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Networking Learning Project

A comprehensive hands-on project for learning computer networking concepts through practical exercises and simulations.

Architecture Overview

This project uses a modular architecture with clear separation between:

  • Core Networking Environment: Basic networking tools and practice containers (managed by main docker-compose.yml)
  • Specialized Modules: Advanced services like DNS servers, HTTP servers, etc. (managed by individual module docker-compose.yml files)

Core vs. Module Services

Core Environment (./bin/container-practice.sh start):

  • net-practice: Main learning container with all networking tools
  • client: Testing client container
  • router: Network routing simulation
  • firewall-test: Firewall testing container
  • database: PostgreSQL for multi-tier testing

Module Services (started separately):

  • DNS Server: cd modules/05-dns-server && docker-compose up -d
  • HTTP Servers: cd modules/06-http-servers && docker-compose up -d
  • Advanced Topics: cd modules/07-advanced && docker-compose up -d
  • Security Topics: cd modules/08-security && docker-compose up -d

Project Structure

networking/
├── README.md                          # This file
├── package.json                       # Project metadata
├── requirements.txt                    # Python dependencies
├── docker-compose.yml                  # Docker services for network simulation
├── bin/                               # Executable scripts
│   ├── install.sh                     # Cross-platform installation
│   ├── setup.sh                       # Local development setup
│   ├── container-practice.sh          # Containerized practice script
│   ├── test-installation.sh           # Installation testing
│   └── version.sh                     # Version management
├── docs/                              # Documentation
│   ├── legal/                         # Legal and licensing
│   │   ├── LICENSE                    # MIT License
│   │   ├── VERSION                    # Version file
│   │   ├── CHANGELOG.md               # Release history
│   │   └── CONTRIBUTING.md            # Contribution guidelines
│   └── guides/                        # User guides
│       ├── INSTALLATION.md             # Detailed installation guide
│       ├── CONTAINER_REQUIREMENTS.md   # Container requirements
│       ├── CONTAINER_PRACTICE.md       # Container practice guide
│       ├── COURSE_SYLLABUS.md          # Course syllabus
│       └── LEARNING_PATH.md            # Learning path guide
├── scripts/                           # Python and shell scripts
│   ├── interface-analyzer.py          # Network interface analysis
│   ├── dns-analyzer.py                # DNS analysis tool
│   ├── http-analyzer.py               # HTTP/HTTPS analysis
│   ├── ssh-analyzer.py                # SSH analysis tool
│   ├── ntp-analyzer.py                # NTP analysis tool
│   └── ...                            # Additional analysis tools
├── modules/                           # Learning modules
│   ├── 01-basics/                     # Basic networking concepts
│   │   ├── ping-traceroute/           # Network connectivity tools
│   │   ├── network-interfaces/        # Interface configuration
│   │   ├── ipv4-addressing/          # IPv4 addressing and subnetting
│   │   ├── osi-model/                 # OSI model analysis
│   │   └── basic-commands/            # Essential networking commands
│   ├── 02-protocols/                  # Network protocols
│   │   ├── tcp-udp/                   # Transport layer protocols
│   │   ├── http-https/                # Application layer protocols
│   │   ├── dns/                      # Domain Name System
│   │   ├── ssh/                      # Secure Shell
│   │   ├── ntp/                      # Network Time Protocol
│   │   └── dhcp/                     # Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
│   ├── 03-docker-networks/            # Container networking
│   │   ├── bridge-networks/           # Docker bridge networks
│   │   ├── overlay-networks/          # Multi-host networking
│   │   └── custom-networks/           # Custom network configurations
│   ├── 04-network-analysis/           # Network monitoring and analysis
│   │   ├── wireshark/                 # Packet capture and analysis
│   │   ├── tcpdump/                   # Command-line packet capture
│   │   ├── tshark/                    # Command-line Wireshark
│   │   ├── nmap/                      # Network discovery and port scanning
│   │   └── netstat-ss/                # Network statistics
│   ├── 05-dns-server/                 # DNS server configuration
│   │   ├── coredns-configs/           # CoreDNS configuration files
│   │   ├── zones/                     # DNS zone files
│   │   ├── dns-lab.sh                 # Interactive DNS lab
│   │   ├── DOCKER_EXPLAINED.md        # Docker setup explanation
│   │   └── README.md                  # DNS server documentation
│   ├── 06-http-servers/               # HTTP server management
│   │   ├── nginx-configs/             # Nginx configuration files
│   │   ├── html/                      # Sample web content
│   │   ├── ssl-certs/                 # SSL certificate examples
│   │   ├── http-lab.sh                # Interactive HTTP server lab
│   │   ├── docker-compose.yml         # HTTP server containers
│   │   ├── DOCKER_EXPLAINED.md        # Docker setup explanation
│   │   ├── README.md                  # HTTP server documentation
│   │   └── quick-reference.md         # Quick reference guide
│   ├── 07-advanced/                   # Advanced networking topics
│   │   ├── routing/                   # Static and dynamic routing
│   │   ├── load-balancing/            # Load balancing techniques
│   │   └── monitoring/                # Network monitoring tools
│   ├── 08-security/                   # Network security
│   │   ├── firewalls/                 # Firewall configuration
│   │   ├── vpn/                      # Virtual Private Networks
│   │   └── ssl-tls/                  # Encryption protocols
├── tools/                            # Additional utility tools
│   ├── network-scanner.py            # Network discovery tool
│   ├── dns-analyzer.py               # DNS analysis tool
│   └── dns-troubleshoot.sh           # DNS troubleshooting script
└── admin/                            # Administrative documentation
    ├── README.md                      # Admin overview
    ├── ARCHITECTURE.md                # System architecture
    ├── DEVELOPMENT.md                 # Development guidelines
    ├── DEPLOYMENT.md                  # Deployment procedures
    ├── MAINTENANCE.md                 # Maintenance procedures
    ├── progress-tracker.md            # Project progress tracking
    ├── project-expansion-plan.md      # Project expansion planning
    └── chatlogs/                      # Development session logs

🐳 Docker Setup Explained

New to Docker? Check out these beginner-friendly explanations:

These guides explain Docker concepts in simple terms, perfect for networking learners who are new to containerization.

