The domain of networking is one of the trending sectors in the world of IT. With the ever-widening dominance of IT, computers, and digitalization in almost all sectors of society, the demand for network engineers is rising. For the same reason, it is one of the highest-paid jobs in the IT sector.
Scope of Networking Jobs in The IT Sector
It is a fact that the IT sector is constantly evolving and developing with the introduction of new technologies. Because of this same reason, there has been a belief among IT professionals that job security is low and switching jobs is the only way to survive. When it comes to the networking sector, this belief is nothing but a taboo.
A simple example to support this statement is that, even though everything related to IT is constantly evolving, the network sector and the demand for network professionals have always been more or less the same. This is because the need for a network professional never goes off the charts.
Network Engineer Online Training Courses
If you are an undergraduate/graduate who is seeking a job in the field of networking, there are high chances that you will stumble upon the whats and whys of the same. We are here to help you out! Just like any other job, a skill set is what makes you fit for a job, and you can develop the same via online courses and self-learning.
Best Online Networking Courses and Certifications
Finding an appropriate online course to kickstart your learning so you can pursue a career in network engineering might be a time-consuming task. Out of the numerous online beginner and certification courses based on networking, we have hand-picked the best ones exclusively for you! You will be confident enough to update your resume after taking these courses, and the certifications will back you up strongly while seeking a high-paid job in the field of networking.
1. CompTIA Network+(N10-008) Full Course & Practice Exam
Taking up a CompTIA network exam will make your understanding of networking even stronger and is a valid certification that will make your resume more appealing to a recruiter. This Udemy course will prepare you to take the CompTIA Network+ (N10-008) examination, making your quest to become a network engineer a reality.
With 14.5 hours of on-demand video content and a 4.7 rating, you will get to learn about computer networks and their workings in detail from an experienced industry expert.
Requirement: Basic requirement of networking will be a plus. Even if you are a beginner, you can take this course as everything will be covered for you.
Rating: 4.7
Certificate: Yes
Duration: 26 hours 9 minutes
Pros: A very good course for students who want to take up the CompTIA network examination.
Cons: Students with no domain knowledge might feel some terms used are complex.
Topics Covered:
- Computer networks, their components, and functioning.
- Network subnetting
- Basic network configuration
2. Getting Started with Network Administration
One of the most rewarding jobs in the field of networking is that of the network administrator. This is one of the best network engineer online training courses offered by LinkedIn and is specially designed to prepare you to apply for a junior network engineer role.
A network administrator is considered the backbone of an organization when it comes to managing networks. In this course, you will learn basic networking skills, local area networks, wide area networks, troubleshooting, etc. This online course is designed to start with the fundamentals of networking and progress to intermediate and advanced-level topics to help you become a professional.
Requirement: Nothing
Rating: 4.7
Certificate: Badge of completion by Linkedin
Duration: 31 hours
Pros: Beginner friendly
Cons: NA
Topics Covered:
- Networking foundations
- Protecting your network with open-source software
- IP Addressing
- Troubleshooting
- Subnetting
- Packet delivery process
- IPV6
- Wireshark essential training
- CISCO network foundations
3. The Bits and Bites of Computer Networking
This free network engineer online training course by Google is part of the Google IT support professional certificate. If you are a beginner with no prior knowledge of networking, this course is tailor-made for you. From the fundamentals of networking to advanced-level concepts in the domain, you will be introduced to almost everything.
After completing this course, you can confidently update your skill set on your resume, stating that you are well aware of networking concepts in a professional manner. With 42,000 total ratings and a 4.7 overall rating, this course will help you get a good foundation regarding the domain of networking.
Requirement: Nothing
Rating: 4.7
Certificate: Yes
Duration: 28 hours
Pros: Beginner friendly
Cons: Certain reviewers feel that the course is poorly structured
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to networking
- The network layer
- The transport and application layer
- Networking services
- Connecting to the internet
- Troubleshooting and the future of networking
4. Networking in Google Cloud Specialization
This course by Coursera is made for network engineers or network administrators who are looking for work in a Google Cloud environment. If you are someone who is looking forward to getting skilled in software-defined network solutions, then this is one of the best network engineer online training courses out there.
