Learning roadmap

Learning Roadmap

A six-stage path from network admin to network engineer. Tick off milestones — your progress is saved in this browser.

Progress
0%
1
Weeks 1–4

Foundations

Understand how data moves: models, addressing and the physical layer.

Subnetting made simple Cabling & fiber basics Build a home lab
2
Weeks 5–8

Switching

Design and segment LANs with VLANs, trunks and spanning tree.

VLANs explained Documentation guide
3
Weeks 9–14

Routing

Move packets between networks with static and dynamic routing.

OSPF fundamentals BGP basics IPv6 for admins
4
Weeks 15–18

Security & Wireless

Protect the network and deliver reliable Wi-Fi.

Firewall hardening checklist Enterprise Wi-Fi design
5
Weeks 19–22

Operations

Run networks like a pro: monitoring, troubleshooting and change control.

Monitoring 101 Troubleshooting methodology
6
Weeks 23–26

Automation & Career

Automate repetitive work and position yourself for engineering roles.

Automation with Python & Ansible 90-day CCNA plan Admin → engineer roadmap

How the roadmap works

The roadmap breaks the journey from network administrator to network engineer into six stages of roughly four to six weeks each, assuming five to eight hours of study per week. Each stage lists concrete, testable milestones — things you can actually do in a lab, not just read about — and links to the guides that teach them.

Tick a milestone when you can do it without notes. Your progress is stored only in this browser (local storage), so nothing is sent to us and no account is needed. Use the Reset button to start over.

Tips for staying on track

  • Lab every week. Even 30 minutes in Packet Tracer, GNS3, EVE-NG or Containerlab beats an hour of passive video. See How to Build a Home Network Lab.
  • Write it down. Keep a learning log with diagrams and configs — it becomes your portfolio and interview material.
  • Teach back. Explaining OSPF neighbor states or VLAN trunking to someone else exposes gaps quickly.
  • Book the exam. A date on the calendar turns “someday” into a plan. Our 90-day CCNA plan fits stages 1–4.

Want accountability and a personal plan? The 1:1 CCNA Mentorship Program pairs this roadmap with weekly live sessions and lab reviews.

Ready when you are

Let’s make your network faster, safer and easier to run

Tell us what you are working on — a messy rack, a flat network, an upcoming CCNA exam — and we will suggest the simplest next step.

Start a conversation → See services