Virtual Machine
- Connecting to an Amazon Web Services Virtual Machine
32 Desktop Virtualization 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Introducing Desktop Virtualization
- Considering Two Approaches to Desktop Virtualization
- Looking at VMware’s Horizon View
- Looking at Citrix XenApp
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
33 Installing Windows Server 2025 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Planning a Windows Server Installation
- Before You Install
- Running Setup
- Considering Your Next Steps
- Adding Server Roles and Features
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
34 Configuring Windows Server 2025 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Using the Administrator Account
- Using Remote Desktop Connection
- Using Microsoft Management Console
- Customizing MMC
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
35 Configuring Active Directory 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- What Active Directory Does
- Understanding How Active Directory Is Structured
- Creating a New Domain
- Creating an Organizational Unit
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
36 Configuring User Accounts 9 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding Windows User Accounts
- Creating a New User
- Setting User Properties
- Resetting User Passwords
- Disabling and Enabling User Accounts
- Deleting a User
- Working with Groups
- Working with User Profiles
- Creating a Logon Script
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
37 Configuring a File Server 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding Permissions
- Understanding Shares
- Considering Best Practices for Setting Up Shares
- Managing Your File Server
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
38 Using Group Policy 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding Group Policy
- Enabling Group Policy Management on Windows Server 2025
- Creating Group Policy Objects
- Filtering Group Policy Objects
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
39 Comandeering Windows Commands 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Using a Command Window
- Special Command Tricks
- The EventCreate Command
- Net Commands
- The RunAs Command
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
40 Using PowerShell 9 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Using PowerShell
- Understanding PowerShell Commands
- Using Cmdlets
- Using Parameters
- Getting Help
- Using Aliases
- Using the Pipeline
- Using Providers
- Using Scripts
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
41 Getting Started with Microsoft 365 Administration 7 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Introducing Microsoft 365
- Considering Microsoft 365 Plans
- Understanding Tenants
- Creating a Microsoft 365 Tenant
- Creating a New User
- Resetting a User’s Password
- Disabling a User
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
42 Configuring Exchange Online 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Looking at Exchange Online Recipient Types
- Examining the Exchange Admin Center
- Managing Mailboxes
- Creating a Shared Mailbox
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
43 Administering Teams 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- What Is Teams?
- A Brief Look at How Teams Works
- Using the Teams Admin Center
- Managing Teams
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
44 Installing a Linux Server 2 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Planning a Linux Server Installation
- Installing Fedora Server
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
45 Linux Administration 11 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- On Again, Off Again
- Wait, Where’s the Desktop?
- Playing the Shell Game
- Getting into Virtual Consoles
- Using a Remote Console
- Enabling the root User
- Using the sudo Command
- Using the RPM Package Manager
- Editing Text Files with Vi
- Using Cockpit
- Managing User Accounts
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
46 Basic Linux Network Configuration 3 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Using Cockpit to Configure Network Interfaces
- Working with Network Configuration Files
- Displaying Your Network Configuration with the ifconfig Command
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
47 Running DHCP and DNS 2 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Running a DHCP Server
- Running a DNS Server
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
48 Linux Commands 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Command Shell Basics
- Directory- and File-Handling Commands
- Commands for Working with Packages and Services
- Commands for Administering Users
- Commands for Managing Ownership and Permissions
- Networking Commands
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
49 Welcome to Network Administration 10 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Knowing What Network Administrators Do
- Choosing the Part-Time Administrator
- Establishing Routine Chores
- Managing Network Users
- Patching Up Your Operating System and Software
- Discovering Software Tools for Network Administrators
- Building a Library
- Getting Certified
- Gurus Need Gurus, Too
- Helpful Bluffs and Excuses
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
50 Managing Remotely 8 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Enabling Remote Desktop Connection
- Connecting Remotely
- Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Remote Desktop
- Configuring Remote Desktop Options
- Using Remote Assistance
- Enabling Remote Assistance
- Inviting Someone to Help You via a Remote Assistance Session
- Responding to a Remote Assistance Invitation
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
51 Managing Network Assets 10 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Introducing IT Asset Management
- Why Bother?
- Getting Organized
- What to Track
- Taking Pictures
- Picking a Number
- Making Labels
- Tracking Software
- Using Asset-Tracking Software
- Other Sources of Asset-Tracking Information
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
52 Solving Network Problems 14 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- When Bad Things Happen to Good Computers
- Fixing Dead Computers
- Ways to Check a Network Connection
- A Bunch of Error Messages Just Flew By!
- Double-Checking Your Network Settings
- Time to Experiment
- Who’s on First?
