Every network, no matter how complex, rests on a model that explains how data moves from one device to another. In this episode, we explore the essential frameworks of networking: the OSI seven-layer model and the TCP/IP model. You’ll learn how each layer—from physical cabling to application services—plays a distinct role, and why these models are indispensable for troubleshooting, designing, and understanding networks.

We’ll also break down the practical differences between TCP and UDP, look at how protocols like IP organize communication, and show you how these abstract layers translate into real-world networking tasks.

Whether you’re brand-new to IT or brushing up for the CompTIA Network+ exam, this episode will give you the clarity and context you need to understand not just what the layers are, but why they matter.