Lab 3.4.2 Basic LAN Setup

Estimated time: 60 min.

Objectives:

• Create a simple LAN with two PCs using a single crossover cable to connect the workstations
• Create a simple LAN with two PCs using an Ethernet hub and two straight-thru cables to connect the workstations
• Connect the hub-based mini-LAN to the Internet if a connection is available
• Use the Control Panel / Network utility to verify and configure the network settings
• Use the ICMP Ping command to verify the TCP/IP connection between the two workstations
• Use the WINIPCFG.EXE utility to verify all IP configuration settings

In this lab you learn how to connect two PCs to create a simple Peer-to-Peer LAN or workgroup. The instructions for this lab focus on the Windows 95 or 98 operating system. You will share a folder on one workstation and connect to that folder from the other workstation. This lab is divided into three exercises as follows:

Exercise A - The two PCs (or workstations) will be connected directly to each other from one Network Interface card (NIC) to the other NIC using a crossover cable. This can be useful to allow you to create a mini-lab for testing purposes without the need for a hub. Since the NICs on the workstations are directly connected you will not be able to connect any additional workstations.

Exercise B – The two PCs will be connected with a hub between them. Using a hub allows for more than just two workstations to be connected depending on the number of ports on the hub. Hubs can have anywhere from 4 to 24 ports.

Note: For both exercises A and B, you will verify that the workstations are functioning and that network hardware is installed properly. You will also need to verify and configure all TCP/IP protocol network settings for the two workstations to communicate such as IP address and subnet mask.

Exercise C (optional) – The two PCs attached to the hub will be connected to the Internet with another straight-thru cable connected to a live hub or switch. You will use your browser to access a web site.

It is best to start with a fresh install of Windows 98. The workstations should have Network Interface Cards (NIC) installed with the proper drivers (floppy disk or CD) available. The following resources will be required:

• Two Pentium-based workstations with a NIC in each (NIC drivers should be available)
• Exercise A - One CAT5 Crossover cable to connect the workstations without a hub
• Exercise B - An Ethernet hub (4 or 8 port) and two CAT5 straight-wired cables
• Exercise C – A connection to the Internet if available with a third straight-thru cable on the hub
• Windows 98 CD-ROM to do fresh install or to use when network setting changes are made.

In this lab you will set up a small peer-to-peer Ethernet LAN workgroup using two workstations. Answer the following questions with each step as you check and/or configure the necessary components.

Note: Steps 1 and 2 (physical LAN connections) will be different between exercises A and B. The steps from 3 on should be the same since they relate only to the workstations and should be performed on both workstations.

Step 1 – Check Local Area Network (LAN) Connections

Task: Verify the cables

Explanation: You should check the cables to verify that you have good layer 1 physical connections

Exercise A - A single CAT 5 crossover cable is used to connect the workstations together. Verify that the pins are wired as a crossover by holding both RJ-45 connectors side by side with the clip down and inspect them. Pairs 2 and 3 should be reversed. Refer to Lab 5.3.4 for correct wire color and pin locations.

Exercise B - Check each of the two CAT 5 cables from each workstation to the hub. Verify that the pins are wired straight thru by holding the two RJ-45 connectors for each cable side by side with the clip down and inspect them. All pins should have the same color wire on the same pin at both ends of the cable. (pin 1 should match pin 1 and pin 8 should match pin 8 etc.) Refer to Lab 5.3.2 for correct pin locations.

1. Are the cable(s) wired correctly? 
   
   
   

Task: Check the workstations (and hub for exercise B)

Explanation:

Exercises A and B – Check to make sure that the NICs are installed correctly in each workstation. Plug in the workstations and turn them on.

Exercise B - Plug the hub or its AC adapter into a power outlet. Plug the straight through cable from workstation 1 into port 1 of the hub and the cable from workstation 2 into port 2 of the hub. After the workstations have booted, check the green link light on the back of each NIC and the green lights on ports 1 and 2 of the hub to verify that the are communicating. This also verifies a good physical connection between the Hub and the NICs in the workstations (OSI Layers 1 and 2). If the link light is not on it usually indicates a bad cable connection, an incorrectly wired cable or the NIC or hub may not be functioning correctly.

1. Are the NIC and hub link lights on? 
   
   

Task: Check the Network Adapter (NIC): Use the Control Panel, System, Device Manager utility to verify that the Network Adapter (NIC) is functioning properly for both workstations. Double click on Network Adapters and then right click the NIC adapter in use. Click Properties to see if the device is working properly.

Explanation: If there is a problem with the NIC or driver, the icon will show a yellow circle with an exclamation mark in it with (possible resource conflict) or a red X indicating a serious problem (device could cause Windows to lock up).

1. What does the NIC properties window say about the Network Adapter?
   
   
   

Task: Use the Control Panel, Network utility and select the TCP/IP protocol from the Configuration Tab and click on properties. Check the IP Address and Subnet mask for both workstations on the IP Address Tab.

Explanation: The IP addresses can be set to anything as long as they are compatible and on the same network. Record the existing settings before making any changes in case they need to be set back (for instance, they may be DHCP clients now). For this lab, use the Class C network address of 200.150.100.0 and set workstation 1 to a static IP address 200.150.100.1 and set workstation 2 to 200.150.100.2. Set the default subnet mask on each workstation to 255.255.255.0.

