IFN507 Network Systems P2: Introduction to Cisco Packet Tracer
Practical 2
Introduction to Cisco Packet Tracer
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this practical, you will be able to:
· Correctly identify cables for use in a network.
· Establish three different types of network topologies using Cisco Packet Tracer (PT).
· Verify basic connectivity on each network using PT.
· Understand how to use PT to build basic network topologies.
Background
Cisco Packet Tracer (PT) is a software network simulator that allows you to virtually create, configure, and troubleshoot networking scenarios using either Cisco’s Internetwork Operating System (IOS) command-line user interface (CLI) or graphical user interface (GUI) modes. PT allows you to observe and better understand how data (packets) travel and data is processed across a network as well as enabling you to configure routers and switches using Cisco’s IOS CLI.
This program is a simulator with some functional limitations; however, it is adequate for your learning in this unit. We will be using PT for numerous lab activities and using it to assess your practical skills. You will need to register to the Cisco Networking Academy to enable you to download Packet Tracer 8.0.1 for free.
Lab Activities
In this practical, you are asked to use PT to set up three different network topologies and perform some basic configurations and then observe the network behaviour. In Lab Activities 2 and 3, you will be given an advanced scenario to challenge your learning.
· Lab Activity 1: Build a peer-to-peer network and then observe the network behaviour.
· Lab Activity 2: Build a switched network and then observe the network behaviour.
· Lab Activity 3: Connect two subnets using a router.
Lab Activity 1 – Build a peer-to-peer network
Before commencing this activity, ensure you have registered to Cisco Networking Academy so that you can download Cisco Packet Tracer 8.0.1. Download and install packet tracer to your PC. Once Installed, you can load the program. Ensure you sign into Packet Tracer using your Cisco account.
Activity 1, Task 1: Start Cisco Packet Tracer
On your computer, click Start > All Programs > Cisco Packet Tracer > Cisco Packet Tracer.
When PT is launched, the screen below is displayed.
Topology Area
You can build a network topology by selecting devices and connection media by which the devices are connected to each other.
Devices and Connections
They include several types of devices available in PT including routers, switches and PCs, as well as some connection media such as straight-through and crossover cables.
Realtime and Simulation modes
You can toggle between the “Realtime” and “Simulation” modes with the tabs on this bar. In the “Realtime” mode, your network is always running (like a real network) whether you are working on the network or not. Your configurations are done in real time, and the network responds in near real time. When you view network statistics, they are displayed in real time. In the “Simulation” mode, you can watch your network run at a slower pace, observing the paths that packets take and inspecting them in detail.
Utilities
Utilities allow you to select, move layout, place note, delete, inspect, add simple Protocol Data Unit (PDU) and add Complex PDU.
You can save your simulation work with “*.pkt” file extension by selecting the File > Save as option and then give a filename. The saved file can be opened with PT.
Activity 1, Task 2: Build a Peer-to-Peer Network Topology
Build a network topology that is similar to Figure 1.
Topology Diagram 1
PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK
Figure 1
Step 1: Determine the required end devices and connections
First, determine the appropriate type of end devices and Ethernet cable for this given topology as shown in Figure 1. The configuration includes:
· 2 workstations (PC1 and PC2)
· 1 crossover Ethernet cable
Step 2: Select the devices
1. Click on End Device from the Devices and Connections area and then the relevant end devices will appear in the right pane.
2. Click and drag the PC to the Topology Area. You will notice a PC-PT (PC0) is displayed. Repeat this step so that you have 2 x PCs in the topology area (PC0 and PC1)
Step 3: Select the proper connections to connect the two workstations
1. Click on Connections. Then the connection media will appear in the right pane.
2. Single click on Copper Cross-Over.
3. Once the cursor appears, follow the steps below to connect PC0 to PC1:
a. Single click on PC0 and select FastEthernet
b. Drag the cursor to PC1
c. Single click on PC1 and select FastEthernet
Step 4: Re-label the default device name
It is a good practice to label devices on your topology, because appropriate labelling helps you to identify the devices clearly and makes the process of troubleshooting easier. In this step, you will practice renaming the workstations by replacing the default names.
1. Click on the displayed label on PC1, and then replace it with PC2.
2. Repeat the step above, click on the displayed label on PC0, and then replace it with PC1.
3. Now the labelling on your topology should be as same as the figure below:
Activity 1, Task 3: Configure designated IP Addresses on Workstations
Before workstations can communicate with each other, we need to configure IP addresses and Subnet Masks on the workstations.
Step 1: Assign the designated IP addresses on the workstations
Assign the IP addresses and Subnet Masks for the two PCs based on Addressing Table 1.
