Computer Networks Roadmap for Students & EngineersLast updated: Apr 3, 2026Author :Jitendra KumarWhat is a Computer NetworkNetwork Topologies (Bus, Star, Mesh, Hybrid)Bandwidth, Latency, ThroughputFoundationsTypes of Networks (LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN)Switching Techniques (Circuit, Packet, Message)OSI Model (7 Layers)Encapsulation & DecapsulationNetwork ModelsTCP/IP ModelComparison of OSI vs TCP/IPTransmission Media (Wired, Wireless)Error Detection & Correction (Parity, CRC, Hamming)Ethernet & VLANsPhysical & Data Link LayerEncoding & ModulationMAC AddressingARP (Address Resolution Protocol)IPv4 & IPv6CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing)ICMP (Ping, Traceroute)Routing Protocols (RIP, OSPF, BGP)Network LayerIP Addressing & SubnettingNAT (Network Address Translation)Routing Algorithms (Distance Vector, Link State)TCP vs UDPFlow Control & Congestion ControlQoS (Quality of Service)Transport Layer3-Way Handshake & 4-Way TerminationSliding Window ProtocolDNS (Domain Name System)HTTPS & TLS/SSLFTP & SFTPDHCPApplication LayerHTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, HTTP/3SMTP, POP3, IMAP (Email Protocols)SSHWi-Fi Standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax)Mobile Networks (2G → 5G)CDNs (Content Delivery Networks)Wireless & Modern NetworkingBluetooth & NFCSDN (Software Defined Networking)Edge & Cloud NetworkingFirewalls & ProxiesIDS & IPSPublic Key Infrastructure (PKI)Network SecurityVPNsDDoS Attacks & MitigationZero Trust NetworkingMulticast & AnycastPeer-to-Peer NetworkingContainer Networking (CNI, Istio, Service Mesh)Advanced TopicsOverlay NetworksNetwork Virtualization (VXLAN, NVGRE)Subnetting & IP Addressing ExercisesPacket Sniffing with WiresharkSet up a Local Web Server & Test LatencyProjectsBuild a DNS ResolverSimulate TCP Congestion ControlConfigure a Firewall & VPNTCP vs UDP QuestionsIP Addressing & Subnetting ProblemsCommon Networking Scenarios (Load Balancing, Failover)Interview PreparationHTTP vs HTTPS QuestionsRouting & DNS QuestionsCase Studies (How the Internet Works, How CDNs Work)
