Foundations of Computer Networking: OSI Model and TCP/IP

Understanding how data travels across a network is the foundation of any IT, cybersecurity, or systems administration career. This text-based course guides you from networking novice to understanding the structured layers that power the global internet, giving you a solid conceptual framework of how devices communicate, address each other, and transfer data reliably. What you will learn: • Understand the seven layers of the OSI model and how they isolate networking functions. • Map real-world protocols like HTTP, TCP, IP, and Ethernet to their respective layers. • Explain the mechanics of the TCP/IP protocol suite, including IP addressing and subnetting basics. • Explore local area network (LAN) architectures, media access control, and hardware roles. • Analyze the difference between connection-oriented TCP and connectionless UDP protocols. • Learn modern networking concepts such as IPv6 transition strategies and basic network security principles. The course begins with fundamental terminology and a deep dive into the theoretical OSI model, then transitions into the practical TCP/IP protocol suite, illustrating how data packets are encapsulated and routed. This course is designed for absolute beginners, aspiring network administrators, and software developers looking to build a strong foundation in networking without any prior experience. Start reading today to demystify the protocols that run the digital world.