Addressing Table 1
Device
Interface
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Default Gateway
PC1
NIC
192.168.1.2
255.255.255.0
N/A
PC2
NIC
192.168.1.3
255.255.255.0
N/A
1. Click on PC1, select on “Desktop” tab, and then click on “IP Configuration”.
2. Enter the designated IP address and Subnet Masks, and then close the IP configuration window.
3. Repeat the above steps to configure the designated IP address and Subnet Mask for PC2.
Step 2: Verify Connectivity
There are two ways to verify network connectivity in PT:
· Through the Command Prompt
· Through the “Add Simple PDU” function
Through the Command Prompt:
1. Click on PC1 and then “Desktop” tab, and then select Command Prompt.
2. A command prompt window will appear.
3. Use the ping command to verify that PC1 can reach PC2, and vice versa. From the PC1 command prompt, type ping 192.168.1.3
4. From the PC2 command prompt, type ping 192.168.1.2 and then press Enter.
5. Q1: Can you ping PC2 from PC1 and PC1 from PC2 successfully?
Through the “Add Simple PDU” function (from the Utilities area as shown in the following figure):
6. Click on “Add Simple PDU” icon to ping devices.
7. When the cursor appears, follow the two steps below:
a. Click on PC1 (assigning the PC1 as the source node)
b. Click on PC2 (assigning the PC2 as the destination node)
8. You need to expand the PDU list. In Packet Tracer 8.0.1 it is hidden by default. Look directly below the Simulation mode button on the bottom right hand side of the window. Click the arrow to expand the PDU list.
.
Q2: What is the status of the Last Status in your PT?
Successful
Failed
9. Click on Simulation Mode button, which is just behind the Realtime Mode tab.
10. Under the “Event List Filters” box in the “Simulation Panel”, click the “Show All/None” button to deselect all the visible events, then click “Edit Filters” button.
11. Select only the “ICMP” option in the IPv4 pane of the popup window, then close it.
12. Click on the “Capture / Forward” button to have an animated view of the ping packet. Each time you click the button, the packet will traverse the network one step at a time. This will allow you to follow the packet, which will give you insight into how the network works, and is also a great troubleshooting tool to use.
13. You can click on one of the rows in the “Event List” box to view the detailed information of the selected packet.
14. A PDU Information at Device window will appear to display the detailed information and behaviour of the selected packet. Read the displayed information to appreciate the encapsulation ping processes. This window is separated into the layers of the OSI model.
Q3: Which protocol is used for Ping?
Activity 1, Task 4: Save your work
Click the File menu and then Save your network topology for future reference.
Lab Activity 2 – Build a Switched Network
Topology Diagram 2
Switched Network
Figure 2
Note: For this activity, Fa0/1 is the port used to connect to PC1 and Fa1/1 port is used to connect to PC2
Activity 2, Task 1: Build a Switched Network Topology
Build a network topology that is similar to Figure 2.
Step 1: Start Cisco Packet Tracer, if it is not already running on your computer
Click File menu, and then select “New” to start a new work.
Step 2: Determine the required devices and connections
We will build another network topology by selecting devices and the media by which the devices are coupled to each other. Several types of devices and network connections can be used. This particular network topology is shown in Figure 2.The configuration includes:
· 1 switch (S1)
· 2 workstations (PC1 and PC2)
· 2 straight-through Ethernet cables
Note: A switch is used to connect all network devices in a network. Traditionally, a switch operates on the Data Link Layer of OSI and uses hardware (MAC) addresses to process and forward data. Switches in Packet Tracer are layer 2 switches. Nowadays some switches can also process data at the network layer by additionally incorporating routing functionality using IP addressing to perform routing. Such switches are also called layer-3 switches or multilayer switches.
Step 3: Select the devices
1. Click on the Switches icon from the Devices and Connections area, and then you will see various choices in the right pane.
2. Drag the PT-Switch to the Topology Area.
3. Change the device name from Switch0 to S1.
4. Add two PCs to your network topology, and then rename the devices to PC1 and PC2.
Step 4: Select the proper connections to connect the switch and workstations
1. Click on the Copper Straight-Through from the Connections options.
2. When the cursor appears, follow the steps below to connect PC1 to S1:
a. Click on PC1 and select FastEthernet
b. Drag the cursor to S1
c. Click on S1 and select FastEthernet0/1
3. Click on Copper Straight-Through again; when the cursor appears, perform the following steps to connect PC2 to S1:
a. Click on PC2 and select FastEthernet
b. Drag the cursor to S1
c. Click on S1 and select FastEthernet1/1
Activity 2, Task 2: Configure IP Addresses on Workstations
Before workstations can communicate with each other, we need to configure IP addresses and Subnet Masks on the workstations.
