Networking 101

Computer Network essential topics for Hackers to Learn

Computer Network is very essential to understand for Hackers and Security Researchers. Every bits and bytes in computer touch one or the other network components for transmission. The transmission maybe within the machine or it can be to other machines, other networks over the internet. I am only listing very very brief list of most essential topics that one should know when considering Security field ( this is bare minimum and only for starting purpose, does not makes one hacker if they know this much ).

My suggestion is to work backwards when studying about Computer Network, start relating things we do them on machines. Unlike many other topics, computer network is better when related with real life things, and should not be learned topic by topic. So Learn as you see. Unless one wants to become Network Engineer and has some love for Networking, don't jump to CCNA and Network+ courses, they are great to learn but we cant be doing all that.

The below list will be updated again and again, and resources to learn about these will be mentioned for some of these.

Computer Networks for Hackers

not in order

1. What is Internet

2. IP Address, IPv4, IPv6

3. IP Address Subnetting, CIDR

4. Network Ports and Services and Port Range

5. OSI Layer

6. TCP/IP Layer

7. Router/Switch/Hub

8. Different Protocols like - HTTP/HTTPS, SMTP...\

9. DNS, How DNS works, Recursive vs Iterative DNS requests.

10. CDN ( Content Delivery Networks )

11. Load Balancers

12. TCP and UDP, their use.

13. Reliable Data Transfer on Internet

14. How TCP 3-way handshake works.

15. Some information about how bulk data is sent, how is congestion control done, how is data split and sent and how reliable data transmission is ensured.

16. What is inside a IPv4 Packet and IPv6 Packet, the header information and what all can be found in a single packet.

17. How does Routing happens in Computer Network.

18. SSL, how SSL works , TLS