Routing Protocols & IGPs
A comprehensive guide to Interior Gateway Protocols (RIP, EIGRP, OSPF), their types, versions, and Administrative Distance values.
Read Article →Latest Posts
Switching Basics
Understand Layer 2 switching: MAC Address Tables, Aging Timers, and the packet forwarding process.
Read Article →Router Basics
Learn how routers function, read routing tables, and forward packets between different networks.
Read Article →IP Addressing & Subnetting Basics
Understand the core of networking: IPv4 classes, the difference between Network and Host portions, and why Subnet Masks are critical.
Read Article →IPv6 Basics
An introduction to IPv6, understanding 128-bit addressing, hexadecimal notation, and address types.
Read Article →VLANs on Switches — Intro & Lab Walkthrough
This post covers VLAN basics, ranges, and step-by-step configuration on Cisco switches. It pairs with the VLAN Lab for hands-on practice. For all lab exercises see the All Labs page.
Read Article →Trunk Ports & 802.1Q
Learn what trunk ports do, why they're used, how to configure 802.1Q tagging, and troubleshooting tips. Practical examples and CLI snippets included.
Read Article →Inter-VLAN Routing
How to connect isolated VLANs using Router-on-a-Stick (ROAS) and Layer 3 Switches (SVI).
Read Article →EIGRP Basics and Configuration
Overview of EIGRP, how it differs from other protocols, and basic configuration examples. Practice in the EIGRP Lab.
Read Article →OSPF Basics
Introduction to Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), understanding Areas, LSDB, DR/BDR elections, and basic configuration.
Read Article →Understanding DHCP
Learn how DHCP automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network. Understand the DORA process, special IP addresses, and why DHCP is essential in modern networks.
Read Article →Network Address Translation (NAT)
Understand how NAT works, the differences between Static, Dynamic, and PAT, and why it's crucial for IPv4.
Read Article →Access Control Lists (ACLs)
Learn how to secure your network by filtering traffic with Standard and Extended ACLs.
Read Article →