11000000.10101000

00000001.00001010

SYN → SYN-ACK → ACK

TTL=64 PROTOCOL=6

Learn networking by watching it happen

See How Networks Actually Work

NetViz Studio transforms abstract networking concepts into interactive simulations. Watch packets move, inspect protocol fields, configure devices, break links, troubleshoot failures, and understand every step.

No installation required Interactive browser-based learning Save progress with a free account

Built for visual, hands-on networking education.

Live Protocol Preview — TCP

Sender PC-1

192.168.1.10

SYN

Web Server

192.168.2.100

Current Event Trace

1. Sender initiates TCP Connection: Transmitting [SYN] segment (Seq=100)

Preview simulation — open the full visualizer to inspect packets and events.

Platform Value

Networking concepts become easier when you can see them.

Move beyond static diagrams and dry text. NetViz Studio provides an interactive sandbox to experiment, configure, and master networking fundamentals.

Visualize

Watch packets, acknowledgements, 3-way handshakes, broadcasts, route updates, retransmissions, and link failures live.

  • Packet traversal step-by-step
  • TCP SYN/ACK state machines
  • Color-coded frame inspection

Configure

Build topologies, assign IP interface addresses, configure static routes, adjust link latency, and test connectivity.

  • Drag & drop network canvas
  • Host, switch & router configuration
  • Dynamic fault injection

Understand

Inspect each event, packet header field, device table, and routing decision through guided step-by-step explanations.

  • Layer-by-layer header inspection
  • Live ARP & MAC address tables
  • Guided labs with auto-validation

Comprehensive Capabilities

Everything you need to master computer networking

Explores protocol details across every layer—from raw binary subnetting to dynamic packet routing and state machines.

Available Now

Protocol Visualizer

Step through protocol behavior from packet creation to delivery across L2, L3, L4, and L7.

  • Packet header field inspection
  • Handshake & termination state machines
  • Event timeline & step-by-step playback
Available Now

Topology Builder

Design networks using hosts, switches, routers, firewalls, servers, and configurable links.

  • Drag-and-drop node canvas
  • IP interface & static route configuration
  • Failure injection & ping/traceroute simulation
Available Now

CIDR Studio

Understand IPv4 addressing through calculations and 32-bit binary network vs host bit visualization.

  • Subnet range calculation
  • Binary network/host mask breakdown
  • VLSM & subnet splitting calculations
Available Now

Interactive Labs

Learn by completing guided configuration, packet flow prediction, and troubleshooting exercises.

  • Automatic objective validation
  • Progressive hint system
  • Real-world networking scenarios
Available Now

Packet Inspector

Inspect raw headers, payloads, checksums, and flags layer-by-layer like an educational packet analyzer.

  • Layer 2 Ethernet II MAC headers
  • Layer 3 IPv4/ICMP headers
  • Layer 4 TCP/UDP flags & sequence numbers
Available Now

Live Protocol Tables

Watch ARP cache, MAC address tables, IPv4 routing tables, and protocol states update in real time.

  • Dynamic ARP resolution
  • L2 Switch MAC learning & aging
  • L3 Routing table lookup algorithms

Protocol Implementation Status Matrix

Accurate module status across available, in-development, and planned networking protocols.

Available In Development Planned
TCPUDPARPICMPDHCPDNSHTTPNATVLANOSPFBGPTLSSTP

Deep Layer Inspection

From packet creation to protocol decisions

Select a protocol below to preview its state machine, header structures, and frame delivery behavior.

Fully InteractiveLayer 4 — Transport

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

Connection-Oriented

Reliable, connection-oriented protocol with 3-way handshake, sequence numbers, ACK tracking, and sliding window flow control.

Key Technical Concepts

  • 3-Way Handshake (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK)
  • Retransmission on timeout/packet drop
  • FIN 4-way termination flow
Visual Frame Step TraceTCP
1. [SYN] Host → ServerSeq=100 Win=65535
2. [SYN-ACK] Server → HostSeq=300 Ack=101
3. [ACK] Host → ServerAck=301 ESTABLISHED
4. [DATA] Host → ServerLen=1460 bytes

See sequence numbers, acknowledgements, window behavior, packet loss, and retransmission.

IPv4 Address Engineering

Calculate and visualize CIDR & subnetting

Enter any IPv4 CIDR prefix below to inspect usable host ranges, wildcard masks, and 32-bit binary network vs host bit allocations live.