Step 1: Assign the designate IP addresses on the workstations
Assign the IP addresses and Subnet Masks for the two PCs based on Addressing Table 2.
Addressing Table 2
Device
Interface
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Default Gateway
PC1
NIC
192.168.1.2
255.255.255.0
N/A
PC2
NIC
192.168.1.3
255.255.255.0
N/A
Step 2: Verify Connectivity
This step is similar to Task 3 of Lab Activity 1. You can verify the connectivity between PC1 and PC2 by two ways:
· The Command Prompt
· The “Add Simple PDU” function
Q1: What is the output on PC1 when the ping command is issued?
Q2: Can you ping PC1 from PC2 successfully as well?
Activity 2, Task 3: Expand your Network Topology
So far, we have been providing step-by-step instructions to guide you how to configure IP addresses and subnet masks on the workstations. Now, it is time for a challenge to extend your learning by configuring appropriate IP addresses and Subnet Mask on another two workstations by yourself.
Step 1: Add two more workstations
Use the same topology you built for the previous tasks (Tasks 1 and 2) of this lab activity (Activity 2). Add two other workstations (PC3 and PC4) and then connect them to the switch (S1).
Q3: Which interface of switch S1 do you use to connect to PC3?
Q4: Which interface of switch S1 do you use to connect to PC4?
Step 2: Configure IP addresses to the additional workstations
You need to assign valid IP addresses for PC3 and PC4, so that they reside in the same network as PC1 and PC2.
Note: An IP address consists of a Network ID and Host ID. The network ID identifies the workstations that are located in the same network. All workstations on the same network must have the same network ID with unique host IDs to communicate with each other.
1. Fill in the IP address column of Addressing Table 3 to record PC3’s and PC4’s IP addressing information.
Hint: The valid IP addresses in this case should have the Network ID 192.168.1.x. The x indicates the host ID, which can be any value within the valid range of 1-254.
Addressing Table 3 (Fill in the IP address column)
Device
Interface
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Default Gateway
PC3
NIC
255.255.255.0
N/A
PC4
NIC
255.255.255.0
N/A
2. In PT, assign the valid IP address and Subnet Mask to PC3 and PC4, respectively.
Step 3: Verify Connectivity
Verify the connectivity between workstations using:
· The Command Prompt
· The “Add Simple PDU” function
Q5: Are you able to ping between workstations (PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4) successfully?
Activity 2, Task 4: Save your work
Click the File menu and then Save your network topology for future reference.
Lab Activity 3 – Connect Two Subnets using a Router
Topology Diagram 3
Two Subnets
Figure 3
Activity 3, Task 1: Build a Network Topology with 2 subnets
Build a network topology with 2 subnets that is similar to Figure 3.
Step 1: Start Cisco Packet Tracer, if it is not already running on your computer
Go to File menu and then select “New” to start a new work.
Step 2: Determine the required devices and connections
For the network topology shown in Figure 3, the configuration includes:
· 1 router (R1)
· 2 switches (S1 and S2)
· 2 workstations (PC1 and PC2)
· 4 straight-through Ethernet cables
Note: A router is a device that enables multiple networks to communicate with one another by forwarding packets from one network to another. The purpose of a router is to forward packets destined either for its own networks or other networks. The forwarding decision is based on the information on Layer 3 packet, specifically the destination of IP address.
Step 3: Select the devices
1. Click on the Routers icon from the Devices and Connections area, and then the various routers will appear in the right pane.
2. Choose the PT-Router, and then drag it to the Topology Area. Change the device’s name from Router0 to R1.
3. Add two of the PT-Switch and two PCs to your network topology, and then change the device names according to the figure shown below.
Step 4: Select the proper connections to connect the router and two switches
1. Click on the Connections icon, and then click on the Copper Straight-Through icon.
2. When the cursor appears, perform the following steps to connect R1 to S1:
a. Click on R1 and select FastEthernet0/0
b. Drag the cursor to S1
c. Click on S1 and select FastEthernet1/1
3. Click on the Copper Straight-Through icon again; when the cursor appears, perform the following steps to connect R1 to S2:
a. Click on R1and select FastEthernet1/0
b. Drag the cursor to S2
c. Click on S2 and select FastEthernet1/1
Step 5: Connect the switches to the workstations
1. Connect S1 to PC1 and S2 to PC2 using the appropriate cable.
a. Connect S1’s FastEthernet0/1 interface to PC1.
b. Connect S2’s FastEthernet0/1 interface to PC2.
