Overview

Routers and switches are the backbone of modern networking, enabling efficient data transmission, communication, and connectivity across networks. Understanding how they function is crucial for IT professionals, as they manage traffic, ensure network security, and optimize performance. This course provides a deep dive into these essential networking devices, equipping learners with the knowledge needed to configure, troubleshoot, and maintain them in real-world environments.

This course begins with an exploration of routers, covering their role in networking, routing specifics, routing protocols, and the fundamentals of the Internet Protocol (IP). It then moves to switches, discussing different types, their functionality, data encapsulation, and their relationship with the OSI model. Learners will also explore IP functionality, including IPv6, reserved IPs, the TCP/IP model, public and private IPs, IP classes, and vector protocols. The course concludes with hands-on lab exercises covering router and switch configurations, trunking, and network setups to reinforce practical skills.

By completing this course, learners will gain a solid foundation in router and switch operations, IP functionality, and hands-on networking skills, essential for managing enterprise networks and CCNA certification preparation.