Computer Networking Specialist

Course Description

CTS0084 – Computer Networking Specialist is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course delivered as Occupational Completion Point C within the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Computer Systems and Information Technology PSAV Program. The course covers advanced networking competencies preparing students for advanced network technician and entry-level networking specialist roles. Building on the foundational networking content established in CTS0083, CTS0084 covers advanced networking topics aligned to the substantial portions of CompTIA Network+ and the introductory portions of Cisco CCNA certifications — covering advanced switching and routing concepts, advanced subnetting and IPv6, network design at introductory level, network security, advanced wireless networking, advanced troubleshooting, and introductory awareness of cloud networking, network automation, and contemporary networking technologies.

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

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. For coverage of foundational networking content that CTS0084 builds on, see the CTS0083 (Computer Network Technician) guide in this corpus.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of CTS0084, students will be able to:

• Apply principles of advanced switching: VLANs (Virtual LANs); VLAN trunking; spanning tree protocol (STP) introduction; switch port configuration; the substantial role of switch configuration in network design and operations.
• Apply principles of advanced routing: static routing; dynamic routing protocols at introductory level (RIP, OSPF — substantial; EIGRP awareness); routing table interpretation; the substantial role of routing in network design.
• Apply principles of advanced subnetting and IPv6: complex IPv4 subnetting; VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking); IPv6 addressing in detail; IPv6 transition mechanisms (dual stack, tunneling); the substantial contemporary IPv6 deployment.
• Apply principles of introductory network design: hierarchical network design; redundancy and high availability; capacity planning at introductory level; the substantial role of design considerations in successful network deployment.
• Apply principles of advanced network security: ACLs (Access Control Lists); advanced firewall configuration; intrusion detection awareness; VPN implementation; network segmentation; the substantial role of network security in defense-in-depth (substantial security coverage continues in CTS0069).
• Apply principles of advanced wireless networking: enterprise wireless design; wireless controllers; advanced Wi-Fi security; wireless troubleshooting; the substantial growth of enterprise wireless deployment.
• Apply principles of advanced network troubleshooting: advanced troubleshooting tools (Wireshark for packet capture; nmap for network discovery; performance monitoring tools); the substantial role of advanced troubleshooting in complex network operations.
• Apply principles of cloud networking and virtualization: cloud network architecture (AWS VPC, Azure VNet, Google Cloud VPC); software-defined networking introduction; virtualized networking; the substantial growth of cloud networking in contemporary IT.
• Apply principles of introductory awareness of contemporary networking technologies: network automation introduction; SD-WAN; the Internet of Things (IoT) network considerations; introductory awareness of 5G implications.
• Apply principles of network management and monitoring: enterprise network monitoring tools; SNMP-based monitoring; log analysis at introductory level; the substantial role of proactive network management.
• Apply principles of introductory awareness of WAN technologies: leased lines; Ethernet WAN services; MPLS introduction; the substantial growth of internet-based WAN options (SD-WAN).
• Apply principles of professional and ethical advanced networking behaviors: substantial professional ethics expected of network specialists; substantial trust placed in network specialists; appropriate change-management practices.
• Successfully complete laboratory exercises developing advanced network specialist skills using Cisco-based equipment, virtualized networking environments, and Cisco Packet Tracer/GNS3 for simulated networking practice.
• Prepare for and (where pursued) pass the CompTIA Network+ certification examination — the foundational U.S. networking credential.
• Prepare for and (where pursued) pursue introductory Cisco CCNA certification preparation — additional preparation typical for full Cisco CCNA examination.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis:

• Engage with substantial Cisco-specific content: institutional participation in Cisco Networking Academy provides substantial Cisco-specific content with extensive hands-on Cisco IOS configuration practice.
• Engage with introductory awareness of advanced networking certifications: CompTIA Network+ (foundational); Cisco CCNA (vendor-specific networking); CompTIA Cloud+ (cloud-related networking); the substantial range of advanced networking credentials.
• Pursue articulation toward Florida AS-Networking, AS-Cybersecurity, and AS-Cloud Computing programs.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Advanced Switching: VLANs (Virtual LANs); VLAN trunking; spanning tree protocol (STP) introduction; switch port configuration; switch configuration in network design and operations.
• Advanced Routing: Static routing; dynamic routing protocols at introductory level (RIP, OSPF — substantial; EIGRP awareness); routing table interpretation; routing in network design.
• Advanced Subnetting and IPv6: Complex IPv4 subnetting; VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking); IPv6 addressing in detail; IPv6 transition mechanisms (dual stack, tunneling); contemporary IPv6 deployment.
• Network Design (Introductory): Hierarchical network design; redundancy and high availability; capacity planning at introductory level; design considerations in successful network deployment.
• Advanced Network Security: ACLs (Access Control Lists); advanced firewall configuration; intrusion detection awareness; VPN implementation; network segmentation; network security in defense-in-depth.
• Advanced Wireless Networking: Enterprise wireless design; wireless controllers; advanced Wi-Fi security; wireless troubleshooting; growth of enterprise wireless deployment.
• Advanced Network Troubleshooting: Advanced troubleshooting tools (Wireshark for packet capture; nmap for network discovery; performance monitoring tools); advanced troubleshooting in complex network operations.
• Cloud Networking and Virtualization: Cloud network architecture (AWS VPC, Azure VNet, Google Cloud VPC); software-defined networking introduction; virtualized networking; growth of cloud networking in contemporary IT.
• Contemporary Networking Technologies (Introductory): Network automation introduction; SD-WAN; Internet of Things (IoT) network considerations; 5G implications introduction.
• Network Management and Monitoring: Enterprise network monitoring tools; SNMP-based monitoring; log analysis at introductory level; proactive network management.
• WAN Technologies (Introductory): Leased lines; Ethernet WAN services; MPLS introduction; growth of internet-based WAN options (SD-WAN).
• Professional and Ethical Advanced Networking Behaviors: Professional ethics expected of network specialists; trust placed in network specialists; appropriate change-management practices.
• Laboratory Exercises: Advanced network specialist skills using Cisco-based equipment, virtualized networking environments, Cisco Packet Tracer/GNS3.
• CompTIA Network+ Certification Preparation: Foundational U.S. networking credential.
• Cisco CCNA Certification Preparation (Introductory): Additional preparation typical for full Cisco CCNA examination.

