How long does it take to complete the Specialization?

<text variant="body1">This specialization will take about 4 months to complete.

Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

Courses within the Network Systems: Principles and Practice specialization can be completed for academic credit for CU Boulder's Master of Science in Computer Science (MS-CS) program.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Network Systems: Principles in Practice Specialization

Network Systems: Principles in Practice Specialization

Master Modern Networking. Gain Hands-On Experience in Linux and Cloud Networking

Instructor: Eric Keller

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.5

(72 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 months at 5 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

3 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

4.5

(72 reviews)

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 months at 5 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Earn a career credential

Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

Apply the foundations of networking and describe each of the layers in the network stack
Build and troubleshoot networked infrastructure with Linux networking
Architect and create network infrastructure in the cloud

Overview

This specialization covers the fundamentals of networking within modern computing infrastructure. IT infrastructure has shifted towards software-oriented networks and cloud-based services, changing the roles of engineers. The specialization begins with Network Systems Principles to establish a foundation. Whether you have prior experience or not, this section will be beneficial. Next, we focus on two key areas: Linux Networking and Cloud Networking. In Linux Networking, you'll learn to build network infrastructure using Linux, applicable to switches, routers, and containerized infrastructure like Kubernetes. In Cloud Networking, you'll explore network abstractions in the cloud and understand the underlying infrastructure of cloud providers. By the end, you'll be equipped to create complex networked applications in the cloud and effectively troubleshoot them.

This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Masters of Science in Computer Science (MS-CS) degrees offered on the Coursera platform. This fully accredited graduate degree offer targeted courses, short 8-week sessions, and pay-as-you-go tuition. Admission is based on performance in three preliminary courses, not academic history. CU degrees on Coursera are ideal for recent graduates or working professionals. Learn more:

MS in Computer Science: https://coursera.org/degrees/ms-computer-science-boulder

What’s included

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

20 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Colorado Boulder

Specialization - 3 course series

Network Systems Foundations

Course 120 hours4.5 (70 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Describe networking layers in depth and how they relate to one another.
Analyze traffic through python programming.
Design a simplified routing protocol that has similar features as to what powers the Internet.
Develop a client and server with socket programming.

Skills you'll gain

Network Protocols, Network Security, Routing Protocols, TCP/IP, Cryptography, Public Key Infrastructure, Web Applications, Network Model, General Networking, Network Architecture, OSI Models, and Network Routers

Network Principles in Practice: Linux Networking

Course 217 hours4.5 (28 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Describe Linux networking in depth, including how the kernel processes traffic and how Linux utilities are used
Create network appliances (switch, router, gateway) with Linux
Describe how Linux’s network namespaces work
Design and build networking support for containerized applications, including a network plugin for Kubernetes

Skills you'll gain

Linux, Network Troubleshooting, Network Routing, Docker (Software), Computer Networking, Containerization, Virtualization, Network Protocols, Kubernetes, Firewall, Network Administration, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Network Switches, Network Model, TCP/IP, Software-Defined Networking, Network Architecture, and Network Routers

Network Principles in Practice: Cloud Networking

Course 321 hours4.7 (18 ratings)View course

What you'll learn

Create and secure simple cloud applications
Design and deploy complex applications that are segmented and/or geographically distributed
Analyze tradeoffs between different cloud networking services in architecting a distributed infrastructure
Describe how various cloud abstractions are (or might have been) architected

Skills you'll gain

Terraform, Google Cloud Platform, Software-Defined Networking, Wide Area Networks, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Cloud Computing, Virtual Machines, Hybrid Cloud Computing, Load Balancing, Virtualization, Cloud Infrastructure, Network Architecture, Data Centers, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Build toward a degree

This Specialization is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