The duration of a network training course can range from a few days to a month to a year or longer. Network training courses are also offered as online courses, where you can often determine the duration yourself. When choosing the right course, in addition to the duration and costs, you should also consider the exact learning content, the course variants and teaching formats on offer, as well as the recognition of the qualification in the IT industry.

Network courses are offered for basic network knowledge as well as for advanced or specific network knowledge. Basic network knowledge covers network types, network structure, network infrastructures, network functions, application instances, user systems, transport systems, transmission media and types. Topics such as IT network basics, operating systems, Ethernet, IP addresses, DNS, DHCP, NAT and IPv6 are part of the network basics that are necessary for a basic understanding of networks. Building on the basic network knowledge acquired, further specialist network knowledge can be developed. This may include specialist network knowledge of network support, the functionality of network protocols, server installation and configuration of roles and features, virtualization in networks, service-client architecture, evaluation of cloud services, procedures for error analysis, monitoring and troubleshooting in the network, security aspects, network technology, shift models, network administration, network management, telecommunications, family organizations, cloud computing or network automation. Network system-specific network knowledge such as Alcatel-Lucent, Avaya, Check Point, Cisco, HP, Juniper Networks, Microsoft or Wireshark can also be acquired by those interested in networking.

Through continuing education, further training in the form of certificate courses, acquired network knowledge can be confirmed as a network professional through a course certificate or a course confirmation. Degrees are possible through a professional function or specialization as an ICT system administrator, network administrator or network specialist and are confirmed by a diploma from a provider, association, federation or industry. Recognition in the IT sector must be checked in advance. A Federal Professional Examination to become an ICT system and network technician with a Federal Diploma of Higher Education or a course of study at a College of Higher Education or University of Applied Sciences is also possible.

The cost of a simple basic network course is usually less than CHF 1,000, while longer and more comprehensive network courses can cost up to CHF 6,000. The cost of a network course therefore varies depending on the teaching formats, the teaching variants, the teaching hours, the teaching structure, the learning content and the qualifications awarded.

The following network basics are taught in a network basics course:

• Basic knowledge of binary number systems / Boolean algebra
• Basic knowledge of mathematics (e.g. logarithms)
• Basic knowledge of Linux operating system with common commands
• Standardization bodies
• Brief introduction to the ISO/OSI reference model
• Physical and logical topologies
• Switching types (switched, message, packet) Multiplex procedure
• Transmission types (asynchronous, synchronous, isochronous)
• Connection types (connection-oriented, connectionless, secured, unsecured)
• Network types (GAN, EAN, WAN, MAN, LAN, PAN)

The Network Basics course covers all the important network basics, network protocols, network functions, virtualization solutions, cloud services and network security.

With a network course or a network training course, you can train to become a network professional in any environment. Networking courses are offered as certificate courses that teach participants the basics of networking. These are often offered over a shorter period of time and on a part-time basis. In most cases, knowledge of operating systems is also required. To this end, the network training course deals with common operating systems. A network course can also be offered specifically for a network system such as Windows 10 or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Operating system-specific network courses can also make sense in a second training course if you have already chosen an operating system as your favorite from your first network course. Or topic-specific network courses on the network topics Python, DevNet, Ansible, CI/CD, DevOps, Git, GitLab, API or Machine Learning. As a network professional, thanks to the knowledge of network technology acquired on the network training course, employment in the IT sector as a network supporter is conceivable. As a network professional, you will control operating systems and networks in such a way that company employees can work happily and efficiently on their computers. IT systems should be needs-based and reliable and therefore place special demands on the respective IT environment. Network experts are responsible for setting up and maintaining professional networks. Specifically, this means setting up the network environment, installing the server and configuring it with roles and features. This network knowledge can also be further expanded with continuing education, further training as a network course on individual network technologies.

A workshop is an event in which the participants carry out practical exercises under the guidance of a moderator. This is also the case with a network workshop. At a network workshop, participants work together on a specific problem or issue from the network area in order to achieve practical work results. The aim of the network workshop is to achieve a common goal with a clear allocation of roles and tasks. Discussions play an important role here in order to learn more about the experiences of other participants and different attitudes and views. This usually takes place in small groups and can therefore also be used optimally for personal relationship management.
The focus of the training is on practical exercises - just like in sport, for example. In network training, participants work with a coach to learn how to use networks professionally. It is primarily about acquiring skills through active participation and targeted practice. In network training, the focus is clearly on the participants' own actions - the trainer provides instructions and assistance for implementation. The trainer becomes part of the team and can offer professional support when a project or bottleneck arises. In this way, network training can be used to develop skills for very specific problems in companies.