Hardware and Networking Essentials
Duration: 3 Months (12 Weeks)
Recommended Training: 2 hours per day, 5 days per week
Course Level: Beginner to Job-Ready Technician
Recommended Training: 2 hours per day, 5 days per week
Course Level: Beginner to Job-Ready Technician
Month 1: Computer Hardware Fundamentals
Build a strong foundation in computer hardware, components, PC assembly and operating-system installation.
- Types of computers and their applications
- Desktop, laptop, workstation and server basics
- Input, output and storage devices
- Computer architecture and block diagram
- Hardware technician safety procedures
- ESD precautions and proper tool handling
- Motherboard types and form factors
- CPU types, sockets and generations
- RAM types: DDR3, DDR4 and DDR5
- HDD, SSD, SATA and NVMe storage
- SMPS types, wattage and connectors
- BIOS/UEFI and CMOS battery
- Graphics, sound and network cards
Practical: Identifying computer components
- Selecting compatible components
- Step-by-step desktop assembly
- Installing CPU, RAM, storage and SMPS
- Front-panel and internal cable connections
- BIOS/UEFI configuration
- Boot sequence and hardware monitoring
Practical: Assemble and disassemble a computer
- Hard-disk partitioning and formatting, MBR and GPT partition styles
- Legacy BIOS and UEFI boot modes
- Creating a bootable USB drive
- Windows 10/11 installation
- Device-driver installation
- Windows activation and updates
- Essential application installation
Practical: Complete Windows installation
Month 2: Troubleshooting and Networking
Develop practical skills in hardware and software troubleshooting while learning the fundamentals of computer networking.
- System not powering on
- No-display troubleshooting
- POST errors and beep codes
- RAM, storage and SMPS problems
- CPU overheating and cooling issues
- Slow-system diagnosis
- Desktop cleaning and preventive maintenance
- Hardware diagnostic tools
Practical: Diagnose and resolve common faults
- Windows startup and boot problems
- Safe Mode and recovery options
- System Restore and Startup Repair
- Blue Screen of Death basics
- Virus and malware removal
- Data backup and recovery fundamentals
- User accounts and permissions
- Antivirus and firewall configuration
Practical: Repair a corrupted Windows installation
- LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN and WLAN network topologies
- Client-server and peer-to-peer networks
- OSI and TCP/IP models
- Network devices: switch, router, modem and access point
- MAC address and IP address
- IPv4 and IPv6 introduction
- Public and private IP addresses
- Static and dynamic IP configuration
- UTP, STP and fibre-optic cables
- Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat6a standards
- RJ45 connectors and crimping tools
- T568A and T568B colour standards
- Straight-through and crossover cables
- Cable testing and fault identification
- Configuring IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS
Practical: Create and test Ethernet cables
Month 3: Advanced Networking and Support
Learn IP addressing, network services, router and wireless configuration, network administration, troubleshooting and server fundamentals.
- Binary and decimal conversion basics
- IPv4 address classes
- Subnetting fundamentals
- DHCP, DNS, NAT and gateway concepts
- TCP and UDP
- Common ports and protocols
- HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH, RDP and SMTP
Practical: Configure a small office IP network
- Router login and initial configuration
- WAN and LAN configuration
- DHCP scope and IP reservation
- Wi-Fi SSID and password configuration
- WPA2 and WPA3 security
- Guest network configuration
- MAC filtering
- Port forwarding fundamentals
- Wi-Fi range and connectivity troubleshooting
Practical: Configure a wireless router
- File and printer sharing
- Shared-folder permissions
- Mapping a network drive
- Remote Desktop configuration
- Workgroup and domain concepts
- Useful commands: ipconfig, ping, tracert, nslookup, netstat and arp
- Network monitoring fundamentals
- Identifying IP conflicts
- Troubleshooting DNS, gateway and cable issues
Practical: Diagnose LAN and internet problems
- Introduction to Windows Server
- Server installation overview
- Active Directory and Domain Controller concepts
- Creating users and groups
- Shared folders and access permissions
- Network printer installation
- Backup and restore strategies
- Hardware and network documentation
- Customer handling and service-report preparation
Final Practical Project
Students must complete a small-office hardware and network installation covering the practical skills learned throughout the course.
- Assemble and configure one desktop computer
- Install Windows, drivers and applications
- Create and test Ethernet cables
- Configure a router and secured Wi-Fi network
- Connect multiple computers through a switch
- Configure IP addresses and internet access
- Enable folder and printer sharing
- Troubleshoot assigned hardware and network faults
- Submit a network diagram and service report
Assessment Structure
| Assessment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Weekly practical exercises | 30% |
| Monthly tests | 20% |
| Troubleshooting practical exam | 20% |
| Final project | 20% |
| Attendance and viva | 10% |
Career Opportunities
- Computer Hardware Technician
- Desktop Support Engineer
- Network Support Technician
- IT Helpdesk Executive
- Field Service Engineer
- Junior Network Administrator
- System Support Engineer
- Computer Service-Centre Technician
Course Completion Skills
Students will be able to assemble computers, install operating systems, diagnose common hardware faults, create LAN cables, configure routers, establish small-office networks, share resources and perform basic network administration.
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