Cisco Networking Basics Quiz

Module Objectives

• Implement initial settings, including passwords, IP addressing, and default gateway parameters on network switches and end devices.

Cisco IOS Access

• Explain how to access a Cisco IOS device for configuration purposes.
• Explain how to navigate a Cisco IOS device to configure network devices.
• Describe the command structure of Cisco IOS software.
• Configure a Cisco IOS device using CLI.
• Use IOS commands to save the running configuration.
• Explain how devices communicate across network media.
• Configure a host device with an IP address.
• Verify connectivity between two end devices.

Cisco IOS Access - Operating Systems

• Shell - The user interface that allows users to request specific tasks from the computer. Requests can be made via CLI or GUI.
• Kernel - Communicates between hardware and software, managing how hardware resources meet software requirements.
• Hardware - The physical components of a computer, including underlying electronics.

Cisco IOS Access - GUI

• A GUI allows users to interact with the system using graphical elements like icons, menus, and windows.
• GUIs require less knowledge of the underlying command structure.
• Examples include Windows, macOS, Linux KDE, Apple iOS, and Android.
• Network devices are often accessed through CLI due to potential GUI issues.

Cisco IOS Access - Purpose of an OS

• A PC operating system enables users to select options and run programs using a mouse, and input text/command-based commands.
• CLI-based network operating systems enable network technicians to use a keyboard for CLI programs, entering text-based commands, and viewing monitor output.

Cisco IOS Access - Access Methods

• Console: A physical port to access a device for maintenance (initial configurations).
• Secure Shell (SSH): A secure virtual CLI connection to a device over a network (recommended method for remote connections).
• Telnet: An insecure CLI connection over a network; passwords and commands are sent in plain text.

Cisco IOS Access - Terminal Emulation Programs

• Terminal emulation programs connect to network devices using a console port or via SSH/Telnet.
• Examples include PuTTY, Tera Term, and SecureCRT.

IOS Navigation - Command Modes

• User EXEC Mode: Limited access to basic monitoring commands (ends with >).
• Privileged EXEC Mode: Full access to commands and features (ends with #).

IOS Navigation - Configuration Modes

• Global Configuration Mode: Used to access configuration options on the device. (ends with #).
• Line Configuration Mode: Used to configure console, SSH, Telnet, or AUX access. (ends with #).
• Interface Configuration Mode: Used to configure a switch or router interface. (ends with #).

IOS Navigation - Navigating Between IOS Modes

• To move from User EXEC to Privileged EXEC Mode, use the enable command.
• To move between Global Configuration and Privileged EXEC mode, use configure terminal and exit or end commands.
• To move between Line Configuration and Global Configuration modes, use line followed by the line type (e.g. console), and exit command.

IOS Navigation - Subconfiguration Modes

• Escape exit command to return to previous configuration mode (global).
• Change modes from one subconfiguration mode to another by using the appropriate subconfiguration mode command. Example: interface VLAN 1

IOS Navigation - Video: IOS CLI Primary Command Modes

• Covers User EXEC, Privilege EXEC, and Global Config modes.

The Command Structure - Basic IOS Command Structure

• Prompt: Where commands are entered.
• Command: The command entered by the user.
• Space: Separating the command and any arguments.
• Keyword/Argument: User-defined values for the command (example: ip protocols, 192.168.10.5).

The Command Structure - IOS Command Syntax Check

• Determines the needed keywords and arguments for commands.
• Boldface text in syntax displays commands and keywords.
• Italic text displays arguments where the user inputs a value.
• Optional elements are in square brackets [ ], and required elements in curly braces { }.

The Command Structure - IOS Help Features

• Context-sensitive help quickly answers questions about available commands, command modes, and arguments.
• Syntax checking verifies entered commands are valid; otherwise, providing feedback on errors or missing elements.

The Command Structure - Hot Keys and Shortcuts

• IOS CLI provides shortcuts for easier configuring, monitoring, and troubleshooting tasks.
• Commands and keywords can be shortened as long as uniqueness is maintained.
• Keystrokes (e.g., Tab for completion, Backspace, Arrow keys) facilitate command-line editing.

The Command Structure - Video: Hot Keys and Shortcuts

• Covers various hot keys for command entry and editing (e.g., Tab completion, arrow keys, and Control characters).

The Command Structure - Packet Tracer: Navigate the IOS

• Establishes basic connections to access CLI and explore help.
• Covers procedures for exploring EXEC modes.
• Demonstrates setting the clock on the device.

