Introduction to TCP/IP from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

My PC's Internet & Gateway

For the course 'Introduction to TCP/IP,' the first module is 'My PC's Internet & Gateway,' which introduced all important functions of the Internet that you use from your PC (Personal Computer), laptop, or smartphone. The first lecture 'My PC’s Internet Setup' explains the setup used in your PC/laptop. The next lecture 'Automatic Internet Setup using DHCP,' shows how your PC/laptop’s Internet connection is automatically setup if a local DHCP Server is supporting your network. Then the focus moves to the Default Gateway configuration in the 'IP Gateway/Router Configuration' lectures. As the Default Gateway is the gateway to the Internet for your PC/laptop, the lecture 'IP Routing Table' shows how the Default Gateway sends and receives all packets for your PC/laptop.

TCP/IP Protocol

The second module 'TCP/IP Protocol' focuses on all protocol and functional aspects of the TCP and IP operations used in your PC/laptop/smartphone. The first lecture ‘TCP/IP 5 Layers & Operations’ provides an easy-to-understand description of how TCP/IP works in the Internet to transfer information, using a comparable example of how postal mail is delivered. The lectures ‘IPv4’ and ‘IPv6’ describe how the IPv4 and IPv6 protocols are structured and how they operate. In addition, the CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation as well as the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and subnets are explained. Then the lectures on ‘UDP’ and ‘TCP’ describe how the port number works and how TCP conducts flow control and detects errors in the packets you received on your PC/laptop/smartphone.

Internet Routing & Functions

The third module ‘Internet Routing & Functions’ focuses on the main protocols and functions used in the Internet that you have been using every day to make network connections. The lecture ‘IGP vs. EGP’ is focused on the types and functions of IGPs (Interior Gateway Protocols) and EGPs (Exterior Gateway Protocols). The lecture ‘OSPF’ describes how OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) sets up SPT (Shortest Path Tree) routing paths, which makes your Internet connections more reliable and fast. The lectures ‘ARP’ and ‘NAT’ explains how you have used ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and NAT (Network Address Translation) to inter-changing IP addresses for access to private networks and how your PC/laptop/smartphone had been finding IP addresses from web host names. The lectures ‘RPC’ and ‘FTP’ describes how RPC (Remote Procedure Call) had been enabling you to make connections to remote computers/servers, and how FTP (File Transfer Protocol) helped you move files from a remote computer/server to your PC/laptop so quickly. The last lecture ‘E-mail’ compares the characteristics of IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) and POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) and how they operate in serving your all your e-mails.

Internet Security

The module ‘Internet Security’ focuses on the most popular Internet attack types and describes the methods used by your PC/laptop/smartphone to prevent and defend against cyber attacks. The first lecture ‘Top Ranking Internet Attacks’ describes the most commonly occurring attack types and ranks them based on the percentage of attack incidents. Your PC/laptop/smartphone has been receiving these attacks 100%, you just did not know it, but now you will. The lecture ‘Growing Security & Threat Issues’ discusses about zombie computers and botnets and other emerging attack techniques, which may be contaminating your PC/laptop/smartphone. The lectures in ‘Internet & Cyber Attacks’ include the most serious cyber attack types of Phishing, DoS (Denial of Service) & DDoS (Distributed DoS), Overflow, MITM (Man-in-the-Middle) Attack, and SQL (Structured Query Language) Injection. The lectures in ‘Internet Security & Protection’ focus on the most commonly used attack defense/security techniques used by your PC/laptop/smartphone, which include Firewalls, IDS (Intrusion Detection System), TLS (Transport Layer Security), WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2, and SSH (Secure Shell).

Wireshark Internet Project

The module ‘Wireshark Internet Project’ contains two major parts. First ‘How to Install Wireshark’ is introduced. In the lectures of ‘Internet Packet Analysis using Wireshark,’ the descriptions of how to find your PC/laptop’s IP address and subnet mask, how to find the IP address of someone else’s website domain name, how to check the type of Internet connection and security protocols you are currently using, and how to monitor your PC/laptop’s network performance, using Wireshark is explained in very easy terms. Then it is recommended for the same Wireshark measurement experiment of downloading a test file from Google or Baidu to be conducted as a DIY (Do It Yourself) practice.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops foundational understanding of TCP/IP and how it operates in Internet technologies

Provides comprehensive knowledge of TCP, UDP, IPv4, IPv6, addressing, routing, and domain names

Taught by Jong-Moon Chung, an expert in Internet technologies with extensive corporate and academic experience

Explores Internet security threats and defense mechanisms, providing practical knowledge to protect devices

Offers hands-on Wireshark experiments to demonstrate practical applications of the concepts

Suitable for individuals interested in networking and Internet technologies or pursuing careers in related fields

Reviews summary

Tcp/ip fundamentals

learners say it's a largely positive, beginner-friendly course that will help you understand the basics of TCP/IP. It covers topics like the OSI model, IP addresses, routing, and cyber security. The course also includes a project where you can use Wireshark to analyze network traffic.

The Wireshark project at the end of the course is a great way to apply what you've learned.

