Networking, Hardware & Security Courses & Certifications Online
Networking and Hardware are the backbone of a company's IT infrastructure. At a business level, computer networks are synonymous with efficiency and productivity, as they are the fastest and easiest way to share content or data between colleagues or in different departments.
Network and communications administration is a complementary career to computer engineering, however it can also be taken before becoming an engineer and serves to value you as a qualified workforce.
Definition - Computer Networking
A computer network is a set of equipment or devices that are interconnected with each other through cables, signals and waves in order to share information (files, images, tables, documents, etc.), resources (printers, recorders, players, speakers, etc.) and actions (Internet access, common server, email, chat, etc.).
To learn more, read our post - what is net
Networking and Hardware are the backbone of a company's IT infrastructure. At a business level, computer networks are synonymous with efficiency and productivity, as they are the fastest and easiest way to share content or data between colleagues or in different departments.
Network and communications administration is a complementary career to computer engineering, however it can also be taken before becoming an engineer and serves to value you as a qualified workforce.
Definition - Computer Networking
A computer network is a set of equipment or devices that are interconnected with each other through cables, signals and waves in order to share information (files, images, tables, documents, etc.), resources (printers, recorders, players, speakers, etc.) and actions (Internet access, common server, email, chat, etc.).
To learn more, read our post - what is networking and hardware?
What skills do I need to excel in Networking and Hardware?
Technical Skills
- Hardware Development, Analysis, and Testing
- Desktop Management Interface
- Network Configuration
- WAN/LAN
- Technical Support and Troubleshooting
- Cloud Management
- Backup Management, Reporting, and Recovery
- Disaster Recovery
Soft Skills
- Communication skills
- Accuracy and Attention to detail
- Problem-solving
- Decision making
- Critical thinking
- Flexibility
- Organizational skills
Software Tools for Networking and Hardware Professionals
Here are some of the popular networking and hardware tools:
- Wireshark
- iPerf
- Nagios
- Nmap
- Ansible
- Real-Time NetFlow Analyzer
Who can learn Networking and Hardware?
- Anyone who wants to understand computer networking fundamentals.
- Beginner-level students who are new to the IT Networking field.
- Those who want to improve their knowledge about computer networking.
- Anyone preparing for computer networking certification exams (such as CCNA).
Eligibility Criteria for Networking and Hardware Programs
A candidate with a degree in B.E. or B.Tech. in computer sciences or MCA can opt for the hardware and networking courses. Short-term courses offered by various private computer-training centers also make a person eligible for the networking courses. The hardware courses by private institutes range from 3-12 months. In addition, the interested candidates can pursue the hardware training programs. There is no hard and fast rule about the basic educational qualification; however, an intermediate level degree is preferred.
The best way to start a career as a network engineer would be to do some self-study and earn a vendor certification like a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
Top Networking and Hardware Course Providers
- Popular Online Networking and Hardware Courses on Coursera
- Best Online Networking and Hardware Courses on edX
- Popular Online Networking and Hardware Courses on Udemy
- Top Online Networking and Hardware Courses on Pluralsight
Top Networking Certifications
- Cisco CCNA 200-301
- Cisco CCNP Enterprise-ENARSI
- Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (300-415 ENSDWI)
- CCNP Security
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEHv11)
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco DevNet Associate
- Cisco CCIE Security
Top Online Networking and Hardware Courses
- The Complete Networking Fundamentals Course. Your CCNA start
- Network Analysis by NPTEL
- Introduction to Networking
- The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
- Hands-On Labs in Google Cloud for Networking Engineers
- Introduction to Computer Networks for Non-Techies
- IoT Networking and Fog Layer Devices
- Networking in Google Cloud: Hybrid Connectivity and Network Management
- IT Support: Networking Essentials
- Networks Illustrated: Principles without Calculus
Being a specialist in networks and telecommunications, companies will need you, since every day organizations acquire new technologies with a view to growing in their digital transformation. Always make sure that these courses are aligned with International Certifications such as CISCO, FORTINET, CompTIA, PMP and ITIL.
Top Industries hiring Hardware & Networking Professionals
Almost all sort of companies, including IT, software, clinical research, e-commerce, KPOs, BPOs or others, keep on posting demand for hardware professionals and network administrators. Computer networks are also very useful in public institutions and in training centers such as universities, colleges or libraries. Growth opportunities in the fields of networking and hardware in India are broad for young professionals and the salaries offered are also competitive. Popular industries hiring networking professionals are -
- IT-Hardware & Networking
- IT-Software/Software Services
- Telecom/ISP
- Pharma/Biotech/Clinical Research
Job Profiles – Networking
Some other popular network engineering and hardware job profiles are -
- Network Specialist
- Network Technician
- Network Administrator
- Network Engineer
- Network Solutions Architect
- Network Security Specialist
- Cloud Networking Architect
- Networking Research and Development Specialist
- Mobility Solutions Architect
- VoIP Engineer
- Telecom Project Manager
- Data Center Networking Specialist
- Data Communication Specialist
- Telematic Networks Designer
- CCNA Technical Analyst
- Telematic Networks Implementer
- Telematic Networks Technician
- Software and Hardware Technician
- Telematics Project Assistant
- Wireless Networking QA Engineer
As a networking professional, you would get an opportunity to work on advanced technologies. Some of the networking trends you should look forward to –
- More automated networking processes with one-click network deployments for the WAN, campus and data centers
- Work with artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies
- Developing computer networks that can auto-identify the security problems
- Utilizing edge computing for handling data
Preparing for a networking interview? Here are the top 100+ Networking Interview Questions and Answers to boost your interview preparation.
