Networking

Today, we are introducing the foundational concepts of networking. Networking is the backbone of how devices communicate with one another, enabling everything from browsing the web to sending a text message. By understanding the basics of networking, you'll gain insight into how the internet works and how devices connect and share information. This knowledge is the first step toward mastering more advanced topics in the coming weeks.

Watch a short video go get a better understanding of this topic.

Here, we are exploring the OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnection Model) and its seven layers. The OSI Model is a conceptual framework that organizes the process of data communication into manageable pieces, making it easier to understand, design, and troubleshoot networks. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a clear understanding of what each layer does and why it matters.

In this lesson, we are exploring IP Addressing and Subnetting Basics. This lesson will explain how IP addresses work, why subnetting is used, and how they enable devices to communicate efficiently across networks. Understanding these concepts is essential to grasp how data finds its way through networks, from your home to the internet and back.

Exploring Common Networking Protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, TCP/IP, and DNS. These protocols are essential for enabling communication between devices on a network. By understanding how they work, you’ll gain insight into the "rules of the road" that govern data exchange and see how the concepts we’ve already covered—like IP addresses and the OSI Model—fit into real-world network communication.

In today’s lesson, we will explore key network devices and the important roles they play in modern communication systems. You’ll learn about routers, switches, firewalls, and access points—devices that are essential for building, managing, and securing networks.

By the end of this lesson, you will understand how these devices work together to control the flow of data, connect multiple devices, and protect networks from threats. This knowledge will give you a clearer picture of how real-world networks are structured and how information travels from one point to another.

Today, we shift our focus to troubleshooting—an essential skill in networking. Networks don’t always perform perfectly. You may encounter issues like loss of connectivity, slow internet speeds, or applications that fail to work properly.

By the end of this lesson, you will learn how to approach network problems step by step, identify possible causes, and use basic tools and techniques to diagnose and resolve common issues with confidence.

Today, we are focusing on network security — the principles and practices used to protect networks from threats like unauthorized access, data breaches, and attacks. This is critical because modern networks are constantly exposed to risks, and securing them ensures reliable and safe communication

Today, we are learning how to design, build, and test a simple network. This is a practical, hands-on lesson where you will configure devices, connect them, and validate that the network functions as intended. This step is crucial because it ties together everything you’ve learned so far and gives you a real-world sense of how networks operate.