🚀 Quick Start

One-Command Installation

Cross-platform installation script:

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/your-username/networking-learning.git
cd networking-learning

# Run automated installation
./bin/install.sh

Containerized Practice (Recommended)

Perfect for safe learning during meetings or training sessions!

# Start the networking practice environment
./bin/container-practice.sh start

# Enter practice container
./bin/container-practice.sh enter

# Run practice exercises
./bin/container-practice.sh exercises

Why Use Containers?

  • ✅ Safe Environment: Practice without affecting your host system
  • ✅ Meeting-Safe: Learn during Zoom sessions without risk
  • ✅ Easy Reset: Just restart containers to clean state
  • ✅ Full Tools: All networking tools pre-installed
  • ✅ Cross-Platform: Works on macOS, Linux, and Windows

Local Development Setup

For development and local testing:

# Run setup script
./bin/setup.sh

# Or manually install dependencies
pip3 install -r requirements.txt

System Requirements:

  • Python: 3.8+ with pip
  • Memory: 2GB RAM (4GB recommended)
  • Storage: 1GB free space
  • Network: Internet connection for package downloads
  • Platform: macOS 10.15+, Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+), Windows 10+ (WSL2)

Platform-Specific Installation

macOS

# Install Homebrew (if not installed)
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Install dependencies
brew install python3 docker docker-compose wireshark tcpdump nmap

# Clone and setup
git clone https://github.com/your-username/networking-learning.git
cd networking-learning
./bin/install.sh

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

# Install dependencies
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-pip docker.io docker-compose

# Clone and setup
git clone https://github.com/your-username/networking-learning.git
cd networking-learning
./bin/install.sh

Windows (WSL2)

# Install WSL2
wsl --install

# In WSL2 Ubuntu terminal:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-pip docker.io docker-compose

# Clone and setup
git clone https://github.com/your-username/networking-learning.git
cd networking-learning
./bin/install.sh

See docs/guides/INSTALLATION.md for detailed installation instructions.

Uninstalling

To completely remove the project and all its components:

# Remove project components (keeps Git repository)
./bin/uninstall.sh

# Remove everything including Git repository
./bin/uninstall.sh --git

# Skip confirmation prompt
./bin/uninstall.sh --force

The uninstaller will:

  • Stop and remove all Docker containers, images, networks, and volumes
  • Remove the Python virtual environment
  • Clean up build artifacts and temporary files
  • Optionally remove the Git repository

Learning Path

Phase 1: Fundamentals (Week 1-2)

  • Start with 01-basics/ to understand core concepts
  • Practice with ping, traceroute, and basic commands
  • Learn about network interfaces and configuration

Phase 2: Protocols (Week 3-4)

  • Dive into 02-protocols/ to understand how data travels
  • Practice with TCP/UDP, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, SSH, NTP, and TLS/SSL
  • Use packet capture tools to see protocols in action
  • Learn certificate management and TLS security analysis

Phase 3: Container Networking (Week 5-6)

  • Explore 03-docker-networks/ for modern networking
  • Learn about bridge, overlay, and custom networks
  • Practice with Docker Compose for multi-container setups

Phase 4: Analysis & Security (Week 7-8)

  • Use 04-network-analysis/ tools for troubleshooting
  • Master nmap for network discovery and port scanning
  • Master tshark for packet capture and analysis
  • Implement security measures in 08-security/
  • Learn about firewalls, VPNs, and encryption

Phase 5: Advanced Topics (Week 9-10)

  • Master 07-advanced/ concepts like routing and load balancing
  • Build monitoring solutions
  • Create complex network topologies

Quick Start

  1. Prerequisites

    # Install required tools
brew install docker docker-compose wireshark tcpdump nmap

# Install Python dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt

  2. Start with basics

    cd modules/01-basics/ping-traceroute
./ping-test.sh

  3. Launch network simulation

    docker-compose up -d

Tools & Technologies

  • Docker & Docker Compose: Container networking simulation
  • Wireshark: Packet analysis and protocol inspection
  • tcpdump: Command-line packet capture
  • nmap: Network discovery and port scanning
  • Python: Custom networking tools and utilities
  • Linux networking tools: ping, traceroute, netstat, ss, ip

Learning Objectives

By the end of this project, you will understand:

  • ✅ How data flows through networks (OSI model)
  • ✅ TCP/IP protocol stack and common protocols
  • ✅ Network addressing (IPv4/IPv6, subnets, routing)
  • ✅ Container networking concepts
  • ✅ Network security principles
  • ✅ Troubleshooting and monitoring techniques
  • ✅ Modern networking architectures

Contributing

This is a personal learning project. Feel free to add your own exercises and experiments!

Version and License

Version Management

# Show current version
./bin/version.sh show

# Update to specific version
./bin/version.sh update 1.1.0

# Increment version
./bin/version.sh patch    # 1.0.0 → 1.0.1
./bin/version.sh minor    # 1.0.0 → 1.1.0
./bin/version.sh major    # 1.0.0 → 2.0.0

# Create release
./bin/version.sh release 1.1.0

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Comprehensive networking learning project with hands-on labs and tools

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