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Data Networks Labs 1-4
Lab 1: Basic Network Information and Boolean Operations
Purpose: This lab introduces you to fundamental network concepts and Windows network commands.
Key Concepts:
1. Network Information Retrieval:
o Using ipconfig /all to identify network adapters (physical/logical, active/inactive)
o Recording critical network settings (IP, MAC, subnet mask, gateway, DNS)
o Comparing network information with another student to understand shared vs unique
settings
2. Network Concepts:
o Understanding hostname, IP address, MAC address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS
servers
o Differentiating between IP and MAC addresses (logical vs physical addressing)
o DHCP vs static IP configuration
3. Network Commands:
o arp -a to view MAC address mappings
o ping to test connectivity
o tracert for route tracing
o nslookup for DNS queries
4. Boolean Operations:
o Number system conversions (decimal, hexadecimal, binary)
o Binary operations (AND, OR)
o Importance of binary in networking (all digital communication is binary at its core)
Lab 2: Linux Network Configuration
Purpose: To introduce Linux networking and compare it with Windows networking.
Key Concepts:
1. Linux Installation:
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o Setting up Ubuntu in VirtualBox with NAT networking
o Configuring virtual machine specifications
2. Linux Network Commands:
o ifconfig (similar to Windows' ipconfig)
o route for gateway information
o cat /etc/[Link] for DNS settings
o cat /var/lib/dhcp/[Link] for DHCP information
3. Network Analysis:
o Comparing Linux and Windows network commands
o Understanding DHCP lease times and parameters
o Testing connectivity (ping) and MAC address learning (arp)
4. Linux Concepts:
o Purpose of /etc and /var directories
o Loopback addresses and their configuration
o Manual pages (man command) for command documentation
Lab 3: Introduction to Wireshark
Purpose: To understand network traffic analysis using a packet sniffer.
Key Concepts:
1. Packet Capture:
o Selecting network interfaces
o Capturing and analyzing live traffic
o Filtering packets (by protocol, IP address, etc.)
2. Protocol Analysis:
o ARP protocol analysis (layer 2 operation, frame structure)
o HTTP protocol analysis (unencrypted web traffic)
o TCP connection process (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK)
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o TCP teardown process (FIN, ACK)
3. OSI Model Application:
o Identifying layer-specific information in packets
o Understanding protocol encapsulation
4. Practical Exercises:
o Capturing HTTP traffic to analyze browser-server communication
o Examining packet headers and payloads
o Saving capture files for analysis
Lab 4: Introduction to Packet Tracer and Subnetting
Purpose: To learn network simulation and subnetting using Cisco Packet Tracer.
Key Concepts and Activities:
1. Packet Tracer Basics:
o Understanding the simulation environment
o Device connections and configurations
o Logical vs physical workspace
2. Subnetting:
o Calculating subnet masks
o Determining network/host portions
o Finding usable IP ranges, broadcast addresses
o Planning IP address allocation
3. Network Design:
o Creating a star topology
o Configuring devices with appropriate IP addresses
o Selecting proper cabling (straight-through vs crossover)
o Testing connectivity with ping
4. Extended LAN Concepts:
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o Expanding a network with additional subnets
o Understanding when devices need default gateways
o Troubleshooting connectivity issues
All In All,
1. Lab 1 gives you the foundation - understanding how devices are identified on networks and basic
troubleshooting.
2. Lab 2 expands this to Linux systems, showing that while commands differ between OSes, the
underlying networking concepts remain the same.
3. Lab 3 takes you deeper into how networks actually work by examining the packets that carry all
network communication.
4. Lab 4 brings everything together by having you design and configure networks yourself, applying
your knowledge of IP addressing, subnetting, and device connectivity.
