Cisco Packet Tracer Tutorial -Part 01 | Switch & end device connection

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through creating a simple network using Cisco Packet Tracer. You will learn how to connect two PCs via a switch, configure their IP addresses, and test communication between them. This foundational knowledge is essential for understanding networking basics.

Step 1: Setting Up the Network

1. Open Cisco Packet Tracer.
2. Select a switch from the device types menu.
3. Choose two PCs from the end devices section.
4. Drag and drop the switch and PCs into the workspace.

Step 2: Connecting the Devices

1. Click on the "Connections" option (represented by a lightning bolt icon).
2. Select the "Copper Straight-Through" cable.
3. Connect one end of the cable to the switch and the other end to the first PC:
   • Click on the switch, select a FastEthernet port.
   • Click on the first PC, selecting the FastEthernet port.
4. Repeat the process to connect the second PC to the switch.

Step 3: Configuring IP Addresses

1. Click on the first PC to open its configuration window.
2. Go to the "Desktop" tab and select "IP Configuration."
3. Enter the following settings:
   • IP Address: 192.168.10.2
   • Subnet Mask: Automatically generated (usually 255.255.255.0).
4. Click on the second PC and repeat the configuration:
   • IP Address: 192.168.10.3
   • Subnet Mask: Automatically generated.

Step 4: Testing Connectivity

1. To test data transfer, go back to the "Desktop" tab on the first PC.
2. Select "Command Prompt."
3. Use the ping command to check connectivity:
   • Type ping 192.168.10.3 and press Enter.
4. Observe the reply messages indicating successful communication.

Step 5: Understanding IP Addressing

• Remember that the first three octets (192.168.10) represent the network ID, while the last octet represents the host ID.
• Ensure that both PCs have the same network ID to communicate successfully.

Step 6: Simulating Communication

1. In the workspace, click on the "Simulation" mode.
2. Start a simulation by sending a message from one PC to the other.
3. Observe the flow of data packets and confirm successful transmission.

Step 7: Handling Different Networks

1. If you change the IP address of one PC to a different network (e.g., 192.168.11.2), communication will fail.
2. Attempt to ping the other PC and observe the results indicating a failure.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have learned to set up a simple network using Cisco Packet Tracer. You configured the PCs, established connections, and successfully tested communication. As a next step, consider exploring routing to connect multiple networks or delve deeper into advanced network configurations.