Internet is responsible for driving massive change in the world while continually evolving and changing. Knowledge of computer networks will help you understand the general principles and concepts of the underlying networks on the internet.
However, to acquire this knowledge, you can take one of the top computer networking courses online. But, with the many available courses on the internet, how do you find a course that meets your requirements?
Well, we did our research and have shortlisted some of the top courses for your reference. So, let us get started and address six of the top-level computer networking courses.
Best Computer Networking Courses
- The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking – Offered by Google – [Coursera]
- Introduction to Computer Networks for Non-Techies – [Udemy]
- Introduction to Networking – Offered by New York University Tandon School of Engineering – [edX]
- Computer Networking – Offered by Georgia Tech – [Udacity]
- Computer Network Courses – [Udemy]
- Introduction to Computer Networking – [Stanford School of Engineering]
6 Best Courses for Computer Networking in 2022
1. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking – Offered by Google – [Coursera]
The first best computer networking certification online is presented to you by Google. It is a 100% computer networking class online. So, the deadlines are flexible. You can start and finish at your timeline.
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 377,257 students |
| Duration | Approx. 34 hours to complete |
| Certification | Yes |
| Paid | Yes |
| Instructor | Google Career Certificates |
| Offered by | |
| Return or refund policy | 14 days from the date of payment |
| Cons | Organization of the course material could have been better. |
Learning Outcomes
It is one of the top computer networking courses online that provides you with a comprehensive overview of the subject. In this course, you will study:
- Knowledge of all the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications
- Fundamentals of modern networking technologies
- Protocols to an overview of the cloud
- Understanding powerful network troubleshooting techniques and tools
- Practical application of the concepts
- Defining computer networks in terms of a five-layer model
- Knowledge of the network services like DNS and DHCP, which make computer networks operational
- Understanding cloud computing
Who should take this course?
This is the best course on computer networks for beginners. Anyone who aspires to develop an understanding of computer networks will appreciate this course.
Prerequisites
You need no prior knowledge or experience for this course. However, it is a lengthy course. Hence, it is vital to have the requisite time for this course.
Review AA:
Great course. It is great for beginners and for people that may have forgotten a thing or two. The way it was taught makes it so much better than reading man pages or something else as dry and boring.
2. Introduction to Computer Networks for Non-Techies – [Udemy]
At number two on our list for the top computer networking courses online is this bestseller Udemy course. It is a course to teach you the computer network fundamentals and is the best course on computer networks for non-technical people.
Are you a non-techie but wish to learn more about computer networks? Are you an inspiring IT professional or a business owner that desires a better understanding of computer networks?
If yes, this is the best computer networking class online. It is a comprehensive 18-hour computer networking training online, which provides you with the step-by-step fundamentals of computer networking. Across the course, you will learn all the vital computer networking core principles.
This computer networking certification online course will provide you with 13 Cisco Packet Tracer Hands-on Labs, 18 Hours of Lecture & Live Demonstration Videos, 2 Business Case Studies, 20 Section Quizzes, Downloadable Course Videos for Offline Viewing, and Edited Closed Caption Subtitles and Video Transcripts.
After you complete this best computer networking course, you will have every little knowledge of working with computer networks.
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 37,884 students |
| Return or refund policy | 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee |
| Instructor | Alton Hardin |
| Paid | Yes |
| Certification | Yes |
| Duration | 18 hours on-demand video |
| Cons | Some things in the course should have been explained in greater detail. |
Learning Outcomes
Some things you will learn in this computer networking certification online course are:
- Understanding the working of computer networks
- Knowing the ins and outs of a computer network
- Understanding the pros of a computer network
- Learning to design and plan a computer network effectively
What’s Covered?
Udemy is the best website to learn networking. So, the computer networking courses online by Udemy are all fantastic and comprehensive courses. The contents of this computer networking certification online course are:
- How Computer Networks Work
- Network Topologies
- Networking Devices & Cabling
- The OSI & TCP/IP Models
- IP Addressing & Subnetting
- Switches & Routers
- Wireless Networking
- Network Security
- Network Planning & Designing Process
- And Much More.
Prerequisites
To take this course, you must have:
- The fundamental knowledge of computers
- Willingness and a desire to learn
Who should take this course?
This is the best computer networking training online for:
- Non-techies who wish to grow their knowledge and understanding of computer networks
- IT managers and business professionals who desire a working knowledge of computer network
- Inexperienced IT professionals
However, this course is not meant for IT networking professionals and seasoned experts.
Review Reginald Johnson:
Alton has a great teaching style and is very through and professional. I enjoyed the course and learned a lot.
