This course provides a complete introduction to the fundamentals of IP networks. It is structured into four main sections, each covering an essential aspect for understanding, configuring and diagnosing issues in a computer network.

In this first part, we'll lay the groundwork by exploring the concept of networking and the history of the TCP/IP protocol. We'll study its main components: IP, TCP, along with a brief look at the IPv5 QoS protocol. We'll also cover service primitives to better understand the logic of data exchange.

We will then move on to a module dedicated to IPv4 addressing. You'll learn how IPv4 is used in practice, its different address types (private, public, broadcast, etc.), the fundamental role of DNS, as well as how Ethernet addresses and the ARP protocol work. You will also discover NAT (Network Address Translation) and the basics of network configuration.

The third part focuses on IPv6 addressing, which is necessary to address the limitations of IPv4. We'll go through its standards and definitions, address assignment within a local network, address block management and the relationship between IPv6 and DNS.

Finally, we'll conclude with a presentation of the main network diagnostics tools. These will enable you to analyze, control and troubleshout malfunctions. This part will be structured by layers: Network Access, Network, Transport and Upper layers.

By the end of this course, you'll have the fundamental knowledge to efficiently administer a network infrastructure and diagnose potential issues.

Ready to dive into the world of computer networks? Let's go!

NOTE: The descriptions are based on a GNU/Linux CentOS 7 system. However, network configurations are largely the same when comparing a Debian to a CentOS system. So, we won't make any distinction. When there is one, we'll prefix it with a specific logo.