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Network Architecture Course
More than 2 million students worldwide

Network Architecture Course

Master the full stack of network architecture — from Layer 2 switching and IP routing to cloud connectivity, SDN, and security design. This course gives IT professionals and network engineers the technical depth to design, secure, and automate modern enterprise networks. If you're ready to move from maintaining networks to architecting them, this is your next step.

Dedika for Business

What you will learn:

You will build a complete understanding of network architecture across every major domain. Starting with OSI and TCP/IP fundamentals, you will progress through Ethernet switching, IP addressing, WAN design, and network security. You will explore data center fabrics, cloud and hybrid connectivity, and software-defined networking. Practical topics include QoS, wireless design, capacity planning, compliance, and network automation. By the end, you will have the knowledge to design, document, and defend network architectures that meet real business requirements.

How you study in practice Network Architecture Course

How you practise Network Architecture Course

For companies looking to train their team

With Dedika for Business, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your own business and the way your company needs.

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Course Content

8 Chapters • 39 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Foundations of Network Architecture

  • Lesson 1 • Data Transmission Fundamentals

    Covers analog vs. digital signaling, encoding schemes, and multiplexing techniques. Connects physical-layer behavior to higher-layer design decisions.

  • Lesson 2 • Core Networking Concepts and Terminology

    Establishes shared vocabulary for nodes, links, protocols, and topologies. Provides the definitional foundation every subsequent chapter depends on.

  • Lesson 3 • The OSI and TCP/IP Reference Models

    Maps the seven-layer OSI model and the four-layer TCP/IP stack, comparing their roles. Learners use these models to reason about protocol placement throughout the course.

  • Lesson 4 • Network Classification and Scope

    Differentiates LAN, MAN, WAN, and PAN by geographic scope and use case. Prepares learners to select appropriate architecture types for given scenarios.

Chapter 2See details

Ethernet and Switching Architecture

  • Lesson 1 • Ethernet Standards and Frame Structure

    Examines IEEE 802.3 variants, frame fields, and MAC addressing. Grounds learners in the dominant Layer 2 technology before introducing switching logic.

  • Lesson 2 • VLAN Design and Trunking

    Teaches VLAN segmentation, 802.1Q tagging, and trunk link configuration. Connects logical segmentation to security and traffic management objectives.

  • Lesson 3 • Link Aggregation and Redundancy

    Introduces LACP-based link aggregation for bandwidth and redundancy at Layer 2. Prepares learners for high-availability switching designs.

  • Lesson 4 • Spanning Tree and Loop Prevention

    Covers STP, RSTP, and MSTP algorithms that eliminate Layer 2 loops while maintaining redundancy. Links loop prevention to high-availability design goals.

  • Lesson 5 • Switch Operation and Forwarding Logic

    Details MAC address table learning, flooding, forwarding, and filtering decisions. Explains how switches reduce collision domains and improve segment performance.

Chapter 3See details

IP Addressing and Routing Principles

  • Lesson 1 • IPv4 Addressing and Subnetting

    Covers dotted-decimal notation, address classes, CIDR, and VLSM subnetting. Builds the addressing skills required for all routing and design chapters.

  • Lesson 2 • Interior Routing Protocols

    Compares distance-vector and link-state protocols including RIP, OSPF, and EIGRP. Prepares learners to select and deploy appropriate IGPs for enterprise networks.

  • Lesson 3 • IPv6 Addressing and Transition

    Introduces 128-bit addressing, address types, and stateless autoconfiguration. Explains dual-stack and tunneling strategies for IPv4-to-IPv6 migration.

  • Lesson 4 • Routing Concepts and the Routing Table

    Explains how routers build and use routing tables via static routes and dynamic protocols. Connects forwarding decisions to network reachability.

  • Lesson 5 • NAT, PAT, and Address Conservation

    Covers static NAT, dynamic NAT, and PAT for address translation at network boundaries. Connects address conservation to enterprise and service-provider design.

Chapter 4See details

Wide Area Network Design

  • Lesson 1 • VPN Technologies for WAN Connectivity

    Covers IPsec, SSL/TLS, and DMVPN for secure site-to-site and remote-access connectivity. Links VPN selection to cost, security, and performance requirements.

  • Lesson 2 • BGP and Inter-Domain Routing

    Introduces BGP as the exterior gateway protocol governing internet routing. Explains AS numbers, path attributes, and policy-based routing decisions.

  • Lesson 3 • WAN Redundancy and Failover Design

    Examines dual-homing, load balancing, and failover mechanisms for WAN resilience. Connects redundancy patterns to SLA and recovery-time objectives.

  • Lesson 4 • WAN Technologies and Service Models

    Surveys leased lines, MPLS, Metro Ethernet, and broadband WAN options. Establishes the technology landscape before comparing design trade-offs.

  • Lesson 5 • SD-WAN Architecture and Benefits

    Explains software-defined WAN overlays, centralized control, and transport independence. Positions SD-WAN as a modern alternative to traditional WAN designs.

