I'm excited to start my journey into penetration testing, but I'm unsure where to focus my efforts as a beginner. There are so many tools and methodologies out there that it can feel overwhelming. I'm particularly interested in understanding how to set up a lab environment for practice and what foundational skills I should prioritize first.

Are there specific resources or tools that you'd recommend for someone just starting?
Additionally, how important is it to understand networking basics versus diving straight into tools like Metasploit or Burp Suite?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and any personal experiences you've had in getting started with penetration testing.