Advanced Network Services, Security, and Programmability

Course Overview

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. This advanced course covers the critical aspects of modern network services, security, and programmability. Beginning with wireless networks, you'll explore essential topics such as wireless access point configurations, WLAN design, and mitigating interference. You will also learn how to configure and manage wireless LAN controllers using a graphical interface, ensuring a solid foundation in wireless networking. The course then transitions into network services, focusing on NAT, DHCP, and NTP. You will gain practical skills in configuring these services to optimize network performance and manage IP address allocation. Network management topics, including the use of AI for network monitoring and the configuration of SNMP and Syslog for real-time event logging, are thoroughly covered. You will also explore Quality of Service (QoS) principles and configurations to prioritize and manage network traffic effectively. In the final modules, you will delve into network security and programmability. Learn how to defend against various network threats through advanced security features, such as AAA, VPNs, and ACLs. You will also be introduced to network programmability concepts like SDN and configuration management using Ansible and Terraform. This comprehensive approach ensures you have the skills to automate network configurations and manage large-scale networks efficiently. By the end of the course, you will be well-prepared to tackle complex networking challenges and excel in your career. This course is designed for experienced network professionals seeking to advance their understanding of network services, security, and programmability. It is ideal for those preparing for higher-level certifications or aiming to take on senior roles in network management. A basic understanding of networking concepts and protocols is recommended.