Computer networking is trending – build your career capital with our guide on the best online courses for networking certification.
In today’s digital age, computer networking has become a crucial component for businesses and organizations. With the ever-increasing reliance on technology, it has become essential to have a sound knowledge of computer networking.
However, finding the right resources to learn about computer networking can be a daunting task, especially for those who prefer to learn online.
With the abundance of online courses available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best course that suits one’s needs. Some courses might lack depth, while others might be too advanced for beginners.
Moreover, some courses might not cover the latest technologies and trends in computer networking, leaving learners with outdated knowledge.
To help learners find the best online courses for computer networking, this article will explore some of the top courses available online.
These courses are carefully selected based on their quality, comprehensiveness, and relevance to the current industry.
By the end of this article, learners will have a better understanding of the online courses available for computer networking and be able to choose the course that suits their needs the best.
Our selection is based on a combination of factors, but we have sorted the courses by enrollment numbers to make the list more informative. The ranking number (#1 or #10) reflects only the number of enrollments among the best courses.
| Course | Instructor(s) | 💸Pricing | ❤️Enrollments | ⭐Rating | ⌛Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #10. Cisco Certifications: First Steps | Jenny Griffith | Subscription $39/month | ❤️❤️16,497 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.6 (173 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛ 41m 9s |
| #9. Master Network Automation with Python for Network Engineers | Andrei Dumitrescu | $84.99 | ❤️❤️21,302 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 (2720 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛ 22h 50m |
| #8. Cybersecurity for Business Specialization | Greg Williams | Subscription $49/month | ❤️❤️24,402 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 (1,020 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛ 2 hours/week (5 months course) |
| #7. TOTAL: CompTIA Security+ Certification (SY0-601) | Mike Meyers and Dan Lachance | $84.99 | ❤️❤️❤️32,849 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 (6220 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛ 19h 39m |
| #6. Networking in Google Cloud Specialization | Google Cloud Training | Subscription $39/month | ❤️❤️❤️37,123 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.8 (4,368 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛ 1 hour/week (6 months course) |
| #5. Computer Communications Specialization | Xiaobo Zhou | Subscription $39/month | ❤️❤️❤️38,030 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 (1,746 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛ 3 hours/week (5 months course) |
| #4. Introduction to IT Architecture | Ed Liberman | Subscription $39/month | ❤️❤️❤️40,242 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.5 (519 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛ 1h 59m |
| #3. Network Security & Database Vulnerabilities | IBM Security Learning Services | Subscription $49/month | ❤️❤️❤️❤️67,438 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 (2,737 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛ 14 hours |
| #2. TOTAL: CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-007) | Mike Meyers | $84.99 | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️113,161 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.6 (28,595 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛ 23h |
| #1. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking | Google Career Certificates | Subscription $14/month | ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️568,472 enrollments (as of Feb 2023) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐4.7 (42,514 reviews as of Feb 2023) | ⌛⌛⌛⌛⌛ 28 hours |
Table of Contents
#10. Cisco Certifications: First Steps by LinkedIn Learning
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $39/month
- ❤️Popularity: 16,497 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.6 (173 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Jenny Griffith (Computer networking instructor from Michigan)
- ⌛Duration: 41m 9s
The “Cisco Certifications: First Steps” online course offered by LinkedIn Learning is an introductory level course designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in networking or are seeking to enhance their skills in Cisco networking technologies.
The course covers the fundamentals of Cisco networking, including basic networking concepts, Cisco hardware and software, and network topologies. It also provides an overview of Cisco’s certification program, helping students understand the various certification paths and requirements.
Upon completion of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of Cisco networking academy technologies and will be better prepared to pursue advanced networking certifications.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#9. Master Network Automation with Python for Network Engineers by Udemy
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $84.99
- ❤️Popularity: 21,302 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.7 (2720 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Andrei Dumitrescu (Network and Software Engineer for over 15 years)
- ⌛Duration: 22h 50m
The “Master Network Automation with Python for Network Engineers” online course is designed to teach network engineers how to automate network operations using the Python programming language.
The course covers a wide range of topics, including Python basics, network automation tools, REST APIs, and network configuration management. Students will learn how to write Python scripts to automate tasks such as device configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
By the end of the course, students will have the skills to design and implement network automation solutions using Python, making them more efficient and effective in their roles as network engineers.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#8. Cybersecurity for Business Specialization by University of Colorado System on Coursera
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $49/month
- ❤️Popularity: 24,402 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.7 (1,020 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Greg Williams (Cyber security professor for the past 5 years in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Springs)
- ⌛Duration: 2 hours/week (5 months course)
The “Cybersecurity for Business” online course by University of Colorado System on Coursera is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity concepts and practices that are relevant to business organizations.
The course covers topics such as common cyber threats, information security policies, risk management, and incident response.
The course is suitable for business professionals who are interested in learning about cybersecurity, as well as for technical professionals who want to understand the business aspects of cybersecurity.
Participants will learn how to protect their businesses from cyber attacks, how to develop a security strategy, and how to respond to security incidents. The course is self-paced and includes video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on exercises to help learners apply the concepts to real-world scenarios.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#7. TOTAL: CompTIA Security+ Certification (SY0-601) on Udemy
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $84.99
- ❤️Popularity: 32,849 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.7 (6220 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Mike Meyers and Dan Lachance (Industry’s leading authority on CompTIA Certifications and Daniel Lachance is a trainer, consultant, educator and past programmer, has worked in the IT field since 1991)
- ⌛Duration: 19h 39m
The “TOTAL: CompTIA Security+ Certification (SY0-601)” is an online course designed to prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam (SY0-601).
