Topology Design & Setup

humbl3Leaner · ‎02-12-2024

Greetings everybody!

I am required to design a topology and assign the IP addresses and masks using VLSM, I was able to do so successfully with the guidance of a veteran here, Georg Pauwen. I kindly request for guidance from everyone to check if my topology is correct, along with the IP addresses I calculated using VLSM. Furthermore, could someone please show me how to set the IP addresses up? I am unable to understand how to do so with MultiLayer switches, since there are so many switches.

Question:

Assume that IntelligentTree (IT) is a software company, which is having branches at different
locations in United Kingdom and Malaysia. The company has its corporate office at London,
where the administration, human resources, and finance departments are located. For Malaysia,
the company branches are located at Cyberjaya and Melaka. For United Kingdom, the company
branches are located at Bristol and Birmingham. In Cyberjaya and in Birmingham branches, Data
Analytics Department is located along with Research and Development department. All other
branches contain Training, Software Development, Business Development, and IT Services
Departments. In all locations, Security Department is needed.
Overall, total number of staffs employed in this company is 350. Assume that one host is required
for each employee. Number of hosts required per department can be shared between multiple
branches, which contains the specific department.

My VLSM:

Department	Required hosts	Subnet Size	Subnet Mask	IP Range	Subnet ID	Broadcast ID
Administration	12	16	255.255.255.240	192.24.112.0 – 192.24.112.15	192.24.112.0	192.24.112.15
Human Resources	13	16	255.255.255.240	192.24.112.16 – 192.24.112.31	192.24.112.16	192.24.112.31
Finance	14	16	255.255.255.240	192.24.112.32 – 192.24.112.63	192.24.112.32	192.24.112.63
Data Analytics	21	32	255.255.255.224	192.24.112.64 – 192.24.112.127	192.24.112.64	192.24.112.127
Research and Development	33	64	255.255.255.192	192.24.112.128 – 192.24.112.191	192.24.112.128	192.24.112.191
Training	31	64	255.255.255.192	192.24.112.192 –192.24.112.255	192.24.112.192	192.24.112.255
Software Development	62	64	255.255.255.192	192.24.112.256 – 192.24.112.319	192.24.112.256	192.24.112.319
Business Development	64	128	255.255.255.128	192.24.112.320 – 192.24.112.447	192.24.112.320	192.24.112.447
IT Services	40	64	255.255.255.192	192.24.112.448 – 192.24.112.511	192.24.112.448	192.24.112.511
Security	60	64	255.255.255.192	192.24.112.512 – 192.24.112.575	192.24.112.512	192.24.112.575

Attached is the packet tracer for the topology.

Thanks everyone!

BookerE1 · ‎02-12-2024

Hello, humbl3Leaner

As per your query, I give you my best so please see below and follow step-by-step information... Dog Needs Best

Based on the information you provided, I have checked your VLSM table and your topology diagram, and I have some feedback and suggestions for you. Dog Needs Best

First, your VLSM table seems to be correct, as you have allocated the appropriate subnet sizes and masks for each department, and you have avoided any overlapping IP ranges. However, you have not specified the network address and the subnet mask for the entire network. I assume that you are using the 192.168.0.0/16 network, which has a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. If this is the case, you should include this information in your VLSM table as well.

Second, your topology diagram seems to be logical and well-organized, as you have connected the different branches and departments with appropriate devices and links. However, you have not labeled the IP addresses and the subnet masks for each interface and device. This is important for configuring and verifying the network connectivity and functionality. You should assign the IP addresses and the subnet masks from your VLSM table to each interface and device, and label them on your topology diagram.

Third, to set up the IP addresses on the multilayer switches, you need to perform the following steps:

1. Enable IP routing on the switch with the ip routing command in global configuration mode. This will allow the switch to perform layer 3 functions, such as routing and inter-VLAN communication.
2. Create the VLANs on the switch with the VLAN command in global configuration mode. You should create a VLAN for each department or subnet, and assign a name and a number to each VLAN.
3. Assign the ports to the VLANs with the switch port access vlan command in interface configuration mode. You should assign the ports that connect to the hosts or other switches to the corresponding VLANs.
4. Create the VLAN interfaces (SVIs) on the switch with the interface vlan command in global configuration mode. You should create an SVI for each VLAN, and assign an IP address and a subnet mask from your VLSM table to each SVI. The SVI will act as the default gateway for the hosts in the VLAN.
5. Optionally, you can create a loopback interface on the switch with the interface loopback command in global configuration mode. You can assign any IP address and subnet mask to the loopback interface, and use it as the source address for routing protocols or management purposes.

