Linux for Network Engineers

Business benefits

• Faster diagnosis of network issues thanks to practical Linux tools and a structured testing methodology.
• Ability to build repeatable labs (GNS3) for testing changes and internal training without risk to production.
• Better quality configuration of infrastructure services (DNS/DHCP/TFTP) and fewer operational incidents.
• Upskilling the team towards modern architectures (SDN, container networking) and better NetOps/DevOps collaboration.

Target audience

• Network Engineers
• System Administrators
• Infrastructure Support Specialists
• People working with network devices (e.g. Cisco/Juniper) and lab environments
• Testers and DevOps/SRE who need practical Linux skills in networking and infrastructure services

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of networking concepts (TCP/IP, addressing, DNS, routing). Familiarity with basic Linux or CLI is helpful but not required – we introduce the necessary commands during the exercises.

Technical requirements

A computer with Internet access (stable connection min. 10 Mbps). Recommended min. 8 GB RAM (16 GB preferred) due to the lab environment (GNS3/VM). Headphones and microphone; camera optional. Ability to install software (GNS3 and dependencies) or access to a prepared environment.

Training methods

• Hands-on workshops in a lab environment (GNS3)
• Demonstrations and short theoretical introductions before exercises
• Mini case studies and diagnostic scenarios (realistic network problems)
• Q&A sessions and consultations during task execution

Materials and tools

• Electronic materials: presentation, lab instructions, configuration examples.
• Tools: GNS3, Linux distribution (e.g. Ubuntu/Debian), dnsmasq, TFTP server, DHCP service, Wireshark, Docker, Open vSwitch, OpenDaylight.
• Communicator: MS Teams or Zoom.

Organization and form of implementation

The training is delivered remotely in 2 x 7-hour blocks (14 hours total). Approximately 10 hours are devoted to workshops and laboratory work, and approximately 4 hours are devoted to introductions, demonstrations, and debriefing. Participants complete practical tasks under the supervision of a trainer, and validation is based on completed exercises and checklists.

Day 1 (7h) – Linux fundamentals for networking and the GNS3 lab

• Introduction
• Networking in Depth: clients and servers, IP addresses, hubs and switches, routers and firewalls
• Linux Networking – overview: Linux NOS, Cisco IOS command equivalents in Linux
• Environment setup: configuring the GNS3 lab, installing and configuring a Linux distribution
• Linux basics: working with files, permissions, users/groups/passwords, processes
• GNS3 and Linux: testing the network and the Internet, switching replacement

Day 2 (7h) – Network services and SDN basics

• TFTP/DNS/DHCP servers: configuration and testing (TFTP, dnsmasq, DHCP), tests with additional hosts
• SDN configuration: Open vSwitch and OpenDaylight, Docker-based networks, traffic analysis in Wireshark
• Summary and conclusions

Building and preparing the GNS3 lab

The participant configures the environment, adds a Linux distribution, and runs a test scenario.

Criterion: a properly working lab and reproduction of the topology. Validation: practical task + trainer observation.

Basic Linux administration

The participant works with files, permissions, users/groups, and processes.

Criterion: completing administrative tasks according to the checklist. Validation: practical exercises.

Network diagnostics and testing in Linux

The participant identifies connectivity issues and correctly interprets test results. 

Criterion: correct diagnosis and proposing corrective actions. Validation: mini case + control questions.

Configuring TFTP/DNS/DHCP services

The participant configures and tests services (including dnsmasq) and handles additional hosts. 

Criterion: a host receives an address from DHCP and resolves names in DNS; TFTP test completed successfully. Validation: test scenario.

Network traffic analysis

The participant performs a capture in Wireshark and points out key elements of the communication. 

Criterion: correct capture + discussion of conclusions. Validation: practical task.

SDN and container networking basics

The participant launches Open vSwitch/OpenDaylight, creates a Docker-based network, and tests communication. 

Criterion: a working SDN topology and connectivity between components. Validation: wrap-up exercise.

Trainer: Łukasz Walec

A technical trainer and practitioner in Linux administration and networking. He delivers workshops on diagnostics, configuration of network services (DNS/DHCP/TFTP), and building lab environments (including GNS3). In his training, he emphasizes exercises, real-life scenarios, and operations best practices.

Validator: Kamil Baran

A technical trainer and consultant with experience in verifying learning outcomes in IT training. He validates achievement of goals using practical-task checklists, control questions, and evaluation of final exercise results.