Reading network diagrams
Use network diagrams to scope problems quickly: find the likely failure point, what's affected, and what's missing from the drawing.
- Level
- Beginner
- Length
- About 40 minutes
- Contents
- 3 lessons · 1 video · final exam
- Status
- Published · updated 1 Oct 2026
Skills you'll practise
- Read symbols, link states and labels on a network diagram
- Identify the likely failure point from a symptom and a diagram
- Work out which users are affected by a failed link
- List what a useful diagram must include
Course outline
- 1.Reading network diagrams to find the faultVideo · 1 min
- 2.Reading diagrams like a mapLesson · 15 min
- 3.Physical diagrams, rack elevations and port mapsLesson · 15 min
- 4.Using diagrams to scope impact and plan changesLesson · 15 min
- 5.Reading network diagrams: knowledge checkKnowledge check · 17 questions
- 6.Reading network diagrams: practical exerciseKnowledge check · 1 question
- 7.Final exam6 questions · passing it completes the course, so people who already know the material can test out
Sources it draws on
The lessons and questions are written from these references, so learners can go back to the original.
- Network documentation practice: physical vs logical diagrams
- gr0wpath diagram legend (used throughout this course)
See it with your own jobs and topics
Tell us about your team and we'll walk you through setup, from choosing jobs to your first skills check.