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5.0 (1 ratings)
Created by Vishnu Dutt
English
I struggled with OSPF for years. Do you know why?
Because I never learned the basics properly. Everyone told me "just learn OSPF." So I memorized LSA types. I learned DR and BDR election. I configured areas. But I never understood the fundamentals.
What is a routing table really? How does a router actually make forwarding decision? What is control plane versus data plane? Nobody explained these things. Or they explained very quickly assuming I know already.
Later when I learned BGP, same problem. Later when I tried to troubleshoot routing issues, same problem. My foundation was weak. Like building house on sand. It looks good but one strong wind and everything falls.
I wish someone had explained routing fundamentals properly when I was starting. That is why this course exists.
5000 network engineers have already taken this course. Most of them were preparing for CCNA or CCNP. They realized their basics are not clear. They came here. They built solid foundation. Then they went back to OSPF, BGP, EIGRP and suddenly everything made sense.
This is that missing piece that everyone skips.
This is a 10.5 hour journey into routing fundamentals. Not OSPF. Not BGP. Just fundamentals. The building blocks that make everything else work.
And here is the best news. This course is completely FREE. Yes. Free. 10.5 hours of detailed content. Nothing hidden. No trial. No expiry. Always free.
Why free? Because fundamentals should be accessible to everyone. This is foundation knowledge. You should not need to pay for foundation.
You will learn:
These topics sound simple. But many experienced engineers have gaps in these areas. They learned routing protocols but skipped fundamentals.
After this course, when you study OSPF or BGP or any routing protocol, you will understand faster. Everything will click. Because foundation is solid.
This course is for you if:
This course is NOT for you if:
If you are completely new to networking and do not know what IP address is or what router does, I recommend starting with our FREE CCNA for Know-Nothing Learner course first. That course teaches absolute networking basics.
Once you understand basic networking, come to this Routing Fundamentals course. This will strengthen your routing knowledge before you study specific routing protocols.
If you already know basic networking like IP addressing, subnetting basics, what routers do, you are ready for this course. You do not need advanced knowledge. Just basic understanding is enough.
Let me tell you about Anjali. She is preparing for CCNP. She knows OSPF commands. She can configure OSPF areas. She passed CCNA also.
One day in interview, they asked her simple question: "Explain control plane and data plane."
She knew the definition. She said "control plane builds routing table, data plane forwards packets." Interviewer said "okay, give me real example."
She could not explain properly. Why? Because she memorized the definition but never really understood it.
Another question: "You have three routes to same destination - one with AD 110, one with AD 120, one with longer prefix match but higher AD. Which route wins?"
She was confused. She knew AD means administrative distance. She knew lower AD is better. But the question mixed AD with prefix match and she could not think clearly.
These are fundamental concepts. But many engineers skip these. They jump directly to OSPF. They learn complex things without understanding basics.
Result? They struggle. They memorize but do not understand. They cannot troubleshoot. They cannot explain concepts. They fail interviews.
Can we fix this? Yes.
Spend 10.5 hours on fundamentals. Build rock solid foundation. Then when you learn OSPF or BGP, everything becomes easier. You understand faster. You retain longer. You can explain concepts confidently.
Look at building construction. If foundation is weak, building will have problems no matter how good the upper floors are. If foundation is strong, you can build tall building safely.
Same thing with routing. Strong fundamentals make everything else easier.
This course has 8 classes covering 10.5 hours. Each class builds on previous class. We start from very basics and go step by step.
Before we dive into technical concepts, we talk about what this course will cover. What you should expect. What we will learn. What we will not learn.
Then we begin routing basics. What is routing? Why do we need routing? How does router work? We build foundation slowly.
This is not just theory. I use real examples. I use simple language. I make sure you understand before moving forward.
Subnetting is important for routing. Many students struggle with subnetting. We revisit subnetting concepts and make them crystal clear.
Then we learn TCP/IP layering model. Why layers exist? What each layer does? How layers interact with each other? This is crucial for understanding routing.
