Computer Networking Fundamentals Course

By freeCodeCamp.org
Published: Feb 18, 2026

“
This course covers the fundamental concepts, protocols, and architectures of computer networking. You will journey through the entire networking stack, exploring how data travels from physical media access control up to complex application layer protocols like HTTP and DNS. You will learn about technical mechanisms, including error detection through CRC, flow control strategies, and advanced IPv4 addressing techniques like CIDR and VLSM. By mastering topics such as TCP congestion control and routing algorithms, you will gain the deep theoretical foundation and practical problem-solving skills necessary to navigate modern internet communications.

Course notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H4HyyNb07e4u3wdV-vfUWJTn2ulullac/view?usp=sharing

Course overview: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d8cynMNNB0H5DoyBwAj1WTQrIe4X2PLX/view?usp=drive_link

DPP practice questions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q3s7Yk_bVdxMosDVf-hkGYOLqgSeza4H/view?usp=sharing

?? Course created by Kshitij Sharma.

Chapters
*Course Intro & Basics*
– 00:00 Networking Stack & Stack Concepts
– 00:46 Orientation & Prerequisites
– 01:31 Instructor Intro
– 02:05 Target Audience
– 03:01 Methodology: Pen & Paper Style
– 08:42 Defining Computer Networks
– 09:55 5 Components of Data Comm
– 11:40 Effectiveness Metrics
– 14:14 Simplex, Half & Full Duplex
– 19:55 Network Topologies (Mesh, Star, Bus)
– 28:36 OSI Model & Layered Architecture

*IP Addressing & Subnetting*
– 34:37 Binary & Octet Conversion
– 48:09 IPv4 Logical Addressing
– 55:17 Classful vs. Classless (CIDR)
– 1:10:56 Class A-E Addressing Deep Dive
– 1:18:43 Loopback & Troubleshooting
– 1:35:53 IP Conversion Practice
– 2:15:55 Subnetting & Borrowing Bits
– 2:52:25 Subnet Mask Design
– 3:05:24 VLSM Strategy
– 3:31:04 Routing Tables & CIDR Blocks
– 4:05:50 Supernetting Blocks

*Error & Flow Control*
– 4:19:56 Single Bit vs. Burst Errors
– 4:39:26 Hamming Distance & Correction
– 4:49:52 Simple & 2D Parity Methods
– 5:14:32 CRC & Polynomial Notation
– 5:36:25 Checksum Methods
– 5:43:07 Transmission vs. Propagation Delays
– 6:10:25 Stop and Wait (ARQ)
– 6:30:24 Efficiency, RTT & Throughput
– 6:40:42 Sliding Window Concepts
– 7:07:35 Go-Back-N (GBN) Protocol
– 7:18:54 Selective Repeat (SR)

*Headers & Advanced Protocols*
– 8:05:57 IPv4 Header & TOS Bits
– 8:35:39 TTL & Fragmentation
– 8:52:02 IP Options & Source Routing
– 9:18:10 TCP Header: Sequence & Ack
– 9:40:48 TCP Flags & Handshake
– 9:58:10 SYN Flooding Attacks
– 10:02:19 Congestion Control Policy
– 10:13:30 TCP/UDP Timers & Comparison
– 10:30:10 Aloha & CSMA Methods
– 11:06:07 CSMA/CD Collision Detection
– 11:13:39 Polling & Token Passing
– 11:25:03 Distance Vector vs. Link State
– 11:36:16 Circuit vs. Packet Switching
– 11:48:47 Email (SMTP, POP3, IMAP)
– 11:57:10 DNS Hierarchy & Queries
– 12:01:21 FTP, HTTP, ARP & ICMP
– 12:15:06 OSI Summary & Conclusion

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