Cisco packet tracer is a networking simulation tool used to simulate and practice networking topics. In this project, I simulate the network of a small business that consists of three departments: human resources, marketing, and sales. I utilize various networking protocols and fundamentals to successfully route traffic to and from end devices. Some of these protocols and fundamentals include router-rip, ssh, inter-vlan routing, and trunk/access ports.

This network topology consists of three PCs, four 2960 switches, three 4321 routers, and one server which will act as an ISP. The screenshot below also lists each device's respective IP.

• Each PC requires an assigned IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. This configuration is straightforward.

• The switches need a bit more configuration. Each switch requires a hostname, some basic security (i.e. password/encryption), and a banner motd. Listed below are the commanads used to configure switch 1.

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  Breakdown:

  • enable secret password - enables a password and password encryption that's based on the md5 hashing algorithm.
  • line console 0 - provides configuration access for the console port.
    • password password - sets a password on the console port.
    • login - controls and prompts the user login request.
  • line vty 0 15 - provides configuration access for all 16 virtual lines that allow connecting to the device using telnet or SSH.
    • password password - sets a password on the console port.
    • login - controls and prompts the user login request.
  • service password-encryption - encrypts all the passwords in running-config it can find, including enable password.
  • banner motd $ $ - configures a banner and message of the day.

• Routers receive a very similar configuration, only difference being the number of vty lines that can be configured (by default routers only have 5).

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• We need to assign an IP on a VLAN to each switch. Also, we must assign IPs on the respective interfaces to every router. I will begin explaining the steps in the next section: Switches and Routers - IP configuration.

• To begin, we'll start with the switches.

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  Breakdown:

  • interface vlan # - provides access for the virtual local area network port [note: using vlan 1 isn't recommended due to security risks, however, it's being used here for simplicity purposes.]
  • ip address xxxx - assigns an IP to the specified port
  • no shutdown - enables an interface

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  • vlan ## - creates a new vlan
  • name name - sets a name for the vlan
  • interface port - provides access to specified port for configuration
  • switchport mode access -
  • switchport mode access vlan ## -
  • vlan ## -

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• Now, the routers.

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• Earlier we set up access ports on our switches, now we need to setup trunks to carry traffic across all VLANs.

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• Router-on-a-stick:

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• Router RIP

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• SSH

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