Finally, ARP. How does a device find MAC address when it only knows IP address? This is fundamental concept that many people take for granted but do not really understand.
Next-hop is heart of routing. Router receives packet. It checks destination IP. It looks in routing table. It finds next-hop. It forwards packet to next-hop.
Simple, right? But there are many details here. What if next-hop is not directly connected? What if there are multiple next-hops? How does recursive lookup work?
We cover all these questions. By end of this class, next-hop concept is absolutely clear in your mind.
Routing table is like brain of router. But how is it built? What information does it contain? How does router use it?
We explore routing table in detail. Not just "show ip route" output. But actual understanding of what each entry means.
Then we learn control plane and data plane. This is critical concept. Control plane builds routing table. Data plane forwards packets. They are different things. They work differently. They can even be on different hardware in modern routers.
Understanding this distinction helps you understand how routing protocols work. How router processes packets. How forwarding happens.
VRF is Virtual Routing and Forwarding. It allows one router to have multiple routing tables. Like having multiple routers inside one physical router.
Why is VRF important for fundamentals? Because when you learn MPLS later, VRF is everywhere. If you do not understand VRF basics now, MPLS will be very confusing.
We also cover Layer-2 multicast basics here. Why? Because OSPF uses multicast. Many routing protocols use multicast. If you do not know how multicast works at Layer-2, you cannot fully understand how OSPF neighbors form.
Static routing is manual routing. You configure routes manually. It sounds simple but there are important concepts here.
How to configure static route? What is next-hop versus exit interface? What is recursive lookup? What happens if next-hop is not reachable? All these details matter.
Proxy ARP is interesting concept. Many engineers do not know about it. Router responds to ARP request on behalf of another device. Why does this exist? When is it useful? We explain this clearly.
AD means Administrative Distance. It is used when router has multiple routes from different routing protocols.
OSPF says "go this way." EIGRP says "go that way." Both routes to same destination. Which one to choose? Router uses AD value. Lower AD wins.
But what if prefix lengths are different? What if one route is more specific? Then longest prefix match rule applies. This takes priority over AD.
These concepts sound simple but many engineers get confused when both come together. We clarify this completely with examples.
Floating static route is backup route. Primary route comes from routing protocol. If primary route fails, static route becomes active.
How to configure this? What AD value to use? How does failover work? We cover all practical aspects.
Finally, we introduce dynamic routing protocols. What is distance vector protocol? What is link state protocol? What is the difference? How do they work?
This is introduction only. Deep dive into OSPF, BGP comes in separate courses. But here we give you foundation understanding so when you learn those protocols, you already know the basics.
This course does not try to teach everything. It focuses on fundamentals that everyone needs before learning routing protocols.
Most courses jump to OSPF immediately. They assume you know basics. This course fills that gap. We spend time on concepts that others skip.
10.5 hours of detailed content. Completely free. No hidden charges. No trial period. No credit card needed. Just free education.
Why? Because fundamentals should be accessible to everyone. Whether you can afford paid courses or not, you deserve good fundamental knowledge.
Learn in your comfortable language. Both versions have same 10.5 hours. Same 8 classes. Same content.
Hindi is my first language. In Hindi classes, we have more casual conversations. But English classes are also detailed and clear.
After this course, you are ready for:
Your foundation is solid. Learning advanced concepts becomes much easier.
We do not just show commands. We explain why. Why does this command exist? What problem does it solve? How does it work internally?
When you understand why, you remember better. You can troubleshoot. You can explain to others. You can think independently.
Every concept is explained with real network examples. Not theoretical examples. Real scenarios that happen in actual networks.
When we explain routing table, we use real routing table output. When we explain next-hop, we use real topology. Everything is practical and applicable.
Routing fundamentals is first step in understanding routing protocols. If you want to build complete networking knowledge, we offer many courses:
Start Your Journey:
Learn Core Routing Protocols:
Master Network Automation:
Modern Networking:
Specialized Topics:
All courses available in both Hindi and English. Check all courses here.
