CIOS F245
Network Configuration and Troubleshooting
(Networking and Communications: Network+)

Labs Page


Lab 1

Networking Information Lookup Lab -
There are a number of situations when working with networks that will require you to locate the proper resources on the internet. In this lab, you will locate the resources indicated:
  1. A Windows NT 4.0 NIC Driver for a 3Com Ethernet III LAN PC Card (3C589D) NIC. Record the URL where you found it and download the driver to removable media.
  2. Record the URL for a Cisco 7500 series Router -- Installation and Configurations Guide.
  3. Record the URL for the Windows 2000 Server on-line Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) service. Indicate if the aforementioned NIC and router are in the list.
Send me an email with the above URL's in an attached document (.rtf format).

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Lab 2

Cable and Connection Development Lab -
In this lab you will perform three network cable wiring tasks. After completing each task, show me your work so I can verify you are done and mark you off.
  1. Create a Cat 5 UTP Patch Cable
  2. Create a Cat 5 UTP Crossover Cable
  3. Use a Punch Down tool to attach Cat 5 UTP cable to a RJ45 Network Jack. Your partner should do the same thing to the other end of the same cable.
Instructions to Help You Complete Lab 2

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Lab 3

Structured Cabling (The Warp Core) -
In this lab we have constructed a simulated cable installation environment. You will have the opportunity to install network cabling in a wall and pull the wires through a wall to the computer closet. In this lab you will:
  1. Drop Cat 5 UTP cable to an opening in a wall.
  2. Connect the end of the wire to an RJ-45 socket.
  3. Install an RJ-45 socket in a wall mount receptacle.
  4. Pull or feed the other end of the wire to the junction closet.
  5. Connect the other end of the wire into the patch panel assembly.
  6. Test the line to make sure it is working.
Each team will run their own line. Once completed, find me and let me review your work. Once I have reviewed it, I will mark you off for completion of the lab.

Instructions to Help You Complete Lab 3

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Lab 4

NIC and Modem Installation Lab -
In this lab the "A" computers in the lower cabinet have been placed on top of the work benches. The NIC's and modems have been removed and uninstalled from each station. It is your job to install the NIC and modem and get them running. In this lab you will:
  1. Install the NIC and modem.
  2. Load the drivers (Download them from vendor website if necessary).
  3. Set up the Protocol (TCP/IP using DHCP).
  4. Verify you have network connectivity with the rest of the class.
  5. Verify you have the modem properly installed.
  6. Assist other groups if necessary.
Once you have established connectivity, have me look at your station and mark you off as complete for the lab.

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Lab 5

Protocol Chart Lab -
There are 2 ways to complete this assignment. The first options is rather dull but it will get you done with the assignment faster. The second method is more creative and fun but could take you longer to complete.
Option 1:
Create a Protocol Comparison Chart. Use the OSI Model as the basis of your comparison. Look at the example on my website by clicking HERE. This example shows a number of popular protocols and maps them to the OSI Model. The example does not show how Microsoft maps into the OSI Model. To complete this option, create a 7 row by 3 column table. The 7 rows should be labeled based on the 7 parts of the OSI Model: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link and Physical layers. The 3 columns should be as follows: in the first column use the TCP/IP (orange) group shown on my website example; in the second column add the Microsoft protocols to the table; in the third column add the protocols from the organization who developed the OSI Model. The table you start with should look something like this:
Option 2:
This lab is one of my least favorite labs, because it is not a hands on lab. The problem is that it is difficult to come up with a hands on lab that helps students understand the OSI Model. If you choose option 2 you will create a hands on lab that will help students understand, remember or think about the OSI Model. I am pretty open to what I will accept on this option, to get all the points you must:
  • Provide me with a lab writup (like the other lab writeups on this page)
  • Not use one of my other labs as is (You can if you change it to work with the OSI Model).
  • Submit a lab that has a hands on theme to it (Students do something with the computers in class to complete the lab).
  • Provide a solution which reflects your understanding of the OSI Model.
As a bonus for selecting Option 2, any submission that I think looks good enough to actually use will get 5 points of extra credit.
Email your assignment to me in an attached document (.rtf format)

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Lab 6

Connection Progression Lab -
Each of the "A" computers in the lower cabinets have a NIC installed. Perform the following sequence of steps with these computers:
  • Connect your computer to your neighbors computer using the crossover cable you created in Lab 2. Set both computers to run the NetBEUI protocol. Call me over when you are done so I can see your working connection and mark you complete. (Station pairs -- 1&2; 3&4; 5&6; 7&8; 9&R)
  • Using a Hub, connect computers in groups of 4 or 5 into a single network segment. Set the Protocol to IPX/SPX. Call me over when you are done so I can see your working connection and mark you complete. (Station quads -- 1,2,3,4,R and 5,6,7,8,9)
  • Connect both hubs to the switch in the back of the room. Set the protocol to TCP/IP using DHCP. When everyone can see each other on the network, I will mark everyone off as complete.

