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Networking Basics

Master core networking concepts from IPv6 subnetting to latency optimization.

Next Lesson → Practice Challenges

1. IP Address Fundamentals

IPv4 vs IPv6

  • IPv4: 32-bit (232 addresses)
  • IPv6: 128-bit (2128 addresses)
  • CIDR notation: 192.0.2.128/24

Address Classes (IPv4)

Class A: 0.0.0.0     - 127.255.255.255
Class B: 128.0.0.0   - 191.255.255.255
Class C: 192.0.0.0   - 223.255.255.255
Class D: 224.0.0.0   - 239.255.255.255 (Multicast)
Class E: 240.0.0.0   - 255.255.255.255 (Reserved)

2. Core Protocols

TCP/IP Model

  • Application Layer
  • Transport Layer
  • Internet Layer
  • Link Layer

Reliability: TCP ensures ordered delivery

OSI Model

  • Application
  • Transport
  • Session
  • Presentation
  • Network
  • Data Link
  • Physical

More granular than TCP/IP model

Key Protocols

HTTP/2
Binary framing
QUIC
UDP-based
ICMP
Ping/Echo
ARP
MAC resolution

3. Network Topologies

Switched Networks

  • Reduces collision domain
  • Layer 2 forwarding
  • MAC address tables

Router Configurations

  • OSPF / BGP routing
  • NAT translation
  • QoS policies