Networking Labs

Modern networks are the backbone of every organization—and they don’t configure themselves. These networking labs are hands-on simulations I’ve built to sharpen my skills in routing, switching, VLAN segmentation, and network troubleshooting. From setting up inter-VLAN routing to configuring trunk ports and subnetting department-based IP ranges, each lab replicates scenarios faced by real network engineers. They showcase my ability to build, manage, and troubleshoot secure and scalable networks while preparing for roles in network administration and beyond.

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Networking Labs

Multi-VLAN Segmentation with Inter-VLAN Routing

VLAN

Simulated a multi-department office network by segmenting devices into VLANs, assigning subnets, and configuring router ports for inter-VLAN routing to enable cross-department communication.

Skills Demonstrated:

Creating and assigning VLANs for department-based segmentation
Calculating and applying subnetting for scalable IP allocation
Configuring access ports for VLAN membership on a switch
Using straight-through cabling to connect endpoint devices
Implementing inter-VLAN routing using separate router interfaces per VLAN
Assigning gateway IP addresses based on subnet design
Verifying VLAN-to-VLAN communication using ping tests
Using CLI commands for hostname config, password hardening, and interface setup
Interpreting router and switch output to validate configuration

Multi-VLAN Segmentation with Trunking and ROAS

VLAN

Designed a multi-VLAN network using two switches and a router, configured trunk ports and VLANs across switches, and implemented Router on a Stick (ROAS) to enable inter-VLAN communication across departments.

Skills Demonstrated:

Creating and assigning VLANs for department-based segmentation
Calculating and applying subnetting for scalable IP allocation
Creating and configuring trunk ports between switches and to the router for VLAN propagation
Naming and managing VLANs using best practices
Simulating a multi-department structure: Sales (VLAN10), HR (VLAN20), Engineering (VLAN30)
Implementing Router on a Stick (ROAS) with subinterfaces using encapsulation dot1q
Setting native VLAN to VLAN1001 for trunk security
Verifying trunk status, VLAN propagation, and ROAS functionality via ping tests
Demonstrating inter-VLAN connectivity with ping replies across VLANs on different switches

Multi-VLAN Segmentation with Layer 3 Switch

VLAN

Simulated a multi-department office network by segmenting devices into VLANs, assigning subnets, and configuring router ports for inter-VLAN routing to enable cross-department communication.

Skills Demonstrated:

Creating and assigning VLANs for department-based segmentation
Calculating and applying subnetting for scalable IP allocation
Creating and configuring trunk ports between switches and to the router for VLAN propagation
Naming and managing VLANs using best practices
Simulating a multi-department structure: Sales (VLAN10), HR (VLAN20), Engineering (VLAN30)
Enabling Layer 3 routing via SVIs on a Multilayer Switch
Setting native VLAN to VLAN1001 for trunk security
Verifying trunk status, VLAN propagation, and ROAS functionality via ping tests
Demonstrating inter-VLAN connectivity with ping replies across VLANs on different switches

Spanning Tree Protocol Load Balancing

STP and RSTP

Configured and manipulated Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to observe root bridge elections, port roles, load balancing across VLANs, and STP security features like PortFast and BPDU Guard.

Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol Analysis and Configuration

STP and RSTP

Analyzed Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) behavior across multiple switches and link types, then configured link types, PortFast, and observed dynamic role and state assignment.

Skills Demonstrated:

Identifying the root bridge based on priority + VLAN ID and MAC address
Understanding port roles: root, designated, alternate, backup
Observing and verifying default RSTP port types (point-to-point, shared, edge)
Configuring PortFast for end-host connections
Classifying links as point-to-point or shared based on duplex settings
Validating configurations with show spanning-tree command

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Etherchannel Configuration

Etherchannel

Configured Layer 2 and Layer 3 EtherChannels using LACP, PAgP, and static mode across Cisco switches, optimizing bandwidth and enabling IP-based load balancing.

Skills Demonstrated:

Configuring Layer 2 EtherChannels using LACP (active mode)
Configuring Layer 2 EtherChannels using PAgP (desirable mode)
Implementing Layer 3 static EtherChannel with routed ports
Verifying EtherChannel states using summary commands
Modifying and confirming EtherChannel load-balancing behavior
Establishing IP routing and configuring static routes for inter-VLAN communication
Testing end-to-end connectivity across the topology

OSPF Configuration and Default Route Advertisement

OSPF

Configured basic OSPF on four routers with loopback interfaces, passive-interface rules, and a default route advertisement to demonstrate OSPF adjacency, LSDB structure, and routing behavior.

Skills Demonstrated:

Creating and configuring loopback interfaces
Configuring OSPF using multiple approaches
Setting OSPF passive interfaces for non-routing interfaces
Advertising a default route using default-information originate
Understanding OSPF router ID selection
Using OSPF show commands to analyze protocol behavior
Verifying full OSPF neighbor adjacency and LSDB contents
Observing route propagation and load balancing via OSPF metrics

OSPF Neighbor Troubleshooting

OSPF

Configured OSPF across a multi-router topology and resolved adjacency, timer, and default route issues to ensure full route propagation and external connectivity.