PacketLab
Learn · Configure · Verify

Networking, explained through practice.

Explore routing, switching, and network security with clear explanations, topologies, and practical verification. Follow each topic from its first concept to focused configuration and troubleshooting lessons.

Command examples: Examples use Cisco-style router commands, primarily IOS XE syntax. Exact commands and output may vary by platform and software version.

Understand the concept

Begin with a network and a question. Learn the behavior before changing the configuration.

Apply it to routers

Follow named devices and relevant examples, with diagrams that explain the connections.

Check the result

Connect router actions to the results shown in command output and packet examples.

Routing & Switching

Explore routing protocols one focused lesson at a time.

BGP

Border Gateway Protocol

Autonomous systems, neighbors, route policy, and convergence.

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55 lessons + lab
OSPF

Open Shortest Path First

Neighbors, link-state information, areas, and path calculation.

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23 lessons
IS-IS

Intermediate System to Intermediate System

Adjacencies, routing levels, link-state databases, and resilience.

Planned
L2/L3

Switching

Ethernet, VLANs, spanning tree, LACP, and Layer 3 switching.

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70 lessons available
VXLAN

VXLAN

VTEPs, underlay reachability, EVPN, and routed overlays.

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14 lessons available

Security

Protect network links and inspect traffic with dedicated security tracks.

MACsec

MACsec

Ethernet link protection, key agreement, deployment, and verification.

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8 lessons
IDS/IPS

Suricata

Traffic inspection, detection rules, alerts, and inline prevention.

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16 lessons available

A focused learning sequence

Choose a topic in the sidebar and work through its sections one lesson at a time. Each lesson develops a specific concept and points to the next step.

All seven BGP units are available: 55 lessons and a final hands-on lab, with takeaways and quizzes. Open the OSPF, MACsec, or Suricata course overview to see its lesson availability. Unfinished topics are marked Planned.