Project Title: Small Office Network with VLANs and DHCP


Topology

Objective:

  • Configure a multi-VLAN network for different departments.
  • Set up DHCP for automatic IP assignment.
  • Enable Inter-VLAN routing so departments can communicate securely.
  • Implement basic security (passwords, SSH access).

    • Setting Up and Connecting Devices


    All that was done here was use the straight through wires to connect the Router's Gig0/0 port to the Switch's Gig1/0/1 port. Then each PC with the same cable to the switch.

    Used straight-through cables as they are used for switch to router and switch to PC connections.

    The router will route traffic between VLANs, while the switch handles VLAN segmentation.


    Topology

    Devices

  • 1 Router (Cisco 1941) - Handles routing between VLANs.
  • 1 Switch (Cisco 2960) - Connects end devices and manages VLANs.
  • 4 PCs (one for each department: HR, IT, Sales and Guests users).


    • Configuring VLANs on the Switch


    Creating the VLANs

    Used the Switches CLI (Command Line Interface).

    Configuring Ports to VLANs

    This creates the VLANs and assigns names to them.

    This is to ensure security and traffic management as any of these departments should not see eachothers traffic.


    Assigning Ports to VLANs

    Assigned each PC to its respective VLAN:

    Configuring Ports

    Each PC is isolated in its own VLAN unless routing is configured.


    Configuring the Trunk Port (Router Connection)

    The switch port connected to the router has to carry all VLAN traffic.

    Configuring Trunk Port

    A trunk port allows multiple VLANs to pass through the router.



    Configure the Router for Inter-VLAN Routing


    Enabled Sub Interfaces

    Entered the Router CLI and configured sub interfaces for each VLAN.

    Configuring Sub Interfaces

    Sub interfaces allow the router to route traffic between VLANs.

    Each VLAN get it's own IP subnet.


    Enabling Physical Interfaces

    All that was done here was enabled the router interface.

    Enabling Physical Interface

    Configuring DHCP on the Router for Automatic IP Assignment


    Setting Up DHCP Pools on Router

    Needed to make VLANs get their IPs automatically.

    Configuring DHCP

    DHCP automates IP assignment, reducing the need for manual configuration.


    Excluding Router IP from DHCP

    Had to configure the DHCP from giving out the routers IP.

    Excluding Router IP from DHCP

    This ensures the router's IP is not assigned to any device.



    Testing Connectivity

    First set each PCs network adaptor to DHCP

    Used the command prompt to then verify correct IPv4 address.

    Testing Connectivity

    Also had to check if PCs can ping eachother.

    Testing Connectivity

    Everything looks great! The PC's have correct IP addresses from the VLANs.



    Basic Security Configuration


    Setting Up Passwords

    Enabled seret passwords for router and switch via CLI.

    Setting Up Passwords

    Will update this... Will also add internet connectivity later on.