If you want to know more about networking, one of the best ways to do that is through the amazing network of the internet.
There are many online networking courses and classes available, some for free. Below, you'll find some of the best choices for free online networking classes and courses.
Free Online Networking Courses and Classes
There are several different resources online that offer free online networking courses and classes. We've listed some of our top choices below.
1. IBM
Through Coursera, an online course library that offers classes from some of the top universities and companies from around the world, IBM offers the Introduction to Networking and Storage course.
This is a flexible, beginner-level course for those who want to learn the foundations of networking.
It's part of two different training programs through IBM: the IT Support Professional certificate and the Information Technology and Cloud Fundamentals specialization.
The course offers five modules:
- Networking Fundamentals
- Networking Fundamentals Part II
- Configuring and Troubleshooting Networks
- Storage Types and Network Sharing
- Final Quiz and Assignment
Most students finish this course in 12 hours, but the course is self-paced so you can learn at your own speed.
This course is also offered through edX under the title Networking and Storage Essentials.
IBM also offers another course on edX: Basic Network and Database Security. It teaches students a foundation in basic network security and how to safeguard against cybersecurity attacks.
There are four modules:
- TCP/IP Framework
- Basics of IP Addressing and the OSI Model
- Introduction to Databases
- Deep Dive–Injection Vulnerability
Most students can finish this course in four weeks when studying three to four hours a week. The verified track for this course is $149.
2. Google
Google offers its Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking course through Coursera. It's designed to provide a full, beginner-level overview of computer networking.
The course is part of Google's IT Support Professional certificate, which includes four other courses designed to help you obtain a career in IT.
There are six modules in this course:
- Introduction to Networking
- The Network Layer
- The Transport and Application Layers
- Networking Services
- Connecting to the Internet
- Troubleshooting and the Future of Networking
The course takes about 27 hours to finish, and students can even earn college credit toward certain degrees.
3. Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers the Network and Security Foundations through edX. It provides an introductory look at the components of a computer network and communication protocols.
Students learn concepts such as:
- basics of networking
- functional and technical components of network systems
- network security
The self-paced course typically takes eight weeks to complete when studying nine to ten hours a week. The verified track is $166.08.
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Introduction to Network Models is an undergraduate-level course from 2018 available on Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) OpenCourseWare platform.
It offers an introduction to complex networks, their structures, and their functions.
The course materials include readings, lecture notes, and assignments. A textbook is recommended but can be found online for free.
It's recommended that students have a basic understanding of engineering and differential equations before beginning.
Offered in the spring of 2022, Networks is an undergraduate course on the study of networks. This covers not just computer networks, but networks in all aspects of our world.
Readings, lecture slides, and assignments are all available in the download materials. Two textbooks are suggested, but one is the same free download listed in the course above.
This course is mathematically heavy, and while there are no prerequisites, students should have some understanding of calculus, algebra, and basic probability.
While the materials are free to download, it's important to note that these are not structured classes like Coursera and edX offer.
As a result, there is no way to receive instructor feedback or obtain a certificate of completion. However, the course materials are yours to keep as long as you like.
FAQs About Online Networking Courses and Classes
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about online networking courses and classes.
How Long Is an Online Networking Course or Class?
Online courses and classes vary in length but usually can be completed within a few weeks or months. Many are self-paced, allowing you to learn on your own time.
Can I Learn Networking Without a Degree?
The courses above offer great information about networking.
However, if you want to do networking as a profession, a bachelor's degree in computer networking will give you a more comprehensive education on the topic.
Do I Need Any Prior Knowledge to Take a Networking Course or Class?
Whether you need prior knowledge to take a networking course or class will depend on what course or class you pick. However, many are beginner-level, aimed at those with no prior knowledge.
What Are Verified Tracks on edX?
The online open course provider edX was founded by Harvard and MIT. It offers courses, boot camps, and even degrees through the world's best universities and corporations.
Courses on edX are free to audit. The verified track, which offers unlimited access to course materials, instructor feedback, and a certificate, varies in price between classes.
Some courses on edX also offer their verified track through the site's monthly subscription service.
Can I Receive a Certificate from Courses on Coursera?
Most of Coursera's courses are free to audit, meaning that you have limited-time access to course materials but don't receive grades or a certificate.
Some classes offer a one-time fee to access full features, while others are part of Coursera Plus, the $49-per-month subscription that Coursera offers to frequent learners.
Financial aid is sometimes available for courses as well.
Find Free Online Networking Courses and Classes
There are many excellent free networking courses and classes available online. Check out the ones listed above to get started today.
