Installing Packet Tracer and Configuring VLANs on Cisco Switches for Beginners

This tutorial will guide you through installing Cisco Packet Tracer and setting up VLAN configurations on a switch. For those without access to Cisco equipment, Cisco

Packet

Tracer is a free, powerful tool that simulates network environments. This guide includes instructions for creating VLANs, assigning ports, and verifying connections.

Credit: Special thanks to East Charmer on YouTube for the excellent video walkthrough on VLAN setup. Following her steps, I’ve included screenshots to help guide you through each step.

Step 1: Installing Cisco Packet Tracer

To get started, download Cisco Packet Tracer from the Cisco Networking Academy. Create a free account if needed, and navigate to “Resources.” Download the latest version

for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Run the installer and follow the setup prompts to complete the installation. Open Packet Tracer and log in using your NetAcad credentials.

Step 2: Starting Your Lab Environment

Open Packet Tracer and start a new project. From the left-side toolbar, drag a Cisco Switch and a few PCs into the workspace.

Real Hardware Option: You can replicate this setup on a real switch. Used Cisco switches, like the Cisco 2960, are often available on eBay for a budget-friendly price. Using real hardware helps solidify your understanding and gives hands-on experience with physical equipment.

Step 3: Configuring VLANs on the Switch

To set up VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) on the switch, follow these steps. VLANs create separate subnets, isolating traffic for security and efficiency.

Access the Switch Command Line Interface (CLI) by clicking on the switch, selecting the CLI tab, and entering the following command to enable privileged EXEC mode:

enable

Enter Global Configuration Mode to configure settings that apply to the whole switch:

configure terminal

Create VLANs by entering unique IDs and names. Here, we’re creating VLAN 10 and VLAN 20:

vlan 10

name Accounting

exit

vlan 20

name Sales

exit

After creating each VLAN, use exit to return to global configuration mode. This isolates traffic for devices in each department.

Assign ports on the switch to the correct VLAN. Each port connects a different device. To assign port FastEthernet 0/1 to VLAN 10, use:

interface fastethernet 0/1

switchport mode access

switchport access vlan 10

exit

Repeat these commands for other ports and VLANs as needed, substituting different port numbers or VLAN IDs based on your configuration.

Verify your VLAN setup using:

show vlan brief

This command shows all VLANs and their assigned ports, giving you a summary of your VLAN setup.

Step 4: Testing and Verification

Connect each PC to the correct switch port in Packet Tracer. Assign IP addresses in the same subnet for each VLAN (e.g., 192.168.10.x for VLAN 10) and repeat for VLAN 20, assigning PCs addresses in a different subnet (e.g., 192.168.20.x).

To verify communication, use the ping command between PCs within the same VLAN. For example, open the command prompt on one PC in VLAN 10 and type:

ping <other_PC_IP_address>

PCs in the same VLAN should communicate without issue. However, PCs in different VLANs (e.g., Accounting and Sales) won’t communicate without a router or a Layer 3 switch.

Additional Tips

If you add multiple switches, configure their connecting ports as trunk ports to enable VLAN traffic to flow between them. For inter-VLAN routing (communication

between VLANs), a router with subinterfaces can route traffic between VLANs.

For more guidance, I recommend watching the original video tutorial by East Charmer on YouTube, which goes into additional detail.