Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Information Technology and Computer Sciences

Local Area Network Support And Troubleshooting Skills Training

SAQA US 114043 | NQF 5 | Credits 10 | Duration 7 Days
From $1,118 per delegate

Description

This course equips learners with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to support and troubleshoot local area networks (LANs) in a corporate environment. Participants will learn to identify, diagnose, and resolve common network issues, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal network performance.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate an understanding of LAN components, topologies, and protocols.
  • Apply diagnostic tools and techniques to identify network faults.
  • Implement corrective actions to restore network connectivity.
  • Analyze network performance data to prevent recurring issues.
  • Evaluate network security risks and apply basic protective measures.
  • Document troubleshooting processes and solutions for future reference.

Target Audience

This course is designed for IT support technicians, network administrators, and help desk staff who are responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting LANs in small to medium-sized organisations.

Prerequisites

None — open enrollment. However, basic computer literacy and familiarity with operating systems are recommended.

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Local Area Networks and Troubleshooting Fundamentals

Objectives:
• Understand the basic concepts and components of LANs.
• Identify common network topologies and architectures.
• Learn the OSI model and its relevance to troubleshooting.
• Describe the role of network troubleshooting in support.
• Set up a simple LAN for practical exercises.

Topics:
• Definition and benefits of LANs
• Network topologies: star, bus, ring, mesh
• Network hardware: switches, routers, hubs, NICs
• Introduction to the OSI model (layers 1-4)
• Troubleshooting methodology: identify, isolate, resolve
• Safety precautions and ESD awareness
• Practical: basic cable making and testing

Day 2: Network Media, Cabling, and Physical Layer Troubleshooting

Objectives:
• Differentiate between copper and fibre optic cabling.
• Understand cabling standards (TIA/EIA 568A/B).
• Use cable testers to diagnose physical layer issues.
• Identify common physical layer faults and solutions.
• Perform cable termination and testing.

Topics:
• Copper cabling: UTP, STP, categories (Cat5e, Cat6)
• Fibre optic cabling: single-mode vs multi-mode
• Cabling standards: straight-through, crossover, rollover
• Using cable testers and time-domain reflectometers
• Common physical layer issues: breaks, crosstalk, attenuation
• Practical: terminate and test UTP cables

Day 3: Network Protocols and Addressing (TCP/IP Fundamentals)

Objectives:
• Explain the TCP/IP protocol suite and its layers.
• Understand IP addressing, subnetting, and CIDR.
• Configure IP addresses manually and via DHCP.
• Use basic TCP/IP utilities for troubleshooting.
• Analyse ARP and DNS operations.

Topics:
• TCP/IP model vs OSI model
• IPv4 addressing: classes, subnet masks, private addresses
• Subnetting basics and CIDR notation
• DHCP and static IP configuration
• TCP/IP utilities: ping, tracert, ipconfig, nslookup
• ARP cache and DNS resolution
• Practical: configure a small IP network

Day 4: Network Devices, Switching, and VLANs

Objectives:
• Describe the operation of switches and bridges.
• Understand MAC addressing and frame forwarding.
• Configure VLANs and trunking on managed switches.
• Troubleshoot switching loops and STP.
• Use switch management tools for diagnostics.

Topics:
• Switch operation: learning, forwarding, filtering
• MAC address tables and aging
• VLAN concepts: tagging, port-based VLANs
• Trunking with 802.1Q
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and loop prevention
• Common switch issues: duplex mismatch, port security
• Practical: configure VLANs and test connectivity

Day 5: Routing, Firewalls, and Network Services

Objectives:
• Understand routing basics and static vs dynamic routing.
• Configure a simple router for inter-VLAN routing.
• Explain firewall principles and ACLs.
• Troubleshoot common routing and firewall issues.
• Set up NAT and port forwarding.

