Course Overview

1. Course Overview & Objectives

The Network Consultant Program is designed to equip learners with in-depth expertise in designing, deploying, securing, and optimizing enterprise-grade network infrastructures. Drawing from industry standards (CompTIA, Cisco, Juniper), the program blends theoretical foundations with hands-on labs and performance-based assessments.

Key Outcomes:

• Architect and document robust local, wide-area, wireless, and remote-access networks.

• Configure advanced devices: routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, VPNs.

• Execute network performance tuning and troubleshooting.

• Implement enterprise-grade security measures: VLANs, ACLs, IPS, IDS, and encryption.

• Support cloud network integration and hybrid environments.

• Guide clients through scalable, secure, and cost-effective network solutions.

2. Course Structure & Delivery

The program runs over 24 weeks, combining live instructor-led classes, video content, labs, and career guidance:

Weeks 1–7: Network Architecture & Core Routing/Switching

• Lectures (3 weeks): Cover OSI/TCP-IP, Ethernet/Wi-Fi standards, cabling, VLANs, STP, trunking.

• Labs: Configure Cisco/Juniper routers and switches, set link aggregation, virtual LANs.

• Performance Assessment: Configure dynamic routing (OSPF, EIGRP, BGP) and handle network failover.

Weeks 8–15: Advanced Security, VPNs, Firewalls

• Lectures (2 weeks): Explore network security fundamentals—firewalls, ACLs, IPS/IDS, SSL/TLS, VPN architectures.

• Labs: Configure Cisco ASA/FTD or Palo Alto firewalls, design DMZ, implement IPSec/OpenVPN/MacSec.

• Hands‑On Simulation: Apply secure remote access and demo detection/prevention systems.

• Assessments: Realistic scenario tasks like segmenting traffic and securing remote users.

Weeks 16–20: Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Lectures: Cover QoS, load balancing, high availability, redundancy protocols (VRRP/HSRP), and performance monitoring.

• Labs: Implement QoS policies, simulate congestion, troubleshoot latency and packet loss.

• Performance Tasks: Develop failover solutions and troubleshoot complex network issues with tools like ping, traceroute, SNMP, Wireshark.

Weeks 21–24: Cloud Networking & Consulting Skills

• Lectures: Focus on Azure Virtual Network, AWS VPC, hybrid connectivity (Transit Gateway, ExpressRoute), SD-WAN, automation via Ansible/Python.

• Labs: Deploy VPC architectures, automate network provisioning, configure SD‑WAN tunnels.

• Consulting Case Studies: Learn client needs analysis, drafting network design documentation, proposing solutions with cost/ROI.

• Final Capstone Presentation: Present a network design solution to instructors for peer review and feedback.

3. Certifications Included

• CompTIA Network+: Validates networking fundamentals and troubleshooting skills.

• Cisco CCNA (optional add‑on): Demonstrates hands-on routing, switching, and basic security.

• Certification prep includes lectures, quizzes, labs, and practice exams in line with CompTIA/Security+ modules apexcybercraft.com+1apexcybercraft.com+1theapexprogram.com.

4. Learning Resources & Lab Access

• Live instruction: 40 hours of interactive classes, synchronous and asynchronous formats.

• On-demand content: Recorded video lectures, quizzes, flashcards.

• Lab environment: Virtual routers/switches/firewalls, cloud sandboxes with 24/7 access.

• Toolkits: Access to Wireshark, SolarWinds, Ansible, AWS/Azure consoles.

5. Practice Assessments & Pass Guarantees

• Simulated Exams: 5 full-length assessments covering routing, security, performance, cloud.

• Quizzes: Two mini-quizzes per major domain.

• Consulting Exercises: Real-world scenarios that require designing, documenting, presenting, and defending network plans.

• Pass Assurance: “First-Time Pass Guarantee” modeled after Apex/Cyberkraft, supporting exam retakes if needed cyberkrafttraining.com+1cyberkrafttraining.com+1.

6. Career Readiness & Placement

• Weekly coaching: Resume workshops, interview prep, LinkedIn optimization tailored for networking roles.

• Alumni network & hiring support: Introductions to companies, referral access, mock technical interviews.

• Job Alignment: Course culminates with personalized matchmaking to relevant network consultant roles; ongoing support post-completion .