Part 1. Network fundamentals

Welcome to the first leg of your journey into the intricate world of computer networking. In this first part of the book, we will set the stage for your understanding of how networks like the internet work, forming a foundation we will build upon throughout the rest of this book. When learning any new subject, the fundamentals are key, and networking is no exception. We’ll start in chapter 2 by examining the various kinds of devices that form networks: routers, switches, and firewalls—the devices that form the underlying network infrastructure—as well as the clients and servers that communicate over that infrastructure.

In chapter 3, we’ll see how we can connect those devices with copper and fiber-optic Ethernet cables. Chapter 4 takes a theoretical approach, covering the TCP/IP networking model; this is the blueprint of the internet and most modern networks, providing a theoretical framework for understanding how different network protocols function and interact. Chapter 5, on the other hand, is very hands-on; we will connect to the command-line interface (CLI) of a Cisco router and navigate through its basic command hierarchy. If you’re new to CLIs, you’ll feel like you’ve hacked into the matrix! The CLI can seem like a maze at first, but with a bit of hands-on practice, it will soon feel like a second home.