Let's warm up by configuring basics on a Cisco switch and router using Packet Tracer simulator.
Here's our first Challenge. If you are not familiar how to navigate Cisco IOS command line interface you can read about it in my post here. Try to complete the lab without looking at the solution.
- Configure hostnames as per topology diagram. (SW1, SW2, Branch, HQ).
- On all routers and switches ensure that IOS does not try to resolve mistyped commands to DNS names.
- On all routers and switches ensure that console connection will NEVER be disconnected after 10 minutes time of inactivity.
- On all routers and switches configure console such that syslog messages (sent to console by default) will be kept above the cursor.
- On SW1 check the following:
a) Platform
b) IOS Version
c) Amount of RAM memory
d) Base Mac Address
e) Model Number
f) System Serial Number - On all switches and routers save the configuration in NVRAM so that it can save reboot of a device.
LAB SOLUTION
NOTICE!
Commands you type in are in blue color.
1. Configure hostnames as per topology diagram. (SW1, SW2, Branch, HQ).
NOTICE!
If the system is asking you to use Initial Configuration Dialog ignore that by using 'no' and hitting enter key.
Switch1:
Switch>enable
Switch#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Switch(config)#hostname SW1
SW1(config)#
Switch2:
Switch>enable
Switch#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Switch(config)#hostname SW2
SW2(config)#
Branch router:
Router>enable
Router#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#hostname Branch
Branch(config)#
HQ router:
Router>enable
Router#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#hostname HQ
HQ(config)#
2. On all routers and switches ensure that IOS does not try to resolve mistyped commands to DNS names.
On all router and switches:
(config)#no ip domain lookup
(config)#
3. On all routers and switches ensure that console connection will NEVER be disconnected after 10 minutes time of inactivity.
On all router and switches:
(config)#line console 0
(config-line)#exec-timeout 0
(config-line)#
Notice!
Packet Tracer has a bug. Verification still shows default 10 minutes instead of 'NEVER' that will be seen on a real switch/router (picture below).
4. On all routers and switches configure console such that syslog messages (sent to console by default) will be kept above the cursor.
On all router and switches:
(config)#line console 0
(config-line)#logging synchronous
(config-line)#
5. On SW1 check the following:
SW1#show version
a) Platform: C2960
b) IOS Version: 12.2(25r)FX
c) Amount of RAM memory: 21039K
d) Base Mac Address: 0050.0F3A.E022
e) Model Number: WS-C2960-24TT
f) System Serial Number: FOC1033Z1EY
These are values in 'show version' of packet tracer 6.2 I have installed on my computer. Your task is to locate these section in the output as they might be slightly different.
6. On all switches and routers save the configuration in NVRAM so that it can save reboot.
Here example of SW1
Method 1
In the privileged exec mode type: copy running-config startup-config and hit enter accepting the file name as per square bracket content (you can abbreviate this command to: 'copy run start').
SW1#copy running-config startup-config
Destination filename [startup-config]?
Building configuration...
[OK]
SW1#
Method 2
Use older IOS command that copies the content of RAM into NVRAM: 'write memory'. This command can be abbreviated to 'wr' and hit enter.
SW1#
SW1#wr
Building configuration...
[OK]
SW1#
In our next lab we learn how to use Cisco Discovery Protocol to create a topology diagram of our setup.
