"The smaller class sizes allow you to get a more personal relationship with your instructor so you’re not afraid to ask them any little question. You’re not uneasy in class. It’s comfortable and relaxed. I loved to going to school." - Jessie T., CDI College Graduate

If you have a knack for technology and want to enter the rapidly growing IT sector, the Network Systems Engineer program at CDI College will prepare you to succeed on the job.

As a student in this program, you’ll hone the skills to install, test and evaluate computer networks in a business setting. You’ll also learn to use a systematized approach to problem solving and troubleshoot glitches related to local area (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). Along with Linux, internetworking and various Cisco network devices, you’ll also cover various Windows Server essentials, including active directory configuration, network infrastructure configuration, administration and application infrastructure. Other topics include SharePoint administration and server virtualization.

With curriculum developed around essential industry certifications by Microsoft, CompTIA and Cisco, you’ll be prepared to challenge several certification exams upon graduation.
This program is 53 weeks in length.

Job Opportunities
  • Network Administrator
  • Network Security Specialist
  • Network Associate
  • Technical Support Specialist

Program Courses

The program outline below is for Ontario . Click here to see the outlines for British Columbia.

Code Course Name Hours
  • SSSO Student Success Strategies 20

    • This course will introduce students to skills and concepts that will help them achieve personal, academic and career success.
  • ICAO Introduction to Computer Applications 80

    • This course gives the student an introduction to documentation, report writing, spreadsheets, and presentations using the computer software applications that are commonly used today in the human services field. It covers the basic use of the Windows operating system and Internet software, the text editing and document formatting capabilities of Microsoft Word as well as Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software.
  • PC1O Managing and Maintaining PCs (A+): Part 1 60

    • This course is the first of two courses that cover the general installation, maintenance and management of computer hardware and software resources. This first course focuses on the hardware resources that make up a computer system course will align to the CompTIA A+ learning objectives. Students will learn about the operation of microcomputer systems, the various hardware components that makeup a computer system and how to troubleshoot common hardware problems.
  • PC2O Managing and Maintaining PCs (A+): Part 2 60

    • This course is the second of two consecutive courses that align to the CompTIA A+ certification requirements. This course focuses on the software installation, configuration and troubleshooting as well as system security. Students will gain an understanding of the various network models, standards and protocols. Students will install configure and troubleshoot operating system software as well as application software packages. Finally the course will explore security issues involving software installations.
  • NWPO Network+ 80

    • The Network+ course will provide students with an introduction to the theory of networks. Students will learn basic networking concepts relating to the types of networks, general networking components, specialized hardware and software associated with networks, and how to setup and configure networks. Students will also learn about network security, wireless networks as well as Voice over IP network capabilities.
  • PI1O Phase 1 Integration Project 20

    • This course integrates all previous learning. Students will complete the set up and configuration of a PC and network hardware and software. They will also troubleshoot the PC and network environment.
  • WN7O Configuring a Windows Client Operating Systems 80

    • This course explores the features and capabilities of a Windows operating system. Students will install and Configure a Windows based operating system. Students will explore System requirements, User and System Management and Administration, Networking and Remote access services. The course will also explore how the operating system will inter-operate with other operating systems. Students will learn the concepts of system security as they apply to the operating system as well as disaster protection, recovery and troubleshooting. The final part of this course will explore the operating system support for software applications as well as the optimization of the operating system.
  • WS8O Configuring a Windows Server Operating System 80

    • This course provides the student with an overview of the Windows Server 2008 Core. Students will install the Windows Server 2008 core components, and configure the various server roles and other components. Students will learn to create and manage users and user groups as well as user and group rights. The course will then explore the common server administration tasks and management of services.
  • SPCO Security+ 80

    • This course explores the issues related to computer and network security and its implications. Students will learn to recognize security threats and ramifications, identify sources of security threats and major areas of vulnerability. The course will examine ways to detect and neutralize system and network security threats, implement security protection procedures and practices. Methods of security disaster recovery will also be explored in this course.
  • LX1O Linux Fundamentals 60

    • In this course, the student will learn to install, and maintain a Linux system. The student will configure and use graphical user interfaces (GUIs), use Linux commands to manage files and file systems, administer users, groups, permissions and attributes. The student will learn to work with Linux scripts, services, processes and schedule tasks. Students will be able to set up Linux client side networking and printing services as well as File Sharing services. Finally students will enable and administer Linux and Windows integration tools and learn to compile and install software on a Linux system.
  • LX2O Linux Server Administration 60

