Computer Network Technician

Course Description

CTS0083 – Computer Network Technician is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course delivered as Occupational Completion Point B within the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Computer Systems and Information Technology PSAV Program. The course covers foundational networking competencies preparing students for entry-level network support technician roles. Building on the IT support foundation established in CTS0082, CTS0083 introduces structured networking content aligned to the foundational portions of the CompTIA Network+ certification — covering networking fundamentals, network media and topologies, network protocols and IP addressing, network operating systems and services, network installation and configuration, network management and monitoring at introductory level, and network troubleshooting at introductory level.

The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Computer Technology Skills > Networking and is offered at approximately 27 Florida public institutions providing PSAV IT programs. CTS0083 is OCP B in the FLDOE 900-hour program structure: see the CTS0082 guide for the complete program structure overview (CTS0082 OCP A > CTS0083 OCP B > CTS0084 OCP C > CTS0069 OCP D).

For comprehensive overview of the FLDOE Computer Systems and Information Technology PSAV program structure, Florida IT-employer landscape, training-center delivery, and articulation pathways, see the CTS0082 (Computer Systems Technician) guide in this corpus.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CTS0083, students will be able to:

• Apply principles of networking fundamentals: the OSI model and the TCP/IP model; network types (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN, WLAN); the substantial range of contemporary networks; network architectures (peer-to-peer, client-server); the substantial role of networking knowledge in IT support work.
• Apply principles of network media and topologies: copper cabling (twisted pair categories, coaxial); fiber optic cabling (single mode, multimode); wireless media (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular); network topologies (star, ring, bus, mesh); the substantial role of media selection in network performance.
• Apply principles of network devices: hubs, switches, routers; access points; firewalls at introductory level; load balancers at introductory awareness level; modems; the substantial range of network device types and their roles.
• Apply principles of IP addressing: IPv4 addressing (address classes, private vs. public addresses, classless addressing, CIDR, subnetting at introductory level); IPv6 addressing (substantial coverage given contemporary IPv6 deployment); subnet masks and subnetting calculations; IP address assignment (static, DHCP); the substantial role of IP addressing competence in network support.
• Apply principles of network protocols: TCP and UDP; common application-layer protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP/POP/IMAP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, SSH, Telnet, RDP); the substantial role of protocol knowledge in network troubleshooting.
• Apply principles of network operating systems and services: Microsoft Windows Server at introductory level; Linux server at introductory level; common network services (DNS, DHCP, file sharing, print services); introductory awareness of cloud-based network services.
• Apply principles of wired network installation and configuration: cable installation; network device configuration at introductory level (switches, routers); patch panels and structured cabling at introductory level; the substantial role of accurate physical-layer work in network reliability.
• Apply principles of wireless network installation and configuration: Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be — current and prior); Wi-Fi security (WPA2, WPA3); SSID configuration; channel selection; site survey awareness; the substantial growth of wireless networking.
• Apply principles of network management and monitoring at introductory level: network documentation; basic network monitoring tools; the substantial role of network management in operational reliability.
• Apply principles of network security at introductory level: network access control; firewalls at network level; VPNs at introductory level; the relationship between network security and overall IT security (advanced security covered in CTS0069).
• Apply principles of network troubleshooting: systematic network troubleshooting methodology; common network issues; troubleshooting tools (ping, tracert/traceroute, ipconfig/ifconfig, nslookup, others); the substantial role of systematic troubleshooting in network support effectiveness.
• Apply principles of cloud and virtualization at introductory level: cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS); the major cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud); virtualization at introductory level (VMware, Hyper-V); the substantial growth of cloud and virtualization in contemporary networking.
• Apply principles of professional and ethical network technician behaviors: confidentiality of network data accessed during support work; appropriate professional conduct; legal considerations; the substantial trust placed in network technicians.
• Successfully complete laboratory exercises developing network technician skills using physical and virtualized network equipment.
• Prepare for CompTIA Network+ certification at foundational level (full Network+ certification preparation typically continues through CTS0084).

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis:

• Engage with Cisco networking awareness: introduction to Cisco IOS; Cisco device basic configuration; introductory awareness of Cisco CCENT/CCNA certification track (more substantial Cisco coverage in CTS0084).
• Engage with introductory awareness of advanced networking topics: VoIP at introductory level; SDN (Software Defined Networking) introduction; network automation introduction.
• Pursue articulation toward Florida AS-Networking and AS-Cybersecurity programs.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Networking Fundamentals: OSI model and TCP/IP model; network types (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN, WLAN); contemporary networks range; network architectures (peer-to-peer, client-server); networking knowledge in IT support work.
• Network Media and Topologies: Copper cabling (twisted pair categories, coaxial); fiber optic cabling (single mode, multimode); wireless media (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular); network topologies (star, ring, bus, mesh); media selection in network performance.
• Network Devices: Hubs, switches, routers; access points; firewalls at introductory level; load balancers at introductory awareness level; modems; range of network device types and their roles.
• IP Addressing: IPv4 addressing (address classes, private vs. public, classless addressing, CIDR, subnetting at introductory level); IPv6 addressing; subnet masks and subnetting calculations; IP address assignment (static, DHCP); IP addressing competence in network support.
• Network Protocols: TCP and UDP; common application-layer protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP/POP/IMAP, DNS, DHCP, SNMP, SSH, Telnet, RDP); protocol knowledge in network troubleshooting.
• Network Operating Systems and Services: Microsoft Windows Server at introductory level; Linux server at introductory level; common network services (DNS, DHCP, file sharing, print services); cloud-based network services introduction.
• Wired Network Installation and Configuration: Cable installation; network device configuration at introductory level (switches, routers); patch panels and structured cabling at introductory level; physical-layer work in network reliability.
• Wireless Network Installation and Configuration: Wi-Fi standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be — current and prior); Wi-Fi security (WPA2, WPA3); SSID configuration; channel selection; site survey awareness; growth of wireless networking.
• Network Management and Monitoring (Introductory): Network documentation; basic network monitoring tools; network management in operational reliability.
• Network Security (Introductory): Network access control; firewalls at network level; VPNs at introductory level; network security/overall IT security relationship (advanced in CTS0069).
• Network Troubleshooting: Systematic network troubleshooting methodology; common network issues; troubleshooting tools (ping, tracert/traceroute, ipconfig/ifconfig, nslookup); systematic troubleshooting in network support effectiveness.
• Cloud and Virtualization (Introductory): Cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS); major cloud providers (AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud); virtualization at introductory level (VMware, Hyper-V); growth of cloud and virtualization in contemporary networking.
• Professional and Ethical Network Technician Behaviors: Confidentiality of network data; appropriate professional conduct; legal considerations; trust placed in network technicians.
• Laboratory Exercises: Network technician skills development using physical and virtualized network equipment.
• CompTIA Network+ Certification (Foundational Level): Full Network+ certification preparation continues through CTS0084.

