> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ajmal-anwar.gitbook.io/zyberspace-by-ajmal/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ajmal-anwar.gitbook.io/zyberspace-by-ajmal/zyberlab/06-network-security-basics/network-security-basics.md).

# Network Security Basics Overview

This section introduces basic networking skills used throughout ZyberLab.

The goal is to understand how lab systems communicate, how DNS works, which services are available, and how normal network activity appears from an endpoint.

The environment uses `DC01`, `CLIENT01`, and a Kali Linux virtual machine named `KALI01`.

## What You Will Learn

You will learn how to:

* Add Kali Linux to the lab
* Review IP addressing on Windows and Linux
* Test connectivity between the lab systems
* Test DNS resolution
* Understand common ports and services
* Review active connections with built in tools
* Perform basic service discovery inside the isolated lab
* Compare network observations with endpoint logs

## Lab Systems

```
DC01
Windows Server
Active Directory and DNS

CLIENT01
Windows Client
Domain member and monitored endpoint

KALI01
Kali Linux
Network testing workstation
```

All three systems should use the same VMware NAT network for this stage.

## Learning Approach

For each exercise, try to answer four questions:

1. Which systems are communicating?
2. Which protocol or service is being used?
3. What evidence can I see on the endpoint?
4. Is the activity expected?

## Next Step

Start by creating `KALI01`. It will be used as the testing workstation for the network exercises that follow.