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Created January 3, 2026 11:34
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netowkr roadmap zero to hero.md

Network Learning Roadmap: Zero to Hero

A question-based study guide for beginners.

Phase 1: Fundamentals

  • What is a network and why do we need it?
  • What is the OSI model and what happens at each layer?
  • What is the TCP/IP model and how does it differ from OSI?
  • What is a MAC address vs an IP address?
  • How does TCP handshake work (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK)?
  • What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
  • What is a port number and why does it matter?
  • What is DNS and how does it resolve names?
  • What is DHCP and how does a device get an IP?
  • What is ARP and why is it needed?

Phase 2: Basic Infrastructure

  • What is a switch and how does it differ from a hub?
  • What is a router and when do I need one?
  • What is a VLAN and why would I segment a network?
  • What is a subnet and how do I calculate it?
  • What is a default gateway?
  • What is NAT and why does it exist?
  • What is a firewall and what does it actually filter?

Phase 3: Routing

  • What is a routing table and how is it built?
  • What is static routing vs dynamic routing?
  • What is OSPF and how does it find the best path?
  • What is BGP and why is it different from OSPF?
  • What is administrative distance?
  • What is a routing loop and how do protocols prevent it?

Phase 4: Wireless & Security Basics

  • How does Wi-Fi work (802.11 standards)?
  • What is SSID, channel, and frequency band?
  • What is WPA2/WPA3?
  • What is a RADIUS server?
  • What is VPN and how does IPsec work?
  • What is ACL and how do I filter traffic?

Phase 5: Services & Mail Flow

  • What is HTTP/HTTPS and how does TLS work?
  • What is SMTP, POP3, IMAP?
  • How does email flow from sender to receiver (MX records, SPF, DKIM)?
  • What is a proxy vs a reverse proxy?
  • What is load balancing?

Phase 6: Troubleshooting

  • How do I use ping, traceroute, and why do they work?
  • How do I read a packet capture (Wireshark)?
  • How do I isolate whether a problem is Layer 1, 2, 3, or higher?
  • What is MTU and what breaks when it's wrong?

Phase 7: Vendor-Specific (Pick Your Path)

  • What is CCNA and what does it cover?
  • What is MTCNA and what does it cover?
  • What is the difference between Cisco IOS and MikroTik RouterOS CLI?

Pro Tips

  • Lab everything. Theory without hands-on won't stick.
  • Recommended lab tools: GNS3, EVE-NG, Packet Tracer, or a cheap MikroTik hAP.
  • Capture packets. Install Wireshark and look at real traffic early.
  • Break things on purpose. You learn more from fixing than from following guides.
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