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Your Step-by-Step Frontend Journey

A comprehensive guide to help you become a successful Network Engineer from scratch.

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Introduction to Network Engineering

What is Network Engineering?

Network engineering is a field in information technology that involves the planning, implementation, and management of computer networks. Network engineers are responsible for ensuring that an organization's communication and data transfer systems operate efficiently and securely.

Who is this for?

This roadmap is for anyone who wants to learn how to design, implement, and manage computer networks, from beginners to experienced IT professionals.

Step-by-Step Roadmap

This section outlines the key steps and skills you need to acquire in a logical order, from foundational knowledge to advanced topics.

Phase 1: Foundational Knowledge

Step 1: Networking Fundamentals

A deep understanding of the OSI and TCP/IP models, IP addressing, subnetting, and Ethernet is crucial.

OSI Model TCP/IP IP Addressing
Step 2: Routing and Switching

Learn how to configure and manage network devices like routers and switches.

Routing Switching
Step 3: Network Hardware

Familiarize yourself with the physical components of a network.

Routers Switches Firewalls

Phase 2: Certifications & Practical Experience

Step 4: Entry-Level Certifications

Validate your skills and knowledge to potential employers.

CCNA Network+
Step 5: Network Security

Implement and manage security measures such as firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems.

Firewalls VPN
Step 6: Troubleshooting

The ability to diagnose and resolve network issues is a core competency for any network engineer.

Troubleshooting

Phase 3: Specialization & Advanced Skills

Step 7: Cloud Networking

With the shift to cloud services, expertise in cloud networking, virtualization, and hybrid cloud architectures is in high demand.

AWS AWS Azure Azure GCP GCP
Step 8: Network Automation

Proficiency in scripting languages like Python and automation tools like Ansible allows you to automate repetitive tasks.

Python Python Ansible Ansible
Step 9: Advanced Certifications

For more experienced engineers, specializations in areas like enterprise, data center, and security are available.

CCNP CISSP

Project Ideas

Beginner

  • Set up a home lab with a virtual router and switches.
  • Configure a firewall to filter traffic between two networks.

Intermediate

  • Set up a VPN server to securely access your home network from anywhere.
  • Configure a network monitoring system to track bandwidth usage and device health.

Advanced

  • Automate network device configuration with Ansible.
  • Design and deploy a scalable and redundant network for a small business.

Famous Courses

Here you can find a curated list of well-regarded courses to accelerate your learning.

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Coursera

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Cisco

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA

The Complete Networking Fundamentals Course

Udemy

Documentation Links

Essential documentation and official guides for key tools and technologies.

Cisco Support & Documentation

The go-to resource for Cisco products.

Juniper Networks TechLibrary

Official documentation from Juniper Networks.

RFC Editor

Request for Comments (RFCs) are the official documents of Internet specifications.

Wireshark User's Guide

The official documentation for the world's most popular network protocol analyzer.

YouTube Channels

Popular YouTube channels that provide tutorials and insights into the world of Network Engineering.

NetworkChuck

A popular channel for learning networking and IT.

Jeremy's IT Lab

In-depth networking tutorials for CCNA and beyond.

David Bombal

A great resource for learning about networking, ethical hacking, and more.

Professor Messer

High-quality training courses for CompTIA certifications.

Ebooks

Recommended e-books and reading materials for a deeper understanding.

Network Warrior

A classic book for network engineers.

The TCP/IP Guide

A comprehensive guide to the TCP/IP protocol suite.

CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library

The official certification guide for the CCNA exam.

Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach

A popular textbook on computer networking.