Protocols as a beginning

[lucid]

A small bit of a advice for new members: Many people ask questions about were to start. Learning a language, learning Unix, learning how to use pentesting tools and the like. All of these are good places to start but there is one that may be over looked. Learning protocols. Protocols are systems that define how things are done. Protocols are neccesary for data transmission and communication, as well as many other things. Many people say what makes a great hacker is someone who not only knows what to do, but why to do it. They know how and why things work the way they do giving them a greater ability to operate within the systems. Many members here will read this and laugh at the basic content of this post. Sorry to those members. To other people I would say that its fundamental to learn protocols. I think in some other post a long time ago xzid told a new member that the best place to start is with HTTP and TCP/IP. So I won't take credit from him. I think he had some of the best advice to noobs as demonstrated in this thread

Question: While reading is obviously a good way to learn i think hands-on is much better. Does anyone know of a way/place to learn about protocols more intimately? There's only so much one can learn without seeing things in action. This is for me as well as new members who want to know where to start.

Thanks for reading

[ande]

This is only one way to start. Like I think I have already said in some post somewhere, there is no right or wrong way to start(there are but, as a general answer there is not).

What you are talking about is not only protocols but computer networking in general. I have just recently finished the first part of Cisco CCNA explorer, which starts at the absolute basics. Its a great course for those who wants to learn networking and protocols and so on and so forth from the ground up. Tho you will most likely need an instructor, a online Cisco netacad account and a Cisco lab. Which is something not everyone have access to. But you can make a lab yourself and you can get a book or paper instead of an instructor and a Cisco account.

[techb]

IRC is a very simple protocol and very easy to get into. Python and other scripted languages are excellent for making IRC bots. Just a suggestion.


@Ande, I trained in the Cisco Academy when I was in college for IT. Great stuff cisco provides. If you guys need some visuals, a program called PacketTracer. It is what we learned with.

[lucid]

True it's only one way to start. I agree. I'm hoping many people can find use out of this post not just myself. I've heard good things about cisco.

[ande]

IRC is a very simple protocol and very easy to get into. Python and other scripted languages are excellent for making IRC bots. Just a suggestion.


@Ande, I trained in the Cisco Academy when I was in college for IT. Great stuff cisco provides. If you guys need some visuals, a program called PacketTracer. It is what we learned with.

Yeah, we used packettracer as well.

[lucid]

It's too bad the best ways to learn is by spending a bunch of money on classes.

@ande...or whoever I guess - I thought all the best programmers teach themselves. Currently I'm reading TCP/IP Illustrated. Sometimes nothing but reading is frustrating though it is nice to see results sometimes

[techb]

I learned code myself via google. I learned networking, OSI model, and protocols from class. I wouldn't  know what a crossover cable or loopback if it wasn't for college. I will agree though, most anything in college can be learned with Google to most extents.

[lucid]

Cisco CCNA Explorer is an online course yes? I imagine something like that does not come free. I am definitely going to look into it though. Teaching myself programming is one thing. I've been reading up on protocols but networking and protocols seems like something that would be very difficult to really grasp without schooling/instructing. I'm doing my best reading from a book but it just doesn't seem sufficient.

[ande]

Cisco CCNA Explorer is an online course yes? I imagine something like that does not come free. I am definitely going to look into it though. Teaching myself programming is one thing. I've been reading up on protocols but networking and protocols seems like something that would be very difficult to really grasp without schooling/instructing. I'm doing my best reading from a book but it just doesn't seem sufficient.

Sorry for very very late reply but i've been busy

I am not sure if Cisco charges for their courses but I would think so. But in all honesty, its not worth it. Cisco blows everything out of proportions and have massive campaigns. The only way it is worth it is if you get it for "free" at school, like I did.

But then again, some might find the online Cisco material brilliant, but it just aint working for me. I would rather read a book or watch a video.

And in all honesty, networking and protocols is not that hard

[lucid]

A late response is still a response. I downloaded CCNA explorer from torrentz and that looks good. Also, the CCNA certification for dummies is good too. I was never a big fan of the for dummies books but this is good. I suppose reading is good for me, as that's all I do anyway. It's always nice to take what you've learned and put it to the test though. A much faster more effective way to learn IMO.

[techb]

Yeah, the only was to learn networking is by doing. I never had a chance to work as a network engineer, and only know the almost higher level of things.


No matter what you learn from a book or taught in class, networking has to be hands on or you'll never truly learn it. But that hold true for most things.