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Practical

Practical 1: Creating Wired Network Topologies

Build mesh, star, and hybrid topologies in Packet Tracer

🌐 Introduction to Networks 🛠️ Packet Tracer 👤 Reza Farashahi
In this practical, you will build two fundamental wired network topologies — a partial mesh and a star — then connect them to form a hybrid topology. This hands-on exercise reinforces how different topology designs serve different network requirements.

📦 Part 1 — Setting Up Network Devices

Gathering Network Components

  1. Open a new Packet Tracer file.
  2. Add the following devices to your workspace:
    • PCs (2) — "End Devices" category → drag two "PC" devices onto the workspace.
    • Laptops (2) — Same category → drag two "Laptop" devices.
    • Servers (2) — Same category → drag two "Server" devices.
    • Switches (3) — "Network Devices" → "Switches" subcategory → drag three "2960" switches.
  3. Arrange the devices on your workspace to allow for easier connection later.

Adding a Second NIC to Servers

  1. Click on Server 1 to open its configuration window.
  2. Go to the Physical tab to view the server's hardware.
  3. Power off the server by clicking the power button (bottom-right of the window).
  4. In the left components panel, locate PT-HOST-NM-1CFE.
  5. Drag this module to an empty slot on the server.
  6. Power the server back on.
  7. Close the configuration window.
  8. Repeat steps 1–7 for Server 2.
Note: The PT-HOST-NM-1CFE module adds an extra Fast Ethernet port, enabling multiple network connections on one server.
Important: Always power off the server before adding or removing hardware modules — otherwise changes may not apply.

🔗 Part 2 — Creating a Partial Mesh Topology

A mesh topology provides multiple paths between devices, offering redundancy and fault tolerance.

  1. Position Server 1, Server 2, Switch 1, and Switch 3 in a layout suitable for a mesh.
  2. Open the connections tool (lightning bolt icon) in the bottom panel.
  3. Select the automatic connection type.
  4. Create the following connections:
    • Server 2 (any FastEthernet port) → Switch 3 (any available port)
    • Server 2 (other FastEthernet port) → Switch 1 (any available port)
    • Server 1 (any FastEthernet port) → Switch 1 (any available port)
    • Server 1 (other FastEthernet port) → Switch 3 (any available port)
    • Switch 1 (any port) → Switch 3 (any port)
  5. Use Place Note to label this area "Partial Mesh Topology".
Why partial? Each server has only two NICs, limiting the total number of direct connections — making this a partial (not full) mesh.

⭐ Part 3 — Creating a Star Topology

A star topology connects every device to a central switch — the most common LAN design.

  1. Position Switch 2 centrally, with the two PCs above and the two laptops below.
  2. Using the connections tool, create these connections:
    • PC-1 (FastEthernet0) → Switch 2
    • PC-2 (FastEthernet0) → Switch 2
    • Laptop-1 (FastEthernet0) → Switch 2
    • Laptop-2 (FastEthernet0) → Switch 2
  3. Use Place Note to label this area "Star Topology".
Note: A 2960 switch offers 24 ports — plenty of capacity, which is why star topologies are so popular in real networks.

🔀 Part 4 — Creating a Hybrid Topology

A hybrid topology combines two or more types in a single network design.

  1. Connect the two topologies:
    • Switch 2 (star) → Switch 1 (mesh)
    • Switch 2 → Switch 3
  2. Use Place Note to label the entire network "Hybrid Topology".
Real-World Context: Most production networks are hybrid topologies — they combine the strengths of different designs to meet specific requirements.