F5 and University of Phoenix join forces to create certificate
program on Application Delivery Networking fundamentals, available
summer 2013
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Today, F5
Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ: FFIV),
the global leader in Application Delivery Networking (ADN), and
University of Phoenix announced the pooling of resources to develop an ADN
Certificate Program (noncredit). University of Phoenix will be
offering five new courses that provide the knowledge that is
foundational to F5 certifications. The coursework is software and
hardware-agnostic, which allows students to develop transferrable skills
in ADN. The program also features a virtual learning and lab environment
to allow demonstration and practice of concepts on F5®
products, including F5 BIG-IP
Local Traffic Manager™ and BIG-IP®
Local Traffic Manager Virtual Edition.
ADN is an approach and a suite of technologies that comprises application
security, application
acceleration and network
availability. ADN ensures that applications are always secure, fast,
and available across any network. The program’s curriculum focuses on layer
4–7, while emphasizing the foundational knowledge required to
design, deploy, and manage solutions in complex ADN environments. The
program is designed for individuals focused on deploying and maintaining
networking solutions.
Recent Gartner research has noted a shortage in application delivery
skills. “One of the challenges is to find individuals with the
appropriate skill set and, more importantly, retaining the people with
these difficult-to-find skills, as there is a recognized shortage and
many with this skill will gravitate to the vendor community,” wrote Mark
Fabbi and Joe Skorupa of Gartner. “The role played by the application
delivery architect demands strong people skills and broad technical
skills.”1
“This is another opportunity for the University of Phoenix to
collaborate with a top technology vendor to deliver the kind of
specialized education individuals and businesses are looking for today,”
said Barry Feierstein, EVP and Chief Business Operating Officer at
University of Phoenix.
The program is expected to be available online this summer and features
the following courses:
-
ADNCE/2010 Introduction to ADN
This course is an overview of networking essentials that are required to
understand how communication takes place over a network and how data is
transmitted. Topics covered include the OSI
model, communication protocols, and network hardware. Additional
information will be provided on possible networking errors that prevent
successful transmission.
-
ADNCE/2020 The Role of Networking in ADN Solutions
This course concentrates on operating system fundamentals, the role of
the operating system in distributing applications, and server
virtualization for the use and distribution of applications. Emphasis
will be placed on use in both small networks and enterprise-wide
networks.
-
ADNCE/2030 The Role of Applications in ADN Solutions
This course emphasizes the deployment of applications over the network.
Types and uses of applications are discussed as well as the effect these
applications have on network efficiency. Implications of user
intervention in the delivery will also be reviewed, as well as possible
methods to optimize delivery.
-
ADNCE/2040 The Role of Security in ADN Solutions
This course concentrates on the need for adequate security measures
being instituted in the network to protect the network and the
applications being used. This course reviews the threats (both internal
and external) to the network and underlying data. It reviews the
additional preventative measures that need to be taken when deploying
and using applications.
This final course provides an overview of all previous course work to
ensure that a clear understanding has been gained of each component part
of the course series. This course also discusses forward-looking trends
and how these changes affect application delivery for future use, even
when the company may not have updated software/hardware.
The F5 and University of Phoenix partnership follows the ongoing
expansion of the F5
Certified!™ Professional Certification Program, through
which F5 has developed a documented skill set, learning path, and
curricula focused on the application delivery discipline. With this
program offered through University of Phoenix and F5’s Professional
Certification Program, F5 provides an opportunity for certification that
validates people who have the experience, skills, and knowledge in
networking and applications, with an in-depth understanding of how the
two interact.
“The Application Delivery Networking program blends application,
network, and security knowledge into a dedicated ADN learning
experience,” said Joe Taylor, Director of Service Operations and
Training at F5.
Supporting Quotes
“As a former graduate of the University of Phoenix, I know from
experience that the school provides high-quality education and a very
strong curriculum, with certificate programs that give people the tools
they need to advance their careers,” said Howard Binner, Director of IS
and Security at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Wash. “These programs
also benefit organizations like Overlake, as we are continually looking
to hire IT professionals with industry-specific training and experience.
Application Delivery Networking has evolved into an essential technology
for data centers to function smoothly, so I’m pleased to see this new
curriculum to help build that important skill set.”
“The courses on Application Delivery Networking being offered by the
University of Phoenix represent a valuable tool to further expand the
professional development of our technical employees and customers,” said
Bruce Hampton, Chief Technology Architect at Milestone Systems, Inc. “In
addition, the courses augment the extensive F5 product training catalog
delivered by Milestone Systems, Inc. and help us in developing the
talented engineers required in today’s complex Application Delivery
Networking environments.”
Additional Resources
1Gartner, Inc., “Three Phases to Improve Application Delivery
Teams,” Mark Fabbi and Joe Skorupa, November 22, 2011
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance
education and life in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules,
challenging courses and interactive learning can help students pursue
personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As
the flagship university of Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University
of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate,
bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and
learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world.
For more information, visit http://www.phoenix.edu.
About F5 Networks
F5 Networks (NASDAQ:
FFIV) makes the connected world run better. F5 helps organizations
meet the demands and embrace the opportunities that come with the
relentless growth of voice, data, and video traffic, mobile workers, and
applications—in the data center, the network, and the cloud. The world’s
largest businesses, service providers, government entities, and consumer
brands rely on F5’s intelligent services framework to deliver and
protect their applications and services while ensuring people stay
connected. Learn more at www.f5.com.
You can also follow @f5networks
on Twitter or visit us on Facebook
for more information about F5, its partners, and technology. For a
complete listing of F5 community sites, please visit www.f5.com/news-press-events/web-media/community.html.
F5, F5 Certified!, BIG-IP, and Local Traffic Manager are trademarks or
service marks of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All
other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their
respective owners.
This press release may contain forward looking statements relating to
future events or future financial performance that involve risks and
uncertainties. Such statements can be identified by terminology such as
"may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes,"
"estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of
such terms or comparable terms. These statements are only predictions
and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in
these statements based upon a number of factors including those
identified in the company's filings with the SEC.
F5 Networks, Inc.
Alane Moran, 206-272-6850
a.moran@f5.com
or
University
of Phoenix
Ryan Rauzon, 916-599-2911
ryan.rauzon@apollogrp.edu
Source: F5 Networks, Inc.