6Networking

• 6.1Network architectures and TCP/IP

  Covers the correspondence between the OSI reference model's seven layers and the TCP/IP four-layer model, subnetting using IP addresses, subnet masks, and CIDR, static routing versus dynamic routing (RIP, OSPF, BGP), the TCP three-way handshake versus UDP, and the role of port numbers—all tied to security design decisions around network segmentation.

• 6.2Key protocols and network applications

  Covers HTTP/HTTPS, the DNS protocol behind name resolution (recursive queries, caching), DHCP, mail protocols such as SMTP/POP3/IMAP, forward and reverse proxies, REST, and session management via cookies/session IDs—each paired with its attack surface and secure design judgment.

• 6.3Network management and performance

  Covers network management via SNMP polling/traps against the MIB, performance metrics such as bandwidth, throughput, and latency, priority control via QoS, wireless LAN (SSID, channel, roaming), and load balancing—paired with the judgment of choosing a configuration suited to monitoring and performance requirements.