Books to learn Networking and Hardware
- Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach | Author: James Kurose and Keith Ross
- Computer Networks | Author: Andrew S. Tanenbaum
- NETWORKING for Beginners: Easy Guide to Learn Basic/Advanced Computer Network, Hardware, Wireless, and Cabling. LTE, Internet and Cyber Security | Author: Dylan Mach
- Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software Lab Manual: A CompTIA A+ Core 1 & CompTIA A+ Core 2 Lab Manual) | Author: Cheryl Schmidt, Cheryl A. Schmidt
Conclusion
The networking courses and books mentioned in this post are great resources for networking professionals. Whether you are a fresher or experienced networking professional looking to gain new networking knowledge, brush up your skills, or prepare for a networking certification exam, these resources will help you sharpen your skills and achieve your goal.
Go from beginner to advanced in networking and hardware technologies. Pick top rated free and paid courses from popular platforms like Coursera, Udemy, NPTEL, Edx, Pluralsight, and top IITs or industry accalimed certifications like CISCO. Compare and read reviews to find the best course.
Networking, Hardware & Security Courses & Certifications Online
Commonly asked questions On Networking And Hardware Online Courses & Certifications
Ethical hacking professionals are rare to find due to the skill gap in the market, which makes it likely to land a good pay scale if you happen to crack interviews by showcasing your ethical hacking skillset. Honestly, the ethical hacking certification might add weight to your resume, but it's always advisable to pair that up with a full-fledged course or degree in IT.
Ethical hacking requires various skills are mentioned in the table below:
| TCP/IP, and network operations | Python, Java, or C+. |
| Windows and Linux systems. | Wireshark, Metasploit, and Nmap. |
| Certifications like CEH or OSCP enhance credibility | Strong analytical skills |
There are about 156 Ethical Hacking colleges in India. Out of these, 32 colleges are owned by the Private sector and the Public sector owns 7. Some of the popular ethical hacking colleges in India are S.S. Jain Subodh Pg College, Gujarat University, IANT- Institute of Advance Network Technology, IZee Business School, Rayat Bhara University, Pillai College of Arts, Commerce and Arts, and many more. About 67 colleges ethical hacking course fee ranges < INR 1 lakh.
Location | Colleges |
|---|---|
Delhi/NCR | IANT, Jetking Infotrain Ltd., IIHT Kakaji, etc. |
Pune | ATL, Cybervault Securities Pvt Ltd, EC Council, etc. |
Bangalore | Izee Business School, St. Pauls College, Sindhi College, etc. |
Mumbai | NetTech India, Unique Solutions, Sami Infotech, etc. |
Kolkata | IOGT, AEM Kolkata, Core Future, etc. |
The admission process of getting into an Ethical Hacking Course in India is as follows
- Check the elegibility criteria for respective colleges offering a course in Ethical Hacking.
- The generic eligibilty criteria is to have a background in Science domain for undergraduate courses.
- The criteria for post graduation courses is to have a Bachelors degree in a relevant course.
- Although various online platforms do offer these courses without having any pre-stated requirements.
- Other than checking the eligibility criteria students can give entrance exams for the courses they want to enrol in.
- They can also opt for online certifications offered on various online platforms like Edx, coursera, LinkedIn Learning, UDEMY, Greater Learning etc.
Commonly asked questions On Networking And Hardware Online Courses & Certifications
- Freshers who are interested in cybersecurity and want to learn more about ethical hacking techniques and tools can go for this course.
- Professionals working in the tech industry who want to upskill and stay relevant in their field.
- Professionals working in a different industry who want to switch to a career in cybersecurity need to learn the basics of ethical hacking.
- Business owners and managers who want to better understand the security risks to their organisation and how to mitigate them.
- Anyone interested in protecting their personal information and devices from cyber threats.
Ethical Hacking is a kind of hacking but it is legal in nature, it is used for security purposes aiming towards fixing the weak links in the system and networks so that intruders cannot cause harm the information and programs in our system. Key concepts of Ethical hacking are hacking methodologies, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, social engineering, all conducted with proper authorization and within legal boundaries. Ethical hackers also focus on reporting vulnerabilities and providing remediation advice to organizations.