COMPUTER NETWORK LAB INDEX

SN PAGE
NO.
AIM
NO.
DATE Remarks

Recognize the physical topology and cabling (Coaxial,

1
OFC, UTP, STP) of a network
1-3 13/02/2026

Recognition and use of various types of connectors RJ-

2
45, RJ-11, BNC and SC/ST
4-5 20/02/2026

3 Making of cross cable and straight cable 6-8 27/02/2026

Install and configure a network interface card in a

4
workstation
9-9 06/03/2026

Identify the IP address of a workstation and configure

5 10-11 13/03/2026
IP address

Introduction and installation of Cisco Packet Tracer

6 12-18 20/03/2026
and Wireshark

Study of connection links and introduction of Hub,

7 19-22 27/03/2026
Switch and Router

Set up a basic network consisting of a Hub and study

8 23-25 10/04/2026
configurations with GUI

Set up a basic network consisting of a Switch and study

9 26-28 17/04/2026
configurations with CLI

Set up a basic network consisting of two subnetworks

10 29-31 24/04/2026
connected by a Router
 Experiment - 1

Aim of the experiment : Recognize the physical topology and cabling (coaxial, OFC, UTP,
STP) of a network.
Apparatus Required: Twisted pair cable (STP&UTP), Coaxial and OFC
Theory:
Physical Topology: Every LAN has a topology, or the way that the devices on a network are
arranged and how they communicate with each other. It is the physical layout of devices
on a network. The way that the workstations are connected to the network through the actual
cables that transmit data the physical structure of the network is called the physical topology.
We can form four basic types of network topology.
A. Bus:
A single cable to which all network nodes are directly connected.

B. Star:
A topology with a single access point or a switch at the center of the topology; all the
other nodes are connected directly to this point.

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C. Ring:
Each device is connected with the two devices on either side of it. There are two
dedicated point to point links a device has with the devices on the either side of it.

D. Mesh:
Each device is connected to every other device on the network through a dedicated point-
to-point link.

Study of cables:
The following cables are used in the network.
i. UTP
ii. STP
iii. Coaxial
iv. OFC
UTP:
Twisted pair cabling comes in two varieties: shielded and unshielded. Unshielded twisted
pair (UTP) is the most popular.

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The cable has four pairs of wires inside the jacket. Each pair is twisted with a different number
of twists per inch to help eliminate interference from adjacent pairs and other electrical
devices. The tighter the twisting, the higher the supported transmission rate and the greater
the cost per foot. It has six categories.
STP:
STP stands for Shielded twisted pair. STP is similar to unshielded twisted pair (UTP); however,
it contains an extra foil wrapping or copper braid jacket to help shield the cable signals from
interference. In STP grounding cable is required.

Coaxial:
Coaxial cabling has a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides insulation
between the center conductor and a braided metal shield. The metal shield helps to block
any outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and other computers.

OFC:
Fibre optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of protective
materials. It transmits light rather than electronic signals eliminating the problem of electrical
interference. This makes it ideal for certain environments that contain a large amount of
electrical interference. It has also made it the standard for connecting networks between
buildings, due to its immunity to the effects of moisture and lighting.

Fibre optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over much longer distances than coaxial
and twisted pair.
Result:
In the above experiments, different physical topology and different network cables are
recognized successfully and understood the function of each topology as well as network
cables.

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 Experiment - 2

Aim of the experiment: Recognition and use of various types of connectors RJ-45, RJ-11,
BNC and SCST.
Apparatus Required: RJ-45, RJ-11, BNC and SCST connectors
Theory:
RJ-45:
The standard connector for UPT and STP cabling is an RJ-45 connector. This is a plastic
connector that looks like a large telephone-style connector (RJ-11). A slot allows the RJ-45 to
be inserted only one way. RJ stands for Registered Jack, implying that the connector follows
a standard borrowed from the telephone industry. This standard designates which wire goes
with each pin inside the connector.

