SOHO-Network-Design-and-Implementation

Project Overview

This project involves designing and implementing a small office/home office (SOHO) network using Cisco Packet Tracer. The project meets the requirements of XYZ Company, a fast-growing enterprise intending to expand to a branch network in Bonalbo village. The network is separated from the headquarters (HQ) and is configured with the following key objectives:

• One router and one switch are used.
• The network is segmented into three departments: Admin/IT, Finance/HR, and Customer Service/Reception.
• Each department is assigned to a separate VLAN.
• Wireless connectivity is provided for all users.
• DHCP is configured to allow host devices to obtain IPv4 addresses automatically.
• Devices across all departments are able to communicate with each other through inter-VLAN routing.

Network Design

Devices and Topology

The SOHO network design includes the following:

• Router: Cisco 2911 Router (Router0)
• Switch: Cisco 2960 Switch (Switch0)
• Access Points: For wireless connectivity across departments.
• End Devices: PCs, Laptops, Smartphones, Tablets, and Printers.

VLAN Configuration

• Admin/IT Department - VLAN 10
  • Devices: 2 PCs, 1 Printer, 1 Access Point, Laptops, Smartphones.
• Finance/HR Department - VLAN 20
  • Devices: 2 PCs, 1 Printer, 1 Access Point, Laptops, Smartphones.
• Customer Service/Reception - VLAN 30
  • Devices: 2 PCs, 1 Printer, 1 Access Point, Laptops, Smartphones, Tablets.

IP Addressing Scheme

The company is provided with a base network of 192.168.1.0/24. Subnets are created for each VLAN, and the last usable IP address in each subnet is assigned to the router.

• VLAN 10 (Admin/IT):
  • Network: 192.168.1.0/26
  • Router IP: 192.168.1.62 (Last usable IP)
• VLAN 20 (Finance/HR):
  • Network: 192.168.1.64/26
  • Router IP: 192.168.1.126 (Last usable IP)
• VLAN 30 (CS/Reception):
  • Network: 192.168.1.128/26
  • Router IP: 192.168.1.190 (Last usable IP)

Inter-VLAN Routing

• Configured on Router0 to allow communication between devices in different VLANs.

DHCP Configuration

• DHCP pools were configured on Router0 to allocate IPv4 addresses dynamically to devices in each VLAN.

Wireless Network

• Each department is equipped with Access Points to provide wireless network connectivity to laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

Diagram

Below is a visual representation of the network topology:

Configuration Steps

1. VLAN Setup on the Switch

VLANs were created for each department:

Switch(config)# vlan 10
Switch(config-vlan)# name Admin_IT

Switch(config)# vlan 20
Switch(config-vlan)# name Finance_HR

Switch(config)# vlan 30
Switch(config-vlan)# name CS_Reception

2. Assigning Interfaces to VLANs

Each department's devices were assigned to their respective VLANs:

Switch(config)# interface range fa0/1-4
Switch(config-if-range)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if-range)# switchport access vlan 10

Switch(config)# interface range fa0/5-8
Switch(config-if-range)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if-range)# switchport access vlan 20

Switch(config)# interface range fa0/9-12
Switch(config-if-range)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if-range)# switchport access vlan 30

3. Inter-VLAN Routing on the Router

Sub-interfaces were configured on Router0 to enable communication between VLANs:

Router(config)# interface g0/0.10
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 10
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.1.62 255.255.255.192

Router(config)# interface g0/0.20
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 20
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.1.126 255.255.255.192

Router(config)# interface g0/0.30
Router(config-subif)# encapsulation dot1Q 30
Router(config-subif)# ip address 192.168.1.190 255.255.255.192

4. DHCP Configuration

DHCP pools were configured to dynamically assign IP addresses to devices in each VLAN:

Router(config)# ip dhcp pool VLAN10
Router(dhcp-config)# network 192.168.1.0 255.255.255.192
Router(dhcp-config)# default-router 192.168.1.62

Router(config)# ip dhcp pool VLAN20
Router(dhcp-config)# network 192.168.1.64 255.255.255.192
Router(dhcp-config)# default-router 192.168.1.126

Router(config)# ip dhcp pool VLAN30
Router(dhcp-config)# network 192.168.1.128 255.255.255.192
Router(dhcp-config)# default-router 192.168.1.190

5. Testing and Verification

• Devices were connected and tested for network connectivity.
• Ping tests were conducted between devices in different VLANs to confirm that inter-VLAN routing was functioning correctly.
• DHCP was tested by verifying that devices obtained dynamic IP addresses in the correct ranges.

Conclusion

This SOHO network design effectively segments the network into three departments using VLANs, ensuring both wired and wireless connectivity for all devices. Inter-VLAN routing allows communication between departments, and DHCP ensures that devices are automatically assigned IP addresses.

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