Program

IP/MPLS Core Network Engineer

Modern networks run on IP. Scalable networks run on IP/MPLS. Service providers, enterprises, and cloud platforms depend on resilient packet networks to deliver applications, connectivity, and services. 5G core networks are IP-based. Enterprises are modernizing WANs with SD-WAN and hybrid connectivity. Data centers are scaling rapidly to support cloud and AI workloads.

The industry shortage is design-level IP/MPLS engineers.

Many engineers pass protocol exams but struggle with real architecture, failure reasoning, and end-to-end troubleshooting. This program builds engineering capability—not memorization.

17 Weeks Architecture-driven MPLS · BGP · OSPF · QoS Campus · DC Leaf–Spine

Organizations need engineers who can reason about packet flow and failure scenarios—not engineers who rely on trial and error in production networks. All work is performed in professional simulation environments using realistic topologies and configurations.

Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation Watch Teaching Style

First 3 live classes are free to evaluate. Withdraw after session 3 with no payment obligation.

Clear, Measurable Outcomes

By Week 17, you will have designed and implemented:

• Service provider MPLS core network (10-router topology using OSPF, BGP, MPLS L3VPN, IP addressing, and routing policies)
• Enterprise campus network (500+ users across three buildings: core–distribution–access, VLANs, redundancy, HA)
• Data center Leaf–Spine network (Clos architecture concepts, high availability, traffic flow design for 16+ servers)
• Capstone: Full multi-site enterprise network (HQ + DC + 3 branches over MPLS VPN with QoS + DR strategy)

Portfolio-first

You graduate with design artifacts—diagrams, addressing plans, policy configurations, and reasoning documents hiring managers can review.

Target Job Roles

• Network Engineer
• MPLS Design Engineer
• Enterprise Network Architect
• Data Center Network Engineer
• IP Core Planner
• NOC Engineer (Advanced)

Industries Hiring

• Service providers (AT&T, Verizon, Lumen, Comcast)
• Enterprises (banks, healthcare, retail)
• Cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP networking)
• Data center operators
• System integrators

Program Structure (Week-by-Week)

Weeks 1–7: IP/MPLS Packet Core Networks

Design service provider core networks

Week 1: IP Routing Fundamentals

• IP addressing and subnetting
• Static and dynamic routing
• Routing protocol overview
Lab: Build basic routed network in GNS3

Week 2: OSPF

• Operation and areas
• Hierarchical design
• Metrics and troubleshooting
Lab: Design OSPF network (3 areas, 10 routers)

Week 3: BGP

• eBGP vs iBGP
• Attributes and path selection
• Route filtering and policy
Lab: Configure BGP for service provider (AS peering)

Week 4: IS-IS Routing

• IS-IS basics
• IS-IS vs OSPF comparison
• Service provider use cases
Lab: Implement IS-IS in core network

Week 5: MPLS Fundamentals

• Label switching concepts
• LDP (Label Distribution Protocol)
• MPLS forwarding plane
Lab: Build MPLS core network in GNS3

Week 6: MPLS VPN Services

• MPLS L3VPN and L2VPN
• VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding)
• PE-CE routing protocols
Lab: Implement MPLS L3VPN for multi-site customer

Week 7: MPLS-TE & QoS

• MPLS traffic engineering
• QoS mechanisms (classification, marking, queuing)
• Carrier Ethernet (MEF standards)
Lab: QoS policy design for VoIP + data

Weeks 8–12: Enterprise & Data Center Networks

Design campus and data center infrastructures

Week 8: Enterprise Campus Design

• 3-tier (core–distribution–access)
• Collapsed core (2-tier)
• Scalability and redundancy
Lab: Design enterprise campus (500+ users, 3 buildings)

Week 9: VLANs & Layer 2 Technologies

• VLAN design and trunking (802.1Q)
• STP / RSTP / MST
• LACP (link aggregation)
Lab: VLAN design with STP redundancy

Week 10: Enterprise Redundancy Protocols

• HSRP, VRRP, GLBP
• High availability design
• Failover testing
Lab: Design HA enterprise network

Week 11: Data Center Network Architectures

• Traditional 3-tier DC design
• Leaf–Spine (Clos) architecture
• Overlay concepts (VXLAN basics)
Lab: Design Leaf–Spine data center (16 servers)

Week 12: Data Center Technologies

• Load balancing fundamentals
• Data center interconnect (DCI)
• Storage area networks (SAN) basics
Lab: Multi-site data center with DCI

Weeks 13–14: Integration & Troubleshooting

Real-world problem solving

Week 13: Network Monitoring & Management

• SNMP, NetFlow, sFlow
• Monitoring tools
• Capacity planning
Lab: Set up monitoring for complex network

Week 14: Troubleshooting Scenarios

• Systematic troubleshooting methodology
• Routing issues (OSPF, BGP)
• MPLS VPN troubleshooting
• Layer 2 problems
Lab: Troubleshoot 10 broken network topologies

Weeks 15–17: Capstone + Career Readiness

Weeks 15–16: Capstone Project

Design Multi-Site Enterprise Network with MPLS

Project Components:

• Headquarters campus (1,000+ users, 5 buildings)
• Data center (Leaf–Spine architecture)
• Branch offices (3 sites, 100–200 users each)
• MPLS L3VPN connectivity + provider core

Deliverables:

• Network design document (50+ pages)
• Complete IPAM plan (addressing scheme)
• Logical/physical diagrams
• Routing protocol design (OSPF, BGP, MPLS)
• VLAN + security + QoS policy
• BoM + cost estimate
• Disaster recovery plan + presentation

Week 17: Career Readiness

• Resume for network engineer roles
• LinkedIn with routing/MPLS projects
• Job search (service providers, enterprises)
• Interview prep (routing scenarios, MPLS)
Mock interview + feedback

All Programs Include

Weekly quizzes (assess understanding)

Problem-solving sessions (troubleshoot real scenarios)

Q&A sessions (clarify doubts)

Access to training materials (PDF notes, video library)

Software/tool access (industry-standard and open-source)

Small class size (5 students maximum)

Flexible delivery (in-person Plano, TX or live online)

Book a Free 30-Minute Consultation

First 3 classes are free to evaluate · Flexible payment plans available