BNC Connector:
The most common type of connector used with coaxial cables is the Bayone-Neill-
Concelman (BNC) connector. Different types of adapters are available for BNC connectors,
including a T-connector, barrel connector, and terminator. Connectors on the cable are the
weakest points in any network. To help avoid problems with your network, always use the
BNC connectors that crimp, rather screw, onto the cable.

SC and ST Connector:
SC stands for subscriber connector and is a standard-duplex fiber-optic connector with a
square moulded plastic body and push-pull locking features. SC connectors are typically
used in data communication, CATV, and telephony environments.
ST stands for straight tip, a high-performance fiber-optic connector with round ceramic
ferrules and bayonet locking features. ST connectors are more common than SC connectors.
Generally the SC and ST connectors used with either single-mode or multimode fiber-optic
cabling.

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Result:
In the above experiments, different connectors are used in different network cables are
recognized successfully.

5
 Experiment - 3

Aim of the experiment: Making of cross cable and straight cable.

Apparatus/Tools/Equipments/Components Required:
1. RJ-45 connector,
2. Crimping Tool,
3. Twisted pair Cable,
4. Cable Tester.
Procedure:
1. Start by stripping off about 2 inches of the plastic jacket off the end of the cable. Be very
careful at this point, as to not nick or cut into the wires, which are inside. Doing so could alter
the characteristics of your cable, or even worse render is useless. Check the wires, one more
time for nicks or cuts. If there are any, just whack the whole end off, and start over.

2. Spread the wires apart, but be sure to hold onto the base of the jacket with your other
hand. You do not want the wires to become untwisted down inside the jacket. Category 5
cable must only have 1/2 of an inch of 'untwisted' wire at the end; otherwise it will be 'out
of spec'. At this point, you obviously have ALOT more than 1/2 of an inch of un-twisted wire.

3. You have 2 end jacks, which must be installed on your cable. If you are using a pre-made
cable, with one of the ends whacked off, you only have one end to install - the crossed over
end. Below are two diagrams, which show how you need to arrange the cables for each type
of cable end. Decide at this point which end you are making and examine the associated
picture below.

Diagram shows you how to prepare Cross wired connection

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 Diagram shows you how to prepare straight through wired connection

Cable Crimping Steps:

1. Remove the outmost vinyl shield for 12mm at one end of the cable (we call this side
Aside).
2. Arrange the metal wires in parallel
3. Insert the metal wires into RJ45 connector on keeping the metal wire arrangement.

4. Set the RJ45 connector (with the cable) on the pliers, and squeeze it tightly.
5. Make the other side of the cable (we call this side B-side) in the same way.
Testing the crimped cable using a cable tester:
Step 1: Skin off the cable jacket 3.0 cm long cable stripper up to cable
Step 2: Untwist each pair and straighten each wire 190 0 1.5 cm long.
Step 3: Cut all the wires.

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Step 4: Insert the wires into the RJ45 connector right white orange left brown the pins
facing up
Step 5: Place the connector into a crimping tool, and squeeze hard so that the
handle reaches its full swing.
Step 6: Use a cable tester to test for proper continuity.

Result:
Cable Crimping, straight Cabling and Cross Cabling, and testing the crimped cable
using a cable tester are done successfully.

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 Experiment - 4

Aim of the experiment: Install and configure a network interface card in a workstation.
Apparatus/ Equipment Required:
1. NIC card
2. Desktop/PC
3. Computer Screw driver set
4. Driver Software
Theory:
NICs (Network Interface Card): Network Interface Card, or NIC is a hardware card installed in
a computer so it can communicate on a network. The network adapter provides one or
more ports for the network cable to connect to, and it transmits and receives data onto the
network cable.
Every networked computer must also have a network adapter driver, which controls the
network adapter.