Chapter 5See details

Network Security Architecture

  • Lesson 1 • Network Segmentation and Zero Trust

    Applies micro-segmentation, VLANs, and zero-trust principles to limit lateral movement. Demonstrates how segmentation reduces blast radius of breaches.

  • Lesson 2 • Security Principles and Threat Landscape

    Introduces CIA triad, attack surfaces, and common network threat categories. Frames security architecture as a structured response to identified risks.

  • Lesson 3 • Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems

    Explains signature-based and anomaly-based IDS/IPS operation and placement strategies. Links detection capabilities to incident response workflows.

  • Lesson 4 • Firewall Design and Placement

    Covers stateless and stateful firewalls, next-generation firewalls, and DMZ architecture. Connects firewall placement to traffic flow and zone trust levels.

  • Lesson 5 • Secure Remote Access Architecture

    Designs secure remote-access solutions using VPNs, MFA, and endpoint verification. Addresses the security challenges of distributed and hybrid workforces.

Chapter 6See details

Data Center Network Architecture

  • Lesson 1 • VXLAN and Network Overlay Technologies

    Introduces VXLAN encapsulation, VNIs, and EVPN control plane for overlay networks. Enables learners to extend Layer 2 segments across Layer 3 data center fabrics.

  • Lesson 2 • Data Center Design Principles

    Covers availability tiers, traffic patterns, and oversubscription ratios in data center design. Establishes the performance and reliability requirements driving architecture choices.

  • Lesson 3 • Load Balancing in Data Centers

    Covers Layer 4 and Layer 7 load balancing, health checks, and session persistence. Links load balancer placement to application availability and scalability.

  • Lesson 4 • Storage Networking and Convergence

    Examines Fibre Channel, iSCSI, and FCoE for storage network integration. Addresses converged network adapters and lossless Ethernet requirements.

  • Lesson 5 • Spine-Leaf Topology and Clos Networks

    Explains the Clos multi-stage switching model and its implementation as spine-leaf fabric. Connects equal-cost multipath routing to predictable, low-latency performance.

Chapter 7See details

Software-Defined Networking and Automation

  • Lesson 1 • OpenFlow and Controller Platforms

    Covers OpenFlow protocol mechanics and major SDN controller platforms. Connects protocol-level control to real-world SDN deployments.

  • Lesson 2 • Network Programmability and APIs

    Introduces REST APIs, NETCONF, RESTCONF, and YANG models for network programmability. Enables learners to interact with network devices programmatically.

  • Lesson 3 • SDN Architecture and Control Plane Separation

    Explains the separation of control and data planes, SDN controllers, and southbound APIs. Positions SDN as the architectural shift enabling programmable networks.

  • Lesson 4 • Infrastructure as Code and Configuration Automation

    Applies Ansible, Terraform, and templating tools to automate network configuration. Links IaC practices to consistent, repeatable network deployments.

  • Lesson 5 • Intent-Based Networking

    Explains intent-based networking principles, closed-loop verification, and assurance systems. Connects business intent to automated network state enforcement.

Chapter 8See details

Cloud and Hybrid Network Architecture

  • Lesson 1 • Network Performance and Cost Optimization

    Applies traffic engineering, egress cost reduction, and caching strategies to cloud networks. Links optimization decisions to total cost of ownership and SLA compliance.

  • Lesson 2 • Container and Microservice Networking

    Covers Kubernetes networking model, CNI plugins, and service mesh architecture. Connects container orchestration networking to data center and cloud designs.

  • Lesson 3 • Multi-Cloud Networking Strategies

    Addresses inter-cloud connectivity, cloud exchange fabrics, and workload portability. Prepares learners to avoid vendor lock-in through abstracted network design.

  • Lesson 4 • Hybrid Cloud Connectivity Options

    Examines site-to-site VPN, dedicated interconnect, and SD-WAN for hybrid cloud access. Compares options by latency, cost, and reliability requirements.

  • Lesson 5 • Cloud Networking Fundamentals

    Covers virtual private clouds, subnets, gateways, and cloud routing constructs. Translates traditional networking concepts into cloud-provider equivalents.

Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

  • Network technician: ready to grow beyond day-to-day operations into design roles.

  • Systems administrator: managing infrastructure and wanting deeper network architecture expertise.

  • Cloud engineer: building cloud environments but lacking strong on-premises networking foundations.

  • IT generalist: supporting diverse technology stacks and aiming to specialize in networking.

  • Career changer: coming from a related technical field and targeting network engineering roles.

  • Junior network engineer: seeking structured knowledge to accelerate toward senior-level responsibilities.

What our students say

Your classes are perfect. I purchased the one-year package and finally have the opportunity to follow various topics of interest without needing to switch platforms... I thank you for everything you do, I've already recommended you to other people...
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Giulio CarloDigital Marketing Student
I like how the lessons are straight to the point and how I can change chapters and skip content I don't need.
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I like the content and the presentation style and video transcription, which speeds up the process!
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The platform is fast, simple to use. The diversity of content and complementary videos really help with learning.
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