Computer Network Architectures

2 PRACTICAL TASK. Packet Tracer program as a network design and implementation tool

Packet Tracer is a program-simulator created by Cisco for network learning purposes.

1.Objectives
• Familiarize with Packet Tracer program functionality.
• Use Packet Tracer to create Ethernet based network.
• Be able check network activities and data flows in network (ICMP packets).

2. Workshop
Packet Tracer 7.2.1 program.

3. Workflow
3.1. Create network The network consists of 3 PC, connected to hub with straight-through cables.
a) Run the Packet Tracer 7.2.1 program
The bottom left hand corner of the screen (Network Component Box) displays the icons that represent
device categories or groups, such as Routers, Switches, or End Devices.

Network Component Box

represent device categories or groups, such as Routers, Switches, or End Devices.

Clicking on a device category will show specific options to the right. To select a device, first choose the
device category and then select the specific device.
b) Select End Devices from the options in the Network Component Box. Drag and drop 3 Generic PCs
onto the Logical Workspace.
c) Select Hubs from the options in the Network Component Box. Add a Generic Hub to the network
topology.

d) Select Connections from the Network Component Box and choose a straight-through cable.
Click on the first host (PC0) and assign the cable to the FastEthernet connector. Click on the hub and
connect the cable to Port 0.
e) Repeat for all PCs. (PC1 Port 1 and PC2 Port 2)
There should be green dots at both ends of each cable connection. This indicates that the link is up. If
not, check the cable type selected.

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NOTE: To delete a device or connection in Packet Tracer, click on the Delete Tool and then click on
the item to be deleted. You may also press the Delete key to activate the delete function and then click on the
device.
3.2. Assign PC names and IP addresses
a) Click on PC0, this will open a new window
NOTE: The new window is an independent window which can be moved, maximized, or minimized to
the Windows Taskbar.

b) Select the Config tab. Change the Display Name to PC-A. Select the FastEthernet tab on the left and
add the IP address 192.168.1.2 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0.

c) Click on PC1 and select the Config tab. Change the Display Name to PC-B. Select the FastEthernet
tab on the left and add the IP address 192.168.1.3 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
d) Click on PC2 and select the Config tab. Change the Display Name to PC-C. Select the FastEthernet
tab on the left and add the IP address 192.168.1.4 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0.
4. Observe the flow of data from PC-A to PC-C by creating network traffic.
a) Switch to Simulation Mode by selecting the tab that is partially hidden behind the Real Time tab in
the bottom right-hand corner. The tab has the icon of a stopwatch on it.

NOTE: When Simulation Mode is chosen, a Simulation Panel will appear on the right side of the
screen.
This panel can be moved by moving the cursor at the top of the panel until it changes and then double-
clicking on it. The panel can be restored to the original location by double-clicking on the Title bar. If
the panel is closed, click on the Event List button.

b) Click on Edit Filters, and then select All/None to deselect every filter. Then choose ARP and ICMP and click
in the workspace to close the Edit Filters window.

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 b) Click on Edit Filters, and then select All/None to deselect every filter. Then choose ARP and ICMP
and click in the workspace to close the Edit Filters window.

Move to PC-A and click to establish the source. Move to PC-C and click to establish the destination.
Notice that two envelopes are now positioned beside PC-A. This is referred to as a data traffic scenario. One
envelope is an ICMP packet, while the other is an ARP packet. The Event List in the Simulation Panel will
identify exactly which envelope represents ICMP and which represents an ARP.

A scenario may be deleted by clicking on the Delete button in the Scenario panel.

Multiple scenarios can be created by clicking on the New button in the Scenario panel. The scenarios can
then be toggled between without deleting.
d) Select Auto Capture / Play from the Simulation Panel Play Controls.

Below the Auto Capture / Play button is a horizontal bar, with a vertical button that controls the speed of
the simulation. Dragging the button to the right will speed up the simulation, while dragging is to the left
will slow down the simulation.
e) Choose the Reset Simulation button in the Simulation window.

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Notice that the ICMP envelope moved forward one device and stopped. The Capture / Forward button
will allow you to move the simulation one step at a time.
h) Choose the Power Cycle Devices button on the bottom left, above the device icons.

i) Choose Yes

Notice that both the ICMP and ARP envelopes are now present. The Power Cycle Devices will clear any
configuration changes not saved and clear the MAC / ARP tables.
5. View ARP Tables on each PC.
a) Choose the Auto Capture / Play button and allow the simulation to run completely.
b) Click on PC-A and select the Desktop tab.

b) Select the Command Prompt and type the command arp -a.
c) Notice that the MAC address for PC-C is in the ARP table (to view the MAC address of PC-C, click
on PC-C and select the Config tab).
d) To examine the ARP tables for PC-B and PC-C in another way, click on the Inspect Tool.

