Simulation of Hierarchical Network Design Model using Cisco Packet Tracer

This report covers the simulation of the hierarchical network design model using Cisco Packet Tracer. It includes the configuration of various network services such as DHCP, Web server, DNS server and network firewalls using Cisco Packet Tracer. The report also covers the topology setup, interface configuration, IP routing configuration, and the use of Linux commands such as ping and traceroute. The report concludes that using Cisco Packet Tracer, it is possible to simulate the hierarchical network model by configuring various networking features such as topology, DHCP, DNS, firewall and Web services.

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TCP/IP NETWORKING
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Executive Summary
A good network design consist of a number of infrastructure which consist of network devices such as
routers, switches, hubs, transmission media, among others. A good design follows hierarchical model
that divides the entire network into three distinct layers (Welcher, 2015). These layers include the
access layer, distribution layer and the core layer. Each layer is characterized with the kind of the
operation it performs in the network. For a good network, it should be scalable, that is it devices can be
added freely without affecting the operations of the other parts of the network. Another feature of a
good network is security, easy to troubleshoot and monitor and the ability to communicate effectively
without hitches.
This report therefore involve the simulation of the hierarchical network design model using cisco packet
tracer which is a network simulation tool from cisco (SLATTERY, 2007). This assessment consist of two
parts of the practical assessment. The first part consist of a basic network setup using PCs, switches and
routers and the transmission media. The network Interfaces are also created and network Linux
commands such as ping and traceroute are used. The second part involves the configuration of various
network services such as DHCP, Web server, DNS server and network firewalls using cisco packet tracer.
Introduction
Following the given instructions in this assessment cisco packet tracer tool was used to simulate the
network and all the services needed in this report (Scire, 2015). A screenshot of every section is
provided as well as the execution of the Linux commands used in both task 1 and task 2 (Techopedia,
2018). The following topology was used during the simulation process.
Task 1
This section involves the setting up of the basic network functionalities such as topology using at least
three PCs, two routers and three servers as shown in the topology above. Also using private IP addresses
for the two LANs where the servers and the PCs are located and for the WAN between the two routers
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(Fisher, 2018). The IP address for the server network is 174.24.0.0 while that of the PCs network is
10.25.0.0 (Media, 2016). The IP address used to link the two networks that is for the WAN between the
two routers is 192.168.0.0.
Configuration of PCs, servers and routers interfaces
To configure Pcs and Servers using the above IP addresses, each device is assigned an IP address
manually by double clicking on each device and open the desktop option and go to IP configuration as
shown in the PC1 below.
This is done to all the PCs in the topology and the same process repeated for the servers in the other
LAN as shown below with server1 in the network (CCNA, 2018).
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The same is also repeated to all the other two servers in the network. The process of assigning these
devices IP addresses is manually done by selecting as static option as shown in the above screenshots.
For the routers, the concept is a bit difference, this is because routers links between more than one
network and therefore each interface has to be given the right IP address using the commands below
(Cisco, 2018).
Router 0
To configure this router, one double clicks on it and run the commands below.
Router>en
Router#config t
Router(config)#int fa0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 172.24.0.1 255.255.0.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#int se2/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.0.1 255.255.0.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
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Router 1
Double click on this router and run the following commands
Router>en
Router#config t
Router(config)#int fa0/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 10.25.0.1 255.255.0.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#int se2/0
Router(config-if)#ip address 192.168.0.2 255.255.0.0
Router(config-if)#no shutdown
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Once the entire interfaces have been configured in the provided topology, the transmission media
interfaces changes to green as shown below.
IP Routing Configuration
In order to allow communication between the two LANs, the routing service is configured on both the
routers in the topology using the commands shown below for every router.
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Router 0
Router>en
Router#config t
Router(config)# ip route 172.24.0.0 255.255.0.0 192.168.0.2
Router 1
Router>en
Router#config t
Router(config)# ip route 10.24.0.0 255.255.0.0 192.168.0.1
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Using Ping
PC1 Own Ping
As seen in the above screen the result was successful for the own Ping.
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Local Router 1 Ping from PC1
This also was executed successfully as shown in the screen above by running a ping command.
Remote Router 0 Ping from PC1
This is the router that connects the server network and the PC network (router 0). When pinging router
0 from PC1, all the four packets were delivered successfully.
