Networking

What is a Bastion Server and Why is it Used? A bastion server (or bastion host) is a special-purpose computer designed and configured to withstand attacks. It acts as a secure gateway between a public network (like the internet) and a private network, enabling administrators to access internal systems without exposing those systems directly to…

What is an ARP table and how does it work? The ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table is a critical component of network communication in IPv4-based networks. It functions like a phone book for your computer, mapping IP addresses (Layer 3) to MAC addresses (Layer 2) so that devices can communicate over a local network. When…

What is a subnet mask and how does it work? A subnet mask is a 32-bit number used in IPv4 networking that helps divide an IP address into two components: the network portion and the host portion. It determines which part of the IP address identifies the network and which part identifies the device (host)…

What is ARP and how does it work? The Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a communication protocol used for discovering the link-layer address (MAC address) that corresponds to a given network-layer address (IP address). It’s an essential part of the IPv4 networking stack and is used to enable communication between devices on the same local…

What is DevOps? DevOps is a set of practices, tools, and a cultural philosophy that brings together software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). The goal of DevOps is to shorten the software development lifecycle and deliver high-quality software continuously and reliably. Instead of development and operations working in silos—where developers write code and toss…

What is DPI (Deep Packet Inspection)? DPI is a type of data processing used by network devices (like firewalls, routers, or intrusion detection systems) to inspect the actual contents of data packets as they pass through a network. How It Works: When a packet is transmitted over a network, it contains: Header (source, destination, protocol…

What is FWaaS? Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) is a cloud-based security solution that delivers firewall functionality via the internet, rather than through traditional on-premises hardware. It provides centralized, scalable, and policy-driven protection for users, applications, and data—no matter where they’re located. Key Features of FWaaS: Cloud-Native Firewall Hosted in the cloud, removing the need…

What is zero touch provisioning? Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) is a process that automates the configuration and deployment of network devices without the need for manual intervention. When a new device (like a router, switch, or firewall) is powered on and connected to the network, it automatically retrieves its configuration settings, firmware updates, and policies…

What is Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)? The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a widely used encryption algorithm designed to protect sensitive data. It is a symmetric key encryption algorithm, meaning the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting data, as opposed to asymmetric key encryption, where different keys are used. AES is known…

What is address resolution protocol (ARP)? Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) is a network protocol used to map an IP address (logical address) to a device’s MAC address (physical address) within a local network. It operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and is essential for enabling communication between devices in…

What is DNS? DNS (Domain Name System) is often referred to as the “phonebook of the internet.” It is a hierarchical naming system that translates human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1) and vice versa. This process allows users to access websites and services without needing to remember complex numerical IP…

What is ethical hacking? Ethical hacking, also known as penetration testing or white-hat hacking, refers to the practice of intentionally probing computer systems, networks, or applications for vulnerabilities to identify and fix security flaws. Ethical hackers use the same methods and tools as malicious hackers but do so with the permission and authorization of the…