Setting Up a Basic Cisco Home Lab

The basic lab is for anyone who is interested in networking and would like to start studying for the CCNA ICND1 100-101, ICND2 200-101 exams. The lab can also accompany GNS3 software for hands-on experience with both physical and logical networking. Exam kits can be purchased usually containing multiple switches and routers, although, this basic setup only utilizes two switches (Cisco Certification Kits). If an exam kit is not necessary, individual pieces can be purchased from sites like Ebay.

Parts List:

2x Cisco Switches (Catalyst 2950 (24 ports) with Cisco IOS ver. 12.1(12c))( Any Cisco Switch will work, CLI commands will change with IOS versions)

2x PCs (Windows 7, Vista, or XP)

1x Emulation Software (ExtraPuTTY, Tera Term, etc.)

ExtraPuTTY Download

Tera Term Download

1x USB-to-DB9 (USB to RS232 cable) (If the PC doesn't have a 9-pin serial port)

1x Cisco Console Cable RJ-45-to-DB9

2x RJ-45 CAT5E Patch Cord

1x RJ-45 CAT5E Crossover Cable

Design a simple logical network with PC-A and PC-B on the same subnet. There is no need to assign static IP addresses to the router ports for this project. Once the addresses are decided, move on to the next step, downloading the Telnet, SSH communication software.

For reference:

F 0/6= FastEthernet Port 6

S1= Switch 1

F 01= FastEthernet Port 1

1) Run a quick Google search for Telnet SSH software or download one of the updated versions of Tera Term or ExtraPuTTY.

2) Save and run the installer. *For this lab I'm using, ExtraPuTTY Version .060 Install the latest version.*

3) Once installed open the desktop icon and the PuTTY Configuration menu will open. This software comes with a lot of options, but for now only focus on creating a terminal connection. Under Connection type: the options include Raw, Telenet, Rlogin, SSH, and Serial. Choose the Serial radio button, the default speed of 9600 will automatically propagate. Select the proper COM connection and press Open to start the terminal session.

Note:

Under Serial line COM1 is automatically selected. Depending on which port the USB to RS232 cable is plugged in will determine the COM port needed to establish a connection. For example, I needed COM3 because I used the front USB connection of my PC.

1) Using the diagram created in Step 2, connect one end of the RJ-45 Ethernet cable into the NIC card of PC-A. Now connect the other end of the cable into port 18 of switch 1 (S1). The LED will light-up amber until the connection is established, which then will turn green.

2) Identify the cross-over cable (How to Identify a Cross-over Cable). If the cable is new, remove from the packaging and mark with a piece of tape to alleviate future confusion. Connect one end of the RJ-45 connector into the ports chosen for S1 and S2. The amber light will indicate connecting, and green will show a successful connection.

WARNING:

Newer switches have the ability to sense the input and logically re-wire non cross-over cables. Older switches, however, are unable to perform this task and will require a cross-over cable to work. If the switch doesn't light up when the cable is inserted chances are it's not a cross-over.

3) Finally, connect the last RJ-45 cable to PC-B's NIC to the chosen port of switch 2. Once the light changes from amber to green, the connection is established. Verify all connections making sure everything is securely attached to reduce troubleshooting later.

1) Attach USB-to-DB9 cable to the Cisco console cable and lightly tighten screws to secure connection.

2) Choose which PC (A or B) you'd like to console into and connect the USB cable.

3) Find Switch one and plug the RJ-45 cable into the console port.

1) Go into the (TCP/IPv4) Properties and change PC-A's IP address to the chosen schema. (192.168.1.50/255.255.255.0)

Path: (Start>Control Panel>View Network Status and Tasks>Change Adapter Settings> R-Click Local Area Connection>Properties>Double-Click "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPV4)).

2) Following the same steps, change PC-B's IP address. (192.168.1.51/255.255.255.0).

1) These steps will show how to name, prevent unwanted DNS lookups, set a password, enter a message of the day (MOTD) and save the configuration into NVRAM for switch 1.

Note:

Some commands once entered will not give any indication of acceptance and will return to the prompt. As long as the command line doesn't error out than the command has executed successfully.

2) Open emulation software and connect to S1, the words "Press RETURN to get started". Hit the enter key and the switch> command prompt should appear. The switch is now ready to be configured (Reference step 2 if necessary).

Note: If the screen is blanked after connecting, try changing COM ports until text displays on the screen.

3) The enable command allows access to all switch commands in EXEC mode. The prompt will change from Switch> to Switch# indicating in privileged mode. This is necessary when making any changes to the switch.

Switch> enable

Switch#

3) Config terminal or conf t for short hand will allow the switch to be named to whatever the user likes. Refer to the network design for naming conventions. TIP: CTRL+Z will end configuration mode.

Switch# configure terminal

Switch(config)#

Switch(config)# hostname S1

S1(config)#

4) Without the DNS lookup disabled the switch will treat incorrect commands, as though they were host names. The switch will then search to resolve the name causing unnecessary waiting.

S1(config)# no ip domain-lookup

S1(config)#

5) Creating a password will keep unauthorized users out. This is not necessary for the labs but is good practice. When users try to enter privilege mode, the password prompt will appear.

S1(config)# enable secretclass

S1(config)# line con 0

S1(config-line)# password cisco

S1(config-line)# login

S1(config-line)# exit

S1(config)#

6) The login banner or message of the day of (MOTD) displays messages to users when logging into the switch. This field normally has warnings for unauthorized users but have fun with it. Notice when "exit" is typed next to S1(config) # the command prompt is returned to privilege. TIP: You cannot complete step 7 while in console configuration mode.

S1(config)# banner motd #

Enter TEXT message. End with the
character '#'. 

Welcome to your new home lab! #

S1(config)# exit

S1#

7) Once the settings are configured the last step is saving the running configuration into NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory). Press enter to finish setup and return to the command prompt.

S1# copy running-config startup-config

Destination filename [startup-config]? [Enter]

Building configuration...

[OK]

S1#

1) Remove the Cisco console RJ-45 connector from switch 1 (S1) and insert into the console port of switch 2 (S2).

Note:

The step up command lines are the same as switch 1 (S1). If a mistake is made the CLI will show where it is. In the example trying to run the "copy running-config startup-config" command while in configuration mode errors out and an arrow appears below "copy" indicating the issue lies before or at the part of the command. The solution is exiting the terminal configuration prompt S2(config) to S2# where the command will now run.

The switches are now configured and PC-A should be able to ping PC-B.

Additional useful commands: (Must be in privilege mode to run all these commands)

Displays useful information about the switch including the IOS version, image file, and model.

S1# show version

Shows the switches interfaces, IP addresses, up/down status, and protocols.

S1# show ip interface brief

Shows the current running configuration on the switch.

 S1# show running-config

To erase the startup-configuration and reset the switch follow these 4 steps:

1) Show flash will display the current vlan.dat file.

S1# show flash

2) Delete the current vlan.dat file.(Press enter when prompted to (Delete filename [vlan.dat]?) and (Delete flash:/vlan.dat? [confirm]).

S1# Delete vlan.dat

3) Erases the startup configuration file.

S1# erase startup-config

4) This will reload the switch to the default configuration.

If prompted to save the running configuration input no.

System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: no

Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog? [yes/no]: no

S1# reload