Network ID

192.168.1.0

Broadcast ID

192.168.1.255

Subnet Mask

255.255.255.0

Wildcard Mask

0.0.0.255

First Usable Host:192.168.1.1
Last Usable Host:192.168.1.254
Usable Host Count:254 hosts
Total Addresses:256
Network / Host Bits:24 net / 8 host
Legacy Class:Class C
32-Bit Binary Network vs Host Mask Breakdown
■ Network Bits (24)■ Host Bits (8)
11000000.10101000.00000001.00001010

Legacy IP class can be shown for learning, while modern addressing uses classless CIDR.

Interactive Design Workspace

Build the network. Then watch it operate.

Construct custom multi-router subnets, configure IP interfaces and static routes, inject link failures, and trace ICMP pings live on screen.

Simulated End-to-End ICMP Ping Traversal Path

ICMP Echo Request → Reply

PC-1

Host

Switch-1

L2 Switch

Router-1

L3 Router

Router-2

L3 Router

Switch-2

L2 Switch

Web Server

Server

Active Packet Location

PC-1Host

192.168.1.10/24

Link Status: 1000 Mbps UP
Drag & Drop Canvas

Add hosts, switches, routers, and firewalls

Interface Addressing

Assign IP addresses and subnets per port

Static & Dynamic Routes

Configure L3 routing tables & gateways

Failure Injection

Cut links and observe failover behavior

Interactive Guided Practice

Learn by solving real networking scenarios

Troubleshoot misconfigured gateways, analyze TCP handshakes, calculate subnets, and repair broken topologies with automated task validation.

fundamentalsbeginner

Lab 1: Local Network Communication

Configure two host endpoints on the same Layer 2 switch segment, understand ARP resolution, and test ICMP connectivity.

4 Tasks ~15 mins
troubleshootingbeginner

Lab 2: Fix the Wrong Subnet

Troubleshoot a broken 2-host network where PC-2 was misconfigured into a separate subnet, causing communication failure.

3 Tasks ~15 mins
static-routingbeginner

Lab 3: Communicating Across Networks

Configure host default gateways and router Layer 3 interfaces to enable inter-subnet routing between two networks.

3 Tasks ~20 mins
cidrbeginner

Lab 4: CIDR Fundamentals

Calculate subnet mask, network address, broadcast address, and usable host range for 192.168.1.130/26.

3 Tasks ~15 mins
tcpbeginner

Lab 6: TCP Three-Way Handshake

Observe TCP SYN, SYN-ACK, and ACK packet exchange when establishing a connection between client and server.

1 Tasks ~15 mins
tcpintermediate

Lab 7: TCP Packet Loss and Retransmission

Simulate loss of a TCP data segment across a congested link and observe reliable retransmission mechanisms.

1 Tasks ~20 mins
dhcpbeginner

Lab 9: DHCP Address Assignment

Simulate the 4-step DHCP DORA process (Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge) to dynamically assign IP addresses.

1 Tasks ~15 mins
ospfintermediate

Lab 13: OSPF Neighbor Formation

Configure OSPF process ID, Router ID, and area matching to establish OSPF Full neighbor adjacency.

1 Tasks ~20 mins

Simple 4-Step Process

How NetViz Studio Works

Designed for interactive discovery—from initial concept selection to deep packet header inspection.

01

Choose a Concept

Select a protocol module, guided lab challenge, CIDR subnetting exercise, or custom network topology.

02

Configure Scenario

Change IPv4 interface addresses, add static routes, adjust link latency, set drop rates, or break links.

03

Run Simulation

Play packet forwarding automatically or step through the network one event and handshake at a time.

04

Inspect & Understand

Inspect header fields, ARP/MAC tables, routing decisions, event timelines, and detailed explanations.

Tailored Learning Progression

Designed for every learning style

Whether you prefer watching prepared simulations or building complex multi-router topologies from scratch.

Stage 1

Observe

Watch a prepared simulation step-by-step.

Stage 2

Experiment

Change settings, protocol parameters, and compare outcomes.

Stage 3

Configure

Build custom topologies, interfaces, and static routes.

Stage 4

Troubleshoot

Diagnose and repair intentionally broken network scenarios.

Stage 5

Validate

Receive real-time automated task validation feedback.

Stage 6

Review

Study complete packet event timelines and final explanations.

Isolated User Session Persistence

Your networking lab, saved across sessions

Create a free account to save topologies, resume labs, track progress, and continue simulations from any supported device.

Save custom network topology diagrams across sessions
Save custom simulation presets and traffic parameters
Resume unfinished lab exercises right where you left off
Track completed labs and automatic score history
View personalized learning path progress metrics
Store custom UI preferences (dark/light mode, speed)
Access recently opened protocol simulations
Preserve achievement and task verification history
Account StatusGuest Mode

Sign in to sync your custom network diagrams, completed lab task scores, and preferences across devices.