Each network adapter driver is configured to run with a certain type of network adapter.
Procedure:
1. Install the network card:
2. Disconnect all cables connected to the computer and open the case. Locate an available
PCI slot (white slots) and insert the network card and secure the card with the screw that
came with it. Once the adapter has been installed and secured close the computer case,
connect all the cables and turn it on.
3. After installing the adapter driver it should be working find, now let’s configure the card
for use on a network.
4. Click on the Start button and select Settings then Control Panel. Double click on the
System icon
5. Click on the Hardware tab.
6. Click on Device Manager.
You will see a list of devices installed in your computer.
7. If necessary, click on the + sign next to Network Adapters to expand the list.
8. Ensure that there is no yellow exclamation mark (!) next to the Network Adapter. This
indicates a possible problem with the card or configuration.
9. Double click on your network driver (e.g. NE2000 Compatible). In the Device Status box
you should see the message:
10. This Device is working correctly.
If you do not see this message or if there is no Network Adapter displayed, then your
Ethernet card will probably need configuring.

Result:
Installation and configuration of NIC card and transfer files between systems in a LAN have
been done successfully.

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 Experiment – 5

Aim of the experiment: Identify the IP address of a workstation and the class of the address
and configure the IP Address on a workstation.
Apparatus/ Equipment Required:

PC connected to internet.
Theory:
Identification of IP Address:
An IPv4 address is a 32-bit address that uniquely and universally identifies the connection of
a host or a router to the Internet.

The dotted decimal notation an IPv4 address shown below.

Ex: [Link]

Classification of IP address:

Class A
[Link] to [Link] Supports 16 million hosts on each of 127 networks.
Class B
[Link] to [Link] Supports 65,000 hosts on each of 16,000 networks.
Class
C [Link] to [Link] Supports 254 hosts on each of 2 million networks.
Class D
[Link] to [Link] Reserved for multicast groups.
Class E
[Link] to [Link] Reserved.
Procedure:

Steps to configure IP address:

Step 1:
1. Click on the Start button and select Control Panel.
2. To check the IP address of the computer, please click on “Network and Internet
Network and Sharing Center  Change Adapter Settings (on the left)”.
3. Then right click on “Ethernet” (right click on Wi-Fi if you want to check the wireless IP
address), and go to Status Details.
There you will see all the TCP/IP details of this computer.

10
Right click on “Ethernet”, go to “Properties”, and then choose “Internet Protocol Version 4”,
click on Properties;

Step 3:
To set manual IP address, please select “Use the following IP address”, and input the IP or
DNS address manually.

9. Click OK, then Close to close all boxes.

Result:

Configuration of IP Address in a system in LAN (TCP/IP Configuration) have been done

successfully

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 Experiment - 6

Objective: Introduction and installation of cisco packet tracer and wireshark

Resources Reqruired: PC/Laptop , cisco packet tracer setup, wireshark software
Theory:
Packet Tracer is a protocol simulator developed by Dennis Frezzo and his team at Cisco Systems. Packet
Tracer (PT) is a powerful and dynamic tool that displays the various protocols used in networking, in
either Real Time or Simulation mode. This includes layer 2 protocols such as Ethernet and PPP, layer 3
protocols such as IP, ICMP, and ARP, and layer 4 protocols such as TCP and UDP. Routing protocols
can also be traced.
Cisco Packet Tracer is Cisco's simulation software. It can be used to create complicated network
typologies, as well as to test and simulate abstract networking concepts. It acts as a playground for you
to explore networking and the experience is very close to what you see in computer networks. Packet
Tracer allows users to drag and drop routers, switches, and other network devices to create simulated
network topologies.
Key Features:
 Unlimited devices
 E-learning
 Customize single/multi user activities
 Interactive Environment
 Visualizing Networks
 Real-time mode and Simulation mode
 Self-paced
 Supports majority of networking protocols
 International language support
 Cross platform compatibility

Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer, or an application that captures packets from a network
connection, such as from your computer to your home office or the internet. Packet is the name given to
a discrete unit of data in a typical Ethernet network. Wireshark does three things:
1. Packet Capture: Wireshark listens to a network connection in real time and then grabs entire streams
of traffic – quite possibly tens of thousands of packets at a time.
2. Filtering: Wireshark is capable of slicing and dicing all of this random live data using filters. By
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applying a filter, you can obtain just the information you need to see. [Link]: Wireshark, like
any good packet sniffer, allows you to dive right into the very middle of a network packet. It also allows
you to visualize entire conversations and network streams.
Procedure:-

STEP 1 –
After Cisco Packet Tracer download, click on the downloaded exe file. Once below Window will
appear, click the “Next” option
STEP 2 –
On the next screen, select “I accept the agreement” and click on “Next”.
STEP 3-Setup will show the folder in which the program’s shortcuts will be created. If you want to
change the folder, you can change it. Click on “Next”.

STEP 4- Then the program will ask whether to create a Desktop icon and create a Quick Launch icon.
Make your choice and click on “Next”.

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STEP 5-The summary of the settings we selected is displayed. Click on “Install”.
STEP 6-The cisco packet tracer installation starts as shown below.

STEP 7- Cisco packet tracer Installation gets completed and the below screen is shown. Click on “Finish”.Click
“OK” on next popup asking you to close or restart your computer.
STEP 8- Packet Tracer is installed and ready to be used.

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STEPS FOR DOWNLOADING WIRESHARK SOFTWARE:

Step 1: visit the official Wireshark website in any web browser

Step 2: Click on download, a new webpage will open with different installers of wireshark.

Step 3: Downloading of the executable file will start shortly. It is a small 73.69 Mb file that will take
some time
Step 4: Now check for the executable file in downloads in your system and run it.
Step 5: It will prompt confirmation to make changes to your system. Clicl on yes.
Step 6: Setup screen will appear, click on Next.

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Step 7: the next screen will be of License Agreement, click on Noted.
Step 8: This is for choosing components, all components are already marked so don’t change anything
just click on the Next button.

Step 9: This screen is of choosing shortcuts like start menu or desktop icon along with file extensions
which can be intercepted by wireshark, tick all boxes and click on Next button.
Step 10:The next screen will be of installing location so choose the drive which will have sufficient
memory space for installation. It needed only a memory space of 223.4 MB.
Step 11: Next screen has an option to install Npcap which is used with Wireshark to capture packets
pcapmeans packet capture so the install option is already checked don’t change anything and click the
next button.

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Step 12: Next screen is about USB network capturing so it is one’s choice to use it or not, click on
Install.
Step 13: After this installation process will start.
Step 14: This installation will prompt for Npcap installation as already checked so the license
agreement of Npcap will appear to click on the I Agree button.

Step 15: Next screen is about different installing options of npcap, don’t do anything click on Install.

Step 16: After this installation process will start which will take only a minute.
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Step 17: After this installation process will complete click on the Next button.
Step 18: Click on Finish after the installation process is complete.

Step 19: After this installation process of Wireshark will complete click on the Next button.
Step 20: Click on Finish after the installation process of Wireshark is complete

Conclusion:
We have learnt installation of cisco packet tracer and wire shark.

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 Experiment - 7

Objective: a) Study of types of connection links

b) Introduction of Hub, switch,routers.

Resources Required:
Laptop, Cisco packet tracer

Theory:
a) Study of types of connection links
Types of Connections:
A network is two or more devices connected through links. A link is a communications pathway that
transfers data from one device to another.
Point-to-Point connection:
A point-to-point connection provides a dedicated link between two devices. The entire capacity of the
link is reserved for transmission between those two devices. Most point-to-point connections use an
actual length of wire or cable to connect the two ends, but other options, such as microwave or satellite
links, are also possible. When you change television channels by infrared remote control, you are
establishing a point-to-point connection between the remote control and the television's control system.
Multipoint connection:
A multipoint (also called multidrop) connection is one in which more than two specific devices share a
single link. In a multipoint environment, the capacity of the channel is shared, either spatially or
temporally. If several devices can use the link simultaneously, it is a spatially shared connection. If users
must take turns, it is a timeshared connection.

b) Introduction of Hub, switch,routers.

