Modern Networking
Modern Networking
Fundamental Concepts
About the Book
This book lays the essential groundwork for understanding modern computer networks, including the Internet. Whether you’re a professional or a tech-savvy reader who simply wants to demystify networks, it will give you a clear and accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts — the concepts one must grasp to understand the topic as a whole.
Those who have previous exposure but feel some of the dots don't yet connect (e.g., software developers, system administrators, and computer science students) should feel particularly at home.
It deliberately keeps code and configuration listings to a minimum, preferring instead more intuitive, easily understandable explanations and analogies, without sacrificing clarity in the process.
If you’re planning on diving into the follow-up volume Learning Modern Networking - Software and Techniques, which will focus on more advanced, hands-on techniques, code samples, and troubleshooting recipes, this first volume will provide the conceptual background you need to confidently apply those practical skills, and understand what is (or must be) happening behind the scenes, rather than simply following instructions blindly. Even if you are not, this book provides valuable insights into the networks that underpin our digital world.
About the Author
Reader Testimonials
Gerry Siegemund
Secunet - Germany's leading Cybersecurity Company
Finally, a networking guide that respects the reader. Sharp, structured, and packed with memorable metaphors that make learning effortless.
Lennart Graewe
Chemist
I didn't expect a book about computer networks to be that entertaining. A masterpiece of understandable knowledge transfer.
Karsten Ludwig Hauser
Principal Software Engineer
Complex topics accessible through simple examples. A comprehensive and valuable resource for both newcomers and experienced practitioners.
Kevin Sandermann,
Director Cloud & DevOps
A different kind of introduction to networking - exceptionally thoughtful and accessible, this book demystifies and breaks down complex concepts using tangible analogies and an engaging, conversational tone. I’d highly recommend it to students, software developers, young engineers, and anyone looking to unravel the depth of networking fundamentals without getting lost in jargon or dry theory.
Raymond Goggins
Psychiatrist
Declan takes the often daunting world of networking and makes it feel surprisingly approachable in this book. His use of analogies such as concerts, football teams, and everyday experiences, really helps ground abstract concepts. It offered a real glimpse into a world I’d never quite understood before.
Pierre Totzki
Director of Business Consulting
This book strives to present complex concepts as simply as possible – but no simpler. I would say without hesitation: mission accomplished. Although the technical level is high and I admit that I am not an expert on networks, I was able to follow the explanations in the book well.
Tino Kreutzberger
Software Architect
The beauty of this book is the charming way it transforms the dense jungle of misunderstandings about networking into an orderly farm where you know every chicken by name, while it makes you want to (re)read Caroll's stories about Alice.
Markus Ewers
Senior Front-End Developer
The author explains complex concepts like network layers, IP addresses, and security in a practical and understandable way, with comparisons that are easy to relate to. He conveys technical fundamentals in detail, but in a beginner-friendly manner, without getting lost in technical jargon.
Table of Contents
- Colophon
- Preface
- Who this book is for
- The Chicken and the Egg
- Why networking is difficult, and why its not.
- Fundamental Concepts (Volume 1)
- Acknowledgments
- Conventions used in this book
- Metaphor as a tool
- Aetheria
- 1. Foundations - understanding and describing networks
- What is a Network?
- Nodes and Ports
- Infrastructure
- Communication Technology
- Network Interface Cards
- Abstraction and Standardization
- Layers of Abstraction
- Models — network layers
- Layer-Specific Devices
- Summary
- Conclusion
- What is a Network?
- 2. Lower Layers - physical networks and LANs
- Layer 1
- Media
- Electromagnetic Waves and the Role of Media
- Nodes - analog-digital converters
- Networks (Bit Streams)
- Layer 2
- Interfaces
- Packets (Frames)
- Nodes — addressed packet processors
- Switches
- Networks (LANs)
- Lower Layer Landscape
- Limitations
- Summary
- Conclusion
- Layer 1
- 3. Middle Layers - encapsulation, logical addressing, routing and conversations
- Metropolea
- Layer 3
- Logical Addressing
- Packet Encapsulation
- Protocols
- IP
- IP Addresses
- Subnets
- Routers
- The Internet (Simplified)
- The Internet (Realistic)
- Packet Fragmentation
- ICMP (Diagnostics)
- Layer 4
- Port Numbers - interface sharing and network endpoints
- Packet Encapsulation
- Packet Delivery - order and reliability
- UDP - the minimalist approach
- TCP — the reliable conversation manager
- Choosing between TCP and UDP
- Summary
- Conclusion
- 4. Upper Layers and Applications
- Layer 5+
- DNS - names (FQDNs) for IP addresses
- Host Configuration
- URLs
- HTTP
- Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Models
- The Web
- Other Protocols
- Overlay, Virtual, and Software-Defined Networks
- Layer Sets
- Virtual Devices and Interfaces
- Virtual (Software) Networks
- Overlay Networks
- Software-Defined Networks
- Combinations
- Summary
- Conclusion
- Layer 5+
- 5. Security
- Access Control
- Identity
- Credentials
- Cryptography
- Applications of Cryptography
- Cryptographic Keys
- Authenticating Cryptographic Keys
- Cryptographic (Algorithm) Schemes
- Security in Practice
- Group and individual Trust
- Layer 2
- Layer 3
- Layer 4
- Layer 5+
- Cascading Encryption Layers (Keys)
- VPNs
- Firewalls
- Identity Management
- Service Provider Federation and Single Sign-On (SSO)
- Protocols and Flows
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
- JSON Web Tokens (JWTs)
- Social Sign On
- Delegated Authorization
- Anonymous Networks - Dark Web
- Tor
- Summary
- Conclusion
- Afterword
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