OT Networking Fundamentals

Learn OT networking basics through practical labs covering IP setup, switches, MAC addresses, and OSI layers.
What you'll learn
Understand how routers, switches, and devices communicate to form reliable industrial and home networks.
Learn the key differences between IT and OT networks used in manufacturing environments.
Configure and troubleshoot basic OT networks, including IP setup, MAC identification, and connectivity tests.
Grasp how data flows through OSI layers and supports control, safety, and SCADA systems on the plant floor.
Requirements
No prior networking or automation experience is required, this course is designed for complete beginners.
A basic understanding of how computers or industrial devices connect is helpful but not mandatory.
Access to a laptop or PC for following along with examples and optional hands-on labs.
Curiosity about how manufacturing systems, PLCs, and HMIs communicate within a network environment.
Description
Understanding how industrial networks work is one of the most valuable skills for engineers and technicians in today's manufacturing environment. This course introduces you to the foundations of Operational Technology (OT) networking and gives you the practical knowledge to build, connect, and troubleshoot real systems on the plant floor.You will start from the very beginning, learning what makes a network function, how industrial devices exchange information, and how plant-floor systems differ from traditional IT networks. Each lesson builds on the last, combining clear explanations, whiteboard visuals, and guided hands-on labs that bring every concept to life.By the end of this course, you will understand how to connect your laptop to an industrial device, interpret IP and MAC addresses, and diagnose the most common communication problems found in OT environments.What You Will LearnThe fundamentals of how routers, switches, and devices communicate in a networkThe key differences between IT and OT networking in manufacturing systemsThe structure and purpose of the OSI model with a focus on Layers 1 to 3How to identify devices using MAC addresses and configure IP addresses for industrial equipmentThe importance of network reliability, data flow, and safety signals in control systemsHow to connect to PLCs, HMIs, and other OT devices using your laptopPractical troubleshooting methods for resolving basic network and communication issuesWhy This Course MattersLearn from real industrial experience, not theoryFollow along with labs and demonstrations that mirror real factory systemsBuild confidence to design and maintain small OT networksPrepare yourself for more advanced topics such as VLANs, NAT, and managed switch configurationThis course is perfect for technicians, engineers, and students who want to understand the communication backbone of modern industrial automation. No previous networking experience is required - only curiosity and a desire to learn how real plants connect and operate.
Who this course is for
Engineers, technicians, managers, supervisors and maintenance professionals in the manufacturing space who want to understand how OT networks function on the plant floor. Students and beginners entering the fields of industrial automation, controls, or systems integration. IT professionals looking to learn how operational networks differ from traditional corporate environments. Anyone curious about how PLCs, HMIs, and industrial devices communicate in real-world manufacturing systems.
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