Welcome to the DataPower Gateway course
This is a self-paced, hands-on course on IBM DataPower Gateway, built by Skunkworks Academy. It takes you from "what is this thing and why does it exist" all the way to configuring real services, securing them, and operating them in production.
You don't need prior DataPower experience. You should be comfortable with general networking (HTTP, TLS), the idea of an API or web service, and reading the occasional XML or JSON document.
How the course is structured
The material is organised into seven modules. Each builds on the last, so the recommended path is top to bottom — but every lesson stands on its own if you want to jump around.
| Module | What you'll learn |
|---|---|
| 1 · Fundamentals | What DataPower is, its form factors, and where it fits |
| 2 · Architecture | Domains, the object model, services, and configuration |
| 3 · Multi-Protocol Gateway | The core service: handlers, policies, rules |
| 4 · Security | TLS/crypto, AAA, threat protection |
| 5 · Message Processing | Transforms, GatewayScript, error handling |
| 6 · Administration & Ops | CLI/WebGUI, logging, troubleshooting, config |
| 7 · Hands-on Labs | Put it together with guided exercises |
How to use it
- Read, then check yourself. Most lessons end with a short Knowledge Check quiz. Answer before revealing the explanation — it's the cheapest way to find out what didn't stick.
- Mark lessons complete. Each lesson has a Mark lesson complete button.
Your progress is saved in your browser (via
localStorage) and shown on the home page. Nothing is sent to a server. - Do the labs. Module 7 is where the concepts become muscle memory. Even if you only read along, the labs tie everything together.
The labs assume access to a DataPower Gateway. The easiest way to get one for learning is the IBM DataPower Gateway for Developers container image, which runs locally under Docker/Podman. We cover setup in the labs introduction.
Ready? Start with What is DataPower Gateway?