- Restarting a Client Computer
- Booting in Safe Mode
- Using System Restore
- Restarting Network Services
- Restarting a Network Server
- Looking at Event Logs
- Documenting Your Trials and Tribulations
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
53 Securing Your Users 5 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Knowing the Difference between Authentication and Authorization
- Following Password Best Practices
- Securing the Administrator Account
- Understanding Multifactor Authentication
- Securing the Human Firewall
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
54 Managing Firewalls and Virus Protection 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Firewalls
- The Many Types of Firewalls
- Firewall Best Practices
- The Built-In Windows Firewall
- Configuring Windows Defender Firewall with Group Policy
- Virus Protection
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
55 Dealing with Spam 6 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Defining Spam
- Sampling the Many Flavors of Spam
- Using Antispam Software
- Understanding Spam Filters
- Looking at Three Types of Antispam Software
- Minimizing Spam
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
56 Managing Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Planning 4 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Assessing Different Types of Disasters
- Analyzing the Impact of a Disaster
- Developing a Business Continuity Plan
- Holding a Fire Drill
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
57 Planning for Cybersecurity Incident Response 10 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Seeing the Importance of a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan
- Preparing Your Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan
- Assembling Your Response Team
- Identifying and Reporting a Cybersecurity Incident
- Triaging Reported Incidents
- Containing a Cybersecurity Incident
- Engaging the Eradication Phase
- Restoring Lost Data and Systems
- Considering Communication
- Closing the Incident
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
58 Penetration Testing 7 topics · 1 LiveLab +
- Understanding Ethical Hacking
- Introducing the Red Team
- Seeing How Penetration Testing Works
- Scoping a Penetration Test
- Establishing Boundaries
- Examining Tools for Penetration Testing
- Knowing What to Expect from a Penetration Test
1 LiveLab in this lesson — see the labs panel →
Hands-On Labs Our edge
66 LiveLabs- Connecting Devices in a Peer-To-Peer Architecture
- Configuring Basic Network Connectivity
- Creating a Bus Topology
- Connecting Devices in a Mesh Topology
- Configuring Basic Router Settings
- Configuring a Basic Network Switch
- Configuring Static NAT on a Router
- Creating a VLAN
- Performing a Basic NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- Creating a Basic Active Directory User Account
- Evaluating Cloud Computing for Business Growth
- Viewing Network Adapter Properties in Windows
- Analyzing the Structure of TCP and UDP Segments
- Analyzing Packet Flow Through the TCP/IP Stack Using Wireshark
- Performing AND, OR, and XOR Operations
- Configuring Class A, B, and C IP Addresses in Windows
- Configuring an IPv6 Address on a Windows Interface
- Viewing and Analyzing Routing Tables
- Configuring a DHCP Server in Windows Server
- Configuring a Windows System as a DHCP Client
- Verifying and Configuring a DNS Zone
- Configuring DNS Settings on a Windows Client
- Using TCP/IP Commands for Network Troubleshooting
- Using the Windows System Information Tool
- Enabling Basic Windows Firewall Protection
- Designing Server Infrastructure
- Creating Virtual Networks and Virtual Switches in Hyper-V
- Configuring RAID Using Storage Spaces in Windows
- Performing an Incremental Backup Using Windows Server Backup
- Performing a Full Backup Using Windows Server Backup
- Testing an RJ-45 Cable Using a Cable Tester
- Configuring a WAP in Cisco Packet Tracer
- Configuring Wireless Security Settings
- Using a Wireless Router for MAC Address Filtering
- Configuring Network Connections and Joining a Windows 11 Computer to a Domain
- Configuring a Network Printer
- Configuring a VPN Connection in Windows
- Creating and Configuring a Windows Server Virtual Machine in VMware Workstation Pro
- Creating and Configuring a Virtual Machine in Microsoft Azure
- Deploying a Virtual Desktop Environment Using VMware Workstation
- Installing and Configuring Windows Server
- Adding an MMC Snap-in
- Creating Organizational Units in Active Directory
- Managing Domain User Accounts
- Managing File Shares and Permissions in Windows Server
- Configuring and Managing Group Policy Objects in Windows Server 2025
- Managing Windows Server with Net Commands and CMD Utilities
- Performing Basic Administrative Tasks Using PowerShell
- Managing Microsoft 365 User Accounts
- Managing Mailboxes and Shared Mailboxes in Exchange Admin Center
- Creating and Managing Teams, Channels, and Policies
- Installing Fedora Server 40 on a Virtual Machine
- Performing Essential Linux Administration Tasks Using Fedora Server
- Viewing and Managing Linux Network Configuration Files
- Configuring DHCP and DNS Services on a Linux Server
- Performing Basic Linux Command Shell Operations
- Performing Basic Network Administration and Network Diagnostics
- Enabling and Using Remote Desktop Connection
- Designing an IT Asset Management Strategy
- Diagnosing and Resolving Common Network Connectivity Issues
- Implementing MFA on Mobile Devices
- Using Windows Defender Firewall
- Implementing Antispam Protection
- Assessing Disaster Risks
- Responding to a Malware Infection Incident
- Performing Network Reconnaissance Using Nmap
Labs run in your browser — nothing to install.
03 / FAQs
Questions before you start
Is this course suitable for complete beginners in networking?+
Absolutely. This course starts with defining basic network concepts, lingo, and infrastructure, making no assumptions about prior knowledge. We build from the ground up, covering everything from network types to basic protocols.
What kind of practical experience will I gain from this course?+
You'll gain hands-on experience through 58 practice exercises, covering configuration of switches, routers, IP addresses, DHCP, DNS, Windows/Linux servers, and cloud platforms like Azure and AWS. Expect to apply theoretical knowledge directly.
Does this course prepare me for a specific certification exam?+
Yes, this Networking Fundamentals certification training course is designed to provide comprehensive preparation for industry-recognized networking fundamentals exams, covering all critical domains from infrastructure to security and cloud.
How does this course address real-world network challenges and limitations?+
We emphasize practical scenarios, common failure points, and the inherent trade-offs in network design and administration. You'll learn not just how things should work, but also why they don't sometimes, and how to troubleshoot effectively.
What's the difference between dedicated servers and peer-to-peer networks, and when should I use each?+
Dedicated servers offer centralized control, security, and scalability but come with higher cost and complexity. Peer-to-peer networks are simpler and cheaper for small environments but lack robust management and security. Your choice depends entirely on your specific organizational needs and budget constraints.
Prepare for Networking Fundamentals
Gain hands-on networking skills, from infrastructure design and cloud management to cybersecurity and troubleshooting, and prepare for success in network administration roles.
- 1 year of full access
- 66 LiveLab included
- Certificate of completion
No credit card required