CMIT 351 – Project 1 is the first big hands-on task in the networking course at UMGC. If you are new to computer networks and Cisco devices, this project might feel a little confusing at first. But don’t worry—this guide is made to help you in a simple, easy way. It explains the project step by step and shows you what each part means and why it’s important. We’ll talk about connecting devices, setting up switches, testing the network, and even using VLANs.
In CMIT 351 – Project 1, you will learn how to create a small local area network (LAN). You’ll connect computers to switches, set passwords, and write basic commands in Cisco’s CLI. You will also create different VLANs for groups like students and faculty and learn why devices in different VLANs can’t talk to each other without extra setup. By the end, you’ll understand what a VLAN is, what a trunk port does, and how to fix problems if computers can’t ping each other. This blog will guide you in simple words with tips to make your project work smoothly—even if it’s your first time!
What Is CMIT 351 – Project 1 and Why It Matters in Networking?
CMIT 351 – Project 1 is a hands-on assignment that teaches you the basics of building a small computer network. It is part of a networking class at UMGC and helps students learn how devices like computers and switches talk to each other. This project is important because it shows how networks work in real life. You don’t just read about it—you build it. You learn how to connect devices with cables, type commands into switches, and check if everything is working by using ping tests. You also learn what happens when things don’t work and how to fix them. That’s a big part of working in IT. So, even if it seems hard at first, this project gives you real skills you’ll use in the future, especially if you want to work in networking or IT support. It’s like building your own mini internet!
Tools You Need Before Starting CMIT 351 – Project 1
Before you begin CMIT 351 – Project 1, you need some important tools to help you do the job right. First, you need Cisco Packet Tracer. It’s a free software from Cisco that lets you build a network without real hardware. You also need virtual devices like switches, PCs, and Ethernet cables, all of which are available in Packet Tracer. A basic understanding of how to use the command line interface (CLI) is helpful too. You’ll be typing commands into the switches to make them work. It’s also good to have a cheat sheet of common Cisco commands. Lastly, make sure you have your project instructions open so you know what steps to follow. Having these tools ready before you start will save you a lot of time and help you understand each part of the project better. Think of them like your toolbox!
Step-by-Step: How I Cabled the Network in CMIT 351 – Project 1
Cabling the network is one of the first steps in CMIT 351 – Project 1, and it’s pretty simple when you know what goes where. First, I connected PC-A to switch S1 using an Ethernet cable in port fa0/6. Then I connected S1 to switch S2 using port fa0/1 on both switches. After that, I connected PC-B to switch S2 on port fa0/11 and PC-C to S2 on port fa0/18. Each cable must go into the right port for the network to work properly. It’s kind of like plugging in your TV and game console—each thing needs to go in the right place. If you plug into the wrong spot, it won’t work! Getting the cabling right is important because it allows all the devices to talk to each other through the switches, which is the main goal of your mini-network.
Easy Guide to Basic Switch Configuration for Beginners
When doing CMIT 351 – Project 1, you must set up the switches using basic configuration. This makes the switch ready to work in your network. First, I went into CLI mode and typed commands like enable and configure terminal to enter setup mode. I set a secret password using enable secret class and created login passwords for console and remote access using password cisco. I also added a warning message with banner motd that says “unauthorized access is strictly prohibited.” Lastly, I turned on logging to see messages clearly by using logging synchronous. These steps help secure your switch and make it easier to manage. Think of it like setting up a new phone with passwords and settings. Without these steps, your switch would be open and not safe. This part is important for both learning and for real-world networking jobs!
How to Set IP Address, Subnet, and Gateway for Each PC
In CMIT 351 – Project 1, every PC must have its own IP address, subnet mask, and gateway. These settings help the computer know who it is and how to talk to others. For example, PC-A was given IP 192.168.10.3, subnet 255.255.255.0, and gateway 192.168.10.1. PC-B had a similar setup, but PC-C had a different network: IP 192.168.20.3 and gateway 192.168.20.1. The subnet helps group the devices, and the gateway lets them send messages outside their group. If these numbers are wrong, your PC won’t connect to anyone! Think of it like writing your house address wrong—no one can find you. When you set the IP, subnet, and gateway correctly, your PC can ping other devices and join the network happily. This step is like giving each device its name tag and home address so it knows who it is.