For example, if you have a multilayer switch that connects to the administration, human resources, and finance departments, you can use the following commands to set up the IP addresses:

Switch(config)# ip routing
Switch(config)# vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)# name Administration
Switch(config-vlan)# exit
Switch(config)# vlan 20
Switch(config-vlan)# name Human_Resources
Switch(config-vlan)# exit
Switch(config)# vlan 30
Switch(config-vlan)# name Finance
Switch(config-vlan)# exit
Switch(config)# interface gigabitethernet 0/1
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# interface gigabitethernet 0/2
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 20
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# interface gigabitethernet 0/3
Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 30
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# interface vlan 10
Switch(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.240
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# interface vlan 20
Switch(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.17 255.255.255.240
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# interface vlan 30
Switch(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.33 255.255.255.240
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# interface loopback 0
Switch(config-if)# ip address 192.168.255.1 255.255.255.255
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
Switch(config-if)# exit

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask me. Have a great day! .

humbl3Leaner · ‎02-13-2024

Hello BookerE1!

Thank you for such an in-depth and swift reply to my question. I sincerely appreciate it.
I am not very good with words so i hope you don't mind if I put my reply in point form.

1. The IP address block I have been given to work with is 205.20.128.0/22. So i am assuming that the subnet mask for the whole network will be 255.255.252.0... I have updated the VLSM table accordingly, is this correct sir?

Department	Required hosts	Subnet Size	Subnet Mask	IP Range	Subnet ID	Broadcast ID
Administration	12	16	255.255.252.240	205.20.128.0 – 205.20.128.15	205.20.128.0	205.20.128.15
Human Resources	13	16	255.255.252.240	205.20.128.16 – 205.20.128.31	205.20.128.16	205.20.128.31
Finance	14	16	255.255.252.240	205.20.128.32 – 205.20.128.63	205.20.128.32	205.20.128.63
Data Analytics	21	32	255.255.252.224	205.20.128.64 – 205.20.128.127	205.20.128.64	205.20.128.127
Research and Development	33	64	255.255.252.192	205.20.128.128 – 205.20.128.191	205.20.128.128	205.20.128.191
Training	31	64	255.255.252.192	205.20.128.192 –205.20.128.255	205.20.128.192	205.20.128.255
Software Development	62	64	255.255.252.192	205.20.128.256 – 205.20.128.319	205.20.128.256	205.20.128.319
Business Development	64	128	255.255.252.128	205.20.128.320 – 205.20.128.447	205.20.128.320	205.20.128.447
IT Services	40	64	255.255.252.192	205.20.128.448 – 205.20.128.511	205.20.128.448	205.20.128.511
Security	60	64	255.255.252.192	205.20.128.512 – 205.20.128.575	205.20.128.512	205.20.128.575

2. Believe it or not, I have been trying the exact same commands you have listed for the past 2 days. I keep getting errors like this:

%CDP-4-NATIVE_VLAN_MISMATCH: Native VLAN mismatch discovered on FastEthernet0/1 (10), with Switch FastEthernet0/1 (1).

%CDP-4-NATIVE_VLAN_MISMATCH: Native VLAN mismatch discovered on FastEthernet0/2 (20), with Switch FastEthernet0/1 (1).

%CDP-4-NATIVE_VLAN_MISMATCH: Native VLAN mismatch discovered on FastEthernet0/1 (10), with Switch FastEthernet0/1 (1).

%CDP-4-NATIVE_VLAN_MISMATCH: Native VLAN mismatch discovered on FastEthernet0/3 (30), with Switch FastEthernet0/1 (1).

humbl3Leaner · ‎02-13-2024

The commands that I use before the errors show up:

Switch(config)#ip routing

Switch(config)#vlan 10

Switch(config-vlan)#name Admin

Switch(config-vlan)#exit

Switch(config)#ip routing

Switch(config)#vlan 20

Switch(config-vlan)#name HR

Switch(config-vlan)#exit

Switch(config)#ip routing

Switch(config)#vlan 30

Switch(config-vlan)#name Finance

Switch(config-vlan)#exit

Switch(config)#ip routing

Switch(config)#vlan 40

Switch(config-vlan)#name SEC_L

Switch(config-vlan)#exit

Switch(config)#interface fastethernet0/1

Switch(config-if)#switchport mode access

Switch(config-if)#switchport access vlan 10

Switch(config-if)#exit

Switch(config)#interface fastethernet0/2

Switch(config-if)#switchport mode access

Switch(config-if)#switchport access vlan 20

%CDP-4-NATIVE_VLAN_MISMATCH: Native VLAN mismatch discovered on FastEthernet0/1 (10), with Switch FastEthernet0/1 (1).

