Name: Raj Sunil Thorve.
Class: SYIT-B
Roll No: 453 Sub: CNS Lab
DOP: Sign:
DOS: Grade:
EXPERIMENT NO. 3
Aim: Installation of CISCO packet Tracer and implement simple network topologies using it.
Theory:
Cisco Packet Tracer
Packet Tracer is a useful network simulation tool from Cisco. It’s a free tool designed to guide
beginners about networking certifications, such as CCNA certifications. The program allows
students to experiment with a system’s network behaviour.
Features of Cisco Packet Tracer:
1. Network Simulation: It simulates the behaviour of a real network, enabling users to
build and test network configurations without needing physical hardware.
2. Device Simulation: It supports a variety of networking devices like routers, switches,
PCs, servers, and even IoT (Internet of Things) devices, making it possible to create a wide
range of network scenarios.
3. Configuration & Troubleshooting: Users can configure devices with Cisco’s real-
world command-line interface (CLI) or use a graphical interface to set up networks and
troubleshoot issues.
4. Multimedia Integration: Users can add and view different types of media, like video
or sound, to simulate real-world network behaviour.
5. Interactive Learning: It includes interactive tutorials and activities that guide users
through different networking tasks, making it ideal for hands-on learning.
6. Packet-level Visualization: Packet Tracer allows users to view the flow of packets
through the network in real-time, which helps in understanding how protocols and data transfer
works.
7. Simulation and Real-time Modes: There are two main modes in Packet Tracer –
simulation mode and real-time mode. Simulation mode shows packets traveling through the
network, whereas real-time mode is like a live network where configurations can be applied
immediately.
8. Customizable Devices: Users can create custom devices and configurations using the
dragand-drop interface.
Installation Of Cisco Packet Tracer
Network Topology
Network topology refers to the arrangement or structure of devices (such as computers, routers,
and switches) and their connections in a network. It defines how different network components
are interconnected and how data flows between them. Common types of network topologies
include star, bus, ring, mesh, and hybrid, each with its own advantages and drawbacks
depending on factors like scalability, fault tolerance, and cost. The choice of topology plays a
crucial role in network performance, reliability, and ease of management.
Star Topology
Star topology is an arrangement of the network in which every node is connected to the central
hub, switch or a central computer. The central computer is known as a server, and the peripheral
devices attached to the server are known as clients.
Advantages of star topologies are efficient troubleshooting, network control, limited failure,
familiar technology, easily expandable, cost effective and high data speeds.
Disadvantages of star topologies are central point of failure and cable routing problems.
Bus Topology
The bus topology is designed in such a way that all the stations are connected through a single
cable known as a backbone cable. Each node is either connected to the backbone cable by drop
cable or directly connected to the backbone cable. The backbone cable is considered as a "single
lane" through which the message is broadcast to all the stations. The most common access
method of the bus topologies is CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access).
Advantages of bus topology are low-cost cable, moderate data speeds. Familiar technology and
limited failure.
Disadvantages of bus topology are extensive cabling, difficult troubleshooting, signal
interference, reconfiguration difficult and attenuation.
Mesh Topology
Mesh technology is an arrangement of the network in which computers are interconnected with
each other through various redundant connections. There are multiple paths from one computer
to another computer. It does not contain the switch, hub or any central computer which acts as
a central point of communication. The Internet is an example of the mesh topology.
Types of Mesh Topology:
• Full Mesh Topology: In a full mesh topology, each computer is connected to all the
computers available in the network.
• Partial Mesh Topology: In a partial mesh topology, not all but certain computers are
connected to those computers with which they communicate frequently.
Advantages of mesh topology are reliable, fast communication and easier reconfiguration.
Disadvantages of mesh topology are high cost and management.
Ring Topology
Star topology is an arrangement of the network in which every node is connected to the central
hub, switch or a central computer. The central computer is known as a server, and the peripheral
devices attached to the server are known as clients. Coaxial cable or RJ-45 cables are used to
connect the computers. Hubs or Switches are mainly used as connection devices in a physical
star topology. Star topology is the most popular topology in network implementation.
Advantages of ring topology are efficient troubleshooting, network control, limited failure,
familiar technology, cost effective and high data speeds.
Disadvantages of ring topology are central point of failure and cable routing problems.
Tree Topology
Tree topology combines the characteristics of bus topology and star topology. A tree topology
is a type of structure in which all the computers are connected with each other in hierarchical
fashion. The top-most node in tree topology is known as a root node, and all other nodes are
the descendants of the root node. There is only one path exists between two nodes for the data
transmission. Thus, it forms a parent-child hierarchy.
Advantages of tree topology are support for broadband transmission, easily expandable, easily
manageable, error detection and point-to-point detection.
Disadvantages of tree topology are difficult troubleshooting, high cost, failure and difficult
reconfiguration.
Hybrid Topology
The combination of various different topologies is known as Hybrid topology. A Hybrid
topology is a connection between different links and nodes to transfer the data. When two or
more different topologies are combined together is termed as Hybrid topology and if similar
topologies are connected with each other will not result in Hybrid topology. For example, if
there exist a ring topology in one branch of ICICI bank and bus topology in another branch of
ICICI bank, connecting these two topologies will result in Hybrid topology.
Advantages of hybrid topology are reliable, scalable, flexible and effective.
Disadvantages of hybrid topology are complex design, complex hub and costly infrastructure.
Conclusion: We demonstrated the installation of Cisco Packet Tracer and implemented
simple network topologies to understand the core concepts of networking allowing to simulate
and troubleshoot network configurations in a virtual environment for understanding various
network topologies.
