Lab 5

Lab 5.1.13b – Building a switch-based network

Objective:

- Create a simple network with two PCs using a switch
- Apply IP addresses to workstations
- Test connectivity in the simulated topology

Step 1

a) Create the topology shown in the diagram in Packet Tracer.

b) After connecting the devices, assign each PC with an IP address according to the information in the table below:

Computer | IP Address | Subnet mask
PC – 0 | 192.168.1.1 | 255.255.255.0
PC – 1 | 192.168.1.2 | 255.255.255.0

Step 2

a) Click on the Simulation tab to start creating a scenario.

b) Add a packet from PC 0 to PC 1.

c) Click play to watch the simulation.

d) Click on the switch to view its MAC table. (PC 0 and PC 1’s MAC addresses are in the table.)

Step 3

a) Click on the topology tab.

b) Add another PC and connect it to the switch. Assign it with an IP address of 192.168.1.3 and a subnet mask of255.255.255.0.

c) Click on the simulation tab and click play to watch the simulation again. (Switches choose the port to which the destination device is connected. They forward a packet only to its destination.)

d) Click on the switch to view its MAC table again. PC 2’s MAC address is now in the table. A switch learns the addresses of the devices connected to it and automatically puts it in the table.

Step 3

a) Add a packet from PC 0 to PC 1, PC 1 to PC 2 and PC 2 to PC 0.

b) Click play to watch the simulation.

c) Note that a collision doesn’t occur even though all the PCs sent packets at the same time. This is because switches eliminate collisions by creating microsegments.