Security & Infrastructure

Computer Networking

Design and maintain networks for offices, schools, and organizations.

Level: Beginner–Advanced Beginner: 4 weeks • Intermediate: 8 weeks • Advanced: 12 weeks Contact for pricing

Prerequisites

No prior experience required — open to beginners.

Certificate

Awarded by Rescue Academy on successful completion of the program's assessments and final project.

Learn Online — Live Classes

Register, receive your schedule, and join live instructor-led Computer Networking classes on Zoom. Assignments, instructor feedback, and a certificate on completion.

Learn In Person

Attend Computer Networking classes in person in Juba with hands-on labs, instructor mentorship, and a certificate on completion.

What You'll Learn

IP addressing, subnetting and IPv6
Wi-Fi design, coverage and security
DHCP, DNS, NAT and network services
Switching, VLANs and routing (static and OSPF)
Cisco Packet Tracer simulation labs
Network security: firewalls, ACLs, VPNs and segmentation
Monitoring, Wireshark and structured troubleshooting

Program Objectives

Build and troubleshoot small office networks
Design addressing, VLANs and routing for growing organisations
Secure networks and remote access
Monitor and operate networks reliably
Design resilient multi-site networks

Who It's For

IT support staff and technicians
Students preparing for networking careers
Staff responsible for office or school networks

Where You'll Use It

Offices, schools and clinics
NGO head and field offices
Internet service providers and IT service companies

Curriculum

Instructor-led, practical training. Each level is a block of 4, 8 or 12 weeks; every module ends with a practical activity and an assessment, and every level with a project.

Beginner

4 weeks · 52 guided hours · 5 modules Free taster lessons available Level overview

Module 1: IP Addresses, Routers and Switches 10 h

Understand how networks are built and how devices find and talk to each other. 3 lessons

Module 2: Wi-Fi Setup and Coverage 11 h

Configure a wireless router and place access points for reliable coverage. 3 lessons

Module 3: Basic Network Troubleshooting 10 h

Find and fix common connection problems with a simple, ordered method. 3 lessons

Module 4: Network Security Basics 11 h

Protect small networks with secure credentials, updates and careful sharing. 3 lessons

Module 5: Small Office Network Design 10 h

Plan, draw and document a small office network, and complete the level project. 3 lessons

Level project: Small Office Network Plan

Intermediate

8 weeks · 90 guided hours · 6 modules Level overview

Module 1: TCP/IP and Subnetting 15 h

Understand how protocols work together and divide IPv4 address space into subnets. 3 lessons

Module 2: DHCP, DNS and NAT 16 h

Configure and troubleshoot the core services every network depends on. 3 lessons

Module 3: Switching and VLANs 16 h

Understand switch operation and segment networks with VLANs. 3 lessons

Module 4: Router Configuration and Static Routing 13 h

Configure routers from the command line, add static routes and route between VLANs. 3 lessons

Module 5: Cisco Packet Tracer Labs 13 h

Use network simulation to design, build and test networks safely. 3 lessons

Module 6: Network Services and Intermediate Project 17 h

Provide shared services and complete the multi-VLAN office project. 3 lessons

Level project: Multi-VLAN Office Network in Packet Tracer

Advanced

12 weeks · 140 guided hours · 6 modules Level overview

Module 1: Routing and Switching in Depth 22 h

Build larger, resilient networks with dynamic routing, redundancy, IPv6 and WAN links. 4 lessons

Module 2: Wireless Networks at Scale 22 h

Plan, deploy and secure Wi-Fi for offices, schools and campuses. 4 lessons

Module 3: Network Security and Remote Access 22 h

Protect networks with firewalls, ACLs, segmentation and secure remote access. 4 lessons

Module 4: Monitoring and Troubleshooting Complex Networks 24 h

Watch network health and solve difficult problems systematically. 4 lessons

Module 5: Network Operations and Careers 20 h

Run networks as a service: support, power, procurement and professional growth. 4 lessons

Module 6: Capstone: Multi-Site Network 30 h

Design, build, secure, test and present a network for a multi-site organisation. 5 lessons

Level project: Multi-Site Organisation Network

Final practical project

Multi-Site Organisation Network

A complete network for a head office and two field offices, built and tested in Packet Tracer: dynamic routing, redundancy, IPv4 and IPv6, enterprise Wi-Fi, VPN, security, monitoring, documentation and costs.

Deliverables

Requirements and design document
Working multi-site Packet Tracer network
Security, monitoring and change management plans
Costed bill of materials, test results and presentation

Assessed on

The design meets requirements and survives a single link failure
Security follows least privilege and is tested
Documentation supports ongoing operations
Costs and power plans are realistic

Worked Examples

A selection of the visual, practical examples used in this program's lessons — each teaches a different skill.

Free Course: Computer Networking Starter

A free introduction to everyday networks: IP addresses, routers and switches, setting up Wi-Fi, troubleshooting a connection, basic security and documenting a small office network. Free, self-study, about 5 hours — no certificate. The full program above is taught live by an instructor, with practical assignments, assessments and a certificate.

Open the free course

Tools & Technologies

Primary Tools

Command-line tools (ping, ipconfig, nslookup, traceroute) — Diagnosing connectivity and configuration Practice: Fast, methodical troubleshooting
Cisco Packet Tracer — Simulating and testing network designs Practice: Switching, routing and services configuration
Routers, switches and access points — Hands-on configuration in the lab Practice: Real device set-up and security

Supporting Tools

Wireshark — Packet capture and analysis Practice: Seeing protocols in action
diagrams.net — Network diagrams Practice: Clear documentation

Professional / Industry Tools

Network monitoring (SNMP, syslog) — Watching device and link health Practice: Proactive operations
Wi-Fi survey apps — Measuring coverage and interference Practice: Wireless planning

Career Opportunities

IT support technician
Network or systems administrator
Cybersecurity analyst at a bank, telecom, or government office

Practical Projects

Design and document a small office network, including a diagram and IP plan
Simulate a multi-device network in Cisco Packet Tracer and troubleshoot an introduced fault
Given a simulated connectivity fault, use a structured ping ladder (localhost, gateway, external IP, domain) to correctly identify where the failure is occurring

Problem-Solving Focus

Problem: A device can't reach a website, and it's unclear whether the problem is the device, the router, or the internet connection itself

Approach: Use a structured ping ladder — localhost, then gateway, then an external IP, then a domain name — to isolate exactly where the failure is, instead of guessing or restarting everything at once.

Problem: A new office needs Wi-Fi for staff plus a way to keep visitors off the internal network

Approach: Configure a separate guest network with its own access controls, rather than sharing one network and password with everyone who walks in.

Problem: A router is still using its factory-default admin username and password months after installation

Approach: Treat changing default credentials as a mandatory first step of any setup, not an optional afterthought — default logins are a well-known, easy attack target.

Problem: An organization is growing from a handful of devices to dozens, and the existing flat, undocumented network is becoming hard to manage and troubleshoot

Approach: Design and document the network properly — diagrams, an IP plan, and VLANs where appropriate — before problems force a rushed, reactive fix under pressure.

Ready to register for Computer Networking?