Intro to Networking & Infrastructure Curriculum

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Curriculum

Intro to Networking & Infrastructure

Understand networking basics: how devices connect, protocols, and IT infrastructure.

Duration: 12 Weeks
Level: Beginner
Study Time: 2 hours/week + labs
School: IT & Infrastructure

Welcome to Intro to Networking & Infrastructure! 🎓

This curriculum for Intro to Networking & Infrastructure follows a Bloom-aligned progression from foundational concepts to confident application, with weekly evidence, labs, and portfolio outputs matched to beginner expectations.

Each week advances from comprehension and application toward evaluation and creation, ensuring progressive learning and capstone readiness.

Your success is our priority. Networking is the foundation of every technology career path — cybersecurity, cloud, DevOps, and systems administration all start here. This course is the foundation every IT professional needs. You will graduate with a professionally curated portfolio that demonstrates scope, depth, and delivery quality. You will graduate with a professionally curated portfolio that demonstrates scope, depth, and delivery quality. You will graduate with a professionally curated portfolio that demonstrates scope, depth, and delivery quality. You will graduate with a professionally curated portfolio that demonstrates scope, depth, and delivery quality.

Essential Resources

  • Project Charter template, WBS examples, and stakeholder analysis worksheets
  • Risk register, change log, and lessons learned repository templates
  • ROI calculation models, benefits tracking dashboards, and governance frameworks

Complementary Courses

CCNA Networking

Advance from networking fundamentals to Cisco CCNA-level depth: covering OSPF, EIGRP, VLANs, and enterprise-grade switching and routing.

Intro to Cloud Computing

Apply your networking knowledge to cloud VPCs, subnets, load balancers, and security groups in the major cloud platforms.

Intro to Cybersecurity

Use your networking foundation to understand how attackers traverse networks and how defenders detect and block them.

Linux Administration & Shell Scripting Pro

Manage the Linux servers and networked systems that your infrastructure knowledge sets the stage for.

Learning Roadmap

  • Early Weeks: Project fundamentals, planning, and stakeholder management
  • Middle Weeks: Execution excellence, risk management, and adaptive strategies
  • Late Weeks: Delivery validation, lessons learned, and strategic impact
  • Routers, Switches, and Wireless Access
  • DHCP, NAT, and Internet Connectivity
  • Common Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and SMTP
  • Cabling, Physical Infrastructure, and Topology
  • Basic Firewall Rules and Network Security
  • Monitoring Connectivity with Ping, Traceroute, and Logs
  • Small Office Network Design and Documentation
  • Troubleshooting Connectivity and Device Failures
  • Capstone: Design and Validate a Basic Network

Detailed Weekly Curriculum

Each week includes outcomes and practical lab work aligned to the curriculum structure.

Week 1

Networks, LAN or WAN, and Core Terminology

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Identify the principles of Networks, LAN or WAN, and Core Terminology and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Explain Networks, LAN or WAN, and Core Terminology in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Networks, LAN or WAN, and Core Terminology, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Networks, LAN or WAN, and Core Terminology with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 2

OSI Model and TCP/IP in Practice

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Identify the principles of OSI Model and TCP/IP in Practice and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Explain OSI Model and TCP/IP in Practice in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for OSI Model and TCP/IP in Practice, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for OSI Model and TCP/IP in Practice with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 3

IP Addressing, Subnets, and DNS Basics

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Identify the principles of IP Addressing, Subnets, and DNS Basics and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Explain IP Addressing, Subnets, and DNS Basics in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for IP Addressing, Subnets, and DNS Basics, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for IP Addressing, Subnets, and DNS Basics with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 4

Routers, Switches, and Wireless Access

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Identify the principles of Routers, Switches, and Wireless Access and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Explain Routers, Switches, and Wireless Access in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Apply trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Routers, Switches, and Wireless Access, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Routers, Switches, and Wireless Access with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 5

DHCP, NAT, and Internet Connectivity

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Apply the principles of DHCP, NAT, and Internet Connectivity and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Analyze DHCP, NAT, and Internet Connectivity in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for DHCP, NAT, and Internet Connectivity, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for DHCP, NAT, and Internet Connectivity with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 6

Common Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and SMTP

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Apply the principles of Common Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and SMTP and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Analyze Common Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and SMTP in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Common Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and SMTP, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Common Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, and SMTP with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 7

Cabling, Physical Infrastructure, and Topology

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Apply the principles of Cabling, Physical Infrastructure, and Topology and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Analyze Cabling, Physical Infrastructure, and Topology in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Cabling, Physical Infrastructure, and Topology, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Cabling, Physical Infrastructure, and Topology with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 8

Basic Firewall Rules and Network Security

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Apply the principles of Basic Firewall Rules and Network Security and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Analyze Basic Firewall Rules and Network Security in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Evaluate trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Basic Firewall Rules and Network Security, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Document a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Basic Firewall Rules and Network Security with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 9

Monitoring Connectivity with Ping, Traceroute, and Logs

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of Monitoring Connectivity with Ping, Traceroute, and Logs and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Evaluate Monitoring Connectivity with Ping, Traceroute, and Logs in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Monitoring Connectivity with Ping, Traceroute, and Logs, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Monitoring Connectivity with Ping, Traceroute, and Logs with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 10

Small Office Network Design and Documentation

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of Small Office Network Design and Documentation and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Evaluate Small Office Network Design and Documentation in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Small Office Network Design and Documentation, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Small Office Network Design and Documentation with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 11

Troubleshooting Connectivity and Device Failures

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of Troubleshooting Connectivity and Device Failures and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Evaluate Troubleshooting Connectivity and Device Failures in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Troubleshooting Connectivity and Device Failures, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Troubleshooting Connectivity and Device Failures with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 12

Capstone: Design and Validate a Basic Network

2 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of Capstone: Design and Validate a Basic Network and link them to course outcomes with scaffolded guidance and beginner-safe checkpoints.
  • Evaluate Capstone: Design and Validate a Basic Network in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Create trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Capstone: Design and Validate a Basic Network, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready delivery strategy memo for Capstone: Design and Validate a Basic Network with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Capstone Projects

Project 1: Foundational Network Build

Configure a basic wired and wireless network with proper addressing, device roles, and verified internet connectivity.

  • Network topology and addressing diagram
  • Connectivity and service validation output
  • Initial security baseline checklist

Project 2: Monitoring and Hardening Upgrade

Enhance the network with firewall controls, monitoring routines, and troubleshooting playbooks for operational stability.

  • Firewall and rule documentation
  • Monitoring and diagnostics evidence pack
  • Incident response and remediation notes

Project 3: Capstone: Small Network Operations Pack

Deliver a complete network design, implementation, and validation package that can be handed over for real-world maintenance.

  • Final architecture and configuration set
  • Risk, trade-off, and recovery documentation
  • Stakeholder presentation and handover guide