Introduction to Networking
In this lab we will talk about basics of computer networking from two types of ethernet cables to hubs and switches. The two types of ethernet cables are Straight-through and Crossover cables. The following figures are the layouts of these cables:
Figure 1 - Stright-Through Ethernet Cable
Figure 2 - Crossover Internet Cable
The equipent we are using are the equipmet in each rack covered in the following picture:
Figure 3 - Networking Rack
and here is the overall layout of the Networking Lab:
Figure 4 - Networking Lab Layout
First boot the computers using the Fedora Core. Once the boot is complete, use "student" as the user. I will provide you with the passwords during class. Enter the following in the terminal and add the password:
su -l
then,
ifconfig
At this point, you may see "eth0" and "lo". Use the command "ifconfig" to enable the "eth2"with an ip address. These are the ip addresses for different computers around each rack:
A: 192,168.1.40
B: 192.168.1.41
C: 192.168.1.42
D: 192.168.1.43
and here is how to assign these addresses to "eth2"'s:
ifconfig eth2 192.168.1.40 and so on.
Once you configure the addresses, using the Patch-Panel, connect the computers A and B with Crossover cable and "ping" them:
Figure 5 - Patchpanel and Asante Hub
ping -s 100000 192.168.1.41 (from computer A) and ping -s 100000 192.168.1.40 (from computer B)
see what happens. Try the command with the maximum allowed. Now try the same thing with Straight-Through cable.
Next step is to connect all computers to Asante Hubs and repeat the pinging action with both cables and find out what happens. Do a crisscross, do a ping from A to C and B to D. Maximize the packet size and see what happens to the response time.
Now connect the computers through 3Com switches and then to Cisco switches and apply all the above. Note what happens when you ping simultaneously with the switch.
Figure 6 - 3Com Switch
Figure 7 - Cisco Switch
You are to turn in your findings at the end of the session.