Commands
@Router #debug ip icmp
ICMP packet debugging is on
enable us to see the ICMP traffic that is sent when generate a ping or traceroute.
@PC >ping <IP_2> -n 3
@Router ICMP: echo reply sent, src <IP_2>, dst <IP_1>
this shows that ping packets are sent by PC & are arriving at Router.
@PC >tracert <target_IP>
trace path.
@PC >arp -a
shows the ARP table, which lists the IP-to-MAC address mappings stored on my computer. It
helps verify Layer 2–3 resolution. For example, after pinging a server, its IP and MAC will appear
in the ARP table.
>arp -d clear ARP table.
@Switch #show arp
#show mac address-table
initially, it’ll show the MAC of connected router.
#clear MAC address-table
@Switch # exec-timeout 0 0
disables the inactivity timeout on a switch or router. It means the console session will never log
out automatically, even if idle.
@Router #sh ip ro
displays the router’s routing table. It shows all networks the router can reach, how the routes
were learned (connected, static, or via protocols like OSPF), and which interface is used to reach
them. For example, a ‘C’ route means directly connected, and an ‘L’ route means the router’s
own address.
C – Connected (directly connected to an interface).
L – Local (the router’s own IP address).
S – Static (manually configured).
D – EIGRP, O – OSPF, R – RIP, etc.
Gateway of last resort is not set
Means there is no default route (0.0.0.0/0) configured.
If the router receives a packet for a destination not in the table, it will be
dropped.
Dynamic Routing Protocol
allows routers to automatically share and update routing information with each other.
Examples:
RIP (simple, distance-vector).
OSPF (link-state, scalable).
EIGRP (advanced distance-vector, Cisco proprietary).
@Router
#config t configures router terminal
#router rip configures routing protocol type
#network <N.A> advertise the network we want other routers to know about.
Lab 5
✅ Pass Task
What is done:
Configure NAT (Network Address Translation) on the router.
Observe how private IPs (inside LAN) are translated to public IPs.
Test connectivity using ping or show ip nat translations.
Why:
NAT allows private IPv4 addresses to access the internet.
It conserves public IPs and adds a layer of security.
✅ Credit Task
What is done:
Configure DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) on the router.
DHCP assigns IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS automatically to clients.
Verify PCs receive correct configuration using ipconfig.
Why:
Automates IP addressing, reduces errors, and simplifies network management.
Important in larger networks where manual configuration is impractical.
✅ Distinction Task
What is done:
Combine NAT and DHCP for a fully functional network.
Set DHCP pool for clients and ensure those private IPs are translated via NAT overload (PAT)
when accessing the internet.
Verify full end-to-end connectivity (LAN PC → Internet).
Why:
This integrates both services:
o DHCP provides IP addresses automatically.
o NAT translates those IPs for internet use.
This setup mirrors real-world home/office networks, where a router handles both DHCP and NAT
for all connected devices.
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
maps IP addresses to MAC addresses in a LAN. It lets devices know the physical address of the
destination so frames can be delivered. The results are stored in the ARP table.
Example:
Host A (192.168.1.10) wants to ping Host B (192.168.1.20).
Host A sends an ARP request: “Who has 192.168.1.20?”
Host B replies with its MAC address (e.g., 00-1A-2B-3C-4D-5E).
Now Host A can send the packet.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
automatically assigns IP settings like address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS to devices. It
works using the DORA process: Discover, Offer, Request, Acknowledge.
Process (DORA):
1. Discover – Client broadcasts a request.
2. Offer – DHCP server offers an IP.
3. Request – Client requests the offered IP.
4. Acknowledge – Server confirms the lease.
Example:
A laptop connects to Wi-Fi → gets IP 192.168.1.100, mask 255.255.255.0, gateway 192.168.1.1, DNS
8.8.8.8 from the DHCP server.
NAT (Network Address Translation)
lets private IPs be translated into public IPs so local devices can access the internet. The most
common type is PAT, where many private IPs share one public IP using port numbers.
Conserves IPv4 addresses.
Hides internal network structure from the outside (basic security).
Allows multiple devices in a LAN to share one public IP.
Types:
Static NAT: One private IP ↔ one public IP.
Dynamic NAT: Private IPs mapped to a pool of public IPs.
PAT (Port Address Translation): Many private IPs share one public IP, differentiated by port
numbers (most common, called NAT overload).
Example:
PC (192.168.1.10) sends traffic → NAT router translates it to public IP (203.0.113.5) → Internet sees only
the public IP.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
Connection-oriented – establishes a session (3-way handshake).
Reliable – ensures all packets arrive in order (retransmits if lost).
Use cases: Web browsing (HTTP/HTTPS), Email (SMTP), File transfer (FTP).
Example: When you load a webpage, TCP guarantees that all the HTML, images, and scripts arrive
correctly and in order.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
Connectionless – sends data without setup.
Unreliable – no delivery guarantee, faster and with less overhead.
Use cases: Video streaming, VoIP, DNS, gaming.
Example: In a video call, UDP is used because speed matters more than resending lost packets.
