Hands-on networking experiments performed in a personal infrastructure lab.
This repository documents practical networking exercises focused on understanding core networking concepts and how they apply to real infrastructure environments.
The goal of these labs is to build hands-on experience with network configuration, troubleshooting, and infrastructure architecture.
The networking labs are performed within a home infrastructure environment built on a dedicated network stack.
This topology provides a controlled environment for testing DNS, VLAN segmentation, firewall rules, and VPN connectivity.
Key components:
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max (gateway / firewall)
- UniFi Switch (PoE)
- VLAN segmented networks
- Linux lab servers
- Synology NAS
- Wireless infrastructure
The repository currently includes the following networking labs.
Understanding how DNS resolution works and how DNS servers interact with clients and upstream resolvers.
Topics covered:
- DNS resolution process
- DNS query testing
- resolver configuration
- DNS troubleshooting
Documentation: DNS Lab
Understanding how firewall rules control network traffic and how security policies are applied within a network.
Topics covered:
- inbound and outbound traffic filtering
- firewall rule structure
- network access control
- troubleshooting blocked traffic
Documentation: Firerwall Lab
Understanding how VLANs segment networks and improve network organization and security.
Topics covered:
- VLAN fundamentals
- network segmentation
- switch port configuration
- inter-VLAN routing
Documentation: VLAN Lab
Understanding how VPN tunnels provide secure remote access to internal networks.
Topics covered:
- VPN fundamentals
- encrypted tunnels
- remote network access
- connectivity troubleshooting
Documentation: VPN Lab
These labs are performed within a personal home infrastructure lab environment that includes:
- router / firewall
- managed switch
- internal network
- Linux client systems
- internet connectivity
This environment allows testing of real networking concepts in a controlled infrastructure setup.
The purpose of this repository is to:
- document networking experiments
- practice infrastructure troubleshooting
- build hands-on networking knowledge
- develop engineering documentation skills
Eugene Ivanov
Infrastructure Engineering
Austin, Texas
Website
https://eugeneivanov.dev