Network Essentials: From Protocols to the Cloud

A: The network has rules of engagement. These are the protocols that make everything work seamlessly.

B: Let's do a rapid-fire round on the essential protocol suites. We'll group them by their function.

A: An open network is a vulnerable network. Let's talk about building a fortress.

B: Security isn't one thing; it's layers. We start with Firewalls—the bouncer at the door, checking packets against a set of rules (ACLs).

A: We've covered the classics. But what about the modern world?

B: Let's look ahead. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) separates the control and data planes, making networks more programmable. Cloud Networking (VPCs in AWS/Azure) is how modern applications are built. And don't forget IoT—all those smart devices are just tiny nodes on a massive network.