📌 This Week's System Design Refresher

Overview

In this edition, we cover topics ranging from web crawler design and AI engineering to the building blocks of modern networking and network services powering modern connectivity.

Featured topics:

• 📺 Design a Web Crawler: FAANG interview challenge (YouTube)
• 🚀 AI Engineering Cohort 2 starts today!
• 🖥 Servers You Should Know in Modern Systems
• 🤖 What is Prompt Engineering? (YouTube)
• 🌐 Core Networking Concepts
• 🔌 Network Services Overview
• 🎯 Sponsor Us

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🎯 Design a Web Crawler (FAANG Interview Question)

Explore how to approach and design an efficient web crawler, as discussed in the linked YouTube video.

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🚀 AI Engineering Cohort 2 Starts Today

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• Learn by Doing – Build real-world AI apps instead of only watching tutorials.
• Structured Learning Path – From fundamentals to advanced topics.
• Live Feedback + Mentorship – Direct interaction with instructors and fellow learners.
• Community-Driven – A supportive environment boosts learning.

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🤖 What is Prompt Engineering?

(YouTube reference above.)

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🌐 The Building Blocks of Modern Networking

Core Networking

• Switches – Link devices in local networks.
• Routers – Connect different networks.
• SD-WAN – Software-defined, flexible branch connections.
• DNS – Translates domain names to IP addresses.
• DHCP – Assigns IP addresses automatically.
• NTP – Keeps clocks synchronized.

Network Security

• Firewalls – Perimeter defense; NGFW inspects app traffic.
• VPN – Encrypted tunnels for remote work.
• IDS/IPS – Detect and block malicious traffic.

Traffic Delivery & Management

• Load Balancers – Distribute requests across servers.
• Reverse Proxies – SSL termination, caching.
• API Gateways – Secure API traffic.

Identity & Trust

• Identity Providers – Okta, Azure AD, Auth0.
• RADIUS / AAA – Device authentication.
• PKI – Certificates and encryption.

Operations

• SIEM – Collect and analyze security events.
• NMS – Monitor network health.

Edge Networking

• Access Points – Deliver Wi‑Fi coverage.
• IoT Gateways – Bridge IoT to IT.

Infrastructure Virtualization

• NFV – Network functions in software form.

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Question for you: Which of these components should we deep dive into next?

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🔌 Network Services That Power Modern Connectivity

⚙️ Essential Network Services

• DNS – Resolves domain names to IP addresses.
• DHCP – Assigns IP addresses automatically.
• NTP – Synchronizes system clocks.
• SSH – Secure login & file transfers (port 22).
• RDP – Remote desktop for Windows (port 3389).
• SMTP Submission – Sends emails securely to mail servers.
• HTTPS / HTTP3 (QUIC) – Encrypted web communication.
• LDAP over TLS – Centralized directory for enterprise access.
• OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect – Modern authentication flows.
• Databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle) – Backend data storage.
• WireGuard / IPsec – Secure tunnels for remote access.

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Question for you:

When something breaks, which protocol do you check first — DNS, DHCP, or HTTPS?

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✅ Over to you:

Which network topic should we break down in next week’s refresher?