Personalized Workspace Preview

Your centralized learning dashboard

Here is a preview of the personal dashboard available to registered learners to manage topologies, progress, and simulations.

Learner Workspace Dashboard
Dashboard Marketing Preview
Continue LearningActive

Lab 1: Local Network Communication

Task 3 of 4 Completed (75%)

Saved Topologies2 Saved

3-Router OSPF Subnet Topology

6 Devices • 5 Links • Last edited 2 hours ago

Protocols Explored5 Explored

TCP 3-Way Handshake & Windowing

Last simulation run: SYN → SYN-ACK → ACK

Tailored For Your Goals

Built for every stage of networking learning

Whether you are preparing for certification exams, teaching lectures, or debugging socket behavior below application code.

Networking Students

Computer Science & IT Undergrads

Turn abstract textbook diagrams into observable, interactive packet movements and state machine transitions.

  • Visualize OSI and TCP/IP layers side-by-side
  • Watch 3-way handshakes step-by-step
  • Understand header fields visually

CCNA & Network+ Learners

Certification Candidates

Master IPv4 subnetting, MAC table learning, default gateways, and static routing required for exam success.

  • Practice 32-bit binary CIDR calculations
  • Troubleshoot misconfigured subnets & gateways
  • Validate answers with instant feedback

Software Developers

Full-Stack & Backend Engineers

Understand transport layer latency, connection pooling, TCP packet loss, and socket behavior below application code.

  • See what happens during TCP handshake delays
  • Compare TCP vs UDP performance tradeoffs
  • Inspect packet drop and retransmissions

Technical Instructors

Professors & IT Trainers

Use dynamic interactive simulations during lectures to explain complex routing, switching, and protocol concepts clearly.

  • Live interactive lecture demonstrations
  • No local software installation required
  • Pre-built lab challenges for assignments

Networking Beginners

Self-Taught Learners & Enthusiasts

Start with guided, plain-English explanations and step-by-step labs before progressing into advanced routing topology design.

  • Beginner explanation detail mode
  • Progressive hints during lab challenges
  • Experiment safely in browser sandbox

Feature Inventory

Complete Platform Capabilities

A compact overview of the simulation controls, protocol inspection engines, and interactive learning tools built into NetViz Studio.

Packet Animation

Smooth canvas rendering of packet traversal across links

Step Playback

Pause, step forward, or rewind simulation steps

Event Timeline

Detailed log of every packet transmit, receive, and drop event

Packet Inspector

Layer-by-layer header field and payload inspector

TCP State Machine

SYN-SENT, ESTABLISHED, FIN-WAIT state visualization

Packet Loss & Delay

Inject link latency and drop rates to test resilience

ARP & MAC Tables

Live dynamic ARP binding and switch MAC table inspection

Routing Tables

L3 longest-prefix match routing decision inspection

CIDR Calculator

Instant IPv4 prefix calculations and usable host ranges

Binary Mask Visualizer

32-bit network vs host bit color-coded representation

Topology Builder

Drag-and-drop canvas for PCs, switches, routers, firewalls

Guided Labs

Step-by-step challenges with interactive objectives

Auto Validation

Real-time verification of IP, route, and packet delivery

Fault Injection

Simulate link cuts, misconfigured IP masks, and drops

Saved Progress

Isolated progress tracking for authenticated users

Responsive Layout

Tailored experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile

Dark & Light Themes

Instant switching between Light, Dark, and System modes

Accessibility First

Keyboard navigation, ARIA focus traps, and reduced motion

Pedagogical Philosophy

Designed for clarity without hiding important details

NetViz Studio balances rigorous protocol accuracy with visual learning clarity. We model realistic packet headers, MAC/IP lookup tables, and state machines while avoiding unnecessary complexity that obscures core concepts.

Uses technically accurate networking terminology & RFC state machine definitions
Separates Layer 2 (Ethernet MAC) and Layer 3 (IPv4) addressing explicitly
Does not represent native UDP acknowledgements (preserves connectionless semantics)
Treats IP classful addressing as a legacy concept while showcasing modern CIDR
Displays real header structures: TCP flags, sequence numbers, ARP opcodes, ICMP types
Clearly labels educational model simplifications where full RFC stack detail is trimmed

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? We have answers.

Everything you need to know about NetViz Studio's simulation capabilities, account features, and educational model.

NetViz Studio is an interactive educational platform for visualizing network protocol behavior, configuring simulated topologies, calculating CIDR subnets, and completing hands-on networking labs in your browser.
Interactive Browser-Based Platform

Stop memorizing network diagrams.
Start watching networks work.

Explore packet flow, build topologies, calculate subnets, and practice networking through interactive labs.

Free to explore No software downloads Instant access