What is Switching & Routing: Online Courses, Fees, Syllabus, Career Scope

Switching & Routing courses provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of network design and data packet transfer across networks. These courses cover the fundamentals of network switching, routing protocols, IP addressing, VLANs, and network security. With a balanced mix of theory and hands-on labs, you gain the skills to configure, troubleshoot, and optimize network systems by opting for such courses. 

What is Switching?

Switching refers to the process of forwarding data packets between different network segments. There are mainly three types of switching, which are:

Type	Description
Circuit Switching	A method where a dedicated communication path is established between the sender and receiver for the duration of the communication session. Common in traditional telephone networks.
Packet Switching	Data is divided into packets and each packet is sent separately over the best available path. Used in most modern data networks, including the internet. For a deeper dive into how it differs from circuit switching, refer to the Difference Between Circuit Switching and Packet Switching article.
Message Switching	Entire messages are sent in their entirety to the next switch, where they are stored and forwarded. This method is less common but was historically used in telecommunication.

What is Routing?

Routing involves determining the optimal path for data to travel between source and destination. There are mainly three types of routing, which are:

Type	Description
Static Routing	The routes are manually configured and remain fixed unless changed by the network administrator. Common in smaller or simpler networks.
Dynamic Routing	Routing tables are automatically updated based on network changes. Utilizes routing protocols like RIP, OSPF, and BGP. Suitable for larger, more complex networks.
Default Routing	A type of routing where all traffic destined for an unknown network is sent to a default gateway. Often used in stub networks or small networks with limited routes.

Switching & Routing Course Highlights 

Particulars	Details
Course Level	Online Programmes, Diploma
Duration	Online Courses - 6 weeks to 25 weeks
Eligibility	For Online Courses - 10+2 in any stream
Fees	INR 799 to  INR 5000
Top Platforms	Cisco Udemy Coursera
Average Salary	₹ 6.8 Lakhs to ₹ 34.1 Lakhs
Top Recruiters	Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, Arista Networks, Huawei, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Dell Technologies, Broadcom, Nokia Networks, Ericsson, Extreme Networks, etc.
Job Positions	Network Engineer, Network Architect, Network Administrator, Network Analyst, Systems Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Solutions Architect, Technical Support Engineer, Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineer, Network Security Engineer, etc.

Current Trends in the Switching & Routing Industry

Here are some important statistics regarding switching and routing industry:

• According to MarketsandMarkets, the global switching and routing market is expected to reach $34.6 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2022 to 2027.
• As per the Burning Glass Technologies report, the demand for skilled professionals in switching and routing is rising, driven by the increasing adoption of cloud computing, IoT, and 5G technologies. 
• According to a survey by Cisco, 92% of organizations consider network infrastructure and switching/routing skills as critical for their digital transformation initiatives.

Why Learn Switching & Routing in 2024?

In 2024, the demand for skilled professionals in switching and routing is expected to continue growing due to the following factors:

• Digital Transformation Initiatives: Enterprises are accelerating their digital transformation efforts, which rely heavily on reliable and efficient network infrastructure.
• Emerging Technologies: The adoption of 5G, cloud computing, and edge computing will drive the need for advanced switching and routing capabilities to support these technologies.
• Cybersecurity Concerns: As networks become more complex and interconnected, the importance of implementing robust switching and routing solutions to enhance network security will increase.
• Skills Gap: The industry is facing a shortage of skilled network professionals, creating ample career opportunities for those with expertise in switching and routing.

How to Learn and Excel Switching & Routing Strategically?

To learn and excel in switching and routing, students can follow these steps:

1. Understand the Fundamentals: Start by mastering the core concepts of networking, such as OSI model, TCP/IP, and basic switching and routing protocols.
2. Gain Hands-On Experience: Complement your theoretical knowledge with practical experience by setting up virtual or physical network environments and experimenting with various switching and routing configurations.
3. Pursue Certifications: Obtain industry-recognized certifications, such as CCNA or JNCIA, to validate your skills and demonstrate your expertise to potential employers.
4. Stay Updated: Continuously learn about the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the field of switching and routing to maintain a competitive edge.
5. Develop Troubleshooting Skills: Cultivate strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities to quickly identify and resolve network-related issues.

Fundamental Concepts of Switching & Routing

Here are some of the fundamental concepts:

Concept	Description
OSI Model	The seven-layer Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model that defines the standard for network communication
Switching Basics	Layer 2 switching, Physical and Logical addresses, MAC addresses, VLANs, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and Trunking
Network Devices	Router, Switch, Hub, Bridge, Gateway, etc.
Routing Fundamentals	IP addressing, static and dynamic routing, routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, EIGRP, BGP)
LAN Technologies	Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet
WAN Technologies	Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Frame Relay, MPLS, and VPN
Network Security	Access Control Lists (ACLs), Firewalls, Network Address Translation (NAT), and IPS/IDS
Network Management	SNMP, Syslog, CLI/API-based configuration and monitoring, NetFlow, and Troubleshooting
QoS and Traffic Management	Bandwidth management, traffic prioritization, and congestion control
Virtualization and SDN	Virtual Switches, Virtual Routers, Software-Defined Networking, and Network Virtualization
IoT and Edge Computing	Switching and routing considerations for IoT devices and edge networks
Wireless Networking	Wireless LAN standards (802.11), wireless access points, and wireless routing

Top Online Switching & Routing Courses

Here are the top MOOC platforms offering the best online switching and routing courses and certifications. Udemy, edx and other providers collaborate with various renowned universities to provide high-quality training with digestible curricula. 