3. Introduction to Networking – Offered by New York University Tandon School of Engineering – [edX]
This best computer networking course is presented to you by edX. It is a self-paced course, which will introduce you to the fundamentals of networking. The verified or the paid track in this course is a part of the MicroBachelors program.
Once you take the final exam in edX’s one of the top computer networking courses online, you will earn a certification.
| Offered By | New York University Tandon School of Engineering |
| Enrolled | 32,714 students |
| Self-paced | Yes |
| Paid | Optional |
| Certification | With paid version only |
| Duration | Estimated 7 weeks (3–5 hours per week) |
| Instructor | Rafail Portnoy and Aspen Olmsted |
| Return or refund policy | 14 days from the date of payment |
| Cons | Graded assignments and certification is available in just the paid version. |
Learning Outcomes
edX is the best website to learn networking. In this computer networking class online, you will:
- Know what computer networks are and identify the key network components.
- Understand peer to peer networks
- Learn the principles of networking applications
- Be thorough with protocols such as HTTP, SMTP, and FTP.
- Discuss multiple access protocols, local area network, VLANs, Ethernet
- Learn the common principles of network security, cryptography, confidentiality, identification, message integrity
- Have an understanding of the principles behind the reliable data transfer, multiplexing, transport layer, congestion control, UDP, flow control, demultiplexing, and TCP
- Thorough knowledge of the principles behind the network services, such as network layer service model forwarding versus routing
- Be able to describe the common network security technologies, such as intrusion detection systems and firewalls.
- Know about the working of routers, such as broadcast, path selection, and multicast
- Be familiar with routing protocols, routing algorithms, and IP protocol, used today on the Internet RIP OSPF and BGP.
Topics Covered
This is one of the most comprehensive computer networking courses online. The topics covered in the course are:
- Overview of computer networking
- Application layer
- Transport layer
- Network layer
- Link layer
- Overview of network security
Prerequisites for this computer networking training online
This is the best computer networking class online for introductory level. So, this is the best computer networking certification online with no prerequisites.
4. Computer Networking – Offered by Georgia Tech – [Udacity]
This best computer networking course is presented to you as the CS6250 at Georgia Tech. The course is a part of the Online Masters Degree (OMS). However, taking this course will not get you any credit towards the OMS degree.
Across this computer networking training online, you will have multiple quizzes and engaging content to help you learn better.
| Offered by | Georgia Tech |
| Instructor | Nick Feamster and Joshua Valdez |
| Paid | Free |
| Duration | Approx. 3 Months |
| Self-paced | Yes |
| Level | Intermediate |
Learning Outcomes
In this computer networking class online you will study advanced topics, such as:
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
- Content Distribution
- Data Center Networking
The whole thing is divided into three parts.
Part 1 – Part 1 teaches you about the design principles, implementation, and computer network goals. It will also cover the different routine algorithms utilized in the computer network, such as distance vector and link-state.
Part 2 – Part 2 of the course will take you through the content distribution and resource control in Networking Applications. It also covers Traffic Shaping and Congestion Control.
Part 3 – The final part of the course will take you through the management and operations of the computer networks, which covers Traffic Engineering and Network Security and Software Defined Networks.
Topics
The topics in this best computer networking course are:
LESSON 1
- Introduction
- Computer Networking Overview
- What This Class is Not About
LESSON 2
- Architecture & Principles
- A Brief History of the Internet
- Architectural Design Principles
- Packet Switching
- File Transfer
- End to End Argument Violations
LESSON 3
- Switching
- Switching and Bridging
- Bootstrapping: Networking Two Hosts
- ARP: Address Resolution Protocol
- Interconnecting LANs with Hubs
- Switches: Traffic Isolation
- Spanning Tree
- Switches vs. Routers
- Buffer Sizing for a TCP Sender
LESSON 4
- Routing
- Internet Routing
- Intra-AS Topology
- Distance-Vector Routing
- Link State Routing
- Interdomain Routing
- IGP vs. iBGP
- BGP Route Selection
- Multiple Exit Discriminator (MEI)
- Interdomain Routing Business Models
LESSON 5
- Naming, Addressing & Forwarding
- IP Addressing
- Pre-1994: “Classful” Addressing
- IP Address Allocation
- Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR)
- Multihoming Frustrates Aggregation
- Address Lookup Using Tries
- Memory Efficiency and Fast Lookup
- Alternatives to LPM with Tries
- NAT and IPv6
- Network Address Translation (NAT)
