Computer Networking: Courses, Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Colleges, Career Scope

What is Computer Networking? Computer networking refers to interconnecting computing devices like computers, servers, routers, switches, and network interface controllers (NICs) to facilitate data communication and resource sharing across networks. The main types of computer networks are local area networks (LANs), like wireless LANs (WLANs), covering a small geographical area, such as an office; metropolitan area networks (MANs) covering a larger area than LANs, like a city; and wide area networks (WANs) covering larger geographic areas, such as countries or continents. 

These computer networks are maintained and established by using various types of network topologies. Network topology is a logical or physical arrangement of connections and devices in a network. It specifies how data flows through the network and how devices are connected to each other. In computer networking, there are various types of topologies, such as bus topology, ring topology, mesh topology, star topology, daisy-chain topology, tree topology, hybrid topology, etc.

Some of the main goals of computer networking are:

• It allows devices to share hardware resources like printers, scanners, and storage devices, as well as software resources like files and databases.
• Networks allow devices to exchange data and information, enabling applications like email, instant messaging, and file transfers.
• It supports client-server models, where clients (computers or devices) can access services and resources provided by servers.
• It allows users to access and control remote systems, enabling applications like remote desktop access and remote system administration.

Why Should You Pursue Computer Networking Courses?

You should pursue computer networking courses to gain valuable skills in one of the most in-demand and rapidly growing fields in the technology industry. As of today (30/05/2024), the number of jobs available in the computer networking field is 2816. With the reliance on the Internet increasing, demand for cloud networking and interconnected systems professionals is also growing. 

Computer networking courses provide a deep understanding of network topologies, protocols, and architectures, enabling you to design, implement, and troubleshoot complex networks. While pursuing a networking course, you will learn about routers, network switches, firewalls, and other essential network hardware. Apart from that, you will also gain an understanding of important topics like IP addressing, routing, and network security that are crucial for organizations that operate across multiple locations and rely on the Internet for communication and data exchange.

Apart from all this, after completing a computer networking course and having a solid foundation in networking basics, you can work on some of the highest paying job roles in the IT industry, such as - network administrator, network engineer, or cyber security specialist.  

And, if you have completed computer networking certifications like CCNA from Cisco, your demand and career prospects will be highly boosted. 

Also Read:

• New Career Opportunities in Networking
• IT Networking- Entry To A Promising Career

Eligibility Criteria for Pursuing Computer Networking Courses 

The eligibility criteria for computer networking courses can vary depending on the level of the course (certificate, diploma, bachelor's, master's) and the specific institution offering the program. However, here are some common eligibility requirements:

Certificate/Diploma Courses

• 10+2 or equivalent qualification from a recognized board
• Basic computer knowledge and skills

Bachelor's Degree Programs (B.Tech/B.Sc/BCA)

• 10+2 or equivalent with Mathematics/Computer Science/Physics as one of the subjects
• Minimum percentage/grades as specified by the institution (usually 50-60%)
• Qualifying entrance exams like JEE Main, VITEEE, etc. (for some institutions)

Master's Degree Programs (M.Tech/M.Sc/MCA)

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, or a related field
• Minimum percentage/grades as specified by the institution (usually 50-60%)
• Qualifying entrance exams like GATE, MAT, etc. (for some institutions)
• Some programs may require relevant work experience

Professional Certifications (CCNA, JNCIA, etc.)

• Basic understanding of computer networks and networking concepts
• Meeting the specific prerequisites set by the certification authority (if any)

Apart from all this, some institutions may have additional eligibility criteria, such as:

• Minimum age requirement
• English language proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) for international students
• Relevant work experience for certain specialized programs

Top Computer Networking Courses

Here are some of the top computer networking courses that you can opt for:

Course	Provider	Duration
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)	Skillsoft	1 hour
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)	Rooman Technologies Pvt. Ltd	60 hours
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Bundle	XLNC	6 months
CCNA: Computer Networking Essentials	FutureLearn	3 weeks
CurtinX: IoT Networks and Protocols	edX	5 weeks
Computer Networking - Wired and Wireless Networks and Protocols	Alison	2 hours
Networking Foundations: Networking Basics	Linkedin Learning	2 hours
The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking	Coursera	34 hours
Learn TCP/IP - Computer Networking fundamentals	Udemy	100 hours
Computer Networking - Local Area Networks and the OSI Model	Alison	2 hours

