Oliver Ugwoke

#Multi-LAN Network Architecture with DHCP Configuration (Packet Tracer)# Introduction: Objective - This lab demonstrates the design and configuration of a small routed network using Cisco Packet Tracer. The objective was to simulate a realistic enterprise-style network that supports enddevice connectivity, inter-network routing, and centralized IP address management using DHCP. The lab architecture: This consists of three PCs, three laptops, two switches, two routers, and a dedicated server configured to provide DHCP services. End devices are distributed across multiple LAN segments connected via switches, while routers enable communication between the networks. Focus: The lab focuses on network device interconnection, IP addressing, Subnetting, DHCP configuration, and end-to-end connectivity testing, providing hands-on practice with foundational networking concepts commonly used in real-world environments. Hands-On 1. Network Topology Description: Step 1: Devices were sourced from Cisco Packet Tracer. 3 PCs, 3 laptops, 2 switches and 2 Routers Note: All connections were done using Copper Straight Through Cable Step 2: Connecting PC0 – PC2 to Switch0. PC0: Click on PC0, select Fa0 and connect it to switch0 by selecting Fa0/1 from switch0 PC1: Click on PC1, select Fa0 and connect it to switch0 by selecting Fa0/2 from switch0 PC2: Click on PC2, select Fa0 and connect it to switch0 by selecting Fa0/3 from switch0 Result: Connection successful. Step 3: Connecting Laptop0 – Laptop2 to Switch1. Laptop0: Click on Laptop0, select Fa0 and connect it to switch1 by selecting Fa0/1 from switch1 Laptop1: Click on Laptop1, select Fa0 and connect it to switch1 by selecting Fa0/2 from switch1 Laptop2: Click on Laptop2, select Fa0 and connect it to switch1 by selecting Fa0/3 from switch1 Result: Connection successful. Step 4: Connecting the switches to routers. i. Switch0 to Router6: Click on switch0, select Gi0/1 and connect to Router6 by selecting Gi0/0 from Router6 ii. Switch1 to Router7: Click on switch1, select Gi0/1 and connect to Router7 by selecting Gi0/0 from Router7 Observation: The connections were not successful because the Ports of Router 6 & 7 are not turnedOn hence the red indications on the two connections to the routers6 & 7. Step 5: Turning-On the Routers Ports i. Router6 (Conf==>Gi0/0==>On) ii. Router7 (Conf==>Gi0/0==>On) iii. Now Connections are successful as the indicators b/w the 2 switches & routers have turned green Step 6: Connecting the two routers (router6 & 7) Click on router6, select Gi0/1 and connect to router7 by selecting Gi0/1 from router7 Observation: The connections are not yet successful as there are red indicators shown b/w router6 &7. This is because, the Gi0/1 ports for routers6 & 7 have not been turned on. Step 6: Configuration of Routers (IP addressing & Subnetting) i. Router6 (Gi0/0): Assigning IP Address (Default Gateway) of- with subnet mask of- to router6 ii. Router7 (Gi0/0) Assigning IP Address (Default Gateway) of- with subnet mask of- to router7 iii. Router6 (Gi0/1): Assigning IP Address (WAN) of 10.0.0.1 with subnet mask of- to router6 and putting the Port ON. iv. Router7 (Gi0/1): Assigning IP Address (WAN) of 10.0.0.2 with subnet mask of- to router7 and putting the Port ON. Observation: The connection between the two routers are now successful as the connection indicators b/w the two have turned green. Step 7: Routing Configuration (Bidirectional Static Routing) i. Router6 Entering network information of Router 7 into Router 6 and clicking “Add” ii. Router7 Entering network information of Router 6 into Router 7 and clicking “Add” Step 8: Endpoint Configuration (PC0 – 2 & Laptop0 – 2) i. PC0: Click on PC0, click on Desktop and then click on IP configuration Assigning IP to this device (Host) IP:- Subnet mask:- Gateway:- ii. PC1: Assigning IP to this device (Host) IP:- Subnet mask:- Gateway:- iii. PC2: Assigning IP to this device (Host) IP:- Subnet mask:- Gateway:- iv. Laptop0: Click on Laptop0, click on Desktop and then click on IP configuration Assigning IP to this device (Host) IP:- Subnet mask:- Gateway:- v. Laptop1 Assigning IP to this device (Host) IP:- Subnet mask:- Gateway:- vi. Laptop2 Assigning IP to this device (Host) IP:- Subnet mask:- Gateway:- Step 9: Verification & Connectivity Testing: i. From PC0, ping the local Gateway - ii. Result: Packets sent =4, Received =4, Lost =0 (0% loss) ii. Also, from the same PC0, ping the Neighbour’s router7 - Result: Packets sent =4, Received =4, Lost =0 (0% loss) iii. Also, from the same PC0, ping the Neighbour’s host - Result: Packets sent =4, Received =4, Lost =0 (0% loss) Option 2: DHCP Step 1: Install a Server Step 2: Connect the Server to switch0 Step 3: Configure the server. i. Click on the “server”, Click on “service”, click on DHCP and turn service on. ii. Enter the Gateway IP of switch0 which is connected to the server -). Iii. Enter the start IP. In this case, I use PC0 -) iv. Enter subnet mask -) and save Step 4: Assign IP to the server On the server, click on “Desktop”, assign IP -) to the server and enter subnet and Gateway. Step 5: Testing Connectivity with DHCP i. Testing with PC0, this is the position on the previous static configuration ii. Now choosing the DHCP option by turning it on. Result: Connectivity is successful.