The Command Structure - Lab: Navigate the IOS by Using Tera Term for Console Connectivity

• Demonstrates accessing Cisco Switch through serial console port.
• Covers basic configuration and settings display methods.
• Optionally covers configuration through USB connection to Cisco Router.

Basic Device Configuration - Device Names

• The first configuration command assigns a unique hostname.
• Devices have a default factory name (example: "Switch").
• Naming guidelines (start with a letter, no spaces, end with a letter or digit, use only letters, digits, and dashes, fewer than 64 characters).

Basic Device Configuration - Password Guidelines

• Strong passwords are crucial.
• Networks need secure EXEC, user EXEC, and remote Telnet access (encrypted passwords).
• Password guidelines include: 8+ character length use of upper/lower case letters, numbers, special characters, and avoid common words.

Basic Device Configuration - Configure Passwords

• Secure user EXEC-mode access by configuring user EXEC-mode password, and enabling user EXEC access.
• Secure privileged EXEC-mode access using the enable secret command.
• Configuring VTY line access by entering line vty 0 15 mode and configuring the password, and enabling VTY access.

Basic Device Configuration - Encrypt Passwords

• Displays passwords in plaintext files; use service password-encryption to encrypt them.

Basic Device Configuration - Banner Messages

• Configure banner messages on devices.
• The banner message displays prompts on attempts to access the device (such as "Authorized Access Only!").

Basic Device Configuration - Video: Secure Administrative Access to a Switch

• This covers switch access, secure methods, encrypting passwords, configuring banner messages, and verifying security changes.

Save Configurations - Configuration Files

• Startup-config (NVRAM): Stored configuration, used upon reboot / startup
• Running-config (RAM): Current configuration, changes take immediate effect, lost on reboot.

Save Configurations - Alter the Running Configuration

• Manually delete specific commands
• Reload the device to replace running config with the startup config
• Clear all configuration using global config mode erase startup-config.

Save Configurations - Capture Configuration to a Text File

• Capture the running configuration or startup configuration from the CLI.
• Choose a location and file name to store the configuration (example MySwitchLogs).

Save Configurations - Packet Tracer: Configure Initial Switch Settings

• Tasks include verifying default configurations, configuring basic switch configurations, including a MOTD banner, saving configuration files to NVRAM, and configuring a second switch.

Ports and Addresses - IP Addresses

• IPv4 addresses use dotted decimal notation (e.g., 192.168.1.10).
• IPv4 subnet masks define network and host portions of the address.
• Default gateway is the IP address of the router used for remote access.

Ports and Addresses - IP Addresses (Cont.)

• IPv6 addresses use a longer format of 128 bits, expressed as a string of hexadecimal values, separated by colons, (e.g., 2001:db8:acad:10::10).

Ports and Addresses - Interfaces and Ports

• Network communication relies on user and network device interfaces; and connecting cables.
• Various network media types exist, such as twisted-pair copper, fiber-optic cable, coax, and wireless.
• Various features and benefits (distance, environment, data speed, cost) exist for every media.

Configure IP Addressing

• Manual IP Address Configuration: Entering IPv4 address settings (address, subnet mask, gateway address) in an end device directly.
• Automatic IP Address Configuration: Using DHCP to assign IPv4 addresses dynamically. This configures on Windows by opening Control Panel > Network Sharing Center. Choosing an adapter and clicking properties opens Properties for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).

Configure IP Addressing - Switch Virtual Interface Configuration

• Access the switch remotely with an IP address and subnet mask configured on the SVI.
• Configuring an SVI steps involve interface vlan 1 command, ip address command for configuring an IPv4 address, and no shutdown command to enable it.

Configure IP Addressing - Packet Tracer - Implement Basic Connectivity

• Configuration tasks on two switches include performing basic configuration, configuring PCs, and configuring switch management interface.

Verify Connectivity

• Test end-to-end connectivity using the ping command on switches and personal computers.

Verify Connectivity - Video - Test the Interface Assignment

• Connect a console cable from a PC to the switch, and accept the default settings.
• Use enable command to transition to privileged EXEC mode.
• Configuring Global Configuration Mode (configure terminal) and Interface Configuration Mode (interface) to implement no shutdown command.

Verify Connectivity – Video – Test End-to-End Connectivity

• Test the end-to-end connectivity via ping commands for the switch and PCs.

Module Practice and Quiz

• Packet Tracer task to configure hostnames and IP addresses on switches.
• Tasks involving specifying/limiting access to device configurations, saving running configuration, configuring host devices, and verifying connectivity.

Module Practice and Lab Summary

• Steps for topology setup, PC host configuration, and basic switch settings verification.