Want lifetime access to all courses? Check our Lifetime Access plan for best value.
At BridgeWhy, we believe in one teaching philosophy: Learn from absolute scratch with solid fundamentals.
When I teach routing fundamentals, I start with "what is routing." When I teach OSPF, BGP, MPLS, I start with "why routing protocols exist." When I teach Network Automation, I start with "why automation matters."
Same approach everywhere. We start with why. We build understanding. We go slowly. We make sure foundation is solid.
Many students take multiple courses from BridgeWhy. They know the teaching style. They trust the approach. Once you take one course, you want to take more. Because teaching quality is consistent.
This routing fundamentals course uses the same teaching approach. If you have taken my other courses, you know what to expect. If this is your first BridgeWhy course, welcome. You will enjoy the learning experience.
What you need:
What you do NOT need:
This is fundamental concepts course. You do not need lab equipment. We explain concepts clearly. When you understand concepts, you can practice them later in any lab environment.
I use conversational style. I ask questions. I say "right?" many times. I check if you understand. I repeat important concepts from different angles.
I use simple English. No complicated technical jargon. When I must use technical term, I explain it simply first.
I give examples from real networks. I use characters like Rahul and Anjali. They face real problems. We solve problems together.
I go slowly. If concept is important, we spend time on it. We do not rush to finish quickly.
Be curious. Watch the videos with attention. Do not rush. If something is not clear in first viewing, watch again. These are fundamental concepts. They deserve your full attention.
Think about how concepts apply to networks you work with. Make connections. Ask yourself "how does this work in my network?"
Do not worry if some concepts are new. That is why this course exists. To teach concepts that others skip. Take your time. Let concepts sink in.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
What this course will NOT do:
This course builds foundation. After this, you take advanced routing courses. That is the proper learning path.
Ready to build rock solid routing fundamentals? This course is completely FREE. No credit card needed. Just enroll and start learning.
After you finish this course, check our OSPF, BGP, MPLS from Scratch course to master routing protocols deeply.
Want to learn everything? Get Lifetime Access to all courses at BridgeWhy.
See you in the course. Let us build strong foundation together.
Q1: I have zero routing knowledge. Can I really start with this course?
Yes, absolutely. This course is designed for people who want to learn routing from scratch. We start with very basic concepts like what is routing, why routing exists, how routers work. I do not assume you know anything about routing already. If you know basic networking like IP addresses and what router is, you are ready. If you do not know even that, first watch our free CCNA for Know-Nothing Learner course. That will teach you absolute networking basics. Then come back here.
Q2: Do I need to know CCNA before taking this course? No. This course teaches fundamental routing concepts that are part of CCNA but explained more deeply. Many students take this course while preparing for CCNA. They find this helps them understand routing better. You do not need CCNA certificate to take this course. But if you are preparing for CCNA, this course will make your preparation much easier because routing basics will be crystal clear.
Q3: I already know OSPF commands. Do I still need this fundamentals course?
Maybe yes. Can you explain control plane versus data plane clearly? Do you understand how recursive lookup works in routing table? Can you explain difference between distance vector and link state without looking at notes? If you can answer all these confidently, you probably do not need this course. But if you have gaps in fundamental concepts, this course fills those gaps. Many experienced engineers realize they have weak fundamentals when they try to troubleshoot complex issues or answer interview questions.
Q4: What is the difference between this Routing Fundamentals course and your OSPF, BGP, MPLS course?
This Routing Fundamentals course teaches basic concepts that apply to all routing protocols. Things like routing table, next-hop, AD value, control plane versus data plane. This is 10.5 hours and free. The OSPF, BGP, MPLS course goes deep into specific routing protocols. That is 75 hours long and covers OSPF, BGP, MPLS in complete detail. First you take Routing Fundamentals to build base. Then you take OSPF, BGP, MPLS to master those protocols. That is ideal learning path.
