Routing and Packet

Forwarding
CT4010 Computers and Security
Jordan Allison
Module Learning
Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
 Demonstrate an understanding of the component parts modern
computer hardware, and how they might serve as sources of digital
evidence.
 Carry out assembly language programming tasks in both low-level
and high level languages.
 Demonstrate an understanding of the components modern computer
networks, and how they might serve as sources of digital evidence.
 Carry out local and wide area network construction projects.
 Develop computer programs that may be used for collecting digital
evidence.
 Understand the security issues associated with networked computer
systems.
Today’s Learning
Outcomes

 To understand what routers are and the

functions they provide
 To be able to configure a network utilizing
multiple routers and static routes.
Please leave
anonymous
feedback on my
Padlet board

https://padlet.com/jrallison1/iunpyeogu48u
Any questions
from last session?

Last Session: Computer Architecture

This session

 What Routers are

 Functions of Routers
 Router Configuration
 Static Routes
 Direct and Static Router Configuration using
Packet Tracer
What is a Router?
What is a Router

• A router is a computer with similar components:

• CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• RAM (Random Access Memory)
• ROM (Read Only Memory)
• OS (Operating System)
• NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory)

• A routers primary function is to forward packets destined for local and remote networks by:
• Determining the best path to send packets
• Forwarding packets toward their destination.

• They are at the network centre and connect multiple networks

• A router has interfaces that belong to different IP networks (Here, interface refers to a physical connector
to the router. Most routers will likely have Fast Ethernet interfaces and Serial interfaces
 Router Interface Ports

Network Interface Modules (NIMs) -

Cisco 4321 Integrated Enables the router to support different
Services Router (ISR): types of interface modules, including
serial, digital subscriber line (DSL),
switch ports, and wireless

Two console ports for the initial

configuration and CLI
management
Cisco Networking Academy (2021a)
Research Task – 10 mins

Research what. the different functions of a router are. Be

prepared to feedback ideas.
Functions of a Router

• When we want our devices to connect beyond our local network, routing is the process of identifying the best
path to that remote destination.

• Routers direct traffic and perform other critical functions for efficient network operation.

• They make their forwarding decision based on layer 3 IP Addresses. The router would read the network
portion of the destination IP address and use it to find which of its attached networks is the best way to
forward the message on.

• The Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) is the software system which is used for most Cisco devices,
regardless of the type or size of the device.

• Routers require a CPU to execute OS instructions, such as system initialization, routing functions, and
switching functions.
Router
Functions:
Security
Routers in the distribution layer can
separate and protect groups of
computers which may contain
confidential information.

They can hide the addresses of internal

computers to help prevent attacks, and
control who can get access the local
network.

Cisco Networking Academy (2021b)

Router
Functions:
Broadcast
Containment
Routers can limit broadcasts to the local
network where they are needed.

Too many hosts connected on the same

local network can create excessive
broadcast traffic which can slow down
the network.

Cisco Networking Academy (2021b)

Router
Functions:
Location
Connection
Routers can be used to interconnect local
networks at different locations of an
organization separate geographically.

Cisco Networking Academy (2021b)

Router
Functions:
Grouping

Routers can be used to logically group

users. E.g. different departments of a
company who may have common needs
for access to resources

Cisco Networking Academy (2021b)

Research Task – 10 mins

Research the. steps of the router boot-up process. Be

prepared to share what you have found.
Router Bootup Process

ROM POST Perform POST (Power-On Self Test)

RAM Bootstrap Load bootstrap

Cisco
Flash
Internetwork Locate and Load OS (The IOS is typically stored in flash
Operating memory and is copied into RAM for execution by the CPU)
TFTP Server System (IOS)

NVRAM
Locate and Load the configuration file or enter the set-up
TFTP Server Configuration
mode
Console
Router Configuration
CLI Configuration and Addressing

• The command line interface (CLI) enables entering and executing Cisco IOS commands to
configure, monitor, and maintain devices.

• CLI commands are used to change the configuration of a device and to display the current status of
processes. Some examples of what you can do include changing:
• Device Names
• Interface
• IP Address and Subnet Mask
• Default Gateway address for end devices (e.g. PC)
• Configure any static routes
Example Network Topology

What do we have here?

IP Addressing Scheme

Device Configuration for the network topology on the previous slide

Device Interface IP Addresses Subnet Mask Default Gateway

PC1 N/A 192.168.1.10 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.1
PC2 N/A 192.168.3.10 255.255.255.0 192.168.3.1
Fa0/0 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 N/A
R1
Se2/0 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0 N/A
Fa0/0 192.168.3.1 255.255.255.0 N/A
R2
Se2/0 192.168.2.2 255.255.255.0 N/A
Router Configuration (R1)

• ?? Important Points
#configure terminal = enter global
configuration mode

#interface Serial2/0 = enter interface

mode

#ip address 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0 =

assign IP address and subnet mask to
interface

#no shutdown = bring interface up

#exit = return back

‘Show ip interface brief’ Command
Routing Table

• A router stores routing information in a table, known as the routing table. This contains route information
about directly connected and remote networks.

• A routing table entry consists of two pieces: the destination network and the local interface that is connected
to that destination network.

• A directly connected network is a network that is directly attached to one of the router interfaces.

• A remote network is a network that is not directly connected to the router. Remote networks are added to the
routing table using a static route or a dynamic routing protocol.

• After starting, routers actively monitor the state and IP configuration of all interfaces. If a router detects any
change in an interface, it automatically updates the related routing table entry.
 ‘Show ip route’ Command

Show entries in the

routing table
‘copy running-config startup-config’ Command

• Save what is currently in the running configuration file by using the command:
• copy running-config startup-config
• This command can be abbreviated copy run start.

• This command will save the configuration that is currently being modified (in RAM), also known
as the running-configuration, to the nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM).

• If the power is lost, the NVRAM will preserve this configuration

• The running configuration is stored in RAM, while the startup configuration is stored in NVRAM
Static Routing

• If the router cannot determine where to forward a message, it will drop it. By configuring a static
default route, a packet will not be dropped due to the destination network not being in the routing
table.

• A static route includes the network address and subnet mask of the remote network, along with the
IP address of the next-hop router or exit interface.

• Static Routing is easy to implement, is secure as no information is shared with other routers and
puts no overhead on resources (e.g. memory, CPU)

• However, if a link fails, it cannot re-route the traffic.

 Static Routing

This command instructs Router

1 that when you receive a
packet for 192.168.3.0 network
give it to 192.168.2.2.
Practical Task – Router Configuration

Build and configure this network

by following the guide as
provided.

You need to be able to Ping PC2

from PC1
References

• Cisco Networking Academy (2021a). Cisco Networking Essentials. Router interface ports [online] Available at
https://contenthub.netacad.com/netess/17.3.3 [Accessed: 23 April 2021]

• Cisco Networking Academy (2021b). Cisco Networking Essentials. The need for routing [online] Available at
https://contenthub.netacad.com/netess/7.1.2 [Accessed: 23 April 2021]
Lecture Recap
Today we have covered:
 What Routers are
 The Different Functions of Routers
 Router Configuration
 Static Routes
 Direct and Static Router Configuration using
Packet Tracer
Next Session:
o Networking 3 – OSI Model
Please leave
anonymous
feedback on my
Padlet board

https://padlet.com/jrallison1/iunpyeogu48u
Any questions?