Networking: From Packets to Protocols
Introduction Networking feels abstract. We say: “The server responded” “The request timed out” “The connection dropped” But what actually happens? In this post, we’ll go from raw electrical signals to application-layer protocols, building understanding step by step: What is a packet? What is a protocol? How does TCP/IP actually work? What really happens when you open a website? Let’s build this from first principles. 1. What Is Networking? At its core, networking is: ...