OT Networking Fundamentals
This course introduces you to the foundations of Operational Technology (OT) networking and gives you the practical knowledge to build, connect, and troubleshoot real systems on the plant floor.
In partnership with
Course overview
Understanding how industrial networks work is one of the most valuable skills for engineers and technicians in today’s manufacturing environment. This course introduces you to the foundations of Operational Technology (OT) networking and gives you the practical knowledge to build, connect, and troubleshoot real systems on the plant floor.
You will start from the very beginning, learning what makes a network function, how industrial devices exchange information, and how plant-floor systems differ from traditional IT networks. Each lesson builds on the last, combining clear explanations, whiteboard visuals, and guided hands-on labs that bring every concept to life.
By the end of this course, you will understand how to connect your laptop to an industrial device, interpret IP and MAC addresses, and diagnose the most common communication problems found in OT environments.
What You Will Learn
- The fundamentals of how routers, switches, and devices communicate in a network
- The key differences between IT and OT networking in manufacturing systems
- The structure and purpose of the OSI model with a focus on Layers 1 to 3
- How to identify devices using MAC addresses and configure IP addresses for industrial equipment
- The importance of network reliability, data flow, and safety signals in control systems
- How to connect to PLCs, HMIs, and other OT devices using your laptop
- Practical troubleshooting methods for resolving basic network and communication issues
Why This Course Matters
Learn from real industrial experience, not theory
Follow along with labs and demonstrations that mirror real factory systems
Build confidence to design and maintain small OT networks
Prepare yourself for more advanced topics such as VLANs, NAT, and managed switch configuration
This course is perfect for technicians, engineers, and students who want to understand the communication backbone of modern industrial automation. No previous networking experience is required; only curiosity and a desire to learn how real plants connect and operate.
Course content
Course Introduction
- ► Welcome to OT Networking Fundamentals: Core Concepts and Definitions | 4:32
PLCnext Basics
- ► Section Overview: From Home Networks to Industrial Connections | 1:20
- ► Networks 101: Learn Modem Router LAN WAN and IP Address Fundamentals | 6:15
- ► Home Office Networks: Beginner Guide Modem Router Switch Access Points | 4:27
- ► Why Plant Networks Are Different & Key to IT OT Integration Manufacturing | 11:52
- ► The OSI Model Explained for OT Engineers | Building Common Ground with IT | 7:28
- ► From Legacy Protocols to Ethernet: Modern Plant Network Challenges | 12:32
- ► Lab 1 Connecting Your Laptop to an IP Based Device | 14:37
PLCnext Hardware Applications
- ► How MAC Addresses Identify Devices in Industrial Networks | 10:27
- ► How IP Addresses Enable Communication in OT Systems | 22:32
- ► How Unmanaged Switches Work on the Plant Floor | 11:19
- ► Lab 2 Expanding Your OT Network with Unmanaged Switches | 11:55
- ► Understanding Static and DHCP Addressing for Industrial Systems | 7:01
Course Conclusion
- Conclusion & Next Steps | 2:46
About the instructor
I hold an Electrical Engineering bachelors degree and have been in the industry for five years. I enjoy playing with electronics in my spare time and teaching them to a wide audience. I've built circuits, robots, audio/video gadgets, automated equipment and much more.
As a career, I've decided to dedicate myself to the manufacturing industry and automation. I program Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), Robotics as well as Vision Systems for a living. I enjoy solving manufacturing automation challenges, working with diverse teams and increasing productivity as well as reliability of industrial equipment.
