What's Next

You've built the lab, verified packet flow, and learned how to capture and interpret real traffic. From now on, every module will take you one layer deeper into how networking really works — but now, you'll be writing the code yourself.

Module 2: Ethernet & ARP

In the next module, Module 2: Ethernet & ARP, you'll:

• Create your first user-space network interface using a TAP device.
• Write a small C program that reads and prints raw Ethernet frames.
• Parse the Ethernet header and recognize the EtherType (IPv4 or ARP).
• Implement a minimal ARP responder that can reply to "Who has 10.10.0.4?"
• Watch your container respond to arping — powered entirely by your code, not the kernel.

By the end of that module, your custom stack will officially "exist" on the network.

From Observer to Participant

You'll no longer rely on the Linux kernel to answer for you — your code will be the one sending frames and crafting replies.

Get ready: the next step is where your networking stack comes to life.

Congratulations on completing Module 1! Your lab environment is ready and you understand how packets flow through virtual networks. Time to start building your own stack.