Topics:
• Routing concepts: routing tables, default gateway
• Static routing configuration
• Introduction to dynamic routing (RIP, OSPF)
• Firewall types: packet filter, stateful, application
• Access control lists (ACLs)
• NAT and PAT
• Practical: configure a router and firewall rules

Day 6: Wireless LANs and Advanced Troubleshooting Tools

Objectives:
• Understand WLAN standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax).
• Configure wireless access points and security.
• Use protocol analysers (Wireshark) to capture traffic.
• Diagnose wireless interference and performance issues.
• Implement WLAN troubleshooting best practices.

Topics:
• WLAN standards, frequencies, and channels
• Wireless security: WPA2, WPA3, 802.1X
• Site surveys and signal strength measurement
• Using Wireshark for packet analysis
• Common wireless issues: interference, authentication failures
• Troubleshooting with spectrum analysers
• Practical: capture and analyse network traffic

Day 7: Integrated Troubleshooting, Documentation, and Best Practices

Objectives:
• Apply systematic troubleshooting to complex LAN scenarios.
• Create network documentation and diagrams.
• Develop preventive maintenance plans.
• Understand ITIL framework for incident management.
• Complete a comprehensive troubleshooting lab.

Topics:
• End-to-end troubleshooting scenarios
• Network documentation: diagrams, IP schemes, device inventory
• Preventive maintenance: firmware updates, cable management
• Introduction to ITIL incident and problem management
• Performance monitoring and baselining
• Customer communication and escalation procedures
• Practical: full LAN troubleshooting simulation

Practicals

No practicals for this training.

This course is made up of exercises and case studies delivered alongside the theory — no separate practical sessions are required to complete it.

Summatives

Each delegate is assessed continuously throughout the course and a final summative test at the end.

Daily Exercises — 30%

Every training day ends with a multiple-choice exercise scored out of 100%. The scores from each daily exercise are averaged across the duration of the course to produce a Daily Average mark, which contributes 30% to the final total.

Final Test — 70%

On the last day a final summative test is written. It is a multiple-choice paper with multiple-answer questions: each question may have more than one correct option, and a single wrong selection on a question marks the entire question wrong — no partial credit. The final test is scored out of 100% and contributes 70% to the overall mark.

Final Total
Component Out of Weight
Daily Average (multiple choice) 100% 30%
Final Test (multi-answer multiple choice) 100% 70%
Final Total 100%

All marks are recorded on the AATICD LMS and visible to each learner under their account.

Certificate

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to delegates who achieve an overall mark of 50% or higher on the Final Total (Daily Average 30% + Final Test 70%).

How it works
  • Certificates are auto-generated on the AATICD LMS as soon as the marks pass the 50% threshold.
  • Each certificate is a branded PDF with the delegate's name, the course title, the unit standard ID, NQF level, credits, and the date of issue.
  • You can download or print your certificate from your LMS dashboard at any time after issue — there's no reissue fee and no expiry date.
  • If you scored under 50% you can sit the final test again at the next scheduled session at no extra cost.
Where to find it

Sign in to the LMS, open your dashboard, and your certificates appear under My Certificates. Each entry has a View / Download button and a print option.

Training Discounts

Group discounts apply automatically — the more delegates you enrol, the greater the saving. Discounts are calculated at 3% per 5 delegates, scaling up to 40% off for 100+ delegates.

Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% discount per 5 delegates, up to 40% off for 100+ delegates. Contact us for a custom group quote.

Upcoming Training Sessions
Online training — attend live sessions from anywhere via our virtual classroom.
Start End Delivery Season Price Action
Tue 08 Sep 2026 Wed 16 Sep 2026 Virtual Spring 2026 $1,118 Register
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Thu 30 Dec 2027 Fri 07 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,118 Register
Wed 19 Jan 2028 Thu 27 Jan 2028 Virtual Summer 2027 $1,118 Register
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Showing all 481 sessions across 26 venues
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Fri 07 Jan 2028 Mon 17 Jan 2028 Your Premises Summer 2027 $1,453 Register
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Training Discounts
Delegates Discount
5 3% off
10 6% off
15 9% off
20 12% off
25 15% off
30 18% off
50 30% off
75 35% off
100 40% off

3% off per 5 delegates, up to 40% for 100+

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