6 Networking Basics for DevOps Beginners

When stepping into the DevOps world, networking concepts might feel complex. But trust me, understanding a few basics can make a huge difference in how effectively you build systems, deploy applications, and solve problems. I’ve been in your shoes—starting fresh and learning how everything connects. So, let’s simplify some essential networking concepts that every beginner DevOps engineer should know.

Why Networking Matters in DevOps

As a DevOps engineer, you work on making systems and applications run smoothly. Most of these live in the cloud or rely on distributed systems. Networking is the backbone of everything, from setting up pipelines to managing deployments. Without a strong grasp of networking, you might face challenges like:

Designing secure cloud environments.

Troubleshooting application errors.

Scaling systems for better performance.

Networking is not just a skill—it’s a superpower for DevOps.

Key Networking Concepts You Should Know

Here’s a beginner-friendly breakdown of the must-know networking concepts:

1. IP Addresses and Subnetting

IP Address: Think of it as the “home address” of a device on the network.

Subnetting: A way to divide a network into smaller, manageable parts.

Why it’s important: Helps organize networks and control how devices communicate.

Example: In AWS, using subnets lets you isolate public-facing servers from private resources like databases.

2. DNS (Domain Name System) DNS translates user-friendly names (like google.com) into IP addresses.

Why it’s important: Most modern systems and pipelines rely on DNS for connecting services.

Example: In Kubernetes, DNS resolves service names so pods can communicate with each other.

3. Firewalls and Security Groups Firewalls act as security guards that control network traffic based on rules. Security groups in the cloud provide similar functionality.

Why it’s important: Protects your systems from unauthorized access or attacks.

Example: Configuring a security group in AWS to allow SSH access only from your local IP address.

4. Load Balancers A load balancer distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers to ensure smooth operations.

Why it’s important: Prevents downtime and keeps applications running efficiently.

Example: An AWS Elastic Load Balancer ensures users can access your app even during high traffic.

5. Network Protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, TCP, UDP) Protocols define how data is transmitted between devices over the network.

HTTP/HTTPS: For web traffic (HTTPS is secure).

TCP: Reliable communication, often used in databases.

UDP: Faster but less reliable, often used in streaming.

Why it’s important: Understanding protocols helps you choose the right one for your applications.

Example: Using HTTPS for secure web applications and TCP for database connections.

6. Subnetting (Expanded) Subnetting breaks a larger network into smaller networks for better management and security.

Why it’s important: Reduces congestion and isolates sensitive parts of your infrastructure.

Example: Hosting a public-facing app in a public subnet while keeping your database in a private subnet for security.

Final Thoughts

Networking is the foundation of DevOps. By understanding these concepts, you’ll deploy systems with confidence, solve problems faster, and build a strong foundation for your career.

A big thank you to Al Nafi for offering exceptional resources and learning opportunities that have helped me grow in the fields of DevOps, cybersecurity, and AI. Their expert-led courses have been invaluable in advancing my career.

Are there any networking concepts you’d like me to explain further? Let me know in the comments—I’m here to help!