Switch(config-if)#switchport access vlan 20

Switch(config-if)#exit

Switch(config)#interface fastethernet0/3

Switch(config-if)#switchport mode access

Switch(config-if)#switchport access vlan 30

Switch(config-if)#exit

Switch(config)#switchport access vlan 30

Georg Pauwen · ‎02-13-2024

Hello,

as far as I recall, that is a Packet Tracer project ? Can you post the latest project (.pkt) file (zipped)?

humbl3Leaner · ‎02-13-2024

Hi Georg! Sure thing, thank you.

LitAbdul · ‎02-13-2024

@Georg Pauwen The aims of this is at the design, simulation, and connectivity check of the network using Packet Tracer. Variable length Subnet Masking (VLSM) has to be used for the design of the network using IPv4 addressing.

Assume that IntelligentTree (IT) is a software company, which is having branches at different locations in United Kingdom and Malaysia. The company has its corporate office at London, where the administration, human resources, and finance departments are located. For Malaysia, the company branches are located at Cyberjaya and Melaka. For United Kingdom, the company branches are located at Bristol and Birmingham. In Cyberjaya and in Birmingham branches, Data Analytics Department is located along with Research and Development department. All other branches contain Training, Software Development, Business Development, and IT Services Departments. In all locations, Security Department is needed.

Overall, total number of staffs employed in this company is 350. Assume that one host is required for each employee. Number of hosts required per department can be shared between multiple branches, which contains the specific department.

	Total number of employees/hosts	350

IP address Block	Divisions	Number of employees/hosts
205.20.128.0/22	Administration	12
	Human Resources	13
	Finance	14
	Data analytics	21
	Research and Development	33
	Training	31
	Software Development	62
	Business Development	64
	IT Services	40
	Security	60

NewUser1002 · ‎02-17-2024

Good day, everyone. I have few questions to ask for my project.
I am currently working on this question.

Assume that IntelligentTree (IT) is a software company, which is having branches at different locations in United Kingdom and Malaysia. The company has its corporate office in London, where the administration, human resources, and finance departments are located. For Malaysia, the company branches are located at Cyberjaya and Melaka. For United Kingdom, the company branches are located at Bristol and Birmingham. In Cyberjaya and in Birmingham branches, Data Analytics Department is located along with Research and Development department. All other branches contain Training, Software Development, Business Development, and IT Services Departments. In all locations, Security Department is needed.

Overall, total number of staffs employed in this company is 350. Assume that one host is required for each employee. Number of hosts required per department can be shared between multiple branches, which contains the specific department.

It also requires me to have this:

DNS Configuration

(Example: Creation of a number of Domains: @ABC.com.my @xyz.com.my, etc.)

Web server Configuration

(Example: www.abc.com.my)

DHCP server Configuration

(Assignment of IP addresses to multiple subnets using DHCP Server)

Email Server Configuration

(Example: user1@abc.com.my can send email to user2@abc.com.my)

So, my questions are
1. how do I assign my IP address for each of the devices and interface?
2. how do I setup my multilayer switch?
3. where should i setup my server?

I will appreciate it a lot if anyone could answer my questions. Thank you!

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎02-13-2024

BTW, OP's subnet sizes are fine for a student project, or exam, but in real networks very rarely would you allocate address blocks without some allowance for growth. For example, suppose next week Finance wants to add a network printer.

humbl3Leaner · ‎02-13-2024

Understood, thanks!

newbienoob · ‎02-17-2024

Hi, humbl3Learner. If I'm not mistaken you have to start your VLSM subnetting from the largest network. You can refer to this Reference

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎02-17-2024

"If I'm not mistaken you have to start your VLSM subnetting from the largest network."

Actually you don't need to go from largest to smallest, and there can be very good reasons not to (future address allocation management), but for a lab or examine question it's possibly the best approach and it's efficient.

newbienoob · ‎02-17-2024

I see thank you for the note. Another question:

Is it possible to do that topology without the multilayer switch? Is it ok to straight away connect the switches with routers?

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎02-17-2024

"Is it possible to do that topology without the multilayer switch? Is it ok to straight away connect the switches with routers?"

You could. Conversely, you might use just L3 switches and eliminate the routers.

For multiple networks, you need L3 devices, which might be routers and/or L3 switches. Which is a better choice depends on which better serves the L3 role within your network.

Remember there were multi-networks before there were L3 switches and even before L2 switches (the latter discounting bridges).