Back to System Design
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Phase 1
Foundations
1
Networking Basics: OSI Model, TCP/IP, DNS, and HTTP
Understand how computers communicate. Learn the OSI model layers, TCP handshake, DNS resolution, HTTP versions, and what really happens when you type a URL.
15 minnetworkingOSI modelTCP/IP
2
Client-Server Architecture: REST, Statelessness, and HTTP Methods
Understand the client-server model, REST principles, HTTP methods, idempotency, and how to design clean APIs.
12 minclient-serverRESTHTTP
3
Databases — SQL Fundamentals: Relational Models, ACID, Indexes, and Joins
Master relational database fundamentals: tables, normalization, ACID properties, B-tree indexes, and JOIN operations.
14 minSQLrelationalACID
4
Databases — NoSQL Overview: CAP Theorem, Eventual Consistency, and When to Use What
Explore NoSQL database types (key-value, document, column-family, graph), the CAP theorem, consistency models, and practical trade-offs vs SQL.
14 minNoSQLCAP theoremeventual consistency
5
Basic System Concepts: Latency, Throughput, Scaling, Load Balancing, and Caching
Understand the foundational metrics and patterns of distributed systems: latency numbers, vertical vs horizontal scaling, load balancing algorithms, and caching strategies.
13 minlatencythroughputscaling