Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [Link]@[Link] | Website Address:
[Link] College of Engineering - Department of Electrical Engineering
FINAL ACTIVITY
Lab Activity: Troubleshooting Inter-VLAN Communication Breakdown
Objective:
Students will troubleshoot and resolve an inter-VLAN communication breakdown in the Batangas Tech
Hub network diagram.
Scenario:
The Batangas Tech Hub network, as shown in the diagram, has experienced an inter-VLAN communication
breakdown. Devices in VLAN 10 (Sales), VLAN 20 (R&D), and VLAN 30 (Admin) cannot communicate with
each other, despite being connected through a Layer 3 switch. Your task is to identify the issue and restore
communication.
Equipment Needed:
• 1 Layer 3 Switch
• 3 Access Switches
• 6 PCs (PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, PC5, PC6)
• 1 Printer
• 1 Server
• 1 Laptop
• Network cables
• Configuration software (e.g., Cisco Packet Tracer or physical switch CLI access)
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NOTE: When using Cisco Packet Tracer for the lab activity based on the Batangas Tech Hub network diagram,
the following devices should be used:
• 1 Layer 3 Switch (e.g., Cisco 3560 Switch)
• 3 Access Switches (e.g., Cisco 2950 Switches)
• 6 PCs (e.g., Generic PC)
• 1 Printer (e.g., Generic Printer)
• 1 Server (e.g., Generic Server)
• 1 Laptop (e.g., Generic Laptop)
• 1 Firewall (e.g., Generic Firewall)
• Cloud (e.g., Cloud-PT) to simulate the Internet connection
• Appropriate network cables (e.g., Straight-through and Crossover cables)
IP Address Configuration for Lab Activity
• Layer 3 Switch (SVIs - Switch Virtual Interfaces)
• VLAN 10 (Sales): [Link] /24 (Gateway for VLAN 10)
• VLAN 20 (R&D): [Link] /24 (Gateway for VLAN 20)
• VLAN 30 (Admin): [Link] /24 (Gateway for VLAN 30)
• VLAN 10 (Sales)
• PC1: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• PC2: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• Printer: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• VLAN 20 (R&D)
• PC3: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• PC4: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• Server: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• VLAN 30 (Admin)
• PC5: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• PC6: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
• Laptop: [Link] /24, Gateway: [Link]
Republic of the Philippines
BATANGAS STATE UNIVERSITY
The National Engineering University
Alangilan Campus
Golden Country Homes, Alangilan Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines 4200
Tel Nos.: (+63 43) 425-0139 local 2121 / 2221
E-mail Address: [Link]@[Link] | Website Address: [Link]
College of Engineering - Department of Electrical Engineering
Lab Steps:
1. Network Setup:
o Configure the network according to the diagram:
▪ VLAN 10 (Sales): PC1, PC2, Printer
▪ VLAN 20 (R&D): PC3, PC4, Server
▪ VLAN 30 (Admin): PC5, PC6, Laptop
o Connect all devices to their respective access switches.
o Connect the access switches to the Layer 3 switch.
o Ensure the firewall and Internet connection are simulated or configured.
2. Initial Testing:
o From PC1 (VLAN 10), attempt to ping PC3 (VLAN 20) and PC5 (VLAN 30).
o From PC3 (VLAN 20), attempt to ping PC1 (VLAN 10) and PC5 (VLAN 30).
o Record the results. If pings fail, note the communication breakdown.
3. Troubleshooting Tasks:
o Verify VLAN assignments on each access switch using the appropriate commands (e.g., show
vlan on Cisco devices).
o Check the Layer 3 switch configuration for inter-VLAN routing. Ensure SVIs (Switch Virtual
Interfaces) are created for VLAN 10, 20, and 30 with proper IP addresses (e.g.,
[Link]/24, [Link]/24, [Link]/24).
o Confirm that IP addresses on all devices are correctly assigned within their respective VLAN
subnets.
o Test trunk links between the Layer 3 switch and access switches to ensure VLAN traffic is
allowed (e.g., show interfaces trunk).
o Check for any firewall rules blocking inter-VLAN traffic.
4. Resolve the Issue:
o If SVIs are missing or misconfigured, create or correct them on the Layer 3 switch (e.g., interface
vlan 10, ip address [Link] [Link], no shutdown).
o Ensure routing is enabled on the Layer 3 switch (e.g., ip routing).
o Adjust trunk configurations if VLANs are not being passed correctly.
o Apply and save the configuration changes.
5. Verification:
o Repeat the ping tests from Step 2.
o Ensure all devices in different VLANs can communicate.
o Document the commands and changes made to resolve the issue.
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Questions for Reflection:
• What was the primary cause of the inter-VLAN communication breakdown?
• Why is inter-VLAN routing necessary in this network?
• How would you prevent similar issues in the future?
Submission:
• Submit a lab report detailing the troubleshooting steps, configuration changes, and answers to the reflection
questions.
• Submit a Packet Tracer simulation based on the topology provided.
Rubrics for Lab Activity: Troubleshooting Inter-VLAN Communication Breakdown (100 Points)
Criteria 20 Points 15 Points 10 Points 0 Points
Network All devices (VLAN 10, Minor connection Significant No setup or
Setup (20) VLAN 20, VLAN 30) errors but connection major
correctly connected; functional setup. issues, some misconfigurati
firewall and Internet devices on.
simulated accurately. unconnected.
Initial Successfully performed Incomplete Minimal testing No testing
Testing and documented ping ping tests but with unclear performed.
(15) tests for all VLANs, identified results.
identifying some failures.
communication failure.
Troubleshooti Thoroughly verified Most Partial No
ng Steps (25) VLAN assignments, troubleshooting troubleshooti troubleshooting
SVIs, IP steps completed ng with attempted.
addresses, and trunk links with minor significant
with appropriate commands omissions. gaps.
(e.g., show vlan, show
interfaces trunk).
Resolution Correctly created SVIs for Resolved issue Partial No resolution
Steps (25) all VLANs, enabled IP with minor resolution attempted.
routing, and saved configuration with
configurations with no mistakes. unresolved
errors. issues.
Verification Successfully verified Verified Partial No
(15) inter VLAN communication verification with verification
communication with but with unclear results. performed.
ping tests and incomplete
documented results. documentation.
Reflection Partial answers
Answers (10) No reflection
Provided accurate and Mostly accurate with
answers
detailed answers to all with
provided.
reflection questions. significant
minor errors or inaccuracies.
omissions.
Total: 100 points