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THM | Introductory Networking

· 5 min read

Network Exploitation Basics | Introductory Networking | Summary:​

This series of walkthroughs aims to help out complete beginners with finishing the Complete Beginner path on the TryHackMe website. It is based on the learning content provided in the Introductory Networking room.

Disclaimer: Please note that this write-up is NOT intended to replace the original room or its content, but rather serve as supplementary material for those who are stuck and need additional guidance.

Task | 1 | Introduction​

Question 1: Let's get started!

No answer needed

Task | 2 | The OSI Model: An Overview​

Question 1: Which layer would choose to send data over TCP or UDP?

4

Question 2: Which layer checks received information to make sure that it hasn't been corrupted?

2

Question 3: In which layer would data be formatted in preparation for transmission?

2

Question 4: Which layer transmits and receives data?

1

Question 5: Which layer encrypts, compresses, or otherwise transforms the initial data to give it a standardised format?

6

Question 6: Which layer tracks communications between the host and receiving computers?

5

Question 7: Which layer accepts communication requests from applications?

7

Question 8: Which layer handles logical addressing?

3

Question 9: When sending data over TCP, what would you call the "bite-sized" pieces of data?

Segments

Question 10: [Research] Which layer would the FTP protocol communicate with?

7

Question 11: Which transport layer protocol would be best suited to transmit a live video?

UDP

Task | 3 | Encapsulation​

Question 1: How would you refer to data at layer 2 of the encapsulation process (with the OSI model)?

Frames

Question 2: How would you refer to data at layer 4 of the encapsulation process (with the OSI model), if the UDP protocol has been selected?

Datagrams

Question 3: What process would a computer perform on a received message?

De-encapsulation

Question 4: Which is the only layer of the OSI model to add a trailer during encapsulation?

Data Link

Question 5: Does encapsulation provide an extra layer of security (Aye/Nay)?

Aye

Task | 4 | The TCP/IP Model​

Question 1: Which model was introduced first, OSI or TCP/IP?

TCP/IP

Question 2: Which layer of the TCP/IP model covers the functionality of the Transport layer of the OSI model (Full Name)?

Transport

Question 3: Which layer of the TCP/IP model covers the functionality of the Session layer of the OSI model (Full Name)?

Application

Question 4: The Network Interface layer of the TCP/IP model covers the functionality of two layers in the OSI model. These layers are Data Link, and?.. (Full Name)?

Physical

Question 5: Which layer of the TCP/IP model handles the functionality of the OSI network layer?

Internet

Question 6: What kind of protocol is TCP?

Connection-based

Question 7: What is SYN short for?

Synchronise

Question 8: What is the second step of the three way handshake?

SYN/ACK

Question 9: What is the short name for the "Acknowledgement" segment in the three-way handshake?

ACK

Task | 5 | Ping​

Question 1: What command would you use to ping the bbc.co.uk website?

ping bbc.co.uk

Question 2: Ping muirlandoracle.co.uk - What is the IPv4 address?

217.160.0.152

Question 3: What switch lets you change the interval of sent ping requests?

-i

Question 4: What switch would allow you to restrict requests to IPv4?

-4

Question 5: What switch would give you a more verbose output?

-v

Task | 6 | Traceroute​

Question 1: Use traceroute on tryhackme.com - Can you see the path your request has taken?

No answer needed

Question 2: What switch would you use to specify an interface when using Traceroute?

-i

Question 3: What switch would you use if you wanted to use TCP SYN requests when tracing the route?

-T

Question 4: [Lateral Thinking] Which layer of the TCP/IP model will traceroute run on by default (Windows)?

Internet

Task | 7 | WHOIS​

Question 1: Perform a whois search on facebook.com

No answer needed

Question 2: What is the registrant postal code for facebook.com?

94025

Question 3: When was the facebook.com domain first registered (Format: DD/MM/YYYY)?

29/03/1997

Question 4: Perform a whois search on microsoft.com

  • Note: Please ensure you have read the task above before attempting the next questions.

No answer needed

Question 5: Which city is the registrant based in?

Redmond

Question 6: [OSINT] What is the name of the golf course that is near the registrant address for microsoft.com?

Bellevue Golf Course

Question 7: What is the registered Tech Email for microsoft.com?

[email protected]

Task | 8 | Dig​

Question 1: What is DNS short for?

Domain Name System

Question 2: What is the first type of DNS server your computer would query when you search for a domain?

Recursive

Question 3: What type of DNS server contains records specific to domain extensions (i.e. .com, .co.uk, etc)? Use the long version of the name.

Top-Level Domain

Question 4: Where is the very first place your computer would look to find the IP address of a domain?

Hosts File

Question 5: [Research] Google runs two public DNS servers. One of them can be queried with the IP 8.8.8.8, what is the IP address of the other one?

8.8.4.4

Question 6: If a DNS query has a TTL of 24 hours, what number would the dig query show?

86400

Task | 9 | Further Reading​

Question 1: Read the final thoughts

No answer needed