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Module 8: Advanced Networking Introduction

This module provides an overview of advanced networking topics. Each topic here has its own dedicated deep-dive module later in the course.

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8.1 SDN (Software-Defined Networking)

SDN separates the Control Plane (decision making) from the Data Plane (forwarding).
  • Centralized Controller: Manages the network programmatically.
  • OpenFlow: Protocol for communication between controller and switches.
Why it matters: Cloud networking (AWS VPC, Azure VNet) is essentially SDN.

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8.2 Cloud Networking (AWS VPC)

In the cloud, networking is virtualized.
  • VPC (Virtual Private Cloud): Isolated network environment.
  • Subnets: Public (Internet Gateway) vs Private (NAT Gateway).
  • Security Groups: Virtual firewalls for instances.
  • Route Tables: Control traffic flow between subnets.
Deep Dive Available: See Module 10 (NAT), Module 11 (Routing), and Module 17 (Firewalls) for comprehensive coverage.

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8.3 IPv6

IPv4 ran out of addresses. IPv6 solves this.
  • 128-bit addresses: Hexadecimal (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).
  • No NAT: Every device can have a public IP.
  • Simplified Header: Better processing efficiency.
  • Auto-configuration: SLAAC (Stateless Address Autoconfiguration).

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8.4 Course Continues: Deep Dive Modules

The remaining modules provide in-depth coverage of critical networking topics:

Module 9: IP Addressing Mastery

CIDR notation, subnetting, private vs public IPs

Module 10: NAT Deep Dive

PAT, NAT Gateway, how private networks reach internet

Module 11: Routing Mastery

BGP, OSPF, route tables, cloud routing

Module 12: DNS Deep Dive

Zones, records, TTL, propagation, troubleshooting

Module 13: Load Balancing

L4/L7, algorithms, reverse proxies, SSL termination

Module 14: Troubleshooting

Essential tools and debugging techniques

Module 15: VPNs & Tunneling

IPsec, OpenVPN, WireGuard, SSH tunnels

Module 16: Network Scenarios

Real-world end-to-end network flows

Module 17: Firewalls

Security Groups, NACLs, iptables, Zero Trust

Module 18: Container Networking

Docker, Kubernetes, CNI, Service Mesh

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Next Module

Module 9: IP Addressing Mastery

Deep dive into CIDR, subnetting, and private vs public IP addressing.