By taking up this specialization course, you will be able to gain a deep understanding of the core infrastructure and networking options of the Google Cloud Platform. This course will also walk you through network design patterns and automated deployment using a deployment manager.
Requirement: Basic understanding of the OSI 7-layer model, Ipv4 addressing, and Ipv4 routes are preferred.
Rating: 4.8
Certificate: Yes
Duration: 6 months
Pros: Hands-on lab methods included in a 100% online approach
Cons: NA
Topics Covered:
- Google cloud fundamentals: Core Infrastructure
- Networking in Google Cloud: Defining and Implementing Networks
- Networking in Google Cloud: Hybrid Connectivity and Network Management
5. Introduction to Networking for Complete Beginners
If you are interested in networking and dream of securing yourself a well-rewarding job as a network engineer, then this course will be one of the best ways to start learning for you. With more than 80,000 students enrolled, this course is, without a doubt, one of the best network engineering online courses available.
Before going for other specialized courses based on network engineering and administration, taking up this course is recommended if you are a beginner. After taking up this free Udemy online networking course, you will be able to understand the need for networks, the basic commands used in networking, Cisco, troubleshooting, etc., which will make you confident enough to move forward to an advanced level of training.
Requirement: None
Rating: 4.4
Certificate: NO
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Pros: One of the best online networking courses to learn basic networking concepts
Cons: Advanced topics are not covered
Topics Covered:
- Introduction
- Networking for complete beginners
6. Certificate Program – Networking and Linux Administration
Linux is one of the open-source platforms that is widely used in a lot of organizations. If you are more adapted to Linux and are looking for a networking career in Linux networking and administration, then you must check out this online networking certification course.
This network engineer online training course begins with basic networking concepts to lay a solid foundation for you before moving on to TCP/IP network concepts. This is a suitable course if you are seeking a job as a network administrator in a Linux environment. After completing this course, you will be confident enough to manage all administration activities in a Linux network configuration.
Requirement: Basic computer skills and networking knowledge
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: NA
Pros: Covers advanced topics of networking in Linux
Cons: NA
Topics Covered:
- Linux Basics
- Configuring hardware and software
- Working with files in Linux
- Advanced concepts of Linux
7. Introduction to Networking and Storage
This network engineer online training certification course offered by IBM is one of the best ways to start learning networking if you are a beginner. If you complete this course, it can be counted as a part of the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate Program or the Information Technology and Cloud Fundamentals Specialization Program.
This free certification course on Coursera will enhance your skill set in cloud storage, network troubleshooting, network architecture, network hardware, and wireless networking. With videos, practice activities, and virtual hands-on labs, you will be able to steadily gain a grip on the concepts of networking without facing any difficulty while learning.
Requirement: None
Rating: 4.7
Certificate: Yes
Duration: 12 hours
Pros: Well-structured networking course for beginners
Cons: NA
Topics Covered:
- Networking fundamentals
- Configuring and troubleshooting networks
- Storage types and network sharing
- Quiz and assignments
8. Google IT Support Professional Certificate
If you are someone who dreams of securing a job as a network engineer, we have one of the best professional network engineer online training certificate courses for you! This course offered by Google is the best choice for absolute beginners in the field of computer networking.
We present this course as a complete package for someone who is looking for networking courses for beginners. After completion of this course, you will be job-ready with an extensive skill set in network protocols, network models, DNS, debugging, customer support, troubleshooting, cloud computing, and more!
Requirement: None
Rating: 4.8
Certificate: Yes
Duration: 6 months
Pros: Well-structured networking course for beginners
Cons: NA
Topics Covered:
- Technical support fundamentals
- The bits and bytes of computer networking
- Operating systems and you: Becoming a power user
- System administration and IT infrastructure services
- IT security: Defense against the digital dark arts
9. CISCO Certified Internetwork Expert
The path to securing a high-paying, secure job in networking will be equally difficult. The CISCO Certified Internetwork Expert certification is considered an ever-popular and challenging certification course for those who are looking for a high-profile job in networking. Even though it is difficult, it is not impossible to crack this Certification, and if it is, it is going to gift you a very fruitful career in networking.
A written and a lab exam are required for each CICE course. The lab exam can be attempted within 18 months of the written test if you pass it. With self-study materials available through the CISCO network, you can challenge yourself and push your boundaries to attain a safe and secure future in the field of networking.