The course covers various security concepts, including threat management, cryptography, network security, identity and access management, and risk management.
Students will learn how to identify and mitigate security threats and vulnerabilities, implement secure network protocols, and secure access to resources. The course is self-paced, and students can access the content online from anywhere at any time.
It includes video lectures, interactive quizzes, and practice exams to help students prepare for the certification exam. Upon completion of the course, students should have a solid understanding of security concepts and be well-prepared to take the CompTIA Security+ certification exam.
Meet the instructors:
What you will learn:
#6. Networking in Google Cloud Specialization by Coursera
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $39/month
- ❤️Popularity: 37,123 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.8 (4,368 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Google Cloud Training (Google Cloud Training is a comprehensive platform that provides a wide range of courses, certifications, and resources on Google Cloud technologies, taught by industry experts)
- ⌛Duration: 1 hour/week (6 months course)
The “Networking in Google Cloud Specialization” offered by Coursera is an online course designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of networking concepts and practices in the Google Cloud platform.
The specialization comprises four courses that cover topics such as virtual private cloud (VPC), cloud interconnect, load balancing, and network security.
Through a combination of instructional videos, hands-on labs, and assessments, learners will gain practical skills in designing, deploying, and managing network solutions in Google Cloud.
The course is suitable for IT professionals, network engineers, and cloud architects who want to deepen their knowledge of networking in the cloud.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#5. Computer Communications Specialization by University of Colorado on Coursera
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $39/month
- ❤️Popularity: 38,030 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.7 (1,746 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Xiaobo Zhou (Professor of Computer Science, serves as the Interim Dean of College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
- ⌛Duration: 3 hours/week (5 months course)
“Computer Communications and Networks” is an online course that provides a comprehensive introduction to computer communications and networks. The course covers topics such as network architecture, protocols, wireless networks, and network security.
This computer networking course is designed for students who have some background knowledge and aims to provide a solid understanding of how computer networks work.
By the end of the course, students should be able to design and implement computer local area networks, troubleshoot network issues, and understand the networking basics of network security.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#4. Introduction to IT Architecture by LinkedIn Learning
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $39/month
- ❤️Popularity: 40,242 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.5 (519 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Ed Liberman (Worked in technology for over 20 years. He has been certified and instructing IT since 1998)
- ⌛Duration: 1h 59m
The “Introduction to IT Architecture” course on LinkedIn Learning provides an overview of the fundamental concepts and principles of IT architecture. The course covers key topics such as IT architecture types, principles, and frameworks, as well as the roles and responsibilities of IT architects.
It also explores how IT architecture can help organizations align technology with business goals and improve efficiency and effectiveness. The course is designed for IT professionals, software developers, and anyone interested in gaining a foundational understanding of IT architecture.
Through a series of video lectures and practical exercises, learners will gain insights into the critical role of IT architecture in modern organizations.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#3. Network Security & Database Vulnerabilities by IBM on Coursera
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $49/month
- ❤️Popularity: 67,438 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.7 (2,737 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): IBM Security Learning Services (IBM Security Learning Services is a reliable and extensive training platform that offers courses and certifications on various aspects of cybersecurity, including network security, cloud security, incident response, and more)
- ⌛Duration: 14 hours
“Network Security and Database Vulnerabilities” is an online course that provides an introduction to network security and database vulnerabilities. The course covers topics such as network security threats, secure network design, and database vulnerabilities.
The course is designed for beginners and aims to give students a foundational understanding of how to protect networks and databases from cyber threats.
By the end of the course, students should have a solid understanding of the key concepts involved in network security and be able to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
#2. TOTAL: CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-007) by Udemy
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: $84.99
- ❤️Popularity: 113,161 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.6 (28,595 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Mike Meyers (Industry’s leading authority on CompTIA Certifications)
- ⌛Duration: 23h
The “TOTAL: CompTIA Network+ Certification (N10-007)” online course is a comprehensive training program designed to prepare individuals for the CompTIA Network+ certification exam (N10-007).
The course covers a wide range of topics related to computer networks, including network architecture, protocols, security, troubleshooting, and more. It includes over 23 hours of video lectures, practice quizzes and exams, and other study materials to help learners prepare for the certification exam.
Upon completion of the course, learners should have a solid understanding of computer network fundamentals and be prepared to take the CompTIA Network+ certification exam.
Meet the instructors:
What you will learn:
#1. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking by Google on Coursera
Key info
- 🔗Course Link
- 💸Pricing: Subscription $14/month
- ❤️Popularity: 568,472 enrollments (as of Feb 2023)
- ⭐Rating: 4.7 (42,514 reviews as of Feb 2023)
- 📝Instructor(s): Google Career Certificates (Google Career Certificates are part of Grow with Google, an initiative that draws on Google’s 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow)
- ⌛Duration: 28 hours
“The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking” is an online course that provides an introduction to computer networking. The course covers topics such as network architecture, protocols, IP addressing, and routing, among others.
The course is designed for beginners and aims to give students a foundational understanding of how computer networks function.
By the end of this computer networking class, students should have a solid understanding of the key concepts involved in computer networking and be able to apply this knowledge to real-world situations.
The course may be useful for students interested in pursuing careers in networking, as well as those who simply want to understand how computer networks operate.
Meet the instructor:
What you will learn:
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are many great paid and free online networking courses available for those who want to improve their networking skills. These courses can help individuals learn the fundamentals of networking, build connections, and develop effective communication strategies.
When choosing an online course for networking, it’s important to consider factors such as the course content, instructor expertise, and user reviews.
With paid and free online courses available, there’s never been a better time to start improving your networking skills.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section if there is a course that you have a strong opinion about.
