Network Engineering Projects - HoseaCodes/OnePercent GitHub Wiki

1. Set Up a Home Network

Objective: Understand the basics of networking by configuring your home network.

  • Tasks:
    • Set up a router with custom SSIDs and passwords.
    • Enable and configure a guest network.
    • Configure basic security settings like WPA3 encryption.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand how devices communicate within a LAN.
    • Learn about DHCP, NAT, and IP addressing.

2. Network Monitoring

Objective: Monitor the performance and security of a network.

  • Tools: Wireshark, SolarWinds Free Tools, or Zabbix.
  • Tasks:
    • Capture and analyze network packets using Wireshark.
    • Set up network monitoring to track bandwidth usage.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Learn about protocols like HTTP, TCP, UDP, and ICMP.
    • Identify potential bottlenecks or suspicious activity.

3. Build a Small Office Network Simulation

Objective: Use a simulator to design and configure a small office network.

  • Tools: Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3.
  • Tasks:
    • Create a network with switches, routers, and client devices.
    • Configure VLANs for network segmentation.
    • Set up a basic routing protocol (e.g., RIP or OSPF).
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand how routers and switches work.
    • Learn about network segmentation and routing protocols.

4. Set Up a Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Objective: Learn to secure remote connections.

  • Tools: OpenVPN, WireGuard, or commercial VPN software.
  • Tasks:
    • Set up a VPN server on a Raspberry Pi or cloud service.
    • Connect client devices to the VPN.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand encryption and tunneling.
    • Learn about secure remote access.

5. Build a DNS Server

Objective: Set up a custom DNS server to learn about domain name resolution.

  • Tools: Pi-hole (for DNS filtering) or BIND.
  • Tasks:
    • Configure a DNS server to block ads or resolve custom domain names.
    • Test how DNS caching works.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand the role of DNS in the internet.
    • Learn about DNS queries and records (A, CNAME, PTR).

6. Create a Network Firewall

Objective: Implement a basic firewall to control network traffic.

  • Tools: pfSense, UFW (Linux), or Windows Firewall.
  • Tasks:
    • Set up and configure rules to block or allow specific traffic.
    • Test firewall rules using tools like ping or nmap.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand packet filtering.
    • Learn about common firewall configurations.

7. Set Up a Web Server

Objective: Host a simple website on your own network.

  • Tools: Apache, Nginx, or IIS.
  • Tasks:
    • Configure a local web server.
    • Assign a custom domain to your web server using your DNS server.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Learn about HTTP/HTTPS and web server configurations.
    • Understand port forwarding and DNS resolution.

8. Simulate Network Attacks and Defenses

Objective: Learn about network security by simulating attacks and defenses.

  • Tools: Kali Linux, Metasploit, or Wireshark.
  • Tasks:
    • Simulate a simple attack (e.g., ARP spoofing) on a virtual network.
    • Use Wireshark to detect and analyze the attack.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand common vulnerabilities.
    • Learn how to detect and prevent attacks.

9. Create a Subnetting Plan

Objective: Design and configure subnets for a small network.

  • Tools: Subnet calculators or manual calculations.
  • Tasks:
    • Divide an IP address block into smaller subnets.
    • Assign subnets to different departments in a simulated company.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Understand subnetting concepts.
    • Learn about CIDR notation and IP address allocation.

10. Build a Wireless Network

Objective: Set up and optimize a wireless network.

  • Tools: Router with advanced settings, Wi-Fi analyzer apps.
  • Tasks:
    • Place access points to ensure optimal coverage.
    • Configure Quality of Service (QoS) settings for prioritizing traffic.
  • Learning Goals:
    • Learn about Wi-Fi standards (e.g., 802.11ac, 802.11ax).
    • Understand signal strength and interference.

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