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1. Hub:
Hub is a very simple network connecting device. In Star/hierarchical topology, a Repeater is called Hub.
It is also known as a Multiport Repeater Device .A Hub is a layer-1 device and operates only in
the physical network of the OSI Model. Since it works in the physical layer, it mainly deals with the
data in the form of bits or electrical signals. A Hub is mainly used to create a network and connect devices
on the same network only.A Hub is not an intelligent device, it forwards the incoming messages to
other devices without checking for any errors or processing it. It does not maintain any address table for
connected devices. It only knows that a device is connected to one of its ports. A Hub uses a half-duplex
mode of communication.

Following are the advantages of using a Hub:

1. It is simple to implement.
2. The implementation cost is low.
3. It does not require any special system administration configuration. We can just plug and play
it.
Following are the disadvantages of using a Hub:
1. It can connect devices of the same network only.
2. It uses a half-duplex mode of communication.
3. It is less secure, as it broadcasts the data packets.
4. It can be used in a limited network size only.
5. Broadcasting induces unnecessary traffic on the channel.
2. Switch:
A switch is a layer-2 network connecting device, i.e., it works on the physical and data-link
layer of the OSI model. It interprets data in the form of data frames. A switch acts as a multiport bridge
in the network. It provides the bridging functionality with greater efficiency.A switch

20
maintains a Switch table which has the MAC addresses of all the devices connected to it. It uses the full-
duplex mode of communication and saves bandwidth.

Following are the advantages of using a Switch:

1. The implementation cost is medium.
2. It does not require any special system administration configuration. We can just plug and play
it.
3. Improves security by limiting the scope of data frames.
4. It has the filtering capability.
5. It can be used in a large network.
6. It uses full-duplex mode of communication
7. It has multiple collision domains, so there are least or no collisions in the channel.
Following are the disadvantages of using a Switch:
1. It can connect devices of the same network only.
2. There is a delay in forwarding the frames due to error checking.
3. There is a need to maintain a Switch table.
3. Router
A Router is a layer-3 network connecting device, i.e., it works on the physical, data-link and
network layer of the OSI model. It interprets data in the form of data packets. It is mainly an
internetworking device, which can connect devices of different networks (implementing the same
architecture and protocols). In other words, it can connect two physically and logically different network
devices with each other. A Router is used to connect the networks or it routes traffic between the
networks. In other words, a Router is the Gateway of a network.

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Following are the advantages of using a Router:
1. It can connect devices and provides routing facilities over different networks implementing
the same protocol and structure.
2. Improves security by limiting the scope of data packets.
3. It has the filtering capability.
4. It can be used in a large network.
5. It uses full-duplex mode of communication
6. It has control over both the collision and broadcast domain.
Following are the disadvantages of using a Router:
1. It is very complex to implement.
2. The implementation cost is quite high.
3. There is a need to maintain a Routing table.
4. There is a delay in forwarding the packets due to error checking.
5. It requires a special system administration configuration

Conclusion: We have studied types of connection links and about Hub, switch, routers

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 Experiment - 8

Objective: To set up a basic network consisting a Hub and study of different confi guration with GUI.
Resources Required:
Cisco packet tracer

Theory:
HUB: A hub is a small, rectangular, inexpensive device that joins multiple netw ork-enabled devices.

They're often made of plastic and receive power from an ordinary wall outlet. The purpose of a hub
is to form a single network segment on which all devices can communicate directly with each other.
PROCEDURE:
TOPOLOGY:

Addressing table:
Device IP address Subnet ma k
PC0 [Link] [Link]
PC1 [Link] [Link]
PC2 [Link] [Link]
PC3 [Link] [Link]
PC4 [Link] [Link]

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PC5 [Link] [Link]

24
1. Setup the above shown topology using hub and end device pc
2. Connect the hub and the pc’s using copper straight connection links.
3. Power on the devices.
4. Set the IP addresses of the PC’s using above addressing table.
5. Start simulating the topology. The result is shown below.
Simulation:

Conclusion:

We have studied the basic network consisting a Hub.