CMIT 351 – Project 1: Troubleshooting Ping and Connectivity Issues
Sometimes, even if everything looks right, devices can’t talk to each other in CMIT 351 – Project 1. This is where you learn to troubleshoot using the ping command. If PC-A tries to ping PC-B and gets replies, that means the network is working between them. But if it pings PC-C and sees “request timed out,” then there’s a problem. This could mean the PCs are in different VLANs or their gateways are wrong. It might also mean the trunk port isn’t working right. Troubleshooting is like being a detective. You check cables, IPs, and switch settings one by one. Start with easy checks like making sure the IP addresses are correct, and then go deeper. Fixing ping problems is a key skill in real networking jobs. It teaches you not to panic and just look for the issue step by step.
VLANs Made Simple: Creating and Naming VLANs in Your Project
In CMIT 351 – Project 1, you create VLANs to divide the network into smaller groups. A VLAN is like a private room where only certain devices can talk. I made VLAN 10 for students, VLAN 20 for faculty, and VLAN 99 for management. You make these by going into the switch CLI and typing vlan 10, then giving it a name like name Students. This keeps your network organized and secure. Devices in different VLANs can’t talk to each other unless you set up extra things like a router. VLANs help in real businesses to keep student devices away from teacher devices, for example. It’s like having different rooms in a house for different people. This setup makes the network safer and easier to control. Once you assign VLANs, you’re already thinking like a real network engineer!
Assigning VLANs to Ports: Which Port Goes Where?
Once your VLANs are ready, the next step in CMIT 351 – Project 1 is putting each PC into the right VLAN. This is done by assigning VLANs to the switch ports. For example, I used switchport access vlan 10 to put PC-A into VLAN 10. Then I assigned PC-B and other ports into the same or different VLANs. PC-C was placed in VLAN 20 using the same kind of command. Each switch port needs to be told what VLAN it belongs to. If you skip this step, your devices may not connect the right way. It’s like putting students into the right classroom—if they’re in the wrong one, they won’t learn what they need. Assigning VLANs to ports helps the switch know who can talk to who. This part is important for both testing and real job situations.
What Is VLAN Trunking and Why It’s Needed in CMIT 351 – Project 1?
VLAN trunking is a way for two switches to share VLAN info between them. In CMIT 351 – Project 1, this is done using a trunk port between S1 and S2. You set this up by typing switchport mode trunk on the port that connects the two switches. Without trunking, only the default VLAN (VLAN 1) would pass between switches. That means VLAN 10 or VLAN 20 wouldn’t reach the other side. Trunking allows multiple VLANs to travel over one cable. It’s like having a big road where cars from different cities can drive together without needing different roads. Trunking is super important when you have VLANs on both switches and you want them to talk. If this is not set right, devices in the same VLAN but on different switches won’t be able to ping each other. That’s why this step is a must.
Why PC-C Can’t Talk to PC-A or PC-B? (And How to Fix It!)
If PC-C can’t ping PC-A or PC-B in CMIT 351 – Project 1, don’t worry—it’s a common problem. This happens because PC-C is in VLAN 20, and PC-A and PC-B are in VLAN 10. Devices in different VLANs can’t talk to each other unless you set up something special, like a router or inter-VLAN routing. Without this, they are like kids in different classrooms—they can’t pass notes unless the teacher helps. In this case, the teacher is a router. To fix this, you need a router-on-a-stick setup or a Layer 3 switch that handles traffic between VLANs. But if the project doesn’t ask for that, then the behavior is normal. Just make sure they are in the right VLANs and the trunk is working. This teaches a big lesson: VLANs keep devices apart for safety and control, and that’s why you use them.
Conclusion
CMIT 351 – Project 1 teaches you how a real network works. You plug in cables, set passwords, assign IPs, and make VLANs. It’s like building a city where each house (PC) talks to others the right way. You learn to fix problems too. That’s the fun part!
You don’t have to be a tech genius to finish this project. Just take one step at a time. Use simple commands, test your pings, and don’t give up if something doesn’t work right away. Every mistake helps you learn. That’s how you grow in IT!
FAQs
Q: What is CMIT 351 – Project 1 about?
A: It’s a networking project where you build a small network using PCs, switches, and VLANs.
Q: Why can’t PC-C talk to PC-A?
A: They are in different VLANs, and VLANs can’t talk without a router or inter-VLAN setup.
Q: What is VLAN trunking?
A: It lets VLAN traffic move between switches using one port, like a highway for data.
Q: What software do I need for this project?
A: You need Cisco Packet Tracer to create and test your network setup.
Q: What happens if I skip assigning VLANs to ports?
A: Your PCs may not connect correctly, and ping tests will fail.
