Networking: Zero to Hero
Welcome to Networking: Zero to Hero – a comprehensive guide to learning computer networking from the basics to advanced concepts.
This repository is perfect for students, ethical hackers, penetration testers, and IT professionals who want to understand how networks truly work.
📖 What You Will Learn
This repository will take you from networking fundamentals to advanced networking and security concepts:
- Introduction to Networking
- What is a Network?
- Types of Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN)
- Topologies and their use cases
- OSI Model
- 7 Layers of the OSI Model
- Mnemonics to remember the layers
- How data travels through the layers
- TCP/IP Model
- 4 Layers of TCP/IP
- Mapping OSI → TCP/IP
- Real-world relevance
- IP Addressing & Subnetting
- IPv4 and IPv6
- Public vs Private IPs
- Subnets, CIDR, and VLSM
- Ports and Protocols
- Common TCP/UDP ports
- How services communicate
- Firewalls and port filtering
- Practical Networking
- Packet capturing with Wireshark
- Ping, Traceroute, and Nmap basics
- Understanding DNS, DHCP, NAT
- Advanced Topics
- VPNs, VLANs, and Routing
- Network Security and Firewalls
- Penetration Testing Basics
🛠 Essential Tools
Network Scanning & Discovery
- Nmap - Network discovery and security auditing
- Nmap Live Host Discovery - Finding active hosts on networks
Traffic Analysis
- Wireshark - Network protocol analyzer and packet sniffer
📌 Highlights
- ✅ Step-by-step learning path from beginner to advanced
- ✅ Clear explanations with diagrams and mnemonics
- ✅ Real-world examples for penetration testing and networking jobs
- ✅ Hands-on tools and techniques for practical application
🛠 Tools & Skills You’ll Gain
- Networking fundamentals & subnetting
- Understanding TCP/IP & OSI models
- Packet analysis with Wireshark
- Network scanning with Nmap
- Basics of ethical hacking & network security
“Mastering networking is the first step to mastering cybersecurity.”