No. Simulators and free tools (Modbus simulators, OPC UA servers, MQTT brokers) cover every exercise.

Which protocols are covered?

PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus RTU and TCP, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA and MQTT, with the IT basics of IP addressing and subnets that every PLC connection needs.

Category · Free · No card

Free industrial networking courses with certificate

Industrial communication, free and complete: RS-485, Modbus RTU and TCP, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA and MQTT, with notes, quizzes and an optional verifiable certificate.

Browse all free courses

4 courses · 49 modules · 46h 36m of video · Updated 27 September 2026

FreeIndustrial networksIntermediate

Industrial Communication: Serial, Fieldbus, Ethernet, Modbus, PROFINET and OPC UA

Every network a PLC engineer meets, from RS-485 and Modbus to PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and OPC UA, with hands-on PLC-to-PLC and Modbus configuration in TIA Portal.

Explain the OSI model, Ethernet, IP addressing and subnets
Wire RS-485 and read a Modbus frame, function code and address
Place PROFIBUS DP and PA, DeviceNet, AS-i and IO-Link

18 modules 15h 52mView course

FreeIndustrial networksBeginner

PROFINET and Industrial Ethernet

The network under most Siemens plants: industrial networks and the automation pyramid, what PROFINET is, RT and IRT, GSD files, device names, addressing, installation and network design, PROFIsafe and OPC UA on PROFINET, AS-i and other devices through gateways, and advanced protocol training.

Place networks in the automation pyramid and the OSI model
Explain PROFINET IO, RT and IRT
Configure devices with GSDML, names and addresses

8 modules 9h 18mView course

FreePower systemsAdvanced

IEC 61850 Substation Automation: GOOSE, SCL and IEC 60870-5

The utility side of SCADA, taught the way a substation automation engineer meets it: the IEC 61850 object model and its logical nodes, SCL files from ICD through SCD to CID, MMS reporting against GOOSE against Sampled Values, the engineering process a system configuration tool follows, testing from office simulation through factory and site acceptance to maintenance isolation, and the IEC 60870-5-101 and 104 link that carries the substation to the control centre.

Read any IEC 61850 object reference down to the data attribute and name the logical node behind it
Tell ICD, SSD, SCD and CID apart and say who produces each and when
Decide whether a signal belongs on MMS reporting, GOOSE or Sampled Values

8 modules 4h 12mView course

FreeNetworkingBeginner

Computer Networking and CCNA 200-301 Prep

Learn computer networking from the ground up and prepare for Cisco's CCNA 200-301 exam: the OSI and TCP/IP models, Ethernet switching, IPv4 addressing and subnetting, VLANs and trunks, spanning tree, static routing and OSPF, IPv6, DHCP, DNS and NAT, ACLs and security basics, wireless, and network automation, with Packet Tracer labs throughout. Exam preparation only: the EDWartens certificate is not Cisco's CCNA, which is earned only by passing Cisco's 200-301 exam.

Explain the OSI and TCP/IP models and encapsulation, and choose copper or fibre for a link
Configure Cisco routers and switches from the command line in Packet Tracer, and secure and save them
Predict how a switch learns MAC addresses and how ARP finds a host

15 modules 17h 13mView course

Compare the Industrial networks courses

Course	Level	Modules	Video	Brand
Industrial Communication: Serial, Fieldbus, Ethernet, Modbus, PROFINET and OPC UA	Intermediate	18	15h 52m	Vendor-neutral
PROFINET and Industrial Ethernet	Beginner	8	9h 18m	Vendor-neutral
IEC 61850 Substation Automation: GOOSE, SCL and IEC 60870-5	Advanced	8	4h 12m	Vendor-neutral
Computer Networking and CCNA 200-301 Prep	Beginner	15	17h 13m	Vendor-neutral

Questions

Do I need hardware?: No. Simulators and free tools (Modbus simulators, OPC UA servers, MQTT brokers) cover every exercise.
Which protocols are covered?: PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus RTU and TCP, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA and MQTT, with the IT basics of IP addressing and subnets that every PLC connection needs.