Skip to content

Networking Overview

This page is my launchpad into the world of networking.
It’s where I collect the core concepts, tools, and systems that shape how machines talk to each other.
Each item here is a placeholder for deeper dives as I explore further.

Protocols & Models

  • OSI Model
    A conceptual framework that breaks networking into seven layers, from physical wires to application logic.

  • TCP/IP Stack
    The real-world implementation of networking, built on transport and internet layers.

  • DHCP
    Automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.

  • DNS
    Translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses.

  • HTTP/HTTPS
    Protocols for web communication, including headers, methods, and status codes.

  • SSH
    Secure shell protocol for remote access and tunneling.

  • FTP/SFTP
    File transfer protocols, with and without encryption.

Tools & Utilities

  • Ping
    Tests basic connectivity by sending ICMP echo requests.

  • Traceroute
    Maps the path packets take to reach a destination.

  • Curl
    Sends HTTP requests to test web services and APIs.

  • Netcat
    A versatile tool for opening ports, sending data, and debugging connections.

  • Wireshark
    Captures and analyzes network traffic at the packet level.

  • Tcpdump
    Command-line packet sniffer for quick traffic inspection.

  • Nmap
    Scans networks for open ports, services, and vulnerabilities.

  • ss / netstat
    Shows active connections and listening ports.

Configuration & Management

  • IP addressing
    Static vs dynamic IPs, subnetting, and CIDR notation.

  • Routing tables
    How packets find their way across networks.

  • Firewall rules
    Controlling traffic with iptables, nftables, or Windows Firewall.

  • VPNs
    Secure tunnels between networks, including WireGuard and OpenVPN.

  • Proxy servers
    Intermediaries for traffic routing, caching, and filtering.

Network Types & Topologies

  • LAN/WAN
    Local vs wide area networks, and how they differ in scope and control.

  • VLANs
    Virtual LANs for segmenting traffic within a physical network.

  • Mesh vs Star vs Ring
    Common topologies and their trade-offs.

  • Client-Server vs Peer-to-Peer
    Different models of communication and control.

Security & Monitoring

  • Port scanning
    Identifying open services and potential attack surfaces.

  • Packet inspection
    Reading traffic to detect anomalies or malicious behavior.

  • IDS/IPS
    Intrusion detection and prevention systems.

  • MITM attacks
    How attackers intercept traffic and how to defend against it.

  • TLS/SSL
    Encryption protocols for securing data in transit.

This page is a map, not a manual.
Each line is a breadcrumb and a reminder of what I’ve touched, and what I still want to explore.
As I build out deep dives, I’ll link them here to show how far each branch has grown.