How to learn TCP/IP protocol suite as an aspiring web developer?

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1

How’d you learn it in 2023?

My background: A computer science engineering graduate background. I’ve studied about these protocols already. But you know college life in India. It’s like that. I’m aware they exists, I know how they work, but I feel there’s no depth in me about this concept.

  • RFCs(pretty tough to read irrespective who are you)

  • CCNA/Net+(CCNA is said to be too cisco centric)

  • Any udemy courses you recommend?

My main concern is how to learn it?

  • Wireshark (can’t wireshark into linux servers that use SSL afaik, so IDK if that’s helpful)

  • GNS/Packet Tracer (That is very impractical imho as you’re not really learning in live stuffs, but just simulating).

  • Socket programming or whatever it’s called? Please tell me more about it.

Do you’ve any better ideas? I know this is a very niched question.

2

I am not in any way an expert on network engineering or Information Security but here is my opinion.

A good book or a good course in a frontal (non-virtual) technical college regarding the following topics, should be enough.

  • Types of communication networks in general (not necessarily the Internet or Internet-like).
  • OSI model.
  • Computer addresses such as Private IP and Public IP, MAC, etc. and their protocols.
  • LAN and WAN networks, their protocols and TCP/UDP port concepts.
  • Very nearby surrounding topics on hardware and software.
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3

You do not specify what language you prefer. You do not specify whether you are using Linux or Windows or some other OS.

I am also not much experienced with networking but I think that when you read articles and/or a book about it then you will quickly learn about localhost and (I think it is) 127.0.0.1 for testing. I assume you could use a VM but I am not familiar with the details.

I assume that if you have your own VM then you can choose to allow it to communicate without SSH. If you must have a VM external to your local system then there are a few hosts that offer free VMs. There are hosts that offer low-cost VMs.

4

Any high level languages like python, javascript is fine for me. I don’t want to go the C route for obvious reasons.

5

To be a web developer at a “normal” level you do not need a deep knowledge about how TCP/IP protocol works IMO. You need more knowledge about how DNS, proxy and ports works. Start web developing and learn as you go when you need deeper knowledge…

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I would say that C++ and C are among the best for obvious reasons.

7

my goal is not to be a network programmer but understand network protocols suite properly.

8

Do you also know exactly how the engine of your car works? Or are you happy to know it works and can get you from A to B?

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