Basic LAN Set-up | How to connect a basic network

Basic LAN Setup

Estimated time: 45 min.

Objectives:

ü  Become familiar with the way the Cisco lab is setup.

ü  Create a simple LAN with two PCs using a single crossover cable to connect the workstations.

ü  Create a simple LAN with multiple PCs using an Ethernet switch and a straight-through cable to connect each workstation.

ü  Map a logical Drive and use Universal Naming Convention (UNC) to share available resources.

ü  Use the Control Panel / Network utility to verify and configure the network settings.

ü  Use the ICMP Ping command to verify the TCP/IP connection between the two workstations.

ü  Use the IPCONFIG.EXE utility to verify all IP configuration settings

Background:

In this lab you learn how to connect two PCs to create a simple Peer-to-Peer LAN or workgroup. The instructions for this lab focus on the Windows 2000 Server operating system. You will share a folder on one workstation and connect to that folder from the other workstation. This lab is divided into two exercises as follows:

Exercise A -- Two PCs (or workstations) will be connected directly to each other from one Network Interface card (NIC) to the other NIC using a crossover cable. This can be useful to allow you to create a minilab for testing purposes without the need for a hub. Since the NICs on the workstations are directly connected you will not be able to connect any additional workstations.

Exercise B – All PCs on the same row will be connected with a switch. Using a switch allows for more than just two workstations to be connected.  Switches can have anywhere from four to twenty four ports.

Tools / Preparation:

The following resources will be required:

ü  Two Pentium-based workstations with a NIC in each (Make sure that you boot up with the Windows 2000 Server image.

ü  Exercise A - One CAT 5 Crossover cable to connect two workstations without a hub.

ü  Exercise B - An Ethernet switch (12 or 24 port) and a CAT 5 straight through cable for each work station.

NOTE:

Steps 1 (physical LAN connections) will be different between exercises A and B. The steps from 2 on should be the same.

Step 1 - Check Local Area Network (LAN) Connections

Verify that you are using the right type of cable.

Exercise A - A single CAT 5 crossover cable is used to connect two workstations together. Refer to figure 1

Exercise B - Each work station will connect to the switch using a straight through cable. Refer to figure 1

(Figure 1)

Step 2 – Identifying NICs and Windows Networking Options

Go to Control Panel, Network and dialup connections.  You should be able to see three icons: 

1.    Highest-Numbered NIC which is used to connect your PC to the college network.  This NIC is enabled by default; however, you have to disable it before you do any labs.  Right-click on it and choose disable from the short cut menu.  Now you are disconnected from the college network (you can’t browse the web and you can’t print)

2.    The Lowest-Numbered NIC which is used to connect you to the Cisco lab.  This NIC is disabled by default and has to be enabled when you do the labs. Right-click on it and enable it. Notice that you might get the IP address conflict message.  If so, just click OK out of it as this problem will be fixed in Step 4.

3.    The third NIC will not be used.

Right click on the lowest-numbered NIC and choose properties from the shortcut menu.  Check to be sure that you have the following networking Components installed:

ü  Client for Microsoft Networks.

ü  The NIC adapter (small NIC icon).

ü  The TCP/IP Protocol (small network cable connection icon).

ü  File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft

Step 3 - Change the NetBIOS Name

Right-click my computer icon and choose properties.  Select the network identification tab.  Click the properties button.  In the computer name textbox, change the name to Station# (where # could be anything from 1-24 depending on the location of the PC).Leave the default workgroup name as WORKGROUP.

Step 4 - TCP/IP Protocol Settings

For this lab, use the Class C network address of 200.150.100.0 and set the value of the last octet to equal that of the PC #.  Set the default subnet mask on each workstation to 255.255.255.0. Make sure that you are configuring the lowest-numbered NIC

Step 5 - Check the TCP/IP Settings with the Ipconfig /all Utility

Click on Start, Programs and then select the MS-DOS Prompt. Enter the
ipconfig /all command to see all TCP/IP related settings for your workstation.

Fill in the blanks below using the results of the IPCONFIG command from your workstation:

1. Host name___________________
2. MAC Address________________
3. IP address____________________
4. Subnet Mask_________________

Step 6 - Check the network connection with the Ping Utility

Click on Start, Programs and then the MS-DOS Prompt. Enter the Ping command followed by the IP address of the other workstation
(Example - ping 200.150.100.1).

Explanation: This will verify that you have a good OSI Layers 1 through 3 connection.

Was the Ping successful? ______________________

Step 7 - Creating and Sharing File Folders

ü  Right-click on my computer icon and choose explore from the short-cut menu. 

ü  Select local disk (C:)

ü  From the file menu select new then folder.  When the new folder Is created, name it using your first initial and your last name.

ü  Right-click on the folder and select share

ü  Select the share this folder option button

ü  Click on the Permissions button and change Everyone’s permission to read only.

ü  Open notepad and create a new file.  Name the file using your NetBIOS name_Test.  Save the file in the shared folder.

Step 8 - Finding Other Computers and Sharing Resources on a Peer-To-Peer Network

ü  Sharing Resources by using Universal Naming Convention (UNC):

o   From Start select Run

o   In the provided textbox type the path to the shared resources that you want to access on your neighbor’s machine, using the following format :

o   \\NetBIOS name\folder name\file name

ü  Sharing resources through mapping logical network drives:

o   Right-click my computer icon, then select map a network drive

o   Select P as the drive letter, then click on the browse button

o   Double-click on the VMWARE workgroup to collapse it

o   Select your neighbor’s station then select the shared folder.  Click OK, then Finish

o   Double-click on my computer icon to make sure that the logical drive has been created

o   If the need for connection to your neighbor’s PC seizes to exist, then you could disconnect the logical drive by right-clicking on the logical drive icon from my computer window, then selecting disconnect.

ü  Searching for computers on the network:

o   Right-click on my network places, then select search for computers

o   In the computer’s name text box type the name of your neighbor’s computer that your are trying to find

ü  Viewing all PCs in your workgroup:

o   To view all the PCs in your workgroup double-click on my network places, then select entire network.

o   Double-click on entire network. Double click on Microsoft Windows Network, then click on VMWARE workgroup button.