Q5: How long will it take to complete this 10.5 hour course?
Depends on your schedule and pace. If you watch 2 hours per week, you finish in about 5 weeks. If you watch 1 hour per day, you finish in about 10 days. Course is self-paced. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. My recommendation is do not rush. Take time to understand concepts. Let concepts sink in. Watch lectures multiple times if needed. Understanding is more important than finishing quickly.
Q6: What topics are covered in this Routing Fundamentals course?
We cover 8 main topics over 10.5 hours. Course introduction and routing basics. Subnetting, TCP/IP layering, and ARP. Concept of next-hop. Routing table and control plane versus data plane. VRF basics and Layer-2 multicast. Static routing and proxy ARP. Administrative distance and longest prefix match. Floating static routes and introduction to dynamic routing protocols. These are fundamental concepts you need before learning any routing protocol like OSPF or BGP.
Q7: Does this course include hands-on labs? This course is primarily concept focused. We explain concepts clearly with examples and demonstrations. It is not lab-heavy course. The goal is to build strong conceptual understanding. Once you understand concepts, you can practice them in any lab environment later. For hands-on practice with routing protocols, you can take our OSPF, BGP, MPLS course which has extensive lab sections.
Q8: Will you explain VRF in this course?
Yes, we cover VRF basics. VRF means Virtual Routing and Forwarding. It allows one router to have multiple routing tables. We explain what VRF is, why it exists, how it works conceptually. This is important because VRF is used heavily in MPLS and SD-WAN. If you do not understand VRF basics, those technologies become confusing. We do not go into advanced VRF configurations here. Just fundamental understanding.
Q9: What is control plane and data plane? Why is this important?
Great question. Control plane is the brain. It runs routing protocols, builds routing table, makes decisions. Data plane is the muscle. It forwards packets based on routing table. They are different things. In modern routers, they can even be on different hardware. Understanding this distinction is crucial for understanding how routers work, how routing protocols function, how packet forwarding happens. Many engineers skip this concept and later face confusion. We explain this clearly in Class 4.
Q10: You mentioned distance vector and link state protocols. What are these?
Distance vector and link state are two different approaches to dynamic routing. Distance vector protocols like RIP share routing information based on distance and direction. Link state protocols like OSPF share complete network topology information. Each has advantages and disadvantages. We introduce these concepts at fundamental level in this course. Then in the OSPF, BGP, MPLS course, we go very deep into how they actually work.
Q11: I tried learning routing before and got confused. Will this be different?
Yes. Because we go very slowly and explain from absolute scratch. Most courses assume you know basics and jump to complex topics. This course focuses only on fundamentals. We take time to explain concepts properly. We use simple language. We give multiple examples. We repeat important concepts. If something is confusing, we explain it from different angle. Give it try. Course is completely free. You can see for yourself if teaching style works for you.
Q12: How much time should I dedicate per week?
Whatever time you have is fine. Some students watch 30 minutes daily during commute. Some watch 2 hours on weekend. Course is self-paced. You decide your schedule. My only recommendation is be consistent. Better to watch 30 minutes every day than 5 hours once per month. Regular small sessions help concepts stick better in your mind.
Q13: Can I watch videos multiple times?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, I recommend it. These are fundamental concepts. They deserve your attention. If something is not clear first time, watch again. Some students watch entire course twice. Once to learn. Second time to reinforce. There is no limit on how many times you can watch. Course access does not expire.
Q14: What if I get stuck on something and cannot understand?
Do not worry. First, try watching that section again. Sometimes second viewing makes things clearer. If still not clear, ask in course community. Other students and I help each other. Also, you can move forward and come back later. Sometimes when you learn next topic, previous topic becomes clearer. Do not get stuck on one point and give up. Keep learning. Things will make sense eventually.
Q15: Do I need to take notes while watching?