Course	Provider
CCNA 7: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials	Cisco
Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching	Cisco
CCNA Routing and Switching (Cisco certification)	IIHT
CISCO CCNP ROUTING & SWITCHING COURSEWARE (WITH LIVE LABS)	ecareers Lifestyle
CCNA Routing and Switching - The Easy Certification Guide	UDEMY
CCNA Routing & Switching V3.0 Weekday Classroom Batch	Koenig Solutions
CCNA Routing and Switching	DUCAT

Who Should Go For Online Switching & Routing Courses?

Online switching and routing courses are suitable for a wide range of individuals looking to develop or enhance their skills in computer networking. Some of the key target audiences for these courses include:

Aspiring Network Engineers

• Students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in network engineering
• Professionals from related IT fields (e.g., system administration, IT support) looking to transition into network engineering

Current Network Administrators and IT Professionals

• Network administrators seeking to expand their knowledge and skills in switching and routing
• IT professionals (e.g., system administrators, security analysts) who need to understand switching and routing concepts to support their roles

Career Changers

• Individuals from non-technical backgrounds who want to transition into the networking field
• Professionals from other industries (e.g., telecommunications, manufacturing) who need to gain networking expertise

Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

• Business owners who need to set up and manage their own network infrastructure
• Entrepreneurs planning to launch technology-driven startups

IT Students and Hobbyists

• College or university students pursuing degrees in computer science, information technology, or related fields
• Tech enthusiasts and hobbyists interested in building their networking skills

Syllabus for Online Switching & Routing Courses

While going for online switching and routing courses, the syllabus may vary. But the topics will more or less cover these elements or more. Here is a snapshot of the syllabus combined with various certifications.

Module	Topics
Network Fundamentals	OSI vs TCP/IP model Network devices and components Types of network topology and LAN technologies IP addressing and subnetting
Switching Essentials	Layer 2 switching principles MAC addressing and MAC tables Virtual LANs (VLANs) and VLAN trunking Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)  EtherChannel and link aggregation
Routing Principles	IP routing overview Static and dynamic routing Routing protocols (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) Route redistribution and route summarization Routing table construction and troubleshooting
WAN Technologies	Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) Frame Relay and DLCI concepts Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Network Security	Access Control Lists (ACLs) Firewalls and NAT (Network Address Translation) Intrusion Prevention/Detection Systems (IPS/IDS) Security best practices
Network Management	SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) Syslog and logging mechanisms CLI (Command Line Interface)  API-based management  Network monitoring and troubleshooting tools
Hands-on Labs	Configuring and troubleshooting switching devices Configuring and troubleshooting routing devices Implementing VLANs, STP, and trunking Configuring static and dynamic routing protocols Implementing WAN technologies and VPNs Applying network security measures

Careers in Switching & Routing in India

Job Role	Skills Required	Salary (in INR)
Network Engineer	Switching, routing, network protocols, troubleshooting, automation	6 LPA - 12 LPA
Network Administrator	Network configuration, monitoring, security, backup and recovery. Wat to learn more about Network Administrator role? If yes, visit Network Administration: Course Details, Key Concepts and Job Opportunities page.	4 LPA - 8 LPA
Network Architect	Network design, optimization, scaling, cloud integration	10 LPA - 20 LPA
Network Analyst	Network performance analysis, capacity planning, traffic monitoring	5 LPA - 10 LPA
System Administrator	Server management, virtualization, cloud administration, switching and routing	6 LPA - 12 LPA
Cybersecurity Specialist	Firewalls, VPNs, network security monitoring, incident response	6 LPA - 12 LPA
Technical Support Engineer	Troubleshooting network issues, helpdesk support, client liaison	4 LPA - 8 LPA
DevOps Engineer	Network automation, containerization, cloud infrastructure management. To learn more about this role, read the DevOps Engineer Roles and Responsibilities article.	8 LPA - 15 LPA
Network Consultant	Network design, optimization, and implementation strategies	10 LPA - 20 LPA
IT Project Manager	Project planning, network infrastructure deployments, stakeholder management	8 LPA - 15 LPA
Wireless Network Engineer	Wireless LAN design, configuration, and optimization	6 LPA - 12 LPA
Cloud Network Architect	Hybrid cloud networking, virtual networking, cloud security	12 LPA - 25 LPA

Conclusion

Switching and routing are fundamental concepts that form the backbone of modern computer networking. As enterprises accelerate their digital transformation efforts and embrace emerging technologies like cloud computing, IoT, and 5G, the demand for skilled professionals in switching and routing is expected to continue growing in 2024 and beyond.

Following are the most popular Switching & Routing Colleges in India. Learn more about these Switching & Routing colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the top exams for Switching & Routing. Students interested in pursuing a career on Switching & Routing, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.