Connecting A Computer Network With Packet Tracer
Using Packet Tracer has allowed computer networking professionals to design networks, teach ideas and concepts, and save time on brainstorming. Although it’s a wonderful tool, making a simple network is a challenge if you aren’t familiar with the program.
Two computers that are connected through a router are actually on separate networks if properly configured. Having a computer communicate another on a different network is a complex process, but Packet Tracer makes it easy to setup the design and configuration.In about 10-15 minutes, the most basic of all networks can be constructed and working.
Make certain that you are using a crossover cable when connecting the desktop to the Ethernet port of the router. Computers and routers are both “like” devices, so you wouldn’t want to use a straight-through cable to connect them. Also make sure that you have a console cable if you plan on configuring the router on a real network, as you will not be able to access the running configuration otherwise.
Each of the computers on the network will need an IP address for routing information from one network to another. You will also have to assign an IP address to each Ethernet port of the router. The Ethernet port connected to a single desktop machine will share the same network address, but will have a different host address. There will be two separate networks; one on each of the Ethernet ports. The IP address you assign may not be a reserved number or duplicated among ports.
The gateway address is also very important: it allows a computer to connect to a network. The gateway address is configured on the desktop, and it’s value is the same IP address as the Ethernet interface that it is connected to. Without the gateway, information wouldn’t have a way of getting from one network to another. It’s one of the most common rookie mistakes to accidentally leave the gateway address blank.
Last, we get to test the network we just created. By sending a packet of data through a ping, we can verify that one computer can contact another computer on a completely different network. From one computer, type in the ping command and the IP address of the separated computer. If the result times out, it means you have either configured the router improperly or have faulty cables. You will find that most often it’s a problem regarding cables and network topology.
In Conclusion
A basic network is easy to setup in theory, but harder to actually create. Confusing Cisco IOS commands and problems such as a faulty cable is enough to give anyone a hard time. Internet tutorials and troubleshooting tactics are a good solution if you have hit a stumbling block.
Learn more about packet tracer tutorial and packet tracer router.
Kategorie: Communications, Computers, Technology, Aktualisiert am January 8, 2010 von Super Articles | Log in