That is up to you. Some students like taking notes. It helps them remember better. Some students just watch and absorb. Both approaches work. I suggest do whatever feels natural to you. If you are person who learns by writing, take notes. If you learn by just listening and watching, that is fine too. The important thing is you understand concepts, not how you achieve that understanding.
Q16: Should I take Hindi or English version of this course?
Take the language you think in. If Hindi is your first language and you are comfortable learning in Hindi, take Hindi version. In Hindi version, we have more casual conversation, more relaxed atmosphere. If English is more comfortable for you, take English version. Both versions teach same concepts, same 10.5 hours, same 8 classes. Just language is different. Choose what feels natural to you.
Q17: If I take Hindi version, can I also watch English version?
Yes. When you enroll in this course, you get access to both Hindi and English versions. Some students watch both. They watch Hindi version first for better understanding, then English version to learn technical terms in English. Or vice versa. You have flexibility to use both versions however helps you learn best.
Q18: Are technical terms explained in Hindi version?
Yes. In Hindi version, I use Hindi where natural. But many technical terms do not have good Hindi translation. For those, I use English term but explain it in Hindi. Like "routing table" I call routing table, but explain it in Hindi. "Control plane" I call control plane, but explain concept in Hindi. This way you learn correct technical terms but understand concepts in your comfortable language.
Q19: After this Routing Fundamentals course, what should I learn next?
After building solid fundamentals here, you have multiple paths. Path 1: Learn routing protocols in depth by taking OSPF, BGP, MPLS from Scratch course. This is natural next step if you want to master routing. Path 2: Learn network automation with Network Automation from Scratch course. Path 3: Learn switching fundamentals to complete your Layer 2 and Layer 3 knowledge. See all courses at BridgeWhy course catalog.
Q20: Will this course help me in job interviews?
Yes. Interview questions often test fundamental understanding, not just protocol knowledge. Questions like "explain how router makes forwarding decision" or "what is difference between control plane and data plane" are common. This course prepares you to answer such questions confidently. You will not just know definitions, you will actually understand concepts. That makes huge difference in interviews.
Q21: I want to get CCNP certification. Should I take this course first?
If you are preparing for CCNP but routing fundamentals are not clear, yes take this course first. CCNP assumes you have strong fundamentals. If your base is weak, CCNP study will be difficult. This 10.5 hour investment now will save you many hours of confusion later. After this course, when you study OSPF, EIGRP, BGP for CCNP, you will understand faster because fundamentals are solid.
Q22: Can I become network engineer just by taking this one course? No. This is fundamentals course only. It teaches routing basics. To become network engineer, you need much more knowledge. You need to learn switching, routing protocols, wireless, security, many topics. Good news is we have courses for all these topics. Start with free CCNA for Know-Nothing Learner course. Then take this Routing Fundamentals. Then move to OSPF, BGP, MPLS. Build knowledge step by step.
Q23: This course is really FREE? No hidden charges?
Yes, really free. No trial period. No expiry. No hidden charges. No credit card needed. You enroll and start watching immediately. Why free? Because fundamentals should be accessible to everyone. This is foundation knowledge. I want everyone to have access regardless of their financial situation. Later if you want to take advanced paid courses, that is your choice. But this fundamentals course is always free.
Q24: Do I get certificate after completing this course?
Yes. After you complete all 8 classes, you get course completion certificate from BridgeWhy. You can add this to your LinkedIn profile or resume. But remember, certificate is just paper. Real value is the understanding you gain. Focus on learning concepts properly. Certificate will come automatically.
Q25: I want to learn all BridgeWhy courses. What is most economical way?
If you want access to all courses, best option is Lifetime Access plan. One payment, lifetime access to all current and future courses. This includes OSPF, BGP, MPLS course which alone is 75 hours. Plus Network Automation course which is 47 hours. Plus SD-WAN, SD-Access, VXLAN, Multicast, IPv6, and many more courses. If you are serious about building complete networking knowledge, Lifetime Access gives best value. Check all pricing plans here.
