Updated in May 2025.

This course now features Coursera Coach! A smarter way to learn with interactive, real-time conversations that help you test your knowledge, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding as you progress through the course. By the end of this course, you’ll master essential networking skills, including identifying Cisco hardware, configuring and managing IOS devices, and troubleshooting network issues using industry-standard tools. You’ll also learn to maintain and upgrade Cisco routers and switches, empowering you to excel as a field technician. The course is structured into four core modules. First, you’ll explore general networking concepts, including hardware identification, addressing protocols, and network utilities. Then, you’ll dive into Cisco-specific equipment, learning to identify devices, components, ports, and their memory functions, along with practical guidance on device replacement. The third module focuses on mastering Cisco IOS, from basic commands to startup configuration and IOS-XE modes. The final module equips you with essential servicing skills, such as troubleshooting with Windows tools, performing password recovery, upgrading Cisco IOS, and executing factory resets. Throughout, you’ll build hands-on expertise to confidently handle real-world networking challenges. This course is perfect for beginner and intermediate-level IT professionals aiming to enhance their skills with Cisco devices. A basic understanding of networking concepts is recommended but not required.