Murdoch University Cisco Systems Networking Academy

The Network Academy is an educational package developed Cisco Systems, a major supplier of equipment in the communications, network and security arena. The package consists of high quality, detailed, web based curriculum and a series of laboratory exercises to reinforce the theory. The curriculum makes use of flash based exercises and equipment simulations to supplement traditional text and graphics based material.

The curriculum provides both a thorough grounding in data communications and prepares students to sit the appropriate industry certifications.

Through the appropriate choice of units students can prepare for the following certification exams:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Managing Cisco Network Security (SECUR)
  (Retired - new exam TBA)
• Cisco Secure PIX Firewall Advanced (CSPFA)
  (Retired - new exam TBA)

The staff at Murdoch University are not merely deliverers of the curriculum but actively involved in its development. Staff at Murdoch have contributed to curriculum development in the following ways:

• Chapter authoring in the areas of Switching, QoS, BGP routing and Troubleshooting.
• Flash based activity design
• Assessment question review
• International attendance at focus groups held for new curriculum

The School of IT also has a remotely accessible Netlab that allows students to access real equipment remotely. See "facilities" on the side bar for further information.

All staff teaching units using Network Academy curriculum are required to undertake instructor training and obtain the relevant instructor and industry certifications.

In conjunction with E-Central TAFE, Murdoch University provides instructor training and curriculum support to other Western Australian institutions in its capacity as a Regional Academy.