Lab Manual for Data Communication and Computer Networks

Basics of Packet Tracer (CISCO Network Simulator Software)

Introduction

As networking systems continue to evolve in complexity, new curricula and educational

tools are emerging to facilitate teaching and learning about networking technology. Cisco
designed a tool to keep pace with the evolution of networking systems that help students
understand the complexities of ICT. The Cisco Packet Tracer e-learning software was
developed to help students in order to gain practical networking technology skills in a
rapidly changing environment.

Cisco Packet Tracer is a powerful network simulation program that allows students to
experiment with network behavior and ask “what if” questions. Packet Tracer provides
simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment, and collaboration capabilities to
facilitate the teaching and learning of complex technology concepts.

Packet Tracer supplements physical equipment in the classroom by allowing students to

create a network with an almost unlimited number of devices, encouraging practice,
discovery, and troubleshooting. The simulation-based learning environment helps
students develop 21st century skills such as decision making, creative and critical
thinking, and problem solving.

Packet Tracer offers an effective, interactive environment for learning networking

concepts and protocols. Most importantly, Packet Tracer helps students and instructors
create their own virtual “network worlds” for exploration, experimentation, and
explanation of networking concepts and technologies.

Packet Tracer helps to teach complex networking concepts in the following ways:

• Provides a visual demonstration of complex technologies and configurations

• Facilitates numerous learning activities such as lectures, individual and group lab
activities, homework, assessments, games, network design, troubleshooting,
modeling tasks, case studies, and competitions
• Enables visualization, animation, and detailed modeling for exploration,
experimentation, and explanation
• Supports self-paced learning outside the classroom
• Supports social learning processes by enabling collaboration and competition

Students who spend more time in a hands-on mode of learning, with simulation and
interactive capabilities, will be better equipped to apply concepts and configuration
fundamentals when exposed to real equipment. As students gain practical experience
with tasks such as configuration and troubleshooting, they become more confident in
their abilities.

Figure 1. Packet Tracer’s drag-and-drop interface allows students to configure and

validate system architecture

Key Features

Packet Tracer Workspaces: has two workspaces; logical and physical:

• The logical workspace allows users to build logical network topologies by placing,
connecting, and clustering virtual network devices.
• The physical workspace provides a graphical physical dimension of the logical
network, giving a sense of scale and placement in how network devices such as
routers, switches, and hosts would look in a real environment. The physical view
 also provides geographic representations of networks, including multiple cities,
buildings, and wiring closets.

Packet Tracer Modes: provides two operating modes to visualize the behavior of a
network; real-time mode and simulation mode.

• In real-time mode the network behaves as real devices do, with immediate real-
time response for all network activities. The real-time mode gives you a viable
alternative to real equipment and allows them to gain configuration practice
before working with real equipment.
• In simulation mode the user can see and control time intervals, the inner workings
of data transfer, and the propagation of data across a network. This helps you
understand the fundamental concepts behind network operations.

Protocols: Cisco Packet Tracer supports the following protocols:

Layer Cisco Packet Tracer Supported Protocols

Application FTP , SMTP, POP3, HTTP, TFTP, Telnet, SSH, DNS, DHCP, NTP,
SNMP, AAA, ISR VOIP, SCCP config and calls ISR command
support, Call Manager Express
Transport TCP and UDP, TCP Nagle Algorithm & IP Fragmentation, RTP
Network BGP, IPv4, ICMP, ARP, IPv6, ICMPv6, IPSec, RIPv1/v2/ng, Multi-
Area OSPF, EIGRP, Static Routing, Route Redistribution, Multilayer
Switching, L3 QoS, NAT, CBAL , Zone-based policy firewall and
Intrusion Protection System on the ISR, GRE VPN, IPSec VPN
Network Ethernet (802.3), 802.11, HDLC, Frame Relay, PPP, PPPoE, STP,
Access/Interface RSTP, VTP, DTP, CDP, 802.1q, PAgP, L2 QoS, SLARP, Simple WEP,
(Data link) WPA, EAP

Modular Devices: Graphical representations visually simulate hardware and offer the
ability to insert interface cards into modular routers and switches, which then become
part of the simulation.

Multiuser Functionality: it is a network-capable application, with a multiuser peer-to-

peer mode that allows collaborative construction of virtual networks over a real network.
The multiuser feature enables exciting collaborative and competitive interactions,
providing the option to progress from individual to social learning and features
opportunities for collaboration, competition, remote instructor student interactions,
social networking, and gaming.
Tutorials: Packet Tracer includes several basic step-by-step tutorials that familiarize
users with the product features and explain how to engage in simulations. Additional
advanced tutorials are available for download from Academy Connection.

Help: A help feature is available to familiarize users with the Cisco Packet Tracer
interface, functions, and features. The help area includes important notes and tips and
provides annotated screenshots to aid understanding.