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 Experiment - 9

Objective: To set up a basic network consisting a switch and study of different configuration with
command line interface

Resources Required:
laptop, Cisco packet tracer

Theory:
A switch operates in the layer 2, i.e. data link layer of the OSI model. It is an intelligent network device
that can be conceived as a multiport network bridge. It uses MAC addresses (addresses of medium access
control sublayer) to send data packets to selected destination ports. It uses packet switching technique to
receive and forward data packets from the source to the destination device. It is supports unicast (one-
to-one), multicast (one-to-many) and broadcast (one-to-all) communications. Transmission mode is full
duplex, i.e. communication in the channel occurs in both the directions at the same time. Due to this,
collisions do not occur.
Following are the advantages of using a Switch:
1. The implementation cost is medium.
2. It does not require any special system administration configuration. We can just plug and play it.
3. Improves security by limiting the scope of data frames.
4. It has the filtering capability.
5. It can be used in a large network.
6. It uses full-duplex mode of communication
7. It has multiple collision domains, so there are least or no collisions in the channel.
Following are the disadvantages of using a Switch:
1. It can connect devices of the same network only.
2. There is a delay in forwarding the frames due to error checking.
3. There is a need to maintain a Switch table.

PROCEDURE:
Topology:

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Addressing table:

Device IP address Subnet mask

PC0 [Link] [Link]
PC1 [Link] [Link]
PC2 [Link] [Link]
PC3 [Link] [Link]
PC4 [Link] [Link]

1. Setup the above shown topology using switch and 5 end device pc’s
2. Connect the switch and the pc’s
p using copper straight connection links.
3. Power on the devices.
4. Set the IP addresses of the PC’s using above addressing table.
5. Start simulating the topology. The result is shown below.

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Simulation:

Conclusion:
We have studied the basic network consisting a switch

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 Experiment - 10

Objective: Set up a basic network consisting two subnetwork connected by a router and study of router
configuration

Resources Required:
laptop, cisco packet tracer

Theory:
Router:
A router is a layer 3 or network layer device. It connects different networks together and sends data
packets from one network to another. A router can be used both in LANs (Local Area Networks) and
WANs (Wide Area Networks). It transfers data in the form of IP packets. In order to transmit data, it
uses IP address mentioned in the destination field of the IP packet. Routers have a routing table in it that
is refreshed periodically according to the changes in the network. In order to transmit data packets, it
consults the table and uses a routing protocol. In order to prepare or refresh the routing table, routers
share information among each other. Routers provide protection against broadcast storms.

Following are the advantages of using a Router:

1. It can connect devices and provides routing facilities over different networks implementing the
same protocol and structure.
2. Improves security by limiting the scope of data packets.
3. It has the filtering capability.
4. It can be used in a large network.
5. It uses full-duplex mode of communication
6. It has control over both the collision and broadcast domain.
Following are the disadvantages of using a Router:
1. It is very complex to implement.
2. The implementation cost is quite high.
3. There is a need to maintain a Routing table.
4. There is a delay in forwarding the packets due to error checking.
5. It requires a special system administration configuration

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Procedure:
Topology:

Addressing table:
Device IP address Subnet mask
PC0 [Link] [Link]
PC1 [Link] [Link]
PC2 [Link] [Link]
PC3 [Link] [Link]
PC4 [Link] [Link]
PC5 [Link] [Link]

1. Setup the above shown topology using router, switch and 6 end device pc’s
2. Connect the router with two switches and the pc’s using copper straight connection links.
3. Power on the devices.
4. Set the IP addresses of the PC’s using above addressing table.
5. Start simulating the topology. The result is shown below.

Simulation:

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Conclusion:
We have studied the basic network consisting two sub-network connected by a router.

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