Optional Topics

• Cisco-Specific Content (Substantial): Cisco Networking Academy participation provides substantial Cisco-specific content with extensive hands-on Cisco IOS configuration practice.
• Advanced Networking Certifications (Awareness): CompTIA Network+ (foundational); Cisco CCNA (vendor-specific); CompTIA Cloud+ (cloud-related); range of advanced networking credentials.
• AS Articulation: Florida AS-Networking, AS-Cybersecurity, and AS-Cloud Computing programs.

Resources & Tools

• FLDOE Curriculum Framework: Florida Department of Education Computer Systems and Information Technology PSAV framework documents.
• Most-adopted textbooks at Florida institutions: See the CTS0083 guide for foundational Network+ texts that continue through CTS0084. Additional Cisco-focused texts: CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide by Odom (Cisco Press) — among the most widely-adopted Cisco certification preparation; CCNA Routing and Switching Complete Study Guide by Lammle (Sybex/Wiley).
• Cisco Networking Academy participation: Many Florida institutions are Cisco Networking Academy partners, providing access to substantial Cisco-developed curriculum, hands-on labs, and certification voucher discounts. Institutions confirm Cisco Networking Academy participation through institutional advisors.
• Lab equipment (institution-provided): Cisco-based equipment (switches, routers — physical and/or simulated); cable testing equipment; Cisco Packet Tracer (free Cisco-developed network simulator widely used in CCNA preparation); GNS3 (open-source advanced network emulator); virtualized lab environments (VMware, VirtualBox).
• Online learning platforms: Cisco Networking Academy curriculum (institutional access); CompTIA CertMaster Learn; Cengage MindTap; Mike Meyers Total Seminars; Professor Messer free Network+ video series.
• Industry credentials sought during/after the program: CompTIA Network+ (full certification typical exit goal for CTS0084); Cisco CCNA for students continuing in Cisco-specific track; CompTIA Cloud+ for cloud-networking specialty; Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate for Azure-specific networking.
• Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA with substantial IT competition categories; BPA (Business Professionals of America); Cisco Networking Academy student involvement.
• Online resources: Professor Messer (professormesser.com — free Network+ video resources); Cisco Networking Academy resources; Reddit r/CCNA, r/CompTIA, r/networking communities; YouTube networking tutorials (David Bombal, NetworkChuck, Keith Barker — substantial CCNA-focused content).
• Tutoring and support: Institution IT-program tutoring; faculty office hours; peer study groups; Cisco Networking Academy peer mentoring at participating institutions.

Career Pathways

CTS0084 completion plus prior CTS0082 and CTS0083 completion qualifies students for advanced network technician and entry-level network specialist positions. See the CTS0082 guide for the comprehensive Florida IT-employer landscape. Specific considerations for CTS0084 content:

• Network Specialist (Mid-Level) — direct network specialist work at major Florida employers; substantial demand for trained network specialists across sectors.
• Network Engineer (Entry-Level) — entry-level network engineering roles for students continuing through advanced certifications (CCNA and beyond).
• Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineer — advanced NOC roles; common career progression from NOC Tier 1 to NOC Tier 2/Tier 3 engineering roles.
• Cloud Networking Specialist — emerging specialty for students with combined networking and cloud-platform competencies.
• Continued Progression Through CTS Series — students typically continue through CTS0069 (Computer Security Technician) for the full 900-hour program completion combining IT support, networking, and cybersecurity competencies.
• Articulation to AS-Networking and AS-Cybersecurity Programs — combined CTS0082-0083-0084 completion plus CompTIA Network+ certification typically grants substantial articulation credit at Florida AS-Networking programs.

Special Information

Program Position

CTS0084 is OCP C (the third 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

CTS0084 articulates broadly within the Florida public-college system per SCNS conventions. Combined CTS0082-0083-0084 completion (the IT support and networking sequence within the PSAV program) is widely valued for Florida AS-Networking and AS-Cybersecurity articulation.

Course Format and Hours

CTS0084 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 Cisco-based networking equipment (physical and simulated via Cisco Packet Tracer), and certification-preparation work.

Credits

CTS0084 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 CTS0084 for this PSAV course. Some institutions use the format "CTS 0084" with a space. Course title is consistently "Computer Networking Specialist" across institutions.