Computer Networking Course Fees

When it comes to computer networking courses, the fees can vary widely depending on the institution, the level of the course, and whether it's offered online or in-person. Here's an overview of typical computer networking course fees:

College Degree Programs

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Networking or related fields: 4 - 8 lakhs per year 
• Master's Degree in Computer Networking or Cyber Security: 3 - 10 lakhs per year

Online Courses

• Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on networking basics, cyber security, etc.: INR 2,000 to INR 30,000
• Online networking certifications like CCNA from Cisco: INR 15,000 to INR 50,000

Vendor-Specific Training

• Cisco Networking Academy courses: INR 8,000 to  INR 50,000 
• Microsoft Network Administration courses: INR 50,000 to INR 1.5 lakhs

Bootcamps and Intensive Programs

• Cyber Security Bootcamps: INR 5 to 8 lakhs
• Cloud Networking Training: INR 1 to 5 lakhs

Note: The data shows a generalized amount. 

Computer Networking Syllabus

Here’s are topics that you will mostly learn while pursuing a computer networking course:

Module	Topics
Introduction to Computer Networks	Definition, goals, and characteristics of computer networks Need for computer networks (resource sharing, communication, internet access, client-server computing, remote access) Network topologies (bus, ring, star, mesh, hybrid, tree) Types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN, CAN, SAN, EPN) Network models (OSI vs TCP/IP architecture and layers) Network protocols and standards (IEEE, IETF, ISO) Network performance metrics (throughput, latency, jitter, packet loss)
Network Hardware and Media	Network interface controllers (functions, types, and specifications) Routers (functions, types, routing tables, and configurations) Switches (functions, types, forwarding methods, VLANs) Wireless access points (functions, standards, and configurations) Types of Transmission media (twisted-pair cables, coaxial cables, fiber optics, wireless media) Network cables and connectors (RJ-45, BNC, F-connectors, SC/LC/ST fiber connectors) Repeaters, hubs, and bridges Network interface cards (NICs) and their configurations Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Data Communication and Networking Models	Data encoding (NRZ, NRZI, Manchester, 4B/5B, 8B/10B) Analog and digital signals (modulation techniques like ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM) Multiplexing techniques (FDM, TDM, WDM, CDMA) OSI model and its layers (functions and protocols) TCP/IP model and its layers (functions and protocols) Comparison of OSI and TCP/IP models Error detection and correction techniques (parity, checksum, CRC) Flow control mechanisms (stop-and-wait, sliding window, selective repeat)
Network Layer	IP addressing (IPv4 vs IPv6 addressing schemes, classful and classless addressing) Subnetting and VLSM (subnet masks, calculating subnets and hosts) Routing protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, and their operations) NAT (types and configurations) ICMP (message types and functions) IPv4 and IPv6 header formats IP fragmentation and reassembly IP mobility and mobile IP Virtual private networks (VPNs)
Transport Layer	TCP (connection establishment, reliable data transfer, flow control, and error control) UDP (connectionless communication) UDP applications (DNS, SNMP, RTP) Port numbers and socket programming (client-server model) Reliable data transfer mechanisms (sequence numbers, acknowledgments, timers) Flow control mechanisms (sliding window, congestion control) TCP congestion control algorithms (Reno, Vegas, CUBIC) TCP timer management TCP/IP socket programming
Application Layer	HTTP and WWW (web browsing, HTTP methods, and messages) DNS (hierarchical domain structure, DNS resolution process, DNS record types) SMTP, POP3 vs IMAP (Email protocols and their operations) FTP (file transfer modes and commands) DHCP (IP address allocation and lease management) Remote access protocols (SSH, Telnet, RDP) Peer-to-peer networks and applications Multimedia protocols (RTP, RTSP, SIP) Web caching and content distribution networks (CDNs)
Network Security	Firewalls (packet filtering, stateful inspection, and configurations) Cryptography and encryption (symmetric and asymmetric encryption, digital signatures, key management) Cyber security threats and attacks (malware, DoS and DDoS, SQL injection, social engineering, salami attack, phishing, etc.) Authentication and access control (passwords, biometrics, multi-factor authentication, Kerberos) Wireless security (WEP, WPA, WPA2, and their vulnerabilities) Secure network protocols (SSL/TLS, IPsec, SSH) Network security devices (firewalls, IPS/IDS, honeypots) Penetration testing and ethical hacking Network security policies and best practices
Wireless and Mobile Networks	Wireless LAN standards (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) Cellular networks (GSM, CDMA, LTE, and their architectures) Mobile IP and mobility management (handoff procedures, mobile IP protocols) Wireless network security (authentication, encryption, and access control in WLANs) Wireless network planning and site surveys Wireless network performance and optimization Bluetooth and personal area networks (PANs) Microwave and satellite communications Mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs)
Advanced Topics	Cloud networking (cloud computing models, virtualization, and networking in the cloud) Software-defined networking (SDN) (separation of control and data planes, OpenFlow protocol) Network virtualization (VLANs, virtual private networks, and overlay networks) Network management and monitoring (SNMP, network performance monitoring, network traffic analysis) Quality of Service (QoS) (techniques and mechanisms for prioritizing network traffic) High-speed networks (Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel) Network storage and storage area networks (SANs)  Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication Network programmability and automation (APIs, SDN controllers, network orchestration) Emerging networking technologies (5G, 6G, Wi-Fi 6, Li-Fi)

