CPT: Network Addressing

Dear Learners,

In this learning dialog, we will use Cisco Packet Tracer to look at different networks and how addresses are allocated among them. We will also see how we can check the connectivity between two network devices using the "ping" command and also see how private addresses communicate over the internet using Network Address Translation (NAT). This LeD has seven videos and a few questions in between. Let us begin with the introduction to our new topology which can be downloaded from here.

Now that you are aware of the different networks in the topology, let's go back to the college network and see how network addresses have been allocated. We will also look at the method of automatically assigning IP addresses known as dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP).

DHCP does work it's magic by assigning IP addresses, but in some situations we may need to assign IP addresses manually. DHCP doesn't ensure that the same address will the assigned to the same device every time which might be a requirement. Let's see how manual allocation of IP addresses happens.

Now that we have an idea of how a local network can be set up using IP addresses, let's look at the entire topology and see how addresses are assigned in the other public and private networks.

Now that you know how IP addresses are allocated, let's see how two devices are connected using a command called "ping"

We know that our WiFi assigns private IP addresses, yet it allows us to communicate over the internet. This is because of network address translation (NAT) which enables this communication over the internet. Let us see how does that happen.

Before we end this LeD, lets us discuss the need of a network with just two usable IP addresses, which is a good way of using address spaces efficiently.

Now that we have seen how IP addresses are an important part of communication over the internet and also saw a few features which allow us to communicate over the internet, let's do the assignment now.