"Overall excellent course. Maybe a little more hands on testing with WireShark could be very helpful."

"The content is helpful. The instructor teaches clear. However, the practice with Wireshark instructions (Week 5) is outdated and can not be replicated in MacOS version."

"Content was delivered in a easily understandable format."

"I thought i was going to learn about the local connection and how to administrate them, althought i learned about the singular parts of the internet connections."

This course provides a good foundation in computer networking, including practical knowledge of IP addresses, routing, and cyber security.

"It is an excellent course of TCP/IP basic knowledge."

"Good explanation of all the basic things like TCP/IP, Routing, IP Classes, Internet, Internet Security & internet & routing protocols."

This course is well-structured and easy to follow, with clear explanations and examples.

"Clear and unambiguous presentation;course material is structured nicely (lectures build on topics from previous lectures);explanations are clear and make sense;,"

Some of the explanations in the course are unclear and could be improved.

"Could have included more real-life examples."

"Would have been great if the basic concepts are explained in detail."

"For an intro class there were a lot of new terms and concepts for me."

"Curso bien estructurado, inicias con conceptos básicos de tu propia computadora, estudias los diferentes prototipos de comunicación y finalmente analizas los paquetes recibidos de un servidor en un ejercicio practico."

The course could benefit from more real-world examples to help learners understand the concepts.

"Good introduction; some practical or real world examples might partially help to understand protocols better"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to TCP/IP with these activities:

Review 'TCP/IP Illustrated, Volume 1: The Protocols'

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Provides a deep dive into the fundamentals of TCP/IP, building a strong foundation for understanding the course content.

View TCP/IP Illustrated: The protocols on Amazon

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Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of TCP/IP, including its architecture and protocols.
Study the IPv4 and IPv6 protocols in detail, including their structure, addressing schemes, and routing mechanisms.
Explore the TCP and UDP transport protocols, understanding their mechanisms for reliable and unreliable data delivery.

Build a Simple Network using Virtual Machines

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Provides hands-on experience in configuring and managing a network, reinforcing the concepts learned in the course.

Browse courses on TCP/IP

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Set up multiple virtual machines on your computer using software like VirtualBox or VMware.
Configure the virtual machines with different IP addresses, subnet masks, and default gateways.
Test connectivity between the virtual machines using ping and traceroute commands.

Complete the Network+ Certification Training Course on Udemy

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Provides a comprehensive overview of networking concepts and technologies, complementing the course content and enhancing understanding.

Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals

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Enroll in the Network+ Certification Training Course on Udemy.
Follow the course modules and complete the video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on exercises.
Apply the concepts learned in the course to your own networking projects or scenarios.

Four other activities

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Participate in Online Discussion Forums on TCP/IP

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Fosters discussion and knowledge sharing, allowing students to engage with peers and clarify concepts.

Browse courses on TCP/IP

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Find online forums or discussion groups focused on TCP/IP and networking.
Join the discussions and actively participate by asking questions, sharing knowledge, and engaging with others.

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Helps students stay organized, retain information, and prepare for upcoming assessments.

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Organize the materials into a logical structure, such as by topic or module.
Gather all course materials, including lecture notes, slides, assignments, and readings.
Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding and identify areas where you need additional support.

Solve TCP/IP Packet Analysis Practice Problems

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Develops analytical skills and deepens understanding of TCP/IP packet structure and behavior.

Browse courses on TCP/IP

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Find practice problems or online resources that provide TCP/IP packet analysis exercises.
Use Wireshark or other packet analysis tools to capture and analyze TCP/IP packets.
Identify and interpret the different fields and protocols in the packets, such as IP headers, TCP headers, and application data.

Develop a Network Diagram for a Small Business

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Applies course concepts to a practical scenario, enhancing comprehension and problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Network Design

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Identify the network requirements of a small business, including devices, connections, and security considerations.
Design a network diagram that meets the identified requirements, using appropriate symbols and notations.
Document the design, explaining the rationale behind each component and its configuration.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to TCP/IP will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Network Engineer

Network Engineers design, build, and maintain computer networks. This course may help build a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Engineer

Network Security Analyst

Network Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect computer networks and data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may help build a foundation for understanding the methods used to prevent and defend against cyber attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Security Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course may help build a foundation for understanding the methods used to prevent and defend against cyber attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Cybersecurity Engineer

Cybersecurity Engineers design, implement, and manage cybersecurity systems. This course may help build a foundation for understanding the methods used to prevent and defend against cyber attacks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cybersecurity Engineer

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design, build, and manage cloud computing systems. This course may be helpful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in cloud computing.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and maintain websites. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Network Administrator

Network Administrators set up, maintain, and troubleshoot computer networks. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain computer software. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators maintain and operate computer systems. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write, test, and maintain computer programs. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to extract insights and make predictions. This course may be helpful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators maintain and optimize databases. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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IT Consultant

IT Consultants provide advice and guidance to organizations on the use of information technology. This course may be helpful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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IT Project Manager

IT Project Managers plan, organize, and manage IT projects. This course may be helpful in providing a foundation for understanding the protocols and functions used in computer networks.

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