Cisco Network Proposal Part 1

You have been recently hired as a network administrator for the xAcme Technology Trade School. The school realizes that the local systems administrators need help implementing certain technologies at each of the remote locations, as well as final WAN configurations. Out of the network administrators on staff, you have been asked to move the Cisco Network Proposal forward. With your background and skills, you will design, implement, and assist in configurations to support xAcme’s topology.

Technologies to implement will differ from site to site, as administrators have begun topology implementations. You will be provided the overall topology as well as certain device configurations in order to determine the best course of action per site/challenge. In addition to helping the school configure its network, xAcme requires that all new network administrators obtain their CCNA certification within 60 days of being hired. You are excited about starting this project but realize creating a schedule to help balance your work and home life will be the key to success.

Your proposal will be submitted in three major parts:

  • Springfield Device and STP Configurations (i.e., Part 1)

Existing VLANs

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Remote locations vary in terms of size and requirements. Some implementations will require current site router/switch-running configurations, which will be provided. All sites will use the following four VLANs, but you will need to configure only what is asked per site (some assumptions will be made).

  • Existing VLANs, per xACME:
    • Faculty VLAN
      • used by faculty on-site for all office locations (non-instructional communications)
      • total devices per site will vary
    • Administrative VLAN
      • used by staff on-site for business administrative communications
      • total devices per site will vary
    • Academic VLAN
      • used by faculty and students for classroom labs and instructional communications
      • total devices per site will vary
    • Server VLAN
      • used by IT staff for all technology/management communications
      • total devices per site will vary

The types of devices per site will be the same; however, the number of deployed devices may vary (all documented in the xAcme educational topology).

Routers Per Site:

Cisco 2800 Series Integrated Services
Interfaces Ports Available 4 Fast Ethernet Interfaces
(Per Router)		 2 Serial Interfaces
(Per Router)
fa0/0 s0/0/0
fa0/1 s0/0/1
fa1/0  
fa1/1

Switches Per Site:

Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series
Ports Available 96 Total Gigabit Ethernet
Ports Per Switch
Module 1 = gi0/1 – gi0/24
Module 2 = gi1/1 – gi1/24
Module 3 = gi2/1 – gi2/24
Module 4 = gi3/1 – gi3/24

Note: Device type will not impact your configuration commands and implementation of ALL required technologies will use Cisco IOS commands/concepts learned in our TestOut lecture(s). Standard switchports will be configured and used as trunk OR access ports, and DCE ends should be noted when configuring serial ports per router.

Springfield Site Device and STP Configurations (Focus on the Springfield Site Only)

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Required Implementation: Device hostnames, banners, secured passwords and spanning tree protocol.

  • Device Configurations: Implement device hostnames to match the xACME educational topology labels. Provide a template and sample configuration for the MOTD banner and login banner (wording and implementation) for one of the switches. Keep this generic, as it will be implemented on all switches in the xACME educational topology. Lastly, include the configuration steps for implementing device passwords on both console port (out-of-band communications) and VTY (Telnet/in-band communications). All passwords should be encrypted.
  • Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): Briefly explain the advantages and purpose of the STP. Administrators are having a difficult time placing switch 1 as the root. Provide a sample configuration for implementing SPT on the switches. Choose the mode you feel would be best suited for the environment and justify why. Switch 1 will need to be the root switch in the Springfield topology. Consider any security measures that can be implemented to protect the devices from bogus BPDUs.

Note: When approaching the spanning tree challenge, do not concern yourself with the multiple VLANs at this time. Focus simply on the default VLAN1, which is the active VLAN that all ports belong to in this topology at this time.

  • Please refer to the following configurations:
    • SpringfieldSw1
    • SpringfieldSw2
    • SpringfieldSw3
    • SpringfieldSw4