11.5.1.1 Class Activity – Design and Build a Small Business Network (Capstone Project) (Instructor Version – Optional Class Activity)
Instructor Note: Red font color or Gray highlights indicate text that appears in the instructor copy only. Optional activities are designed to enhance understanding and/or to provide additional practice.
Objectives
Explain how a small network of directly connected segments is created, configured and verified.
Background /Scenario
Note: This activity is best completed in groups of 2-3 students.
Design and build a network from scratch.
- Your design must include a minimum of one router, one switch, and one PC.
- Fully configure the network and use IPv4 or IPv6 (subnetting must be included as a part of your addressing scheme).
- Verify the network using at least five show commands.
- Secure the network using SSH, secure passwords and console passwords (minimum).
Create a rubric to use for informal peer grading. Present your Capstone Project to the class and be able to answer questions from your peers and Instructor!
Instructor Note: This optional Modeling Activity is suggested to be a graded assignment after completing Chapters 1-11. Students should be able to show how small networks are designed, configured, verified and secured. Documentation is a large factor of this project and students must be able to explain their network design and verification through the use of show commands.
Required Resources
- Packet Tracer
- Student/group-created rubric for assessment of the assignment
Reflection
1. What was the most difficult portion of this activity? _______________
Answers will vary.
2. Why do you think network documentation is so important to this activity and in the real world? _______________
Documentation is imperative to good network management and without it, network administrators have to recreate topologies, physically check addressing, etc. This takes time, which could be used elsewhere.
A suggested rubric and documentation examples are provided below:
Note: This rubric includes a total of 100 points for the points earned category (if minimum standards are met). Instructors may wish to consider adding bonus points for additional/advanced work in any requirement category.
| Requirement | Points Earned |
|---|---|
| Physical Topology – minimum 1 router, 1 switch, 1 PC | (20 suggested) |
| Logical Addressing – subnetting used? | (20 suggested) |
| Connectivity test – ping the router | (20 suggested) |
| Show commands (at least 5 documented as baseline) | (20 suggested) |
| Security – SSH, secure passwords, console security – documented by show running-configuration | (20 suggested) |
Create a small network of directly connected segments, at a minimum 1 router, 1 switch and 1 PC, and include a screenshot of the network in your final documentation.
Configure the network to include switches, routers, and end devices and use your own network addressing. You must use subnetting of some type and you can use either IPv4 or IPv6 logical addressing. Create a table showing your physical addressing scheme for the router, switch, and PC and include it in your final documentation.
| Device Name | IP Address | Subnet Mask |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter_11 | Gig0/0 – 192.168.1.30 | 255.255.255.224 |
| S1 | VLAN1 – 192.168.1.20 | 255.255.255.224 |
| PC_Capstone | Fa0 – 192.168.1.10 | 255.255.255.224 |
Verify the network by using show commands (at least 5) to provide a performance baseline. Be able to discuss why you chose the show commands you selected and what the output means (use all Packet Tracer activities for Chapters 1-11). Keep screenshots of your output and include in your final documentation.
Secure the network using common configuration to include SSH, secure passwords, console security, etc. and show the commands configured by enacting a show running-configuration screen as output. Include in your final documentation.
Identify elements of the model that map to real-world applications:
All facets of this activity map to IT-related content and real-world applications because this is a culminating activity for all 11 Chapters.