Best Computer Networking Colleges

Here are some of the best private and government collages that are offering computer networking courses. In the section, collages that are offering online computer networking courses are also listed. So, check them out. 

Top Private Colleges Offering Computer Networking Courses

Here are the top private colleges offering computer networking courses:

College	Fees (INR)
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	2.1 Lakhs to 11.6 Lakhs
SSN College of Engineering	50000 to 2 Lakhs
VIT Vellore	1 Lakhs to 7.8 Lakhs
BITS Pilani	9.29 Lakhs to 19.94 Lakhs
Thapar University	2.42 Lakhs to 18.36 Lakhs
Chandigarh University	2.26 Lakhs to 12.72 Lakhs
Amity University	3 Lakhs to 16.52 Lakhs

Top Government Colleges offering Computer Networking Courses

Here are the top government colleges offering computer networking courses:

Collage	Fees (INR)
IIT Bombay	1.2 Lakhs to 10 Lakhs
IIT Delhi	3 Lakhs to 8.7 Lakhs
NIT Trichy	30,000 to 50 Lakhs
Banaras Hindu University	10,000 to 13,000
IIT Madras	10,000 to 10 Lakhs
IIT Kharagpur	20,000 to 10 Lakhs

Top Colleges offering Online Computer Networking Courses

Here are the top colleges offering computer networking courses online:

Collage	Fees
Amity University Online	1,65000 Lakhs to 1,70000 Lakhs
Lovely Professional University	57,600 to 1,14,800 Lakhs
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	10,000 to 29,000
University of London	8,92,546 Lakhs to 11,95,344 Lakhs
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)	12,000 to 18,000
Sikkim Manipal University	90,000 to 98,000

Networking, Hardware & Security professionals job profiles

Advancement in technologies has increased the demand of  computer networking professionals. Also, the wages are likely to grow by 4.5%. There are also a variety of jobs vacancies depending on the nature of designation. The demand also varies depending on the experience and qualifications.

Job	National Salary Data (INR in Lakhs)
Network Engineer	5,05,624
Sr. Network Engineer	10,19,477
Network Security Engineer	. 4,00,000
Network Specialist	6,80,000
Information Technology (IT) Consultant	14,50,000
Senior Technical Consultant	14,15,526
Technical Subject Matter Expert	14,48,276

Check out CCNA interview questions to ace the interview round

Top Recruiters in the Computer Networking Field

Below is the list of some renowned companies that recruits professionals who have completed computer networking courses:

• Cisco
• Juniper
• Huawei
• Intel Corporation
• Acer India (Pvt) Ltd
• Dell
• Casio India Company
• HCL
• TCS
• Infosys
• Wipro
• Accenture

Prepare for your upcoming interview with the top computer networking interview questions!

Following are the most popular Computer Networking Colleges in India. Learn more about these Computer Networking colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Computer Networking courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Computer Networking.

Following are the most popular Computer Networking UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Computer Networking PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Computer Networking Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Following are the top exams for Computer Networking. Students interested in pursuing a career on Computer Networking, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.