Networking Fundamentals

beginner

Topic 2 of 11 in Cloud & DevOps

What it is

Networking fundamentals cover how computers communicate: IP addresses, DNS, HTTP, ports, firewalls, and protocols. It is the foundation for understanding how the internet, cloud, and distributed systems work.

Why cloud & devops developers need it

Every cloud and DevOps task involves networking. Deploying apps, configuring load balancers, setting up VPNs, and debugging connectivity issues all require understanding how networks work.

What to learn

IP addresses: IPv4, IPv6, subnets, CIDR notation

DNS: domain resolution, records (A, CNAME, MX)

HTTP/HTTPS: request/response cycle, methods, status codes

Ports and protocols: TCP, UDP

Firewalls and security groups

Load balancing concepts

VPNs and private networking

Debugging: ping, traceroute, curl, nslookup

Practice project

Network Troubleshooting Lab

Set up a local web server, then practice debugging: use ping, curl, traceroute, and nslookup to diagnose connectivity, DNS, and port issues. Document each tool and when to use it.

Learn this on MooreSkillUp

Our Networking Basics course covers this topic in depth with structured lessons, tasks, and a certificate on completion.

Linux & the Terminal

Command Line Basics