Learning Cisco technologies for free: the pros and cons

What are Cisco courses?

Cisco courses are structured training programmes designed to help professionals build the skills needed to design, manage, and automate Cisco technologies. The training covers everything from beginner-level introductions through to advanced, certification-focused learning.  

At the introductory stage, the courses concentrate on core areas such as networking fundamentals, IT infrastructure, data centres, AI, collaboration, basic cybersecurity, and essential IT skills. As the training becomes more advanced, it prepares learners for Cisco certifications – some of the most respected qualifications in the networking field.  

These certifications demonstrate your ability to design, operate, and troubleshoot networks using Cisco equipment and technologies.  

Free Cisco certification resources  

Alongside its free learning platforms, Cisco also provides a range of free tools to help you practise your skills. Cisco Packet Tracer is a widely used network simulator that lets you build networks, configure routers and switches, test different scenarios, and develop CCNA level skills. level skills.  

Cisco also offers DevNet Sandboxes, which are free, cloudhosted lab environments where you can explore Cisco technologies without installing anything locally. They allow you to run labs, test APIs, experiment with automation, and try out enterpriselevel setups – all in a safe, readymade environment. 

Open-source tools  

In addition to Cisco’s free learning resources, there are also open‑source tools that offer similar opportunities to build your skills.  

GNS3, for example, is a popular open‑source platform ideal for users who need a flexible, customisable way to simulate real Cisco IOS images and complex network topologies.  

EVE‑NG is another widely used network emulation platform, and many instructors share guidance, walkthroughs, and tutorials on YouTube and through community‑driven courses. 

These open‑source options give you access to virtual lab environments where you can explore the fundamentals, gain insight into different networking career paths, prepare for early certifications, and refresh existing knowledge. 

The disadvantages of free learning tools 

Illegality  

Although there are many legitimate free tools for learning Cisco technologies, licensing can become a challenge if you rely on pirated Cisco software. Tools like GNS3 and EVE‑NG are completely legal, but they often require Cisco images that are only available with a valid licence. Downloading these from torrents, file‑sharing sites, or online forums is illegal and goes against Cisco’s licensing agreements. 

Business impact  

These tools can also be difficult for beginners. While powerful, they do not include pre‑built labs and are not designed around certification paths or real‑world scenarios. Setting up network simulators can be technical and time‑consuming, and without guided support, progress is often slower and more complex than with structured training.  

Therefore, relying solely on free and self-guided tools means accepting a slower learning curve, a lack of truly structured progression and risking knowledge gaps – the tools may be free, but relying on them risks a strong impact to business.  

Business risks include ending up with an inconsistent skill level across team members, gaps in advanced configuration or troubleshooting ability, and a reduced ability to design enterprise-grade solutions.  

The benefits of paid courses in Cisco technologies  

There are also many paid routes for learning Cisco technologies, offered both directly by Cisco and through authorised training partners like NIL learning. A common approach is to follow Cisco’s official course material for certification training alignment, while using partner‑led training to gain deeper hands‑on experience and support more complex, enterprise‑level requirements.  

But what are the benefits of choosing paid options for learning Cisco technologies?  

While free training in Cisco can give you a good grasp of the fundamentals and early skill building, it will only get you so far. Below are some of the key reasons that more advanced or structured training might be needed:  

• prepare seriously for certification exams 

• need hands-on lab time 

• want instructor guidance 

• require organisation-specific skills 

• need faster, deeper learning 

Access to instructors  

Instructor‑led courses typically run over five days and give you the chance to ask questions directly to the course leader or presenter.  

For example, in NIL Learning courses, our instructors work in real operational roles, meaning they bring hands‑on field experience to the classroom.  

They help you move beyond theory by explaining how things work in real‑world environments – something that becomes increasingly important as you progress into advanced and expert‑level training.  

This access benefits your business because it helps lead to having production-ready expertise. Your people will have the skills and experience to work on real, live systems that a business depends on.  

Structure  

Paid courses also provide a level of structure and practical experience that free resources cannot match. Training takes place in a dedicated classroom for eight focused hours a day, supported by practical labs and direct access to instructors whenever you need guidance.  

This kind of structure leads not only to predictable learning outcomes but faster skill development too. Both of these offer key benefits to your business.  

Equipment  

You also work with high‑quality equipment, including Cisco‑provided virtual machines that mirror real servers with near‑perfect accuracy, as well as professional‑grade network simulators that emulate routers, switches, and firewalls.  

This combination gives you safe, guided access to the tools required to build real technical expertise and reduce operational risk.  

Many courses are also closely aligned with Cisco certification exams, giving you a clear and reliable path from training to recognised industry credentials that support long-term career development.