Activity Wizard: The Activity Wizard allows users to author their own learning activities
by setting up scenarios using instructional text, and creating initial and final network
topologies and predefined packets. The Activity Wizard also includes grading and
feedback capabilities.

Simple Network Using Packet Tracer

Topology

Addressing Table

Device Interface IP Address Subnet Mask Default

Gateway
Laptop0 FastEthernet0 192.168.1.10 255.255.255.0
PC0 FastEthernet0 192.168.1.20 255.255.255.0
Laptop1 FastEthernet0 192.168.1.30 255.255.255.0
PC1 FastEthernet0 192.168.1.110 255.255.255.0
Laptop2 FastEthernet0 192.168.1.120 255.255.255.0
PC2 FastEthernet0 192.168.1.130 255.255.255.0
Objectives

• Build a Simple Network in the Logical Topology Workspace

• Configure the Network Devices
• Test connectivity between network devices

Background / Scenario

In this activity you will build a simple network in Packet Tracer from scratch and then
save the network as a Packet Tracer Activity File (.pkt).

Build a Simple Network in the Logical Topology Workspace

Step 1: Launch Packet Tracer on your PC or laptop computer.

Step 2: Build the topology

• Add network devices to the workspace (i.e. 2 switches, 3 PCs and 3 laptops)
• Change display names of the network devices (if necessary). To change the display
names of the network devices click on the device icon on the Packet Tracer Logical
workspace, then click on the Config tab in the device configuration window. In the
Config tab type the new name of the device into the Display Name box.
• Add the physical cabling between devices on the workspace

Configure the Network Devices

Step 3: Configure the PCs and Laptops

• Click on the PC (laptop) icon on the Packet Tracer Logical workspace. Click on
config tab in the device configuration window and select FastEhernet0 from the
lists in the left side. The picture shown below display the detail:

• Write a valid IP-address and Subnet Mask for each devices based on the
information given on the addressing table.
 Verify Connectivity

Test connectivity of devices among each other using a Ping command.

• From the command prompt issuing the command ping 192.168.1.110 (from other
computers in the network). It may take a few seconds for the ping to return. Four
replies should be received as shown in the figure.

Exercise

Build a simple network topology shown below and configure it based on the information
on the table using a packet tracer simulation software. Verify your configuration using a
ping command.

Device IP address Subnet

mask
PC1 10.10.10.10 255.0.0.0
PC2 10.11.11.11 255.0.0.0
PC0 10.12.12.12 255.0.0.0
Laptop1 10.13.13.13 255.0.0.0
Laptop2 10.14.14.14 255.0.0.0
Laptop0 10.15.15.15 255.0.0.0
Basics of router configuration
When you first power up a new Cisco Router (both in hardware or simulation software),
you have the option of using the “setup” utility which allows you to create a basic initial
configuration. It includes setting password, remote access mode, encryption mode and
another basic configuration on the router. However, in this handout I will show you how
to do basic setup with the Command Line Interface (CLI). Mastering the Cisco Router
CLI is essential for more complex configuration tasks and it is the most important
knowledge you should acquire if you want to become a Cisco network administrator.

CLI Configuration Modes

The basic CLI modes that we will be referring below are as following:

Router> User EXEC Mode

Router# Privileged EXEC mode

Router(config)# Global Configuration Mode

Router(config-if) # Interface Configuration Mode

Router(config-line) # Line Configuration Mode

You have different configuration privileges (commands) at each CLI configuration modes
of the cisco networking devices. The activity or action done by you is always dependent
on the configuration mode you are currently found on. The least privilege mode in the
configuration is User EXCE mode and the highest level is Global Configuration mode. In
the User EXCE mode you are allowed to view some of the configuration that are done by
other user(s) with a Global Configuration mode. The next level is Privileged EXCE mode
in this mode you have a better right to view (mostly all configuration) from the router.
Based on the security requirement of the company/system you are expected to enter a
password to gain a privileged access. The most privileged configuration mode is a Global
configuration mode, in this mode you have a full privilege to do whatever needed for a
provide a required service to the user.

In order to change your CLI configuration mode you can use the following commands
one by one:

Router> enable //change the mode into privileged EXEC

Router# configure terminal // change the mode into global configuration
Router(config)# interface gigabitethernet0/1 //Change into interface Configuration
Router(config-if) # interface line0/1 // Change into line Configuration Mode
Lab Activity

This lab session provides procedures for configuring the basic parameters of your Cisco
router, including global parameter settings, interfaces, and command-line access. It also
describes the basics commands used to test and verify configurations and view the
configurations details and other required parameters in the Cisco router. All the
configurations in this lab session as well as in the coming lab sessions will be done on
Command Line Interface (CLI) available on all Cisco devices.

