Computer Networking
See what really happens on the wire.
A full course β from a single fetch() down to the wire and back up through TCP, DNS, HTTP and TLS. Every step is drawn out as a clear visual, so the network stops being a black box.
Part A Β· Fundamentals
IP, MAC, subnets, gateways & ARP β the base layer.
- 01How an HTTP Request TravelsFrom fetch() in your code to bits on the wire β the full encapsulation journey Β· 12 sections
- 02The Structure of an IP AddressOctets, dotted-quad notation, and why IPv4 is exactly 32 bits Β· 6 sections
- 03Network, Host & CIDRSplitting an IP into a network part and a host part β and writing it as /24 Β· 9 sections
- 04The Subnet MaskHow a device uses a mask and a bitwise AND to decide: send direct, or route? Β· 9 sections
- 05The Default GatewayThe device your packets go to when the destination is not on your network Β· 6 sections
- 06Putting It TogetherHow a router bridges two networks β intra-network vs inter-network delivery Β· 7 sections
- 07The Structure of a MAC AddressThe permanent, physical, 48-bit address baked into every network interface Β· 8 sections
- 08MAC vs IPWhy we need two different addresses β and what each one is really for Β· 8 sections
- 09All About ARPHow a device turns an IP into a MAC β broadcast, reply, and cache Β· 9 sections
Part B Β· Protocols
Routing, ICMP, TCP/UDP, DNS, HTTP, TLS, DHCP & NAT.
- 10The TCP/IP & OSI ModelsThe layered map that organizes every protocol you have met so far Β· 7 sections
- 11How Routing Works (In Depth)Routing tables, hop-by-hop forwarding, and why the MAC changes but the IP does not Β· 7 sections
- 12ICMP: ping & tracerouteThe internetβs status-and-error protocol β and the tools you already use built on it Β· 7 sections
- 13UDP β The Fast ProtocolConnectionless, no guarantees, tiny overhead β and perfect for the right jobs Β· 6 sections
- 14Anatomy of a UDP DatagramThe whole UDP header is just four fields and eight bytes Β· 6 sections
- 15TCP β The Reliable BackboneConnection-oriented delivery, the 3-way handshake, and the graceful close Β· 7 sections
- 16TCP Sequence & Acknowledgement NumbersThe counters that make delivery reliable and in-order Β· 7 sections
- 17TCP Segment, MTU, MSS & FragmentationThe segment header, size limits on the wire, and what happens when data is too big Β· 7 sections
- 18TCP Flow ControlThe sliding window that stops a fast sender from drowning a slow receiver Β· 7 sections
- 19TCP Congestion ControlHow TCP avoids melting the network β slow start, AIMD, and ECN Β· 8 sections
- 20DNS β How Resolution WorksFrom a name to an IP by walking the root, TLD, and authoritative servers Β· 7 sections
- 21DNS Records & Email SecurityThe record types you will actually configure β and how they stop email spoofing Β· 8 sections
- 22HTTP & Its VersionsFrom HTTP/1.1 to HTTP/3 β how the webβs core protocol got faster Β· 7 sections
- 23WebSocketsA persistent, two-way channel for real-time apps Β· 6 sections
- 24TLS & HTTPSHow the padlock works: encryption, integrity, and proving who you are talking to Β· 6 sections
- 25DHCPHow your device gets an IP the instant it joins a network Β· 6 sections
- 26NATHow a whole household of devices shares one public IP address Β· 6 sections
Part C Β· Going Further
IPv6, ports, network devices, proxies/CDNs & Wireshark.
- 27IPv6The 128-bit successor to IPv4 β and why it barely needs NAT Β· 6 sections
- 28Ports & SocketsHow one machine runs many services β and what a "connection" really is Β· 6 sections
- 29Hubs, Switches & RoutersThe three devices that build networks β and how traffic is addressed to one, all, or a group Β· 6 sections
- 30Proxies, Load Balancers, CDNs & VPNsThe middle-boxes that make real-world apps fast, scalable, and private Β· 6 sections
- 31Seeing It Live β WiresharkWatch the theory of this course happen on a real wire Β· 6 sections
32 chapters Β· every concept illustrated.