Cisco Networking Labs

Hands-on Cisco networking labs built and documented in Cisco Packet Tracer, progressing from device fundamentals through switching, routing, network services, and network security. Each lab was configured from the CLI, tested, and troubleshooted end-to-end.

This repository documents my practical networking skills as I work toward a career in networking and cyber security.

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What's covered

Level 1 — Fundamentals

• Connecting devices and assigning IP addressing
• Switch base configuration (hostname, passwords, banners, enable secret, password encryption)
• Cisco IOS CLI modes (user → privileged → global config → interface)
• Secure remote management with SSH (RSA keys, VTY lines, SSH v2)

Level 2 — Switching

• VLANs — network segmentation by department
• Trunking (802.1Q) between switches
• Inter-VLAN routing — router-on-a-stick and Layer 3 switch
• Port security — limiting MAC addresses per port
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) — loop prevention

Level 3 — Routing

• IP subnetting and route summarisation
• Static routing and default routes
• Dynamic routing: OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP

Level 4 — Network Services

• DHCP (configured on both a router and a dedicated server)
• DNS (name resolution with a dedicated DNS server)
• NAT / PAT (private-to-public address translation)
• Web (HTTP) and email (SMTP/POP3) services

Level 5 — Network Security

• ACLs — standard and extended access control lists
• SSH hardening — secure device management (login limits, timeouts, disabling Telnet)
• AAA with RADIUS — centralised authentication against a RADIUS server
• Site-to-site IPsec VPN — ISAKMP/IKE Phase 1 and IPsec Phase 2, transform sets, crypto maps

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Documentation

The full lab workbook — with configurations, topologies, and screenshots for every task — is in this repository:

• Cisco_Network_Practice.pdf — viewable directly in the browser
• Cisco_Network_Practice.docx — editable Word version

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Skills demonstrated

• Cisco IOS command-line configuration and troubleshooting
• Structured troubleshooting (staged connectivity testing, reading show command output, isolating faults)
• Switching, routing, and network services configuration
• Network security: access control, device hardening, authentication, and VPN concepts
• Clear technical documentation

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Background

I am completing a Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology and have a completed Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (cyber security focus). I have also completed the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) course and am preparing for the exam.

📫 Open to entry-level roles in IT support, networking, and cyber security.