CS-129L Applications of Information and Communication Technologies Lab Manual

Laboratory Exercise ______

Lab Objectives:

 To understand the fundamentals of data communication and network devices.

 To configure and test basic network connectivity between PCs, switches, and routers.

Theory:

1.1 COMPUTER NETWORKING

Computer networking is the discipline concerned with communication between computer systems
or devices. Networking, routers, routing protocols, and networking over the public Internet have
their specifications. A computer network can be two computers connected or can also consist of,
and is usually made for, more than two computers:

1.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF A COMPUTER NETWORK

The primary purpose of a computer network is to share resources:

 You may have a computer with a CD writer or a backup system but the other computer
doesn’t have it; In this case, you can burn CDs or make backups on a computer that has
one of these but using data from a computer that doesn’t have a CD writer or a backup
system
 You can connect a printer (or a scanner, or a fax machine) to one computer and let other
computers of the network print (or scan, or fax) to that printer (or scanner, or fax machine)
 You can place a CD with pictures on one computer and let other computers access those
pictures
 You can create files and store them in one computer, then access those files from the other
computer(s) connected to it

1.3 DATA TRANSMISSION

Data transmission is the process of sending and receiving data between two or more devices over
a network or communication channel. It involves the movement of digital data from one point to
another.

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1.3.1 Protocols:

Protocols are a set of rules and conventions that govern how data is formatted, transmitted,
received, and processed in a network. They ensure that data can be exchanged reliably between
devices.

1.3.2 OSI Model:

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework used to understand
and standardize the functions of a network. It is divided into seven layers, each responsible for
specific tasks:

 Physical Layer: Deals with the physical transmission of data over the network medium.
 Data Link Layer: Manages data framing and error detection.
 Network Layer: Handles routing and logical addressing.
 Transport Layer: Ensures end-to-end communication and data flow control.
 Session Layer: Manages sessions, such as establishing, maintaining, and terminating
connections.
 Presentation Layer: Translates data formats and performs data encryption/decryption.
 Application Layer: Provides network services and application-level communication.

1.3.3 Network Devices:

Network devices are hardware components that play various roles in data communication:

 Switches: These are Layer 2 devices that connect devices within a local area network
(LAN) and make forwarding decisions based on MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.
 Routers: Routers are Layer 3 devices responsible for forwarding data between different
networks. They use IP addresses for routing decisions.
 Hubs: Hubs are simple, Layer 1 devices that broadcast data to all connected devices,
making them inefficient in larger networks.
 Modems: Modems (modulator-demodulator) convert digital data from computers into
analog signals for transmission over telephone lines and vice versa.

1.3.4 IP Addressing:

IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are numerical labels assigned to each device in a network. These
addresses are used to identify and locate devices on the internet or within a local network. IP
addressing is crucial for network communication because it allows devices to find and
communicate with each other. IP addresses are used for routing data packets to their intended
destinations, both within a local network and on the broader internet.

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1.4 PACKET TRACER

Packet Tracer is a protocol simulator developed by Dennis Frezzo and his team at Cisco Systems.
Packet Tracer (PT) is a powerful and dynamic tool that displays the various protocols used in
networking, in either Real Time or Simulation mode. This includes layer 2 protocols such as
Ethernet and PPP, layer 3 protocols such as IP, ICMP, and ARP, and layer 4 protocols such as
TCP and UDP. Routing protocols can also be traced. The screenshot for the packet tracer is shown
below:

1.5 NETWORKING USING PACKET TRACER

Packet Tracer can be used to perform networking by following the given steps:
 Create a Network Topology: Launch Packet Tracer and start by creating a network
topology. You can drag and drop various network devices, such as PCs, switches, and
routers, onto the workspace to create your network layout.
 Connecting Devices: Use Packet Tracer's interface to connect devices with cables (e.g.,
Ethernet cables) by clicking and dragging from one device's port to another. This simulates
the physical connections.
 Assign IP Addresses: For the PC-to-PC and PC-to-Router communication tasks, you can
configure IP addresses on PCs and routers. In Packet Tracer, you can access the device's
command-line interface or GUI (Graphical User Interface) to configure IP addresses.
 Configure Switches and Routers: For tasks involving switches and routers, you can
access the devices' command-line interfaces or GUIs to configure settings like VLANs,
routing protocols, and interface configurations. Packet Tracer provides a range of
configuration options for Cisco devices.

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 Testing Connectivity: Use Packet Tracer's simulation mode to test connectivity. This
mode allows you to send data packets and test connectivity between devices by running
commands like "ping." It provides real-time feedback on the success or failure of packet
transmission.
 Troubleshooting: If any issues arise during the lab tasks, you can use Packet Tracer's
simulation and troubleshooting features to identify and address the problems. This includes
checking configurations, routing tables, and interface status.
 Documentation: Packet Tracer also allows you to document your network design and
configurations. You can save your network topology, configurations, and simulation
results for reference and assessment.

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LAB EXERCISES:
Task 1: Establish basic communication between two PCs.
Step 1: Connect two PCs using an Ethernet cable.
Step 2: Assign IP addresses to both PCs.
Step 3: Ping/use virtual packet from one PC to other to test
connectivity.

Task 2: Configure a PC to communicate with a switch.

Step 1: Connect a PC to a network switch.
Step 2: Assign an IP address to the PC and configure the switch port with
the appropriate settings.
Step 3: Test connectivity by pinging the switch and the PC from each
other.

Task 3: Establish communication between two switches.

Step 1: Connect two switches using Ethernet
cables.
Step 2: Test connectivity by pinging PC of one
switch from the other.

Task 4: Configure a PC to communicate with a router.

Step 1: Connect a PC to a router's interface using an Ethernet cable.
Step 2: Assign an IP address to the PC and configure the router interface.
Step 3: Test connectivity by pinging the PC from the router and vice versa.

Conclusion:
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