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Lab 7

MAC Ping Lab -
The computer on top of the benches in the lab are all connected to a segment through the switch at the back of the room. They are all using TCP/IP with DHCP. Each of them has a NIC. During the lecture and in the reading assignment, you were given a command that will allow you to determine both the MAC address and the IP address of a NIC. Perform the following steps:
  1. Create a document in MSWord (.rtf format) that shows a table. One row for each station, one column for Station Name, NIC type, MAC address and IP address.
  2. From your station, Ping all of the other computers on the segment. Note the response. When you are done, let me know.
  3. When all teams are ready, I will unplug a station from the switch. It will remain unplugged for 5 minutes. At the end of 5 minutes I will plug that computer back in and unplug another one. At the end of the class I will have created a variety of different network conditions which you should have recorded in your document. Add a section to the document you created in step 1 that indicates the sequence in which I disconnected the computers. Also, indicate how you knew when another computer was disconnected and how you knew when your computer was disconnected.
  4. Email me your document (in .rtf form)
This file may be useful to some of you for this lab.

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Lab 8

Domain Setup for Usernames, Groups and Folder Access -
In this lab, you will use the computers on the top shelf 113-XX to set up a network domain structure. It will be like a game of "Capture the Flag". You will:
  1. Use the Windoes 2000 Workstation -- which is already on your computer. Connect it to the Orange network segment.
  2. Link your computer to an NT 4 Domain Controller. It will be the PDC of the "permafrost" domain. This will require you to use a static IP address 137.105.210.XX (where XX is the last 2 characters of your computer's net BIOS name. The subnet mask will be 255.255.255.0
  3. Create User and Group accounts based on the following documentation Accounts. All accounts will be authenticated by the domain controller.
  4. Establish a storage location on your computer for each of the departments listed in the download document.
  5. Establish access rights to each of these areas on your computer. Hint: Only the members of that department should be able to access files in the departments folder.
  6. Once you are ready, make a copy of the sensitive files (The Flags) from the server and place them in your folders.
  7. Log on as a user and try to get into someone else's secure area.
Once you have established your security, have me look at you station and mark you off as complete for the lab.

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Lab 9

The Linux/UNIX Lab -
In this lab you install a Linux system and perform a series of tasks. This will require you to familiarize yourself with several basic Linux/UNIX commands. In this lab you will:
  1. Install Linux (Red Hat 7) on a computer. Install the Server Option
  2. Configure Linux to run the GUI desktop called Gnome
  3. Configure Linux to use Samba to share it's resources with Windows systems
  4. Create a shared directory with at least 3 sub-directories.
  5. Move 6-10 files into one of the new sub-directories from a Windows Computer
  6. Change the access rights on the new files to allow users to read but not change the files.
  7. Edit a file while in Linux.
Once you have established connectivity have me look at your station and mark you off as complete for the lab.
Instructions to Help You Install Linux

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Lab 10

TCP/IP Configuration Lab -
In this lab I will provide each station with an IP address. You will configure the computers on the top shelf to use this IP address. (no DHCP). In this lab you will:
  1. Configure your NIC to use a Static TCP/IP address, and a Subnet mask of 255.255.255
  2. Resolve any conflicts with other computers in the room.
  3. Verify that you have network connectivity. Note how many systems you can see.
  4. Reset your Subnet mask to 255.255 (do not change your IP address.) Note how many computers you can see.
  5. Reset your Subnet mask to 255 (do not change your IP address.) Note how many computers you can see.
Each time you have established connectivity, have me look at your station and mark you off as complete for the lab.

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Lab 11

Troubleshooting Round Robin -
In this lab 9 computers, which are supposed to be connected to a common network segment, are all experiencing a different problem. I will give each team a starting station. Solve the problem and show me a working connection. After I give you an OK and check off that you have completed that station, put it back the way you found it. When it is back in the non-operable state, I will send you to another station. The goal is to do as many stations as you can.

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Lab 12

Build Your Own Segment Lab -
In this lab the "A" computers in the cabinets have been placed on the lab bench. Currently none of them have a NIC card installed. The entire class will partipate in this lab for a class grade.
  1. Connect all the computers together in a single network segment using TCP/IP and the switch in the rack at the back of the classroom.
  2. Connect the server on the center table to the same segment as a NT Domain Controller.
  3. Connect the segment to the internet through the router by the switch.

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Lab 13

Network Design Lab (Worth 2 Labs) -
You have been given the task of designing a new network for NTC Cybernetics Inc. (A state of the art facility for creating autonomous androids - T10 Series). The facility has nearly 500 employees each with their own workstation. Almost all the employees will work on a new campus of 12 buildings near Miranda, California. (For security and natural environment preservation reasons the entire campus is recessed into the surrounding terrain. From a distance it looks like a redwood forest.) The company has five primary divisions Engineering, Technical Support, Finance, Manufacturing and Quality Assurance.

To see a description of the facility, click HERE

You are to present your plan to me for approval. The following items represent the minimum requirements you will need:
  • Proposed Network Layout - Make a block diagram of your network. Show all clients, servers, printers and cables. Use the drawing function in MS Word to do this task. Remember to save the file as a .rtf file.


    • To see an oversimplified example of this exercise, click HERE

  • Simple Floorplan - In part 1 you created a block diagram of you network. This time create a simple floor plan that goes with your block diagram. You do not need to go into detail on the elements of the building, a line works as a wall, etc. Your floorplan should show the placement of all the elements of your network. Cable routing should be shown, including pertinent information (Cable lengths, Plenum area, cable routing racks, etc). If you have a locked server room (I know you do, right ?) That should be shown on the map as well.


    • To see an oversimplified example of this exercise, click HERE

  • Shopping List - Based on your design create a list of all the materials (media, NIC’s, Connectors, and connectivity elements) you will need for the project. Indicate parts by amount and model number. Show the price for all items and provide a total investment cost including what you are going to charge for installation.

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