Topology Diagram

IP Addressing Table

Device Interface Ip Address Subnet Mask Default

Gateway
Laptop0 FastEthernet 192.168.2.2 255.255.255.0 192.168.2.1
PC0 FastEthernet 192.168.2.3 255.255.255.0 192.168.2.1
Laptop2 FastEthernet 192.168.1.253 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1
PC2 FastEthernet 192.168.1.254 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1
Router0 GigabitEthernet0/0 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0 None
GigabitEthernet0/1 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 None

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this lab, you will be able to:

• Cable a network according to the Topology Diagram.

• Perform basic configuration tasks on a router.
• Configure and activate GigabitEthernet interfaces.
 • Test and verify configurations.
• Reflect upon and document the network implementation (i.e. write a lab report to
reflect your understanding on activities).

Scenario

In this lab activity, you will create a network that is similar to the one shown in the
Topology Diagram. Begin by cabling the network as shown in the Topology Diagram.
You will then perform the initial router configurations required for connectivity. Use the
IP addresses that are provided in the Topology Diagram to apply an addressing scheme
to the network devices. When the network configuration is complete, examine the
communication among devices to verify that the network is operating properly.

Tasks

1. Drag and drop the required devices into logical network topology in a packet
tracer simulation tool.
2. Cable the network
3. Open a CLI for the purpose of router configuration. Click on the router and select
the CLI tab and get the picture shown below.

4. Perform Basic Configuration of Router R0.

a. Enter privileged EXEC mode.
Router>enable
Router#
b. Enter global configuration mode.
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#
c. Configure the router name as R0.
Router(config)#hostname R0
R0(config)#
d. Configure the EXEC mode password.
Configure the EXEC mode password using the enable secret password
command. Use cselab for the password.
R0(config)#enable secret cselab
R0(config)#
e. Configure a message-of-the-day banner.
R0(config)#banner motd &
Enter TEXT message. End with the character '&'.
********************************
!!!AUTHORIZED ACCESS ONLY!!!
********************************&
R0(config)#
f. Configure the console password on the router (Use cse123 as the password).
R0(config)#line console 0
R0(config-line)#password cisco
R0(config-line)#login
R0(config-line)#exit
R0(config)#
g. Step 9: Configure the password for the virtual terminal lines (Use dccnlab
as the password).
R0(config)#line vty 0 4
R0(config-line)#password cisco
R0(config-line)#login
R0(config-line)#exit
R0(config)#
h. Configure the GigabitEthernet0/0 and GigabitEthernet0/1 interfaces.
Configure the GigabitEthernet0/0 and GigabitEthernet0/1 interface with
the IP address 192.168.2.1/24 and 192.168.1.1 respectively.
R0(config)#interface GigabitEthernet 0/0
R0(config-if)#ip address 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
 R0(config-if)#no shutdown
%LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface GigabitEthernet0/0, changed state to up
%LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface
GigabitEthernet0/0, changed state to up
R0(config-if)#exit
R0(config)#
R0(config)#interface GigabitEthernet 0/1
R0(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
R0(config-if)#no shutdown
R0(config-if)#exit
R0(config)#
i. Save the R0 configuration.
R0#copy running-config startup-config
Building configuration...
[OK]
R0#

5. Configure IP Addressing on the Host PCs Laptops based on the information given
on the table.
6. Verify and Test the Configurations.
a. Verify that routing tables have the following routes using the show ip route
command.
R0#show ip route
Codes: C - connected, S - static, R - RIP, M - mobile, B – BGP D - EIGRP, EX
- EIGRP external, O - OSPF, IA - OSPF inter area N1 - OSPF NSSA external
type 1, N2 - OSPF NSSA external type 2 E1 - OSPF external type 1, E2 - OSPF
external type 2 i - IS-IS, su - IS-IS summary, L1 - IS-IS level-1, L2 - IS-IS level-
2 ia - IS-IS inter area, * - candidate default, U - per-user static route o - ODR,
P - periodic downloaded static route
Gateway of last resort is not set
C 192.168.1.0/24 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/1
C 192.168.2.0/24 is directly connected, GigabitEthernet0/0
b. Verify interface configurations.
Interface IP-Address OK? Method Status Protocol
GEthernet0/0 unassigned YES unset up up
GEthernet0/1 unassigned YES unset up up
Vlan1 unassigned YES unset administratively down down
 c. Test connectivity.
Test connectivity by pinging from each host (PCs and Laptops) to the
default gateway and each other to validate the configuration. When the
pining is not successful try to troubleshoot the entire configuration.
7. Reflection: write a lab report

Exercise

Configure the logical network topology shown below (Hint you can use Router model
2911 from a packet tracer to connect three different networks or connect a router to three
switches without adding modules on the router):

Note: you can you a valid IP addresses for the router interfaces, PCs and Laptops based
on the network addresses given for each network in the logical network diagram shown
above.