Optional Topics

• Cisco Networking Awareness: Cisco IOS introduction; Cisco device basic configuration; CCENT/CCNA certification track introduction (more substantial in CTS0084).
• Advanced Networking Topics (Awareness): VoIP at introductory level; SDN (Software Defined Networking) introduction; network automation introduction.
• AS Articulation: Florida AS-Networking and AS-Cybersecurity programs.

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: Florida Department of Education Computer Systems and Information Technology PSAV framework documents.
• Most-adopted textbooks at Florida institutions: CompTIA Network+ Guide to Networks by West, Dean, Andrews (Cengage) — among the most widely-adopted Network+ textbooks; CompTIA Network+ Study Guide by Lammle (Sybex/Wiley); Mike Meyers' CompTIA Network+ Guide to Managing & Troubleshooting Networks by Meyers (McGraw-Hill); Network+ Guide to Networks by Limoncelli, Hogan, Chalup.
• CompTIA certification preparation resources (highly relevant): CompTIA Official Study Guide for Network+; CompTIA CertMaster Learn (online learning platform); CompTIA exam objectives (free at comptia.org).
• Lab equipment (institution-provided): Network switches, routers, access points; cable testing equipment; virtualized lab environments (VMware, VirtualBox, Cisco Packet Tracer for simulated networking practice — Cisco Packet Tracer is free and widely-used in Florida networking programs); GNS3 (open-source network emulator).
• Online learning platforms: CompTIA CertMaster Learn (paid; comprehensive); Cengage MindTap (paired with West); Mike Meyers Total Seminars; Professor Messer free Network+ video series (substantial free resource at professormesser.com).
• Industry credentials sought during/after the program: CompTIA Network+ (full certification typically pursued after CTS0084); CompTIA A+ (typically completed before CTS0083 via CTS0082); Cisco CCNA for students continuing through advanced networking; Microsoft network-related certifications for Microsoft-stack networking.
• Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA with substantial IT competition categories; BPA (Business Professionals of America); Cisco Networking Academy student involvement at participating institutions.
• Online resources: Professor Messer (professormesser.com — substantial free Network+ video resources); CompTIA exam-objectives documents; Cisco Networking Academy resources at participating institutions; the substantial range of YouTube networking tutorials.
• Tutoring and support: Institution IT-program tutoring; faculty office hours; peer study groups.

Career Pathways

CTS0083 completion plus prior CTS0082 completion qualifies students for entry-level network technician positions. See the CTS0082 guide for the comprehensive Florida IT-employer landscape. Specific considerations for CTS0083 content:

• Network Technician (Entry-Level) — direct network support work at major Florida employers; substantial demand at hospitals, banks, government, theme parks, businesses across sectors.
• Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician (Entry-Level) — monitoring network operations in 24/7 NOC environments; common entry-level networking role.
• Field Service Network Technician — on-site network installation and support; substantial growth in managed service provider sector.
• Cabling Technician — structured-cabling installation; substantial Florida construction-related demand.
• Continued Progression Through CTS Series — students typically continue through CTS0084 (Computer Networking Specialist) for full CompTIA Network+ preparation and advanced networking competencies.

Special Information

Program Position

CTS0083 is OCP B (the second of four occupational completion points) in the FLDOE Computer Systems and Information Technology PSAV program at 150 contact hours. See the CTS0082 guide for the complete 900-hour program structure.

Articulation

CTS0083 articulates broadly within the Florida public-college system per SCNS conventions. Most Florida AS-Networking and AS-Cybersecurity programs award articulation credit for completed CTS0083 (combined with CompTIA Network+ certification, articulation credit is typically substantial).

Course Format and Hours

CTS0083 is a clock-hour PSAV course structured at 150 contact hours per FLDOE framework — typically delivered over one semester (15-16 weeks at approximately 10 hours per week) or as an integrated portion of comprehensive program scheduling. Course hours include classroom instruction, substantial laboratory practice with networking equipment (physical and simulated), and certification-preparation work.

Credits

CTS0083 is a 0-credit PSAV clock-hour course. Per Florida convention, PSAV courses are measured in clock hours rather than college credits.

Course Code Variations

Florida institutions consistently use CTS0083 for this PSAV course. Some institutions use the format "CTS 0083" with a space. Course title is consistently "Computer Network Technician" across institutions.