Free training resources for TCP IP networking
Starting your journey in the TCP IP networking stack, it is important to understand concepts but also to put these networking concepts into a hands-on perspective. This article provides a list of free training resources for TCP IP networking.
- IBM Redbook on TCP/IP networking. To get a solid foundation on the theory of TCP IP networking, it is highly recommended to study one of the most complete references onthe TCP IP networking stack, namely the IBM TCP IP Redbook, available for free download at: https://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/gg243376.pdf.
- Microsoft Azure networking documentation. Learn about the various Azure networking services available that provide connectivity to your resources in Azure, deliver and protect applications, and help secure your network. All relevant documentation is available at: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/networking/. Also the Microsoft AZ-700 exam curriculum covers all major aspects of modern cloud networking.
- Cisco Networking Academy resources. If you have an instructor or learner profile in Cisco Networking Academy, you should study the CCNA and networking essentials course content and download the Packet Tracer application, which is a simulator of network appliances. Using Cisco Packet Tracer you can simulate an entire TCP IP networking topology and see all passive and active passive devices in operation, as if they were operating in real-time.
- Wireshark documentation. You should study the wireshark documentation and utilize the tool for various test traces in your own lab environment.
- Pfsense documentation and appliances. Pfsense is one of the most renowned software platforms for networking.
- Mikrotik documentation and appliances. Mikrotik appliances utilize RouterOS software and are a major competitive to Pfsense when it comes to neat and affordable solutions from a small home office to a large enteprise.
- Network Virtual Appliances (NVA) documentation and lab testing. You can explore the Azure marketplace for available NVA appliances.
- RaspberryPi documentation and appliances. When building your own custom networking appliances and labs, the RasperryPi available kits should come in handy, especially for primary and secondary school education scenarios.
- IP scanner software, such as Angry IP scanner, can help you get an overview of your network and help visualize its componets.
- Last but not least, understanding TCP IP networking can be greatly assisted by looking things from a cyber security perspective. You get to learn a lot about a network's structure and operations by investigating all security-related aspects of it. Taking a free class, such as the Cisco's Ethical Hacker course on Cisco Net Academy is of significant value. Moreover, using the Linux OS and more specifically the Kali Linux distribution can help you get hold of hands-on knowledge of penetration testing and digital forensics cybersecurity tools.