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Server 1 Ping from PC1
On using Ping to locate Server 1 from PC1, all the four packets are delivered successfully and none is lost
as it can be seen below.
This shows that the Server Network and the PC network can now communicate between each other via
the WAN represented by the two routers.
Client Server Trace Route Command
The trace route command shows the paths that can be used to transmit a packet from PC1 to Server 1.
To use the Trace route feature, the following command is executed from PC1.
C:>/tracert 172.24.0.11
This can be shown below.
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Instead of Traceroute Command, the cisco packet tracer uses tracert command which performs a similar
function as trace route to show the packet paths.
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Task 2
This task involved creating of various network services including DHCP, Web Server, DNS Server and the
Firewall for the same topology defined for this assessment.
DHCP Server
To configure DHCP services for this network, the server is first assigned an IP address manually and on
the top menu bar, one selects the Services options and DHCP from the services list as shown below.
On this part one creates two pools for the PCs network and Servers Network by defining the poolname,
gateway and the starting IP address for that particular network. Once the pools have been added, the
ON radio button is selected to turn on the DHCP network service for this network design.
Web Server Configuration
With now a working DHCP server, the webserver in the network is first assigned an IP address using
DHCP option as shown below.
Then one selects the HTTP service from the service lists provided in the Service Menu bar at the top of
the screen. Here a webpage that will be accessed by the other users is created with URL
www.james.csu.edu.au as shown below.
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Once the file has been created it is saved and can now be viewed in the list of the web pages already
existing in the Web Server.
DNS Configuration
The same process of assigning IP addresses using DHCP is applied in this server. Once the DNS server has
been assigned the IP address automatically, one selects the DNS service from the Service list. Here the IP
address of the Webserver where the already created web page is created is provided and the name of
the web page is also given as shown below.
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Once this has been provided the details are added and saved to the list as shown in the screenshot
above. Finally the DNS service is switched ON to activate it for this network design.
Once the DNS has been set, the web server can now be accessed using PC1 by opening the web browser
on this PC and type the name of the Web page as shown below.
On clicking GO, the PC1 will resolve the web page name to the corresponding IP address and thus
making the web server accessible from PC1.
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Firewall Configuration to block TCP traffic between PC1 and Web Server
To configure this feature on this network design, the following command is executed from both the
routers present in this hierarchical network model simulation.
Router>en
Router#config t
Router(config)#access-list 105 deny tcp 10.24.0.10 255.255.0.0 172.24.0.11 255.255.0.0
The router firewall configurations is as shown in the screenshots below.
Router 0
Router 1
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This command is used in both router 0 and router 1 in order to allow the routers which now have the
firewall services to filter and block TCP traffics that are detected during the transmission between PC1
and the Webserver.
Conclusion
It can therefore be concluded that, using cisco packet tracer it is possible to simulate the hierarchical
network model by configuring various networking features such as topology, DHCP, DNS, firewall and
Web services as shown in the tasks results above. The correct interface set up also provides a smooth
mechanism of communication between various networks and devices as shown in this practical
assessment.
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References
CCNA. (2018). CCNA Certification: Basic Two Router Lab – CertificationKits.com. Retrieved from
https://www.certificationkits.com/cisco-two-router-lab/
Cisco. (2018). Configuring a Gateway of Last Resort Using IP Commands. Retrieved from
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/ip/routing-information-protocol-rip/16448-default.html
Fisher, T. (2018). Everything You Need to Know About Private IP Addresses. Retrieved from
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-a-private-ip-address-2625970
Media, B. (2016). What is the difference between public and private IP address?. Retrieved from
https://www.iplocation.net/public-vs-private-ip-address
Scire, T. (2015). Network design checklist: How to design a LAN. Retrieved from
https://searchitchannel.techtarget.com/feature/Network-design-checklist-Six-factors-to-consider-when-
designing-LANs
SLATTERY, T. (2007). Good Network Design - NetCraftsmen. Retrieved from
https://www.netcraftsmen.com/good-network-design/
Techopedia. (2018). What is Network Design? - Definition from Techopedia. Retrieved from
https://www.techopedia.com/definition/30186/network-design
Welcher, P. (2015). Recognizing a Good Network Design. Retrieved from
https://blogs.cisco.com/perspectives/recognizing-a-good-network-design
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