1. Have the IP addresses and Subnet mask been set? 
   
   

Task: Use the winipcfg.exe command to see your TCP/IP settings on one screen. Click on Start, Programs and then select the MS-DOS Prompt.

Explanation: Enter the winipcfg /all command (you do not need the .exe since this is an executable command) to see all TCP/IP related settings for your workstation.

1. Fill in the blanks below using the results of the WINIPCFG command from each workstation:

Workstation 1 Name:	Workstation 2 Name:
IP Address:	IP Address:
Subnet Mask:	Subnet Mask:
MAC (Hardware) Address:	MAC (Hardware) Address:

Task: Use the Ping Command to check for basic TCP/IP connectivity. Click on Start, Programs and then the MS-DOS Prompt. Enter the Ping command followed by the IP address of the other workstation (Example - ping 200.150.100.1).

Explanation: This will verify that you have a good OSI Layers 1 thru 3 connection.

1. What was the result of the Ping command?
   
   

Task: Check Network Configuration: Use the Control Panel, Network utility, Configuration Tab and check to be sure that you have the following networking components installed:

1. Microsoft Family or Microsoft Windows Logon Client (small computer icon).
2. The NIC adapter (small NIC icon).
3. The TCP/IP Protocol (small network cable connection icon).

There may be other adapters and protocols listed but these are the ones required for this lab. Click on the Access Control Tab and verify that that the "Share Level Access Control" button is selected. Select the Microsoft Family or Windows client and click properties. Click on the Identification Tab and enter a name for the first computer of PC1. Name the other computer PC2. The Workgroup should be WORKGROUP and the Computer Description is optional.

Explanation: You will need to reboot the computer and if prompted insert the Windows 98 CD.

1. List the Networking components installed:

Client (computer icon)
Adapter (NIC icon)
Protocol (net connection icon)
Other Client / Adapter / Protocol

Task: Use the Control Panel, Network utility, Configuration Tab and click the File and Print Sharing button. On the workstation that will have the folder to be shared, check the box that says "I want to be able to give others access to my files" to allow each workstation to share its Folders. You can also check the box that says "I want to be able to allow others to print to my printers" to allow the other workstation to print if you have a shared printer attached to one of the workstations.

Task: Set up a File folder to share: On workstation one, use Windows Explorer to create a folder to be shared called "Test folder". Using Windows Explorer, My Computer or Network Neighborhood, select the folder and right click to share it. Enter the name of the share and click OK. From the other workstation, click on Network Neighborhood and select the first workstation and the shared folder.

Explanation: You can map a drive to the shared folder if you wish. While working in the shared folder on the other workstation, create a new document and save it. If you have a printer shared you may want to print the document.

1. Document the results of the folder sharing and file creating process:  
   
   
   
   
   
   

LAB 3.4.2 - BASIC LAN SETUP - ANSWERS

Step 1

1. Are the cable(s) wired correctly?  Yes,  They are wired crossed over (if no hub is being used with Exercise A) or they are wired straight thru (if a hub is being used with exercise B)

Step 2

1. Are the NIC and hub link lights on?  Yes, The green link light on both NICs is on and the link lights on both hub ports are on (if using a hub with exercise B)

Step 3  

1.  What does the NIC properties window say about the Network Adapter?  Lists the name of the controller, the manufacturer, the device type and status:  This device is working properly

Step 4

1. Have the IP addresses and Subnet mask been set?  Yes

Step 5  

1. Using the results of the winipcfg  /all command fill in the blanks for each workstation:

Workstation 1 Name:  PC1	Workstation 2 Name:  PC2
IP Address:  200.150.100.1	IP Address:  200.150.100.2
Subnet Mask:  255.255.255.0	Subnet Mask:  255.255.255.0
Adapter (MAC) Address:  00-08-C7-26-C5-A8	Adapter (MAC) Address: 00-08-C7-48-AD-F3

Step 6  

1.  What was the result of the Ping command? (Ping from 200.150.100.1 to 200.150.100.2 using Windows 98 operating system)

Pinging   200.150.100.2  with  32  bytes  of  data:

Reply  from   200.150.100.2:             Bytes = 32      Time = 1ms     TTL = 255

Reply  from   200.150.100.2:             Bytes = 32      Time = 1ms     TTL = 255

Reply  from   200.150.100.2:             Bytes = 32      Time = 1ms     TTL = 255

  Reply  from   200.150.100.2:             Bytes = 32      Time = 1ms     TTL = 255

Step 7  

1. List the Networking components installed: (Answers will vary)

Client (computer icon)	Windows  Family  (or Windows  Logon)
Adapter (NIC icon)	Compaq  NC3120  Fast  Ethernet  NIC
Protocol (net connection icon)	TCP / IP
Other Client / Adapter / Protocol	There should be no others – Remove them if they are present

Step 8  

1. Document the results of the folder sharing and file creating process:

The folder on PC1 was shared and PC2 was able to connected to the shared folder and create a document in it.