This document discusses the basics of data center networking. It defines a data center as consisting of servers, storage, network devices, and power and cooling systems. It notes that data center networks can include thousands of nodes, unlike Internet service provider (ISP) backbones which typically include hundreds. Common data center network topologies include conventional layers of access, aggregation, and core switches, as well as Clos or "fat tree" topologies, which provide extensive path diversity. The document also introduces the concept of a virtualized data center, where hardware resources like servers and network devices are virtualized through the use of virtual machines, switches, and links.