Packet Tracer – Layer 2 Security
Topology
Objectives
• Assign the Central switch as the root bridge.
• Secure spanning-tree parameters to prevent STP manipulation attacks.
• Enable port security to prevent CAM table overflow attacks.
Background / Scenario
There have been a number of attacks on the network recently. For this reason,
the network administrator has assigned you the task of configuring Layer 2
security.
For optimum performance and security, the administrator would like to ensure
that the root bridge is the 3560 Central switch. To prevent spanning-tree
manipulation attacks, the administrator wants to ensure that the STP parameters
are secure. To prevent against CAM table overflow attacks, the network
administrator has decided to configure port security to limit the number of MAC
addresses each switch port can learn. If the number of MAC addresses exceeds
the set limit, the administrator would like the port to be shutdown.
All switch devices have been preconfigured with the following:
• Enable password: ciscoenpa55
• Console password: ciscoconpa55
• SSH username and password: SSHadmin / ciscosshpa55
Part 1: Configure Root Bridge
Step 1: Determine the current root bridge.
From Central, issue the show spanning-tree command to determine the
current root bridge, to see the ports in use, and to see their status.
Which switch is the current root bridge?
Current root is SW-1.
Based on the current root bridge, what is the resulting spanning tree? (Draw the
spanning-tree topology.)
Step 2: Assign Central as the primary root bridge.
Using the spanning-tree vlan 1 root primary command, and
assign Central as the root bridge.
Central(config)# spanning-tree vlan 1 root primary
Step 3: Assign SW-1 as a secondary root bridge.
Assign SW-1 as the secondary root bridge using the spanning-tree vlan 1
root secondary command.
SW-1(config)# spanning-tree vlan 1 root secondary
Step 4: Verify the spanning-tree configuration.
Issue the show spanning-tree command to verify that Central is the root
bridge.
Central# show spanning-tree
VLAN0001
Spanning tree enabled protocol ieee
Root ID Priority 24577
Address 00D0.D31C.634C
This bridge is the root
Hello Time 2 sec Max Age 20 sec Forward Delay 15 sec
Which switch is the current root bridge?
Current root is Central
Based on the new root-bridge, what is the resulting spanning tree? (Draw the
spanning-tree topology.)
Part 2: Protect Against STP Attacks
Secure the STP parameters to prevent STP manipulation attacks.
Step 1: Enable PortFast on all access ports.
PortFast is configured on access ports that connect to a single workstation or
server to enable them to become active more quickly. On the connected access
ports of the SW-A and SW-B, use the spanning-tree portfast command.
SW-A(config)# interface range f0/1 - 4
SW-A(config-if-range)# spanning-tree portfast
SW-B(config)# interface range f0/1 - 4
SW-B(config-if-range)# spanning-tree portfast
Step 2: Enable BPDU guard on all access ports.
BPDU guard is a feature that can help prevent rogue switches and spoofing on
access ports. Enable BPDU guard on SW-A and SW-B access ports.
SW-A(config)# interface range f0/1 - 4
SW-A(config-if-range)# spanning-tree bpduguard enable
SW-B(config)# interface range f0/1 - 4
SW-B(config-if-range)# spanning-tree bpduguard enable
Note: Spanning-tree BPDU guard can be enabled on each individual port using
the spanning-tree bpduguard enable command in interface
configuration mode or the spanning-tree portfast bpduguard
default command in global configuration mode. For grading purposes in this
activity, please use the spanning-tree bpduguard enable command.
Step 3: Enable root guard.
Root guard can be enabled on all ports on a switch that are not root ports. It is
best deployed on ports that connect to other non-root switches. Use the show
spanning-tree command to determine the location of the root port on each
switch.
On SW-1, enable root guard on ports F0/23 and F0/24. On SW-2, enable root
guard on ports F0/23 and F0/24.
SW-1(config)# interface range f0/23 - 24
SW-1(config-if-range)# spanning-tree guard root
SW-2(config)# interface range f0/23 - 24
SW-2(config-if-range)# spanning-tree guard root
Part 3: Configure Port Security and Disable Unused Ports
Step 1: Configure basic port security on all ports connected to host
devices.
This procedure should be performed on all access ports on SW-A and SW-B.
Set the maximum number of learned MAC addresses to 2, allow the MAC
address to be learned dynamically, and set the violation to shutdown.
Note: A switch port must be configured as an access port to enable port
security.
SW-A(config)# interface range f0/1 - 22
SW-A(config-if-range)# switchport mode access
SW-A(config-if-range)# switchport port-security
SW-A(config-if-range)# switchport port-security maximum 2
SW-A(config-if-range)# switchport port-security violation shutdown
SW-A(config-if-range)# switchport port-security mac-address sticky
SW-B(config)# interface range f0/1 - 22
SW-B(config-if-range)# switchport mode access
SW-B(config-if-range)# switchport port-security
SW-B(config-if-range)# switchport port-security maximum 2
SW-B(config-if-range)# switchport port-security violation shutdown
SW-B(config-if-range)# switchport port-security mac-address sticky
Why is port security not enabled on ports that are connected to other switch
devices?
Ports connected to other switch devices have a multitude of
MAC addresses learned for that single port.
Limiting the number of MAC addresses that can be learned on
these ports can significantly impact network functionality.
Step 2: Verify port security.
a. On SW-A, issue the command show port-security interface f0/1 to
verify that port security has been configured.
SW-A# show port-security interface f0/1
Port Security : Enabled
Port Status : Secure-up
Violation Mode : Shutdown
Aging Time : 0 mins
Aging Type : Absolute
SecureStatic Address Aging : Disabled
Maximum MAC Addresses : 2
Total MAC Addresses : 0
Configured MAC Addresses : 0
Sticky MAC Addresses : 0
Last Source Address:Vlan : 0000.0000.0000:0
Security Violation Count : 0
b. Ping from C1 to C2 and issue the command show port-security
interface f0/1 again to verify that the switch has learned the MAC address
for C1.
Step 3: Disable unused ports.
Disable all ports that are currently unused.
SW-A(config)# interface range f0/5 - 22
SW-A(config-if-range)# shutdown
SW-B(config)# interface range f0/5 - 22
SW-B(config-if-range)# shutdown
Step 4: Check results.
Your completion percentage should be 100%. Click Check Results to view
feedback and verification of which of the required components have been
completed.