    • In this course, students will learn install and configure a Linux server. Students will learn to configure file and print sharing services, plan and implement LDAP, configure DNS, routing and VPNs on a Linux server. Students will be able to secure a Linux server and a Linux Network as well as monitor a Linux network and configure backups. By the end of the course students will be able to install, configure and manage an Apache server as well as an e-mail server.
  • INNO Introduction to Internetworking 60

    • This course explores the fundamental concepts in internetworking. The focus of this course is TCP/IP. Students will explore the DOD and OSI Reference Models and learn to identify TCP/IP Protocol Suite Components and implement IP addressing and Subnet Masks. Students will learn about name resolution and TCP/IP naming services and how to navigate the Cisco IOS Interface and perform basic operations on Cisco routers and switches.
  • ICNO Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices 80

    • This course explores the configuration and administration of common Cisco Network devices. Students will learn about Layered Internetwork Communication, Protocols and Standards and how to plan and design Internetworked LANS and WANS. This course will allow the students to work with the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) in a simulated environment. Students will learn to implement and manage Cisco routers and switches.
  • ADCO Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration 80

    • Active Directory is Microsoft’s directory service used on Microsoft Window networks that allows administrators to manage network resources (including users, computers and groups) and services. It is also essential for authentication and authorization, which is essential to network and data security. This course covers installing Active Directory, defining subnets and sites, managing operations masters and global catalogs, managing users, computers and groups, implementing group policies and implementing Active Directory Certificate Services.
  • NICO Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration 80

    • This course builds upon the fundamentals of Windows Server 2008 and focuses on the features and functionality of the networking components and services available in the operating system. By the end of this course students will be able to configure IPv4 and IPv6 Addressing, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), Routing, IPSec, Domain Name Resolution, Network Access and File and Print Services on a Windows Network. Student will also learn to monitor and Manage a Network Infrastructure.
  • WSAO Windows Server 2008 Administration 80

    • The Server Administrator focuses on the planning for server deployment, server management and planning of application and data provisioning. In this course, students will learn to plan server installations and upgrades, automated server deployment strategies, infrastructure services, server roles, deployment of application servers and services, file and print server roles, administration and management of the servers, group policy strategy. Students will also learn to implement patch management strategies and monitor servers for performance evaluation and optimization. Finally students will be able to monitor and maintain security and policies as well as plan for applications, data storage, backup and recovery.
  • APCO Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure Configuration 80

    • The Windows Server 2008 Application Infrastructure includes those network applications that enhance your network capabilities or network services. Topics include deploying Windows with Windows Deployment Services, deploying virtual servers with Hyper-V, configuring high availability (failover cluster and network load balancing), configure storage, configuring terminal services, configuring a web services infrastructure using Internet Information Services (IIS), implementing Windows Media server and implementing Windows SharePoint Services.
  • SHPO SharePoint Administration 80

    • Students will learn to use Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 as a collaborative tool that allows you to share and organize documents, contacts, and calendars; create polls; moderate the content of lists and share libraries. Students will learn to install configure and deploy Windows SharePoint and build and configure SharePoint Services Topology. Finally students will learn to administer, monitor and implement SharePoint security.
  • VCMO Server Virtualization 60

    • This course covers the computer virtualization and how it is impacting the computing industry. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of virtualization and the different strategies available. The course will focus on Microsoft approach using VMM as well as VMWare as possible virtualization solutions. Students will discover the Virtual Machine architecture and protocols, plan a VMM deployment, install and configure the necessary components, manage a virtual machine deployment and troubleshoot a virtual machine deployment.
  • PSKO Professional Skills 20

    • This course is designed to equip students with interpersonal skills identified by employers as essential for success in the professional world. Using a variety of instructional methods including case studies, group exercises, and discussion, students learn and practice key communication skills.
  • CESO Career and Employment Strategies 20

    • This course looks at the planning, preparation, execution and follow-up stages of an interview. Students will learn about  finding jobs, employer expectations, transferable skills, job interviews, effective resume preparation, cover letters and job search management. They will also learn to present an enthusiastic attitude, focus on the right job, tap into the hidden job market and handle objections.