Then click on PC-B and the ARP table will appear in a new window.
Note that PC-B does not have an entry in the ARP table yet. Close the ARP Table window.
e) Click on PC-C to view the ARP table. Then close the ARP Table window.
NOTE: To deactivate the Inspect Tool, click on the Select Tool.

6. Add routers and insert modules

a) In the Network Component Box, click on the router.

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b) Select an 1841 router.

c) Move the cursor to the Logical Workspace and click on the desired location.

NOTE: If multiple instances of the same device are needed press and hold the Ctrl button, click on the
desired device, and then release the Ctrl button. A copy of the device will be created and can now be
move to the desired location.
d) Click on the router to bring up the Configuration Window. This window has three modes: Physical,
Config, and CLI (Physical is the default mode).

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The Physical mode is used to add modules to a device, such as a WAN Interface Card (WIC).
The Config mode is used for basic configuration. Commands are entered in a simple GUI format, with
actual equivalent IOS commands shown in the lower part of the window.

The CLI mode allows for advanced configuration of the device. This mode requires the user to enter the
actual IOS commands just as they would on a live device.
e) In the Physical mode, click on the router power switch to turn the device off.

f) Select the WIC-2T module and drag it to Slot 0 on the router. Then drag a WIC Cover to Slot 1.

g) Power the device back on.

h) Click on the Network Component Box and select Connections. Then select a Copper Straight-through
connection to connect the router to the hub.

NOTE: The Smart Connection can be used to automatically select the appropriate cable type. However,
the user will have no choice as to which interface the connection is assigned to; it will take the first
available appropriate interface.
i) Click on the hub and choose Port 3. Then click on the router and choose interface FastEthernet 0/0.

7. Basic router configuration

a) Click on the Config mode tab of Router0 to begin configuring the device.
b) After the device has finished booting, change the display name of the router to CISCO_1. Changing
the display name does not affect the configuration.
NOTE: If the device hangs up in the booting process, save the activity. Then close the application and
reopen the file.

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c) Click in the Hostname field and type CISCO_1, then press the TAB key. Note the equivalent IOS
command is entered in the lower portion of the window.
d) Click on interface FastEthernet 0/0 and assign the IP address 192.168.1.1, then press the TAB key.
Enter the subnet mask 255.255.255.0.

e) Click the Port Status to On to enable the port (no shutdown).

8. Create a copy of the existing router complete with WIC modules already in place
a) Make sure that the existing router is selected (it will be grayed out).
b) In the Main Tool Bar click on the Copy tool.

c) Click on the Paste tool and the copied device will appear in the work area.

d) Drag the new device to the desired location.

e) Click on the Network Component Box and select Connections. Then select the Serial DCE connection.
f) Click on the CISCO_1 router and connect to the Serial 0/0/0 interface.
g) Click on the new router (copy CISCO_1) and connect to the Serial 0/0/0 interface.

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9. WAN link configuration
a) Click on CISCO_1 router and select configuration mode (Config mode)
b) Select Serial 0/0/0 interface
c) Assign IP address to Serial 0/0/0 interface 192.168.2.1, press TAB button and insert network mask
255.255.255.0.
d) Set clock rate to 56000.
e) Change Port Status to On to enable it (no shutdown).
f) Click router and select Config mode.
g) Change router name Hostname to CISCO_2.
h) Assign IP address to Serial 0/0/0 interface 192.168.2.2, press TAB button and insert network mask
255.255.255.0.
j) Change Port Status to On to enable it (no shutdown).
NOTE: The link lights on the serial link should change from red to green to indicate the link is active.

10. Configure routing protocol

a) Click on the CISCO_1 router and select the Config tab. Then click on RIP and add the network
address 192.168.1.0 and 192.168.2.0.
b) Click on the CISCO_2 router and select the Config tab. Then click on RIP and add the network
address 192.168.2.0.
l) Go to each PC and set the Default Gateway to 192.168.1.1

11. Set the default gateway on the PCs

a) Click on PC-A and select the Config tab. Enter the default gateway address 192.168.1.1.
b) Click on PC-B and select the Config tab. Enter the default gateway address 192.168.1.1.

c) Click on PC-C and select the Config tab. Enter the default gateway address 192.168.1.1.

12. Check configuration

a) Click on the Simulation mode.

b) Select a Simple PDU and click on PC-A as the source, then click on Cisco_2 as the
destination. The ping should be successful.

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13. Save Packet Tracer configuration file.
a) Save Packet Tracer file as PT_Basic.

14. Report
The report should include:
- Saved Packet Tracer.pkt file.

Literature and video materials

Packet Tracer for Beginners.
http://www.learnerstv.com/video/Free-video-Lecture-20734-Computer-Science.htm
http://www.learnerstv.com/video/Free-video-Lecture-20735-Computer-Science.htm

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