LESSON 6
- Router Design Basics
- Router Design
- Basic Router Architecture
- Decision: Crossbar Switching
- Switching Algorithm: Maximal Matching
- Head of Line Blocking
- Scheduling and Fairness
- Max-Min Fairness
LESSON 7
- Domain Name System (DNS)
- Record Types
- Examples (using “dig”)
- Lookup IP Address
LESSON 8
- Congestion Control & Streaming
- Congestion Control
- AIMD (TCP Congestion Control)
- Data Centers & TCP “Incast”
- Barrier Synchronization & Idle Time
- Multimedia & Streaming
- Digitizing Audio & Video
- Streaming Video
- Skype
LESSON 9
- Rate Limiting and Traffic Shaping
- Traffic Classification & Shaping
- Source Classification
- Leaky Bucket Traffic Shaping
- (r, t) Traffic Shaping
- Shaping Bursty Traffic Patterns
- Power Boost
- Effects on Latency
- Buffer Bloat
- Packet Monitoring
LESSON 10
- Content Distribution
- The Web and Caching
- HTTP Requests
- Persistent Connections
- Content Distribution Networks (CDNs)
- Server Selection
- Content Routing
- Bit Torrent
- Solution to Freeriding: “Choking”
- Distributed Hash Tables
- Consistent Hashing
LESSON 11
- Software Defined Networking
- Network Management Overview
- Software Defined Networking (SDN)
- Control and Data Planes
- Different SDN Controllers
- NOX: Overview
- Ryu, Floodlight, Nox and Pox
- Customizing Control
LESSON 12
- Traffic Engineering
- Traffic Engineering Overview
- Interdomain Traffic Engineering
- Measuring, Modeling and Controlling Traffic
- Link Utilization Function
- BGP in Interdomain Traffic Engineering
- Multipath Routing
- Data Center Networking
- Valiant Load Balance
- Jellyfish Data Center Topology
LESSON 13
- Network Security
- Internet is Insecure
- Resource Exhaustion
- Routing Security
- Origin and Path Authentication
- DNS Security
- DNS Cache Poisoning
LESSON 14
- Internet Worms
- Viruses and Internet Worms
- Internet Worm Lifecycle
- First Worm: “Morris” Worm
- Worm Outbreaks in Detail
- Modeling Fast-Spreading Worms
LESSON 15
- Spam
- Spam
- IP Blacklisting
LESSON 16
- Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks
- TCP 3-Way Handshake
- Inferring Denial of Service Activity using Backscatter
- Automated DoS Attack Mitigation
- MTPCP
Prerequisites
This is one of the best intermediate-level computer networking courses online. So, before you begin the course, you must complete the undergraduate level Computer Networking course.
Further, you must also have a knowledge of the TCP/IP protocol and its layer model. Also, familiarity with Python is also beneficial. Moreover, for this course, you must be comfortable with the implementation of the basic search algorithms and have a working knowledge of virtual machines and Linux.
Bonus Courses for Computer Networking
1. More Computer Network Courses by [Udemy]
![More Computer Network Courses by [Udemy]](https://www.tangolearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/computer-network-courses.jpg)
Wish to avail yourself some of the best computer networking certification online? Well, Udemy has the top-rated computer networking courses online for you.
You can click on the above link to check out the different courses and pick one that meets your needs. You can sort the courses based on duration, rating, topic, features, sub-category, level, subtitles, and language. This will help you pick the best computer networking course for your requirements.
Be it an IT professional preparing for Azure certification or an MTA, or a small business owner commencing their first network via ethernet cabling, Udemy has just the suitable courses to help you materialize your goals.
2. Introduction to Computer Networking – [Stanford School of Engineering]
This is the best computer networking class online which is a part of the following certificates programs:
Learning Outcomes
This is the best computer networking training online to learn about:
- Components and structure of computer network
- Layer architecture
- Packet switching
- Different applications
- Knowledge of the tools needed to write and use protocols
- Understand the issues related to network security
Topics Covered
- Wireless network
- Web/HTTP
- Network security
- Reliable transport: TCP/IP, flow and congestion control, and reliable transfer
- Voice-over-IP, p2p file sharing, and socket programming
- LAN: Ethernet and switches
- The network layer: names, addresses, and routing
Prerequisites
For this course, you must have taken CS110 or an equivalent course.
Related read: Best CCNA Classes Online,Internet Vs Intranet Comparison
Conclusion
So, these are the six top computer networking courses online. We have tried to include every little detail about these courses in this guide.
However, to select the best computer networking course from the six listed courses, you must find additional information: the course fee, instructor bio, reviews on the course, and the enrolment date.
These are vital prerequisites before deciding on any one course. So, click on the annexed link, and find these details before making your decision. However, regardless of the selection you make, you will not regret your choice.
