Introduction

Computer Networking and the Internet
Published

January 6, 2026

Lesson Objectives

  • Describe the organization of the Internet.
  • Understand the unique challenges of network operations
  • Internet as a best-effort system
  • Why cybersecurity depends on networking

Preparation

  • \(1.1\) What is the Internet?
  • \(1.3.3\) A Network of Networks
  • \(1.2\) The Network Edge (skim)
  • \(1.3\) The Network Core (skim)
  • \(1.7\) History of Computer Networking and the Internet (skim)

Exercise

  1. Verify virtual machines, SSH, WSL, vscode setup.
  2. Linux refresher
    • ls, cd, pwd, mkdir, rm, cp, mv
    • cat, less, head, tail, grep, find
    • sudo, pip, apt
  3. Try basic commands and programs
    • ping, traceroute, dig
    • netcat, curl
    • wireshark, wireview
  4. Run Python “hello world” program.