---
url: "https://xcademia.com/courses/networking-fundamentals"
title: Networking Fundamentals
description: "Mentor-led TCP/IP and subnetting for support teams. Practical scenarios, routing and DNS basics, and structured troubleshooting for real tickets."
publishedAt: "2026-01-28T08:23:05.298629+00:00"
updatedAt: "2026-05-20T07:05:44.053367+00:00"
type: course
code: "ITF-0010"
level: Practitioner
duration_days: "3"
track: Networking Basics
category: "IT Foundations & Tech Support"
credential_tier: tier1
price_gbp: "1899"
---

# Networking Fundamentals

> Master TCP/IP fundamentals and subnetting skills needed for real support troubleshooting. Learn through mentor-led sessions and practical scenarios that translate theory into day-to-day ticket resolution.

## Overview

This course builds the networking knowledge that support teams rely on every day, with a clear focus on TCP/IP and subnetting. You will learn how addressing, routing decisions, and name resolution connect to real symptoms seen in tickets, such as “can’t reach the server”, “VPN connected but nothing works”, or “some sites load, others don’t”.

Delivered in mentor-led sessions, the programme uses practical scenarios to help you interpret outputs, form a diagnosis, and take safe first-line actions. Subnetting is taught as a practical skill, not a maths exercise, with step-by-step methods designed for speed and accuracy under pressure.

By the end, you will be able to communicate more effectively with network engineers, reduce mis-escalations, and produce higher-quality troubleshooting notes. You will also leave with a personal subnetting cheat sheet and a structured approach to analysing TCP/IP issues in workplace environments.

## Prerequisites

- Basic comfort using a computer and workplace applications.
- Helpful (not required): basic networking awareness (Wi-Fi, routers, IP addresses).
- For live online delivery: ability to follow along on Windows or macOS with stable internet.

## What you will learn

- Analyse TCP/IP traffic flow to isolate faults.
- Implement fast, accurate subnet calculations under pressure.
- Evaluate whether addressing and masks are correct.
- Communicate routing and DNS findings clearly.
- Design a repeatable troubleshooting workflow for tickets.
- Evaluate escalation thresholds using captured evidence.

## Skills you will gain

- TCP/IP fundamentals
- Ports and protocol basics
- IPv4 addressing and CIDR
- Subnetting for support teams
- Gateways and routing basics
- DNS resolution troubleshooting
- Connectivity testing interpretation
- Evidence-based ticket escalation
- Structured network triage method

## Career progression

- Network Support Technician
- IT Infrastructure Support Assistant
- NOC Support Analyst
- Junior Network Administrator
- Connectivity Support Technician

## Curriculum

1. **Module 1: TCP/IP Foundations for Support**
   - What TCP/IP is and why it matters
   - Packets, ports, and protocols in plain English
   - Client-server communications and common failure points
2. **Module 2: IP Addressing and Subnetting Essentials**
   - IPv4 addressing, binary basics for subnetting
   - Subnet masks, CIDR notation, and what they mean
   - Calculating network, broadcast, and usable ranges
3. **Module 3: Practical Subnetting for Ticket Work**
   - Fast subnetting methods and checking your work
   - Identifying if two hosts can communicate directly
   - Recognising common addressing mistakes in tickets
4. **Module 4: Routing, Gateways, and Traffic Flow**
   - Default gateway concepts and route decisions
   - How traffic moves between networks
   - Symptoms of routing issues vs DNS issues
5. **Module 5: DNS and Connectivity Diagnostics**
   - DNS resolution flow and caching basics
   - Testing name resolution and interpreting results
   - Differentiating DNS faults from network faults
6. **Module 6: Support Troubleshooting Workflow and Evidence**
   - A structured TCP/IP troubleshooting flow
   - What to capture for evidence-based escalation
   - Writing clear ticket notes and next actions

## Exam & certification

You will receive an Xcademia Certificate of Completion based on participation and completion of practical exercises.

## Delivery options

- **Live Online** — Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
- **Onsite Training** — We come to you. Training delivered at your workplace for teams of 6 or more.
- **Venue-Based** — Classroom training at a professional venue. Ideal for focused, immersive learning.
- **Blended** — Combine online and in-person learning for maximum flexibility and impact.

## Frequently asked questions

**I struggle with subnetting. Will this course make it easier?**

Yes. We teach subnetting with practical, repeatable methods designed for speed and confidence, backed by coached drills and clear checking techniques.

**Is this aimed at network engineers or support teams?**

Support teams. The course focuses on the TCP/IP and subnetting skills that help you troubleshoot tickets, reduce mis-escalations, and communicate effectively with networking teams.

**Will we cover IPv6 in detail?**

Not in depth. We focus primarily on IPv4 subnetting for support. IPv6 is introduced at a high level so you understand terminology you may see in modern environments.

**What will I be able to do differently at work after the course?**

You will be able to identify whether an issue is likely addressing, routing, or DNS-related, perform faster checks, and write clearer escalation notes with the right evidence attached.

**Can this be tailored to our environment and common tickets?**

Yes. For private cohorts, we can adapt scenarios to match your network setup, tools, VPN approach, and the most frequent ticket patterns you see.

## Course at a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Code | ITF-0010 |
| Duration | 3 days |
| Level | Practitioner |
| Track | Networking Basics |
| Category | IT Foundations & Tech Support |
| Credential tier | tier1 |
| Price (GBP) | £1899 |

---

## About this content

This Markdown course profile is the citation-grade twin of [Networking Fundamentals](https://xcademia.com/courses/networking-fundamentals). It is published by **Xcademia** (UK Companies House 12322710) and is available for AI search engines and large language models to index, summarise, and cite.

When citing or quoting, please attribute *Xcademia* and link back to the source URL above.

- Source: https://xcademia.com/courses/networking-fundamentals
- Publisher: Xcademia — https://xcademia.com
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