Activity 3, Task 2: Configure IP Addresses on the Router and Workstations
Step 1: Assign the IP addresses to the router and workstations
Use the information from Addressing Table 4 to assign IP addressing to the router interfaces and the two PCs.
Addressing Table 2.4
Device
Interface
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Default Gateway
R1
Fa0/0
192.168.1.1
255.255.255.0
N/A
R1
Fa1/0
192.168.2.1
255.255.255.0
N/A
PC1
NIC
192.168.1.11
255.255.255.0
192.168.1.1
PC2
NIC
192.168.2.22
255.255.255.0
192.168.2.1
1. Click on router R1, choose the Config tab, and then select FastEthernet0/0.
2. Enter the designated IP Address and Subnet Mask to the FastEthernet0/0 interface.
3. Tick the box labelled Port Status in order to activate the FastEthernet0/0 interface.
4. Stay on this dialog box and click on the FastEthernet1/0 interface. Enter the designated IP Address and Subnet Mask to the FastEthernet1/0 interface. You need to activate this interface as well.
5. Assign the designated IP Addresses, Subnet Masks, and Default Gateway on PC1 and PC2.
Step 2: Verify Connectivity
Verify the connectivity between R1 and PC1 as well as R1 and PC2, using:
· The Command Prompt
· The “Add Simple PDU” function
by following the instructions given below:
Through the Command Prompt:
1. From PC1 command prompt, type ping 192.168.1.1 to verify if PC1 can reach R1.
Q1: What is the output on PC1 when the ping command is issued?
(Hint: PC1 should receive reply messages from R1).
2. From PC2 command prompt, type ping 192.168.2.1 to verify if PC2 can reach R1.
Q2: What is the output on PC2 when the ping command is issued?
(Hint: PC2 should receive reply messages from R1).
3. From PC1 command prompt, type ping 192.168.2.22 to verify if PC1 can reach PC2, and vice versa.
Q3: Can you ping PC2 from PC1 and ping PC1 from PC2 successfully?
Through the “Add Simple PDU” function:
4. Click on “Add Simple PDU” icon; designate PC1 as the source and R1 as the destination.
Q4: Is PC1 able to reach R1 successfully?
Successful
Failed
5. Click on “Add Simple PDU” icon; designate PC2 as the source and R1 as the destination.
Q5: Is PC2 able to reach R1 successfully?
Successful
Failed
6. Click on “Add Simple PDU” icon; assign PC1 as the source and PC2 as the destination.
Q6: Is PC1 able to reach PC2 successfully?
Successful
Failed
Activity 3, Task 3: Expand your Network Topology
Step 1: Add more workstations to switches S1 and S2
Use the same topology you built for the previous tasks (Tasks 1 and 2) of this lab activity (Activity 3) to:
· Add one workstation (PC3) to the topology and connect it to switch S1.
· Add one workstation (PC4) to the topology and connect it to switch S2.
Q7: Which interface of switch S1 do you use to connect to PC3?
Q8: Which interface of switch S2 do you use to connect to PC4?
Step 2: Configure IP addresses to the additional workstations
You need to assign valid IP addresses and default gateway addresses for PC3, so that PC1 and PC3 reside in the same network. Similarly, assign a valid IP address and default gateway address to PC4, so that PC2 and PC4 reside in the same network.
1. Fill in the IP Address and Default Gateway columns of Addressing Table 5 to record PC3’s and PC4’s IP addressing information.
Hint: A valid IP address for PC3 here should have the network ID 192.168.1.x. A valid IP address for PC4 should be 192.168.2.x. x is the host ID, which can be any value within valid range of 1-254.
Addressing Table 5 (Fill in the IP Addresses and Default Gateway Addresses)
Device
Interface
IP Address
Subnet Mask
Default Gateway
PC3
NIC
255.255.255.0
PC4
NIC
255.255.255.0
2. Assign the valid IP address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway to PC3 and PC4, respectively.
Step 3: Verify Connectivity
Verify the connectivity between workstations through two ways:
· The Command Prompt
· The “Add Simple PDU” function
Q9: Are you able to ping between the workstations successfully?
Activity 3, Task 4: Save your work
Click the File menu and then Save your network topology for future reference Continue to proceed to the Reflection section on the next page.
Reflection
1. What is the difference between a router and a switch?
2. When you configure the TCP/IP protocol on a device, an IP address, a subnet mask, and usually a default gateway are required in the TCP/IP configuration settings. What is an IP address, a subnet mask and a default gateway?
3. Each IP address consists of two parts? What are these two parts?
4. What is the functionality difference between a straight through cable and a cross over cable?
End of Practical 2
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