Assessment - Research Network Design
Task -
This is a practical assessment and will enhance and test your practical skills related to the subject topic. You are required to set up a simple network using minimum three PCs and minimum two routers, or use simulation software to set up the same network.
To complete this assessment you are expected to refer to information beyond the text book. This assignment is open; in that you are free to choose the devices or software you use to complete the specified tasks. Students are expected to accomplish this task by utilising the necessary commands discussed in lectures and also described in the prescribed text book.
There are numerous web sites available that discuss Linux networking. You are expected to list your sources of information for the different tasks. When completing this project, you may encounter errors or experience difficulties getting your setup to work. If this occurs, your challenge is to analyse why they happen and report on how you solved the problems you encountered.
Additional information will be provided for technology options to use in creating this lab closer to the assessment due date.
Task 1 - Setting up a Network
You are required to set up a network consisting of PCs, routers and servers. You need to configure routing between routers (minimum two routers required). The routers will have multiple network interfaces. The PC (client) will be connected to one of the router's interfaces and other PCs (servers) will be connected to the second router's interface.
Client <--> Router <--> Router <--> Server(s)
Setup separate server for each application/service. Each side of the router will be in its own LAN (or WAN) segment and should have a different network address, use ONLY private IP address ranges to design this network.
Perform the following activities and support your workings with screenshots [10 marks]:
1. Configure the PC, Server and Router interfaces with appropriate network addressing;
2. Configure routing (IP packet forwarding) on the routers;
3. On the client ping the client's own network interface, then the local router gateway interface, then the remote router interface, then the server;
4. Use the traceroute command from the client to the server. Include results of the traceroute in your submission.
Task 2 - Configuring Network Services
Using the same network topology that you have setup in Task 1, perform the following additional activities [15 marks]:
1. DHCP: Configure DHCP on the server and show that the client PC has successfully received an IP Address and other network parameters (default router, netmask, DNS) using DHCP;
2. WEB Server: Configure a WEB server on dedicated machine, with URL as www.YOUR NAME.csu.edu.au
3. DNS: Configure a DNS Server on the server device and demonstrate that forward and reverse DNS are working from the client PC; test DNS Server by browsing www.YOUR NAME.csu.edu.au from client PC, DNS must resolve this URL to IP address of WEB Server
4. Firewall: Configure traffic filtering on the router to block TCP traffic only between one of the client PC and WEB Servers, and provide evidence of such traffic filtering.
A series of screen shots with commentary on each of the required tasks is to be submitted. The submission must include a comprehensive explanation of each task and all the commands used along with the output (or final result) in report format.
Rationale - This assessment is designed to enhance analytical skills, planning and design capabilities of students under some predefined requirements. In particular, the assessment covers the following learning objectives:
- be able to analyse IP addressing requirements and design an addressing scheme;
- be able to analyse the requirements of IP routing and choose appropriate routing methods;
- be able to demonstrate how internetworking devices obtain their network configuration;
- be able to explain how data flows through the internet; and
- be able to ascertain and evaluate selection of applications and protocols for transferring data across the internet;