Networking Basics

Learn Networking 101 (from the mind of a Hacker)

Last updated 2022-01-10 | 4.6

- This is a fast-paced mini-course designed to be the precursor to your CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 training. If you're planning for the Security+ exam but feel a little worried about your networking skills
- fear not! You'll have everything you need to know after completing this course.
- After completing the course you will have a firm understanding of networking basics.

What you'll learn

This is a fast-paced mini-course designed to be the precursor to your CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 training. If you're planning for the Security+ exam but feel a little worried about your networking skills

fear not! You'll have everything you need to know after completing this course.

After completing the course you will have a firm understanding of networking basics.

* Requirements

* Wireshark is recommended by not required

Description

n00b To Ninja

Think You Understand The Basics?

One of the questions we often see goes like this: "Do I need to pass the CompTIA Network+ exam before taking the Security+?"

Now this is an excellent question because, although the Security+ exam doesn't have any prerequisites it is still highly recommended that all students have a firm understanding of basic networking technologies.

The n00b to Ninja course is a great prep tool to get you mentally and psychologically ready to tackle the Security+ exam (but you can also use it to simply gain a better understanding of how networks work)

What You Will Learn

Networking Basics from the ground up (everything everyone already THINKS you know but you know you don't)
Routers and Switches - what they really do and why we need them
All about DHCP - it's not just about automatically getting an IP address
BONUS: DHCP penetration testing attacks to show you how an attacker might abuse DHCP on a local area network
DNS from A to Z. After this lecture you will finally completely understand what DNS is, why we have it and how it really works. All secrets revealed.
ARP: Have you ever wondered why we have both MAC addresses and IP Addresses? Have you been confused about this? After this lecture you'll know why we need both (Hint: 90% of IT professionals don't even know the answer to this basic question - but you will after completing this lecture)
You'll learn all about IP addresses - we'll break it down to the binary level and show you how to convert between binary and decimal and back again
You'll learn the purpose of the Subnet Mask and how (and why) to Subnet Networks - it's a lot easier than you think
All about NAT - the greatest inhibitor to innovation but also the reason the internet hasn't collapsed on itself! IT people like to throw this term around but you'll finally GET it - it'll just make sense after you finish this lecture.
All about ports - what are ephemeral ports, well known ports - why we have ports - all that jazz
WAN technologies - we'll take a step back and look at the internet at large and how routing protocols work.

Here's what this course will do for you

The purpose of this course is really simple: to give you the confidence you need to pass the Security+ exam.

Sure you're going to have fun along the way, and sure you can use these skills to stay in your current job and be a more competent employee but we designed this course to spring-board your entry into the exam.

Once you know the fundamentals taught in this course you'll not only be better prepared but also eager to begin your studies for the Security+ exam.

So what are you waiting for? Jump in now!

Who this course is for:

Beginner Network Administrators, this course is not for experts.
Entry Level Help Desk Analysts and Technicians
New Cyber Security Analysts

Course content

1 sections • 13 lectures

Introduction 13 lectures

Introduction Preview 00:54

Networking Basics: Networking 101 Preview 06:46

Alright, so before we dig into the meat of this course, you need to know what a network is. What exactly is a network?

That's what we're diving into today.

Grab a cup of your favorite drink and let's dive in!

Let's eat DHCP for dessert! Preview 10:51

DHCP is that thing that just works. You plug your computer into the network, it grabs an IP address and, boom! like magic you're surfing the web in no time.

That's great and all, but in order to really nail the Security+ exam, it's helpful to know HOW DHCP actually works. We're going to dive deep into the packets we're you'll see the actual communication stream. Then you'll learn how to setup a lab so you can really master this stuff.

Let's get into it!

FREE BONUS! DHCP Hack Lab Demo Preview 07:40

We're doing hands-on DHCP attacks. 'Nuff said.

DNS! DNS! DNS! Preview 15:50

Can you imagine if you lost all your phone contacts?

Would you remember how to call everyone back? That's what DNS is for. Just like our smartphones map telephone numbers to names DNS maps IP addresses to domain names. You'll learn how awesome this service is. DNS can be very confusing because there are many moving parts, but by the end of this lesson you'll see just how simple it is to understand.

ARP! Bark like a Dog Preview 17:47

Now we're diving deep into the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP). A lot of IT people don't understand what ARP is for and why we need it. We'll guess what? You're about to understand why this protocol is critical for device communications and why the internet really couldn't function without it.

You'll also see why this lesson is titled "ARP! Bark like a Dog!"

The Truth About IP Addresses and Networks Preview 07:41

So you think you know what an IP address is eh?

Ha!

Okay, so you probably do but IP addresses and Network addresses confuse a lot of people. In this lesson you'll learn the difference between an IP address and Network Address and how to convert between binary and decimal.

Let's jump in!

Masks and Subnets Preview 12:59

In this lecture we're going to get really technical with subnetting. First, you're going to understand EXACTLY why we have subnet masks - then we will jump into subnetting a real IP network. You'll see the step-by-step process for subnetting. And the best news is that it's not as difficult as you think!

Let's jump in!

Sexy Subnetting Secrets Preview 16:18

Oh no! he said "subnetting"!

Yup.

But don't fear! You're going to really get it after this video lesson. You're going to learn why subnetting matters and how to subnet like a pro.

You don't want to miss this one.

P.S., I apologize for the audio - we've had to re-record all the remaining lessons and will be replacing this lesson this week

NAT (bzzz... splat!) Preview 12:20

Network Address Translation: without this the internet would have collapsed years ago. NAT is the thing that keeps us going. It's the "hack" that keeps us from running out of IP addresses but it's also stunted internet innovation for years because it's so effective!

In this lesson you're going to learn what NAT is and the different types of NAT. Follow me!

FREE BONUS! NAT Demo Preview 05:28

Ports Are Doors + What's Next Preview 11:30

Computer ports are doors into your computer.

If your computer is listening on a port, it's waiting for incoming data. That data might be good, from a trusted source or it might be bad from an evil source (think: hacker).

In this lesson you'll learn about the different ports you should know and how to detect which ports are listening on your computer.

I'll also recommend the next logical step you should take after completing this course.

FREE BONUS! Port Scanning with nmap + Fun with netcat Preview 04:06

I also wanted to drop this bonus lecture in your hands because it takes you to my lab where I show you how to discover open ports on vulnerable systems and how to leverage netcat to confirm ports are open or closed.

And in closing, I just wanted to say again: congratulations for making this far. If you've watched all the videos in order up to this point you rock!

You have the foundation in place to succeed but remember, if you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment and our community is always ready to give you a hand.