Free CCNA | Configuring HSRP | Day 29 Lab | CCNA 200-301 Complete Course

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through configuring and troubleshooting the Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), an essential topic for your CCNA 200-301 certification. HSRP allows for network redundancy by enabling multiple routers to work together to present a single virtual gateway to the end devices. Following these steps will help you understand the configuration process and improve your networking skills.

Step 1: Setting Up the Network Environment

1. Launch Packet Tracer: Open the Cisco Packet Tracer application.
2. Create a New Project: Start a new project and drag two routers and two switches onto the workspace.
3. Connect Devices:
   • Use straight-through cables to connect each router to a switch (Router1 to Switch1 and Router2 to Switch2).
   • Connect a PC to each switch for testing purposes.

Step 2: Configuring Router Interfaces

1. Access Router1 Configuration:
   • Click on Router1, go to the CLI tab.
   • Enter the following commands to configure the interfaces:

     enable
     configure terminal
     interface GigabitEthernet0/0
     ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
     no shutdown
     exit
     

2. Access Router2 Configuration:
   • Repeat the above steps for Router2, but use a different IP address:

     enable
     configure terminal
     interface GigabitEthernet0/0
     ip address 192.168.1.2 255.255.255.0
     no shutdown
     exit
     

Step 3: Configuring HSRP on Routers

1. HSRP Configuration for Router1:
   • Still in Router1's CLI, enter:

     interface GigabitEthernet0/0
     standby 1 ip 192.168.1.254
     standby 1 priority 110
     standby 1 preempt
     

2. HSRP Configuration for Router2:
   • Access Router2 and configure HSRP:

     interface GigabitEthernet0/0
     standby 1 ip 192.168.1.254
     standby 1 priority 100
     standby 1 preempt
     

Step 4: Verifying HSRP Configuration

1. Check HSRP Status:

   • On both routers, use the command:

     show standby
     

   • Verify that Router1 is the active router and Router2 is in standby mode.

2. Testing Failover:

   • Disconnect the link from Router1 to simulate a failure.
   • Observe the changes in HSRP status on Router2 using the same command.
   • Router2 should now become the active router.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Issue: HSRP Not Working:

  • Ensure that both routers are in the same VLAN.
  • Check if the standby group numbers match on both routers.

• Issue: Incorrect Virtual IP:

  • Verify that the virtual IP is correctly configured on both routers.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to configure HSRP for network redundancy using Cisco routers. You set up a basic network, configured interfaces, enabled HSRP, and verified its functionality. Practice these steps to solidify your understanding, and consider exploring additional features of HSRP or other redundancy protocols for broader knowledge in networking.