Network Concepts and Protocols 2

Networking plays a critical role in how users access services from their computers, whether that is web pages, databases, chatbots, or file storage. None of that happens without traffic being sent over networks. This course builds a foundation in core networking concepts and maps them to the industry-standard models that describe how network components interact with each other. It then moves down into the lower levels of the network — starting with physical connections such as cables and how to work with them (including hands-on crimping of copper connections and splicing of fiber cable) — and finishes by covering switching on a local network and how layer 2 switches actually work.

Consider a simple illustration of a network from an end user's perspective: a computer connects to a web server to request and view a web page. In reality, this is not a simple, direct connection. The computer is likely connected to a network switch, which contains other computers that pass traffic around the local network. That switch is connected to a router, which routes (forwards) packets to other routers until the traffic reaches the network where the web server resides.

Once a physical path exists...