Requirement: None
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: No specific duration
Pros: One of the best certifications for network engineers and network administrators
Cons: NA
Topics Covered:
CISCO syllabus
10. Juniper Network Certifications
If you are well enough aware of networks, then you might be aware of this name, too: Juniper. Juniper Networks provide network components worldwide, and having Certification from Juniper means just one thing: you are highly skilled and are a perfect fit for a high-profile networking job.
If you wish to take the Juniper certification exam, then you should know that topics like cloud, security, datacentre, etc., are included in the first step. Each of these topics is further divided by a level of knowledge: associate, specialist, professional, and expert. With live, instructor-led online training available, this is one of the best network engineer online training courses out there.
Requirement: None
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: NA
Pros: Highly valuable Certification
Cons: Intermediate-level training program
Topics Covered:
Juniper syllabus
11. CWNA Wireless Certification
Wireless networking has set a new trend in the world of networking in almost every sector of society. If you want to become a Certified Wireless Network Administrator, various CWNA certifications are available online. You can find beginner to advanced-level certifications as per your skill set and proceed forward to learn things to secure a well-rewarding job as a CWNA.
This three-year valid certification course will make you specialize in wireless networking and will present you as a standout among your competitors. You have both self-study and in-person methods to get tutored for this Certification.
Requirement: Variable
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: NA
Pros: Highly valuable Certification
Cons: Challenging in nature
Topics Covered:
- Radiofrequency technologies
- Wireless LAN hardware and software
- Security
- Troubleshooting
12. Wireshark Certification
Security is something of huge importance in the world of networks, and this is where Wireshark comes in. Most of you must have heard about Wireshark, a popular network security tool. It might look easy when you notice that capturing and filtering networks is a cakewalk using Wireshark, but if you dig deep, you will realize the tool is capable of much more than that.
Having expertise in Wireshark will automatically make you a most wanted candidate for a network engineering/network security job, which comes with a mammoth package. This three-year valid professional Certification will yield you a skill set in Wireshark to boast about and secure a very good job in the sector of computer networking.
Requirement: Strong knowledge of IT networking and Protocols
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: NA
Pros: Highly valuable Certification
Cons: Challenging in nature
Topics Covered:
- Wireshark functionality
- TCP/IP network communications
- Network troubleshooting
- Network security
13. Solarwinds Certifications
There are a lot of middle-level and large organizations that use SolarWinds products to monitor and manage networks. Because of the same reason, if you have a strong skill set in Solarwing products, you have a close to 100% chance of securing a really high-paying job in networking.
Most network administrators recommend using Solarwinds to manage networks and nodes, and a person who is well-known for handling these products will naturally be in high demand. The Network Performance Monitor, or NPM, Certification is a highly recommended certification we suggest for general networking.
Requirement: Variable
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: NA
Pros: Highly valuable Certification
Cons: Challenging in nature
Topics Covered:
- Simple network management protocol monitoring
- Cloud services
- Orion platform
- Hardware monitoring, etc.
14. CompTIA Network+
If you have a CompTIA Network+ certification, then securing a job as a network engineer or a network administrator will be a cakewalk for you. Being a pioneer in the sector of networking, CompTIA is a notable vendor-agnostic body. As a result, this is one of the best network engineer online training certifications you should try.
To get this Certification, you must first acquire a CompTIA A+ certification along with at least nine months of industry experience. For sure, completing the entry-level or DOD 8570 certification won’t be an easy task. Still, with the study materials and steady determination, you can easily climb the way to success and achieve the dream of becoming a highly-paid network professional.
Requirement: CompTIAA+ Certification along with at least 9-month industry experience
Rating: NA
Certificate: Yes
Duration: NA
Pros: Highly valuable Certification
Cons: Challenging in nature
Topics Covered:
- Network Foundations
- Security
- Operations
- Implementations
- Troubleshooting
Conclusion
No matter if you are a beginner or already an expert, this list of network engineer online training courses and certifications will help you pursue your goal.
There are no other fields like networking in the IT sector that is always in high demand. With a relevant skill set and a reputed certification, you can make yourself industry-ready to explore a challenging world out there as a network professional.
