Have you ever wondered how the internet gets into your home, school, college or workplace? How do all the computers, phones, tablets, printers and other devices connect and work together?
In this free course, Discovering computer networks: hands on in the Open Networking Lab, you can explore how computer networks operate, discover how data is sent around the internet, put your understanding into practice using an inbuilt network simulator to create your own – simulated – computer networks.
The course starts by looking at ‘home networking’, introducing key concepts and principles as used in a relatively small computer network. Later, the course moves on to looking at ‘commercial networking’, where the same concepts and principles apply, but at a larger scale. Hence, you will gain insight into how computer networks operate in different contexts.
The course uses an embedded online network simulator – giving you the opportunity to put into practice some essential network technology skills.
Earn this free Open University digital badge if you complete this course! The badge can be displayed, shared and downloaded as a marker of your achievement. The badge is awarded for completing the course and passing the quizzes.
First Published: 30/05/2019
Updated: 30/10/2019