Table of Contents for
Packet Tracer Network Simulator

Version ebook / Retour

Cover image for bash Cookbook, 2nd Edition Packet Tracer Network Simulator by Jesin A Published by Packt Publishing, 2014
  1. Cover
  2. Table of Contents
  3. Packet Tracer Network Simulator
  4. Packet Tracer Network Simulator
  5. Credits
  6. About the Author
  7. About the Reviewers
  8. www.PacktPub.com
  9. Preface
  10. Who this book is for
  11. Conventions
  12. Reader feedback
  13. Customer support
  14. 1. Getting Started with Packet Tracer
  15. Installing Packet Tracer
  16. Interface overview
  17. Creating a simple topology
  18. Summary
  19. 2. Network Devices
  20. Customizing devices with modules
  21. Emulating WAN
  22. Accessing the CLI
  23. Summary
  24. 3. Generic IP End Devices
  25. Servers
  26. Other end devices
  27. Configuring end devices
  28. Summary
  29. 4. Creating a Network Topology
  30. Testing connectivity with PDUs
  31. Using the simulation mode
  32. Clustering a topology
  33. Summary
  34. 5. Navigating and Modifying the Physical Workspace
  35. Moving devices physically
  36. Managing cables and distances
  37. Customizing icons and backgrounds
  38. Summary
  39. 6. Configuring Routing with the CLI
  40. Dynamic routing protocols
  41. The Routing table
  42. Load sharing
  43. Summary
  44. 7. Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
  45. BGP versus dynamic routing protocols
  46. Configuring BGP in Packet Tracer
  47. Summary
  48. 8. IPv6 on Packet Tracer
  49. IPv6 static and dynamic routing
  50. Using both IPv4 and IPv6
  51. Summary
  52. 9. Setting Up a Wireless Network
  53. Wireless networks and physical workspaces
  54. Summary
  55. 10. Configuring VLANs and Trunks
  56. InterVLAN routing with routers and layer 3 switches
  57. Switch-to-switch trunk links
  58. Analyzing broadcasts in the simulation mode
  59. Summary
  60. 11. Creating Packet Tracer Assessments
  61. The initial network
  62. The answer network
  63. Testing the activity
  64. Summary
  65. Index

Chapter 9. Setting Up a Wireless Network

Wireless networks are growing everywhere; one can find Wi-Fi hotspots at most public places. Packet Tracer has a limited number of wireless devices but provides an unlimited number of possibilities. When configuring a wireless network, one has to consider the physical range of connectivity. Even though it is only a simulator, the physical workspace of Packet Tracer will enable us to test the wireless range of our network using its capability of moving around devices. Towards the end of this chapter, we'll also configure a RADIUS server to provide authentication for our wireless network.

Wireless devices and modules

Packet Tracer provides wireless modules for PCs/laptops and for routers to enable wireless connectivity. Following are the wireless modules:

  • Linksys-WMP300N: This is available for servers, PCs, and laptops. It provides one 2.4 GHz wireless interface with protocols supporting Ethernet. Once plugged in, this module is configurable through the PC Wireless utility available in the Desktop tab.
  • PC-HOST-NM-1W: This is a basic wireless interface that provides one 2.4 GHz wireless interface with support for Ethernet. This module isn't configurable.
  • PC-HOST-NM-1W-A: This is similar in features to the preceding module, except that it provides a 5 GHz wireless interface.
  • HWIC-AP-AG-B: This is a router module that works with 1841 and 2811 routers. It functions as an integrated access point and supports single band 802.11b/g or dual band 802.11a/b/g radios.

Now, we will look into the devices; Packet Tracer has wireless end devices as well as access points.

  • TabletPC-PT / PDA-PT / WirelessEndDevice-PT: These three devices provide the same functionality, they only represent different things. These devices come with a built-in wireless interface.
  • AccessPoint-PT / AccessPoint-PT-A / AccessPoint-PT-N: These are generic wireless access points with minimal configuration options. All of them have an antenna and a port to connect to a device, such as a router or DHCP server.
  • Linksys-WRT300N: This wireless device provides a web interface similar to the one provided by a real Linksys model for configuring a SSID (Service Set Identifier), wireless authentication, WAN port, and much more. This device has 4 Ethernet LAN ports and 1 Ethernet WAN port which can be connected to a router or model that provides internet.

Now that we know the network devices available in Packet Tracer, let's start configuring a wireless network. We will use two access points with two different SSIDs, as shown in the following figure:

Wireless devices and modules

For a change, we will use TabletPC-PT and PDA-PT as wireless end devices. Once this topology is created, you'll find that these devices pair haphazardly with different access points. So, we will set the SSID field of Access Point0 to Office and that of Access Point1 to Guest.

Open each access point, go to the Config tab, select Port 1, and change the SSID field, as shown in the following screenshot:

Wireless devices and modules

Now open each wireless end device, go to its Config tab, choose the Wireless option under INTERFACE, and change its SSID, as shown in the following screenshot:

Wireless devices and modules

You'll now see wireless lines from each end device connecting to their respective access points. Assign IP addresses to all of them from the same subnet space and use the simple PDU tool to check connectivity.