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TheViziusGroup
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network-fundamentals

Explains networking concepts from OSI layers through TCP/IP, DNS, subnetting, and troubleshooting.

1|Updated Aug 10, 2026
Search Tags:#education#troubleshooting#networking#dns#tcp/ip#subnetting#osi model
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/TheViziusGroup/vibe-engineering-skills --skill network-fundamentals-theviziusgroup
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: network-fundamentals
Source: https://github.com/TheViziusGroup/vibe-engineering-skills/tree/main/plugins/network-engineering/skills/network-fundamentals
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/TheViziusGroup/vibe-engineering-skills --skill network-fundamentals-theviziusgroup

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Engineers and non-specialists often struggle to understand foundational networking concepts like the OSI model, TCP handshakes, DNS resolution, and subnetting math, making onboarding, troubleshooting, and cross-team communication difficult. ## Core Features & Use Cases - First-Principles Explanations: Covers packets, the OSI and TCP/IP models, Ethernet, ARP, VLANs, IP addressing, CIDR subnetting, NAT, routing, TCP vs UDP, TLS, HTTP, DNS, and DHCP with analogies and worked examples. - Infrastructure Topics: Explains firewalls, VPNs, spine-leaf data center topology, and cloud networking concepts like VPCs, peering, and private endpoints. - Troubleshooting Guidance: Provides a layer-by-layer diagnostic methodology using tools like ping, traceroute, dig, ss, tcpdump, and Wireshark. - Use Case: A junior engineer asks why a service is unreachable; the skill walks through the OSI stack from link lights to DNS resolution to isolate the failing layer. ## Quick Start Explain how DNS resolution works step by step when I visit a website, including the role of recursive resolvers and record types.

Frequently Asked Questions about network-fundamentals

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How does the TCP three-way handshake work?▼

The TCP three-way handshake synchronizes sequence numbers between client and server: the client sends SYN, the server replies SYN-ACK, and the client confirms with ACK. Both sides then enter the ESTABLISHED state and data transfer begins.

How do I calculate usable hosts in a CIDR subnet?▼

Subtract the CIDR prefix from 32 to get host bits, then compute 2^hostbits minus 2 for network and broadcast addresses. For example, /26 gives 6 host bits, so 64 minus 2 equals 62 usable hosts.

What is the difference between TCP and UDP?▼

TCP is connection-oriented with guaranteed ordered delivery, retransmission, and congestion control, suiting HTTP, SSH, and email. UDP is connectionless with an 8-byte header and no guarantees, suiting DNS, VoIP, streaming, and gaming where speed matters more than completeness.

How do I troubleshoot a network connectivity problem?▼

Work up the OSI stack: check cables and link lights at Layer 1, ARP and VLANs at Layer 2, ping the gateway and verify routing at Layer 3, confirm listening ports with ss or netstat at Layer 4, then test DNS and TLS at Layer 7.

When should I use UDP instead of TCP?▼

Use UDP when low latency outweighs reliability, such as DNS queries, live video, VoIP, and online gaming, where retransmitting a lost packet would arrive too late to be useful. QUIC builds TCP-like reliability over UDP for HTTP/3.

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