🌐 Enterprise Network Design & Implementation

Comprehensive Cisco Packet Tracer project demonstrating fundamental topologies, hybrid enterprise architecture, security hardening, and SNMP monitoring.

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📋 Project Overview

Single Integrated Network Simulation featuring:

• 6 fundamental network topologies (Bus, Mesh, Star Hub/Switch, Ring, Extended Star)
• Hybrid enterprise network (GameHub) with VLAN segmentation
• DNS and HTTP server farm
• Device security hardening across all infrastructure
• SNMP monitoring implementation

Tools: Cisco Packet Tracer 8.x | Protocols: IPv4, 802.1Q, Static Routing, HTTP, DNS, SNMP v2c

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🗂️ Repository Structure

networkSim/
├── 5_topologies.pkt                  # All fundamental topologies
├── hybrid_topology.pkt               # Complete hybrid network
├── README.md                         # This file
├── Screenshots/
│   ├── Fundamental_Topologies/
│   │   ├── bus_topology.png
│   │   ├── mesh_topology.png
│   │   ├── star_hub_topology.png
│   │   ├── star_switch_topology.png
│   │   ├── ring_topology.png
│   │   └── extended_star_topology.png
│   └── Hybrid_Network/
│       ├── complete_network_overview.png
│       └── company_vlans.png
└── Documentation/
    ├── IP_Addressing.md              # All IP schemes
    ├── VLAN_Configuration.md         # VLAN design and setup
    ├── Routing_Configuration.md      # Static routes
    ├── Security_Hardening.md         # Password & encryption
    └── SNMP_Setup.md                 # Monitoring configuration

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📡 Network Components

Fundamental Topologies

Bus Topology

Feature	Details
Devices	4 PCs
Network	192.168.0.0/29
Characteristics	Linear backbone, shared medium, terminators at both ends
Advantages	Cost-effective, simple to implement
Disadvantages	Single point of failure, collision domain

Mesh Topology

Feature	Details
Devices	4 PCs
Network	192.168.0.0/29
Characteristics	Fully connected, point-to-point links
Advantages	Maximum redundancy, fault-tolerant
Disadvantages	High cable/port requirements, complex

Star Topology (Hub)

Feature	Details
Devices	6 PCs + Hub
Network	192.168.2.0/28
Characteristics	Central hub, single collision domain
Advantages	Easy to install and manage
Disadvantages	Hub is single point of failure, broadcasts to all

Star Topology (Switch)

Feature	Details
Devices	6 PCs + Switch
Network	192.168.2.0/28
Characteristics	Central switch, dedicated paths
Advantages	No collisions, better performance than hub
Disadvantages	Switch is single point of failure

Ring Topology

Feature	Details
Devices	4 PCs
Network	192.168.4.0/29
Characteristics	Circular data path, token passing
Advantages	Deterministic access, equal access for all
Disadvantages	Break in ring disrupts network

Extended Star Topology

Feature	Details
Devices	12 PCs + Multiple Switches
Network	192.168.4.0/28
Characteristics	Hierarchical design, scalable
Advantages	Supports large networks, organized structure
Disadvantages	Core device failure affects multiple segments

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Topology Comparison

Topology	Scalability	Reliability	Cost	Performance
Bus	Low	Low	Low	Low
Mesh	Low	Very High	Very High	High
Star (Hub)	Medium	Medium	Low	Low
Star (Switch)	Medium	Medium	Medium	High
Ring	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Extended Star	High	High	Medium	High

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Hybrid Enterprise Network (GameHub)

Architecture: Star (Company) + Bus (GameHub2) + Ring (GameHub1) + Server Farm

Company Network

VLANs:

• VLAN 100: 10.100.100.0/24 (group4)
• VLAN 200: 10.100.200.0/24 (group3)
• VLAN 300: 10.100.3.0/24 (group2)
• VLAN 400: 10.100.4.0/24 (group1)

Server Farm

Services:

• DNS/HTTP Server: 192.168.3.4 (Server Farm: 192.168.3.0/29)
• Web Portal: http://192.168.3.4 (index.html, player.html, admin.html)

Bus Network (GameHub2)

• Network: 192.168.0.0/29
• Connection to Ring network via 192.168.8.0/24

inter-Router Links:

• Company ↔ Server Farm: 192.168.6.0/24
• Server Farm ↔ Ring: 192.168.7.0/24
• Ring ↔ Bus: 192.168.8.0/24

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🔒 Security Implementation

Applied to: All routers and switches across entire network

Router/Switch> enable
Router/Switch# configure terminal
Router/Switch(config)# enable password Str0ngP@ss2024
Router/Switch(config)# service password-encryption
Router/Switch(config)# exit
Router/Switch# copy running-config startup-config

Features:

• Enable password protection on privileged mode
• Type 7 password encryption
• Configuration saved to NVRAM

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📊 SNMP Monitoring

Applied to: All routers and switches

Router/Switch(config)# snmp-server community PUBLIC_RO RO
Router/Switch(config)# snmp-server community PRIVATE_RW RW

Access Method:

1. Launch MIB Browser on management PC
2. Target device IP address
3. Community string: PUBLIC_RO
4. Query system information and interface statistics

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⚡ Quick Start

1. Load Topologies:
   • Fundamental topologies: Open 5_topologies.pkt
   • Hybrid network: Open hybrid_topology.pkt
2. Test Connectivity: ping 192.168.3.4 from any device
3. Access Web Portal: Browse to http://192.168.3.4
4. Verify Security: Try accessing privileged mode (password required)
5. Test SNMP: Use MIB Browser with community string PUBLIC_RO

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📚 Documentation Files

Document	Purpose
IP_Addressing.md	Complete IP allocation tables for all topologies and networks
VLAN_Configuration.md	VLAN database, trunk configuration, and inter-VLAN routing
Routing_Configuration.md	All static routes for Company, Bus, Ring, and Server Farm routers
Security_Hardening.md	Step-by-step security configuration for all devices
SNMP_Setup.md	SNMP community setup and MIB browser usage
Testing_Procedures.md	Verification commands and expected results

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👨‍💻 About

Name: SVA Ntombela